New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-04
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF
THE NAVY.

SIR: The Report from this department Hnder date
of 4h July as exhibited the condition of the Navy,
the administrative measures taken to augment It's
efficiency, and the general course of its operations
up to the Of the late special session Of
Congress. The enlarged estimates OF expenditure
for the naval service then submitted contemplated,
especially, three different lines Of naval Operations,
upon an extended scale, demanded by the situation
OF the country. These were:
/. The closing of all the insurgent ports along a
coast line Of nearly 5000 miles, III the form and un,
der the exacting regulations OF an international
blockade including the naval occupation and defense
Of the Potomac River, from lie mouth to the Federal
Capital as the boundary line between Maryland and
Virginia, and also the main commercial avenue 70 tue
principal base OF our military operations.
III. The organization Of combined naval and mill
tary expeditions 10 operate in force against various
points of the Southern coast rendering efficient ma
val cooperation with the position and movements OF
such expeditions when landed, and including also
all needfu naval aid to the army in cutting Oft inter
communication with the rebels and in its operations
on the Mississippi and its tributaries and,
Ill. The active pursuit OF the Piratical cruisers
which mig escape the vigilance OF the bloekadng
force and put TO sea from the rebel ports.
These were duties which the navy was called upon
at the same time TO prepare Tor and perform, anu
they constituted triple task, more ardGous, 1t Is
believed III some respects than has before been de-
handed from the maritime power of any Govern
ment. proceed TO report briefly the efforts which
have been made for its accomplishment.
The limited number Of ships aud men at command
when the proclamation announcing the blockade OF
the ports Of the nsurgent States issued, and the
Inadequate means provided by the last Congress for
the emergency, devolved upon the Department the
necessity for calling into immediate service Lot only
all the naval forces but vessels from the commercial
marine Purchases were accordingly made and char
tiers hastily executed for the exigency and orders
peremptorly issued TO forthwith equip and prepare
for service the public vessels that were -dismaned
and ia ordinary at the several yards The force thus
hastily gathered was placed along our coast and al.
yided into two squadrons, of which, designated
as the Atlantic blockadng squadron bad for lie held
of operation the whole coast, extending from the
easternmost line of Virginia 10 Cape Florida, and
was under the command Of Flag Officer Silas H..
Siringham. The other or Gulf squadron, operating
from Cape Florida westward 10 the Rio Grande, was
commanded by Flag Officer William hcrvine. These
officers repaired 10 their stations and were re-en-
forced from tine 10 time by the arrival OF such yes
sells as were dispatched 10 their commands and un-
DER their supervision ard direction all the ports upon
their stations were subjected TO blockade as rigid
and effective US the peculiar nature OF our maritime
frontier which has through large PORTION OF its en-
tire extent double coast, inner and outer, would
admit Our principal naval vessels are not, from
their great draft Of water, adapted TO blockade SER
vice on our shallow coaBt, which has been guarded
with extreme difficulty. The ports OF North Caro-.
lima especially situated within the interior shallow
waters of their sounds and inles, afforded peculiar
facilities 10 class of small vessels, aided by fraudn-