The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-07-13

AZ SIS
These vessels had complenens, exclusive
Of officers and marines, OF shout I 600 men
and nearly ell OF them were on foreign sta.
tons. The home squadron consisted Of
twelve vessels, carrying 1877 guns and about
1000 men. Ofthis squadron, only four email
versels, carrying twenty I've guns and about
$50 men, WERE in Northern ports.
With 30 lev vessels in commission on our
coast, and our Grew in distant seas, the de-
partment vas very indiGercnsly prepared to
| meet HE -exifsscY thAt-Eas- rising. -ETfry
movement vas closely watched by the disaf-
fected, and threatened 20 precipitate meas.
ores that the country seemed anxious to
avoid. morslization prevailed among the
officers, many Of whom, Occupying the most
responsible positions, betrayed symptoms Of
that infdelity which has dishonored the ser
vice. But, while 40 many officers we're IN
faithful, the crews, to their honor be it re-.
| corded, were true and reliable, and have
maintained, through every trial and under all
circumstances, their devotion to the Union
and the flag. Unfortunately, however, few,
comparatively, Of these gallant men were
within the call OF the department At that
eventful period. They, rs we'll as the ships,
were abroad.
VESSELS ~ SERvIcE.-Of the 60 vessels
carrying 1,346 guns, hereinbefore mentioned
ss available for service on the 5th of March
last, the sioop Levant has been given up az
| lost in the Pacific; the steamer Fulton wac
I ssiYed re Pensacois, and one frigAte, two
sloops, and one brig were burned 1t Norfolk
These vesseis carried liz guns. The other
vessels destroyed at Norfolk we're consider
ed worthless. and arc not included in the list
OF available vessels.
These losses left at the disposal OF the De-
partment e. vessels, carrying LIZA guns, all
OF which are now, or soon will be, 10 com
mission, with tho exception Of the
Vermont, ship Of line, 81
Rrandywine, frigate, 81
Decatur, sloop. Mt SsnFrancisco, Ii
j Hancock, steam tender, at San Francisco,
There have been recently added to the ma
w, by purchase, IL steamers, carrying from
2 to guns each. Ey these additions The
naval force in commission bss been insrsas
ed 20 50 vessels, carrying upwards Of lsl0t
guns, and with marine complement Of abou
IL, 900 men, exclusive Of officers and marines
There are Also several steamboats, and othe
email Draft which are temporarily 10 the scr
vice OF the Department..
!, Purchases OF sailing ships have been mad
for tr rams porting Goals to the steamers tina
principal harbors. Ii would be inexpedieD
!, and attended with much loss Of time, q
we'll rs great additional expense, to compe
the steamere when short Of fuel to ieKvs thei
stations and proceed to the nesrest depot
distant in m0st cases several hundred miles
to obtain a supply. In the absence OF On
) proper or suitable stations or bnildings 10
e storing coals, hulks have been provided, I
i be- anchored at some convenient place for th
. use Of the squadron.
The squadron on the Atlantic coast, unde
j the commsnd OF Flag ofioer s. Il. Strisghau
consists Of % vessels, 296 guns, and $3.50
:. men.
! SrEan GUEBoArs AND 81 ooPs.-The nece,
= sity Of an augmentation Of our navy in orde
!. to mess the crisis, aid 10 SURPRISING insul
!, reotion, and assist 10 causing tho laws to
: executed u oil the ports, was immediatel
!. felt, and : Glass Of vessels, different in SON
= respect. f-c= -; .h.. -c-e = =. =c--;c:,
4 aot ~ sentinNla on the ooaat, Vas require,
On tho spur Of tho moment, transport steam
err we're aecured; bat, though made oapAb
10 Of sustaining : small armament, they We,
I'll mot such vessels - would perform consin,
a Gus duty OF the harbors ia ell weathers.-
y They will, it 10 believed, answer . temporsl
u purpose for the summer months, but stronI
. or and different description OF vessel 10 a.
I. cessary for the autumn and winter. III
!, Department. besides purchasing, has, ther
10 fore, contracted for the building OF twent
10 three gun boats, zach Of about Ave hundr'
tone burden; and has made preliminary q
Cd rangements for several larger and fset
IN vessels, which shall not only aid in proven
ne ing illegal commerce, but be made partic
re- larry serviceabla in suppre4sing depreciation
r on that which il legal. Both Of these cas
Dc 80 ere OF sisss inferior to the sloops OF "
NJ ordered by tho last Congress.
Or The Department. in carving tho order
10 the last session into effect, directed tho co
)f struoiion OF two vesstls at each Of tho 10
az Yards, making eight INSTEAD OF seven TO
il built. 10 consequence Of the great aotivi
and heavy demAnds - all tho yards to ECU