, 1861-12-06

Making Il total Of 2G4 vessels, :a,557 guns, and
2le,0lG tons. The aggregate number Of sea-
men in thu service on the 9th Of March last
wHs $500. The number Is now not less than
23,Q00.
AHMORED SHIPS.
To carry into effect the provisions Of the act
approved Aug. 8, 1861, providing for the con-
struetion q one or more armored ships and
tloatins batteries, | appointed CoInmodores
CllIr1er II. Davis, tkiilful and Experienced
naval officers, to investigate the plans and
specifications that might lie submitted. Tic
great general interest, not ouly to the navy
and country, but is engaging the attention OF
tic maritime powers Of the world. Under the
appropriation made by Congress. the Depart
nent, on the favorable report Of the Board,
has contracted for the construction Of
three iron clad ships Of different
models, tho aggregate cost Of which
will be within the limits of the appropriation.
The difficulty Of combining tho two qualities
oflight drnugl't and iron ;'r1nor, both Of which
are wanted for service on our coast, could not
be entirely overcome; hut tho Board, in this
new branch Of naval architecture, las, think,
displayed great practical wisdom, and refer
III their very full and a1lc report, which is ap-
pended, for a more explicit and detailed ex-
| h'bit Of their inquiries and conclusions.
INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF TIE NAVY.
Tie efficiency Of the navy 1nay unouestion-
| ALLY lie largely increased by creating more
| gr1des, and would recommend that the per-
| 1lancr1 organization OF the line officers be as
| follows:
| Flag offieer-to command squadrons
| Commodore,
| Captain, To command
f;e"3ena1fesommanaer, fam%na%s9: single ships
| Lieutenant,
| Master,
| Midshipnlan.
| Cadet.
| The lieutenant nt-comnlanders, grade used
| during the Revolution, may bc employed rs
| first lieutersnts and in tic command Of the
| smaller class Of naval vessels.
| The present rate of pay may he so appor-
| tioncl among the different grades that in tie
aggregate there shall hc no increase Let no
| officer be advanced to any grade above that Of
| passed mIdshipman except upon nomination
Of the President and confirmation by the Sem
| ate, alter board Of officers shall have pro-
nounced him morally, physically and profcs-
sionalfy competent to perform Ill lis duties.
| both ashore and :tioat.
The public service would also be promoted
were some limit Of age fixed by law for active
service. would, therefore, respectfully sns-
gcst that Line officers be retired after having
| been 1orty-1iye years in the navy, excepting
When called into active service By special ap-
rointment from, the President. 4 generous
pccuniarv provision should he made Tor those
To satisfy the immediate demands Of the
public service, recommend that a grade to
hc designated flag officer be established, and
that the President, by selection from tho pres
cnt list Of captains and commanders, appoint
| number not exceeding seyen, who shall each
have command, irrespective of seniority or
rank ofthc squadron to Which he may be assign
cd, and the appointment shall cease when the
officer hauls down his flag, unless for distin-
guishtd and mcritorious conduct in battle, rs
I.A-
Of the President, the thanks Of Congress.
EMPLOYMENT OF FUG1T1yEs.
In tho eoastwisc and blockading duties Of
| the navy it has heen not untrequeni that f1si-
tivcs from insurrcctionary places have sought
our ships for refuge and protection, and our
naval commanders have applied to me for in
struetion as to the proper disposition which
should be made of such refugees. My answer
has been that, if insurgents, they should be
handed over to the custody Of the Goycrnmcnt;
but If, on the contrary, they were free from
any voluntary participation in the rebellion
flag, then they should be cared for and en-
ployed in some useful manner, and might be
enlisted to serve on our public vessels or in
our Navy Yards, receiving Hnges for their L.
hor;, u sch employment could not b FURNISHED
to ali III Tic nasy, they might be referred to the
d,7ny, Hnd # no employment could b. found for
them in the public se,7ice they should be auoe7
10 proceed freely and peacedNy acithout restraint
10 seek q hzelfhood in avg loyal portion Of the
country. This | have considered to be the
whole required duly, in tic premises, Of our
naval officers.
NAVAL DEPOT on THE LAKES.
have hcen desired to invite attention to
the fact that there is no naval depot on the
lakes, Notwithstanding the vast amount Of
tonnage on the frontier, and to state that II
there were one, and the ability to arm the
merchant marine, our rights on the lakes
would he made secure
ESTIMATES AND APPROPRIATIONS.
The amount appropriated at the last regular
| session of Congress for the naval service fol
tic current year was SIS, l6S. .67566. To this
was added at the special session in July last
ing June 80, 1852, an aggregate of $43 615,
551.T: This sum will not be sufficient, how
ever, for the purpose, and, therefore, additiona
appropriations will lie necessary. There viii
DC required to pay for vessels purchased, ant
I ior necessary attentions incurred in fitting
thcm ior naval purposes, the sum Of 2,5So GOD
for the purchase Of additional vessels, $a 600,
wv, and lot the construction and completion
oftwenty iron clad vessels, $12 600 000-1nak
ing total Of SIC, $50 900. This sum is inde
pendent OF the estimates submitted for tht
next fiscal year, and being required for curren
expenses, as well Us objects Of Immediate i'm
porance, it is desirable should receive earl.
G attention from Congress.
i. The estimates submitted by this Departmcn
j. for The fiscal year ending June 80, 1868, amour
: to 81 ,625 ,6o502, VIZ;
For navy yards, hospitals, magazines.
and miscellaneous objects .-...... a42a47SO
IL Tic reports Of the chiefs of the bureaus m,
l. the commandant of the marine corps, Wit
+ | their accompanying estimates, exhibit in DE-
foi1 f1a ch;erfs {nr which, tho