Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-12-18
LincoInss Secretary of the Navy
Makes a Report. -

| The report of Gid. Welles, Secretary OF
| the Navy, commences by noticing the objects
of the enlarged estimates of expenditure for
| the naval service as were contained in his
report at the extra session of Congress in
July, and says that they contemplated then
different lines of naval operations upon the
Southern coast, the first of which was closing
all the insurgent ports along coast line of
nearly three thousand miles, in the form
and under the exacting regulations of an in
ternetional blockade, including the naval
occupation and defence of the Potomac river,
from its mouth tothe Federal capital, as the
boundary line between Maryland and Vir-
ginia, and also the main commercial avenue
to the principal base of the military opera
tons.
The second was the organization of COM
bined naval and military expeditions to ope-
rate in force against various points Of the
Southern coast, rendering efficient naval
cooperation with the position and move
ments o.. such expeditions when landed, and
including also all needful naval aid to the
army in cutting off intercommunication with
the rebels, and in its operation on the Mis-
sissippi and its tributaries, and the third,
the active pursuit of the piratical cruisers,
which might escape the vigilance of the
blockading force, and put to sea from the
rebel ports.
The Potomac 1otilla is briefly mentioned,
and is said to have accomplished the pur
poses for which it was intended, until the
close of October, when the insurgents erected
batteries at sundry points on the Virginia
shore, thereby rendering passage on the
river dangerous.
In September it was found that the duty
of guarding the coast had become very ar
IL IS
the vessels engaged and the continued eff
forts of the rebels to elude the blockade,
pressed by the necessities of their people.
Two squadrons were therefore organized
on the Atlantic coast. Captain Lucius III.
Goldsborough was appointed to guard the
shores of Virginia and North Carolina.
The residue of the Southern Atlantic
coast, commencing at the line which sepa-
rates the two Carolinas and extending to
Cape Florida, was entrusted to Capt. Sam
uel z. Dupont. Flag officer William Mer-
vine was relieved from the command Of the
gulf squadron in September by Capt. Will
liam W. M'Kean. 1i' -
An effectual blockade of several inlets to
Albefmarle and Pamlico Sounds on the
coast of North Carolina, has been made by
the sinking Of several small crafts laden
with stone, purcha ed in Baltimore. Other
vessels of larger description, were sent to
obstruct the channels of Charleston harbor
and the Savannah river. al azla
Since the institution Of the blockade, one
hundred and ffty-three vessels have been
captured sailing under various flags, most
of which were attempting to violate the
blockade. Most Of these will be condemned
by courts of prizes.
A seizure of some Of the important ports
on the coast received the early attention of
the Department. Two combined naval and
military expeditions have already been or
gained and put in action. The expeditions
to Hatteras and Port Royal are then briefly
noticed by the Secretary, who says that the
latter expedition was intended to have sail
ed in September, but owing to causes indie
pendent Of the Navy Department it was un-
ayoidably postponed until the 29th Of Oc-
tober. "A
OF the seizure of Messrs. Mason and Sill
dell, on board the English Steamer Trent,
the Secretary says the prompt and decisive
action of Capt. Wilkes merited and received
the emphstic approval of the department,
and, If too generous forbearance was ex-
hibited by him in not capturing the vessel
which had these rebel enemies on board, it
may, IN view of the special circumstances,
and of its patriotic motives, be excused
constitute precedent hereafter for the
treatment of any case of similar infraetion
Of neutral obligations by foreign vessels en-
gagged ia commerce or the carrying trade.
The Secretary makes O statement of the
condition of the navy on the 4th of March
last, from which it appears there was a total
Of forty-two vessels, carrying five hundred
and ffty-fve guns and about seven thousand
six hundred men.
When the vessels now building and pur-
chased, of every class, are armed, equipped
and ready for service, the condition of the
navy will be as follows: OF the old navy
6 ships-of-line, 7frigates, II shops, 2 briggs,
3 store-ships, receiving ships, &c., screw
frigates, 6 frst-class screw sloops, 4 first
class sidewheel steam sloops, second-class
screw sloops, third-class screw eloops,
third-class sideweeel steamers, steam ten
ders. Of purchased vessels-36 sidewheel
steamers, 43 screw steamers, 13 ships "a
schooners, 18 barques, 2 brigs. OF vessels
under construction-14 screw sloops, %
gunboats, II sidewheel steamers, iron-clad
steamers; making total Of 264 vessels,