Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-07-16

Decatur, hoop, ct Ian Innchco, 40
J. Hancock, sseau-tender, Ban Francisco,
There have besa recently sddsd 70 the navy, By pu.
chss., IL sesmsrs carrying frca to guns each, and
sseamess carrying from 70 guns each. By these ad
Stions The naval force 10 commission hes been increased
70 50 vessels Carrying upwards OF 100 guns, and with
marine complement Of about 5000 men, exclusively
of officers and marines There also several steam
bo.s and other small craft which temporarily in tho
service OF the department.
Purchases Of sailing ships have been made for trans.
poetins coal to the steamers that are performing duty
A seniinels before the principal hsrbors. IL would De
inex and attended with much loss OF time, rs
srsat additional expense, to compel the steamers when
ort of fuel 10 leave their stations and proceed 70 the
NEAREST depot Distant IN most cases, several hundred
miles to obtain supply In the absence Of any proper
or suitable stations or buildings for storing coal hunks
have been provided be anchored ut some convenient
place for the use of the squadron.
The squadron ON the Atlantic coast under the COM
maud of Flag officer g. b. Singham, consists OF " yes
sss 296 guns and $500 men.
Tho suuadron in the Gulf under the command OF Flag
officer william hervine, consists Of 81 vessels zSz guns
and 8 500 men.
Additions have been made To each Of the squadrons OF
two or three small vessels that have been captured ana
tsken into the service The steamers Paunee and foca-
hontas and the Aotla under the late Commander Ward,
With several steamboats, in charge Of naval Officers have
bsen employed on the Potomac river 70 prevent commu-
nicaon with that portion Of Virginia which Is 10 insur.
rscon Great service hes been rendered by this armed
fo'ce, which has been vigant In ntercepdng suppsf
and in protecting transports and supply vessels in their
passage up and down the Potomac.
The squadron 10 the Pacific under the command Of
Flag officer John B. Montgomery, consists OF vessels
81 guns and l 900 men.
TIE Wost India squadron ID under the command oil
Flagofcor G. J. Pendergras who has been temporarily
on duty, with his aagshp the Cumberland, at Norfolk
and Hampton Roads, since the 2Sd Of March. He will,
a. an early day. transfer bis flag TO the steam-rgate
Roanoke and proceed southwark having in charge our
interests on the Mexican and Central American coasts
and in the West India Islands.
The East India, Mediterranean, Brsz1, and African
squsdrons excepting one vessel Of each Of the two ssr
have been recalled.
The return Of these vessels will add TO the force for
service In the Gulf and the Atlantic coast about zoo
guns and 800
RESERVATIONS OF orTTCx1s.
Since the I.h of March two hundred and fhy nine Of
Hcers of the navy have resigned their commissions OF
been dismissed from the service. This dimnution OF OH
GERS time when the force was greatly enlarged, and
when the whole naval Of the country was put
in requs.ion has compelled the department to send many
OF our public vessels to without full compliment oil
cffcers To some extent this deficiency has been sup
piled by gentlemen formerly connected With the navy.
A SLAP CAPT. NAURY.
The Observatory, for many years under the superin
tenderce of an officer who had gained distinguished repu
tation In connection with the institution, was abandoned
by him in very abrupt manner on the 10th OF April
On receiving Intelligence that he had, without previous
intimaon of his intention deserted the post that had
been confded 70 him. gentleman eminently adapted 10
the place. Who bad moreover, been early identified with
the Observatory, at once placed in the position.
gives me pleasure 10 say that in many respects the chang
has been an Improvement while trust that neither The
country nor the cause of science will experience any
detriment therefrom.
sHIPs IN ARAoR.
Much attention has been given within the last few year,
TO the ject OF floating or iroucad steamers
Other Governments aud particularly France and Eng
land have made II special object in connection with
val improvements and the ingenuity and inventive fac
ulties Of our countrymen have also been stimulated
by recent occurrences towards the construction OF this
class of vessels The period Is perhsps not ore best
adapted to heavy expenditures BY way Of experiment
and the time aud attention Of Of those Who are
competent 10 investigate and form correct conclusions on
the subject are Other employed. would, however,
recommend the appointment Of proper and competent
board TO quire into and report in regard 70
so and it ia for Congress TO decide whether
on favorable report they will order or more iron
clad steamers floating batteries TO be constructed with
view perfect protection from the effects OF present
ordnance at short range and make appropriation or
that purpose.
RrcoNxESDArIoHs.
The Secretary recommends nrst ana enemy kgs'suon
eIculpating him for the perrries he had committed in
violating the Constitution and the laws by his varou,
acts in disregard Of both the appointment of assist
AIT Secretary of the Navy to help him violate them still
further and faster the addition Of number Of paymas
ters snrsoons &C. which will enable him to provide fcl
large member Of hs Yankee friends and reatives and
ty the replesishing Of his exhausted money chest By
tue HPP-raiion of $50 500 $40 80 (he cents are in
portant in Yankee calculatiohsJ IN suuiuvp, 80.
stand It, to slS e75 49, already appropriated for ,h'
current year.