Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-07-12

| These vessels had complement, exclusive
| of officers and marines, OF about 1900 men,
and nearly all of them were on foreign sta
tons. The home squadron consisted of ~
vessels, carrying 1877 guns and about 200
men. OF this squadron only four small YES
sells, carrying % guns and about $50 men,
were in Northern ports.
The blockade fleet had been divided into
two squadrons-the first the Atlantic Squad
ron, ~ vessels, 296 guns and $500 men, I'M
ond the Gulf Squadron, 81 vessels, 2S2 guns,
and 1900 men, under flag officer William
Mervine.
The Niagara was sent to the Gulf to pre-
vent the landing Of arms at Mobile and New
Orleans. Transport steamers have been char
tered for coast duties, during the summer
The Department, besides purchasing, has,
therefore, contracted for the building of %
gunboats, each of 800 tons burden; and has
made preliminary arrangements for several
larger and teeter vessels, which shall not only
aid in preventing illegal commerce, but made
particularly servicable in suppressing depreda-
tons on that which is legal. Both of these
classes are OF sizes inferior to the sloops Of
war ordered by the last Congress.
Eight sloops-of war are being rapidly con-
structed. Considerable expenditures have
been required by the exigencies of the times
The Secretary asks Congress to sanction these
purchases and contracts.
The Naval force in commission is now 80
vessels, carrying 100 guns and complement
Of 1900 men, exclusive of officers and ma
rines.
The squadron of the Pacific, under the COM
mand of Flag officer John b. Montgomery,
consists of six vessels, eighty-two guns and
100 men.
The West India squadron is under the
command of Flag officer G. j. Prendergrast,
who has been temporarily OH duty, with his
flagship, the Cumberland, at Norfolk and
Hampton Roads, since the 23d of March. He
will, at an early day, transfer his flag to the
steam frigate 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 Medi terranean, Brazil and
African squadrons, excepting one vessel of
each of the two latter, have been recalled.
The return of these vessels will add to the
force for service in the Gulf and on the Allan
tic coast, about two hundred guns and $500
men.
Since the 4th of March, 25G officers of the
Navy have resigned or been dismissed.
The Naval Academy, formerly at Annapo-
lis, now removed to Newport, r. l., is without
its authorized number OF pupils for one third
of the districts neglect or refuse i he repre-
scented and there is no legal way of Supplying
this deficiency from other districts. 1t is sug-
gested that Congress provide for the deficit,
and that for period, at least, the numbers in
the school should not be increased, until there
is a full complement Of officers. The Secretary
recommend, an officer shall be appointed, to
be known as the director of ordnance, who
SHALL under the Department, have the imme
date supervision of the manufacture, descrip-
ton and supply Of ordnance for the Navy.
A change OF the navy rations isrecommend-
ed for vessels doing coast duty. An. increase
of surgeons and paymasters, also an increase
and reorganization of the marine corps are
recommended also the appointment of
board to inquire into the utility of iron-clad
steamers and floating batteries, and an increase
of the clerical force and the appointment ofan
Assistant Secretary Of the Navy.
The following slavers have been captured
since the last report: Bark Cora, by the Con-
stitution brig Bonita, by the San Parcinto
brig Tucoa, by the Mohawk; ship Nightin-
gale, by the Saratoga
The estimates submitted for the fiscal year
amount to $50, 900, 5000.