New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-04

.op;npine those returning from our foreign sque'
,a,s' has been large. Eleven thousand mechanics
end laborers have been IN the daily employ VI .he
Goyernment at he different navy-yards IN oulGinS
and preparing vessels, and eqniping and arlning
them for service; but THE large force mas been u-
able TO dispatch the work with the rapdty ds-
rnanded and the Department mas heen eompeiied III
consequence TO resort 10 private smp-yards ana OUT
aide labor.
ARMORED SHIPS.
To carry into effect the provisions OF The ACT up
proved Aug g. 1861, providing for the CONSTRUCTOR
of one or more armored ships aud Heating pa IT,
APPOINTED COmInOdores Joseph Smth am i!il1 "a
Panldiug and CAPTAIN Charles II. Davis' SsiIi" is
experienced naval officers, TO lnVesesa'99 % ~
and specifications that might be suohiseu ,o-,l
ieet OF iron arnature for ships Is one VI he :; ON
interest not only TO the navy ana couh'i y, o ~
,yog;ny he attention of the maritime powers oi Vne
worId Hinder the appropriation mace oy Congr.ss,
the Department, on The laVorsoie Iepoi' -
Board has contracted for the construction ol 'uloo
- va bips of different models, The aggregate cost
az bcb viii be within the limits OF The appronria
t;on. The difficulty OF combining the TWO qnShues
of Icht draft and iron GIInor, Doih OF whlon aio
wanted for service on our coast could nor DC eiely
overcome hut the Beard, In this new branch oil ma
val architecture, has, think, displayed great prac
tissl wisdom and refer to their very full and able
report. which is appended, for more eXplllt ana
detailed exhibit of their inquiries and conclusions
sTEyENs'S BATTERY.
In pursuance Of the joint resolution of Congress
approved June "A, 1861 authorizing the Secretary of
the Navy to appoint Board TO examine the IRON
steam battery now building at Hoboken, New'JeI-
sey and ascertain what will be the cost Of compiet-
ing the same, how coon can DC completed, ana e
eXpedieney thereof, appoint Con1nodores Sllas IL.
StrDgham and William human, Capt. L. A. D0rnn'
Chief Engineer A. G. sinners, and Jcsei,Ss Henry
esq, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution,
Commission and directed them 10 assemble on the Isl
of November TO prosecute the examination. The
Department tas information that the Board con-
veDed, but has as yet received no report of its pro-
ceeGings.
INCREASING THF EFFICIENCY OF THE NAVY.
TIE efficiency Of the Navy may unques'ionably be
largely increased by creating more grades, and 1
would recommend that the permanent organization
OF the line officers be as follows:
Flag 0hoer-io command squadrons.
Commodore,
Cep,sin To command .;r.,e sbi,s
Commander. l''-'N"u '"s'e sNPs'
!i4alensat Midshipmsn,
Nsslsr Cadet
PASSED. midshipmsn
The lieutenant eomulS. ders grade used during
The Revolution. msy be employed as first herenautt
and N the command of the smaller class OF ha'S' J
vessels.
me present rate of pay may be so appoitioned
among the different grsdes that III the aggregate
there shall be no increase. Let no officer be adj
vanced to any grade above that OF passed midslip,
man except upon nomination of the President and
confirmation by the Senate, after board of officers
shall have pronounced him morally, physically, and
professionally competent 10 perform al hs uut0s.
both ashore and afost.
The public service would also be promoted were
come limit Of age fixed ty law for active service
would therefore, respectfully suggest that line OIL
GERS be retired after having been iortyye years IL
the Navy, excepting when called into active service
by special appointment from the President. gen
erous pecuniary provision should Ne made Tor those
who are retired after long and faithful service.
To satisfy the immediate demands Of the public
service, recommend that a grade TO be designated
ha 40 had md
by selection from the present list OF Captains and
Commanders, appoint number not exceeding seven,
who shall each have command, irrespective Of
reDiority or rank OF the squadron to which he may
be assigned and the appointment shall cease when
the officer hauls down his flag, unless for distln-
guished and meritOrious conduct in battle, as flag
officer, he receives, upon recommendation OF the
PresideEt the thanks OF Congress.
RETIRING BOARDS.
Under the provisions of an act authorizing Ma
val Retiring Board entitled g An act providing for
the better organization of the military establish
ment," approved August 8, 1861, Board has been
W. Storer, President; Commodore Charles ii. Bell
Capt ID. G.. Farrsgut, Surgeons Charles Shase, and
L. b. Hunter, members; and Philip Hamilton, esq
Judoe- Advocate. The Board convened at Brooklyn
on the 18th of October last, and is still prosecuting
Its duties. ,
A like Board assembled at the same place on the
9Th Of November, under authorization by the same
law for retiring such marine officers az have become
incapable of performing the duties Of their Office
This Board is composed of Col. John Harris, CON
mandant OF the corps President; Brevet Major ia
cob ZeiliD Major William B. Slack, Surgeons Solo
mon Sharp, and Charles ID. Maxwell, membersi and
p. T. Woodbury., esq, Judge-Advocate.
Awaiting themselves OF the provisions OF the act
referred TO- several officers Of the navy and Of the
marine corps have, upon their own application, been
placed on the list of retired officers, after having
been forty years in the service of the United States
ACTING APPOINTMENTS.
In my report at the commencement Of the special
session made mention Of the fact that the appoint
Of acting ieuenants had been conferred on GER
tain gentlemen who lad retired from the navy in
peaceful times, but who, when flag was assailed
promptly rendered their services in its defense. Ii
was not within the power OF the Department TO re-
store these gentlemen to the line of promotion, but
they placed in the position Of and assigned TO
duty as, acting heutenants, where they have rem
dered good service, and proved themselves worthy
of their profession whenever they have had an o.
portunity, either at Hatteras Port Royal, the Gulf,
or elsewhere There are fifteen of these formerly
naval officers who have received the appointment OF
acting Eeutenants. The question Of ful restoration
10 these gallant officers, whose names are untaI-
sished. and who have acquitted themselves with
honor their profession, s one OF interest to them
selves and the country.
In pursuance of the policy indicated by Congress
NJ the extra session. there have been appointed from
the commercial marine twenty-five acting volunteer
Geutenants. Great care has been exercised in the
selection Of these officers, who, beside their general
reputation for nautical skill, have undergone
animation AZ to their fitness and qualifications by
board constituted for that purpose.
There have also been appointed for active service
an the navy, independent Of officers Of the line 413
acting ana 900 masters mates. All of these
masters have had sea experience, and nearly every
one has been successful navigator and commander
10 the merchant service. IL soon found necessa
ry also TO require that masters mates should have
previous sea experience to qualify them for appoint
ment. In order 70 prepare the different classes Of