Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-12-07
VESSELS BUILT AND PURCHASED

NEbGELb bO1ki AMI HOhOhAohD.
Twenty. eight light draft, screw steamers,
but heavy armament, and twelve side-wheel
steamers have been built, or are in process of
construction.
If, with those above enumerated, we include
three iron clad, or armor steamers, which are
being built from the money appropriated for
that purpose at the special session, there will
be under these several arrangements an addi-
tion, when they are completed, of ffty.two new
steamers, peculiarly adapted to the required
blockade or coast guard duty, added TO the
navy. No sailing vessels have been ordered
to be built, for steam, as well as heavy ord
nance, has become antDdispensible element Of
the most efficient Daval power.
The purchase of vessels was committed to
an agent, who acted under Naval Board
The expenditure in fitting for sea service the
vessels at the different navy yards, and repair
ing and equipping those returning from our
foreign squadrons, has been large. Eleven
thousand mechanics and laborers has been in
the daily employ Of the Government at the diff.
ferent navy yards in building and preparing
vessels, and equipping and arming them for
service; but this large force has been unable
to dispatch the work with the rspidity demand
ed, and the department has been compelled In
consequence to resort to private shipyards and
outside labor. at
RoN-cLAD SHIPS.
The department has contracted for three iron
clad ships of different models, which shall be OF
light draught but Of heavy armament.
INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF NAVY.
The Secretary recommends an increase Of
grade, and that they be as follows:
Flag oficer-to command squadrons.
GsPtsi8, Ss%GSe'''' To command sin.
GS%%asSsI; Gisatsasasl asl:onm.aasr, gle ships
Lieutenant.
Master.
Passed Midshipmen.
Midshipmen.
Cadet. .si u ...s .e4r 6. ) 81 d.
Tho utenant'commanders, d grade used
during the Revolution, may be employed as first
lieutenants, and in the command Of the smaller
class of naval vessels. Afs si
He recommends that officers after forty five
years service be retired. tc,e,
coNTRABANDs.
In the coastwise and blockading duties of the
navy, il has been not unfrequent that iugitiyes
from insurrectionary places have sought our
ships for refuge and protection, aud our naval
commanders have applied TO me for instruction
as 70 the proper disposition which should be
made Of such refugees. My answer haa been
that, If insurgents, they should be handed over
to the custody of the government; but If, on
the contrary, they were free from any voluntary
participation in the rebellion, and sought the
shelter and protection Of our Gag, then they
should be cared for and employed In some use.
full manner, and might be enlisted to serve on
our public vessels or in our Navy Yards, re
ceiving wages for their labor. IL such employ.
ment could not be furniehed TO all BY the navy,
they might be referred TO the army, and If no
employment could be found for them In the
public service, they should be allowed to pro-
ceed freely and peaceably without reatrairt to
seek livelihood 10 any loyal portion of the
country. This ! have considered to be the
whole required duty,in the premises, of our
naval officers.
NAVAL DEPOT ON THE LAKES. ~ .-a
have been desired to invite attention to the
fact that there 10 no naval depot on the lakes,
Notwithstanding the vast amount of tonnage on
that frontier, and TO state thatif there were one
and the ability 70 arm the merchant marine,
our rights on the lakes would be made secure.
rsTMATEs AND APsRoPmArioss s1
The amount appropriated at the last regular
session Of Congress for the naval service for
the current year was Sl3, 1853 ,675 Sc. To tbIs
was added at the special session 10 July laet
$50, ,4l6, ,e75 9I--making for the fiscal wear
ending June 30, 1862, en aggregate Of S43, ,6l5,,
55I ~. This sum will not be euficIent, how.
ever, for the purpose, aud, therefore, additional
Appropriations will be necessary. There will
be required TO pay for vessels purchased and
for necessary altesetI0us Incurred IN fitting