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

A1Q
10 Barks.... 20 49,
| Briggs ...............s..'.....''.'.' W.
i0s sIs 7lsm
VESSELS CONSTRUCTED.
Number Of Vessels Guns Tuna
IL Screw soops. ......"............. ~ io'sm
| 20 Guuboats .......................... ilvt
q I,on.eisd steamer. .''........... 10 500
80 as5 I.4@
Making tosl Of 264 vessels ., 557 guns, and 2lS,-
0l6 tuns. The aggregate number OF seamen IN the
service on the 4th of March last was 3,6OO The
number is now not less than =, OOO.
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW VESSELS.
Most of the public armed vessels being of snch
size and draught Of water that they could render
only imperfect blOckadiug service immediate meas
ures were taken by the department TO carry into
effect the policy of the Government, In advance OF
the special session of Congress, by contracting for
the construction Of twenty-three steamers, which
should he OF Light draught, bat heavy armament.
Congress- ut the regular session, had authorized the
building Of seven screw stemers and as there were
four wards In each of which two might be built the
DEPARTMENT, ia the existing emergency, and in an
ticipaton Of the action of Congress when it should
convene, directed the construction OF eight dividing
them into two classes of about 1000 and 400 tuns,
respectively. AT the special session, Congress not
only sanctioned the action of the department IN tho
construction of these thirtyone steamers, but II en
tborized the further construction Of twelve side
wheel steamers of light draught and of six Of
larger capacity, 10 he modelled and bnt specially for
speed. Many Of those first ordered are already IN
commission and the others are in rapid progress to-
ward completion. II, with those above enumerated,
we include three rOn-clad 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 addition, when they
are completed Of tfty-two steamers, peculiarly
adapted to the required blockade coast guaro duty,
added TO the Navy. No sailing vessels have been
ordered be built for steam, well as heavy ord
nance, has become an indispensable element Of tho
most efficient naval power.
PURCHASE or VESSELS.
The public vessels and the public yards In their
capacity Of construction and repair were, However,
totally inadequate to the demands that are now
pressing this branch OF the Government, and tue
department was compelled to resort to the CONNER
cal marine to make good the deficiency. Vessels Of
every olass and description were promptly rendered
by sellers and their agents who, in many instances,
became dissatisfied when their offers were not as-
cepted.
This new necessity of the Government, involving
large expenditure, and the purchase OF suitable
vessels imposed important responsibility; and the
task of making suitable arrangements TO insure the
prompt and systematic purchase, on the best and
most reasonable terms for the Government. OF
large number of vessels most suitable for ito use, was
attended by peculiar difficulties, and received mature
consideration. The purchase might be made directly
by the department by boards of officers under its
control at the principal ports where the vessels were
TO be bought and especially at the great central
point Of supply for such demand the port Of New
York.
But to both these methods of procedure the brief
est trial disclosed serious objections. Ii WIS maui
fest from the fret that the Department, charged sud
denly with the organization and superintendence OF
new and ardnous naval operations on large scale,
in addition to its capent business could not rossioly
itself devote TO the Numerous details OF each case OF
purchase the time and attention needfn fully 20 pro-
tec the interests of the Government 1t equally
clear that boards of officers acting in mere ercan-
tile capacity, new TO them, and for which they had
neither been practically trained nor professionally
commissioned, would be subjected to great embar-
rassment and disadvantage in their dealings with
sellers of shps and professional shipbrokers, In
market suddenly pressed by heavy and peremptory
demand. Yet the Department could rely, and II did
rely with the fullest confidence upon tue profess
sional Judgment and ability OF its ordnance officers,
naval constructors, and engineers, all acting uuder
the responsibility OF their commissions, to invtsti-
gate and determine the whole question OF the adapta-
ion in all respects, of each ship offered, and OF Its
capacity to be by alteration fully adapted TO perform
the particular service required by the government
This work. with the corresponding authority OF BE-
lection and rejection of all vessels was therefore ex.
clusively committed to boards consisting each o1 an
experienced naval constructor AID engineer and an
ordnance officer, convened and taioned for the pur
pose at New-York, and the other principal cities.
The mere mercantile part OF the busness-he making
~of the best bargains possible for the Government IN
each case with the care OF averting all Intervention
of third varties, which might embarrass the attain
ment of that result-was considered by the Govern
ment to be placed most properly III the hands of q
mercantile agency Of high and established charac-
ter for integrity, experience and capacity. Obvious
reasons including the consideration that 1t liz indi-
ydual responsibility which is always iet most Keen
ly and that several agents, all acting separately for
the Government at the same places would necessa-
rily compete with each other TO is disadvantage in
the market indicated that this agency shoud be ten
dered to single properly qualified Individual, upon
the distinct understanding that he should devote his
whole time, attention, and ability TO the work; that
he should in no Gaze make any charge against the
Government for his service; that he should deal al
waye directly and exclusively with the owners Of
the vessels purchased thus permitting no brokerage
fees, or agents commissi ms, between himself and
the owners; and that, finally, bis own commission,
payable always by the seller, should in no case ex-
coed the regular mercantile percentage hAed by the
Chamber OF Commerce of New-York, and established
by the custom Of merchants in that city as the right
full and legal rate of remuneration Tor such services
rendered By any person acting between the sellers
and purchasers Of vessels.
The agent thus selected was merchant, who had
been connected with one Of the most successful and
extensive commercial firms In this country--a gen.
tlemsn of great business capacity, and OF the most
scrupulous and unquestioned integrity. Reinquish-
ing all private engagements, and withdra wing from
all business connections Of every description this
gentleman has devoted his whole time and energies
with uniring fidelity to the service of the Depart
ment and the country.
BY the system thus adopted the very best vessels
in the commercial marine have been secured for me
naval service at moderate rates. aud W the great adj
vantage Of the Government. The course pursued IN
these purchases has extemporizeds navy a. lees COS!
to the Government it ls believed, than thni requfea
for the construction OF the same or eqha'iy eervo
able vessels; and question which, At the commence
ment, was one of embarrassment ana cifncaity, mas
been disposed Of and in lao particular has the coun'
try been better served.
Subolned is a statement from the purchasing "son'
At New-York with schedule giving the name, tun-
maze rrie. demanded and cost atually paid OF every