Worcester daily spy., 1861-12-05

| lron-clad steamers, 10 4,oVO
80 256 41,449
Making total OF 264 vessels, 1851 guns, and
2lS 0l6 tons The aggregate number Of sea
men in the service on the 4th Of March last,
was 1000 The number is now not less than
$4,000"
The extracts show some Of the most impor-
tant statements and suggestions of this docu,
ment -
INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF THE NAVY.
The efficiency OF The navy may unquestion-
ably be largely increased by creating more
grades, and | would recommend that the per-
manent organization OF the line officers be as
follows:-
Flag Oficer-to command squadrons.
Commodore,
Captain, To command single
Commander ships.
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant
Passed Midshpman.
-Midshipman.
Cadet.
The lieutenant cummaders, grade used
daring the Revolution, may be employed as
first Iieutenants, and in the command of the
smaller class OF naval vessels
The present rate OF pay may be so appor.
toned among the different grades that in the
aggregate there shall be no increase. Let no
officer be alydDced to any grade above that of
passed midshipmau except upon nomination OF
the president and confirmation by the senate,
after board OF officers snail nave pronounced
him morally, ply sicaiIy, and professionally
competent to perform all his duties, both
ashore and aiiOat.
The public service would also be promoted
were some limit OF age fixed by law Tor active
service. | would, therefore, respectfully sug-
| gest that fine officers be retired after having
been orty-fiye years in the navy, excepting
| when called iuio active service by special APP
| poiutmeul from the president. y generous
| pecuniary provision should be made lor those
| who are retired after long ana faithful service.
| 10 satisfy the immediate demands of the
| puhlc service, | Recommend That grade to
be designated flag officer lie established, and
| that the president, by selection from the pres
eut list OF captains and commanders, appoint
number, not exceeding seven, who shall each
have command, irrespective of seniority or
rank, OF the squadron 10 which he may be as
signed, aud the appointment shall cease when
| the officer hauls down his flag unless I0r dis
| tnguishcd aud meritOrluus conduct in battle,
as flag officer, he receives upon recommended
ton of the president, the thanks Ui congress.
SINKING VESSELS.
One method OF blockadng the ports of the
| insurgeut states and Imt,rdicung communica-
tion, as well us to prevent the egrcss OF prva
merce, has been that ot sinking in the channels
vessels laden with stone. The first movement
| in this direction was ON the North Carolina
| coast, where there are numerous inets to
AlUrnarle and PanIlirU Sounds, and otheI
interior waters, which afford facilities for
eluding the blockade, and also to the privateers.
For tins purpose class OF small vessels were
purchased in Baltimore, some OF which have
been placed in OeracOke Inlet.
! on,l t,tip of voSSalS
were purchased in the eastern market most OF
them such as were formerly employed in the
whale fisheries. These were sent to obstruct
the channels Of Charleston harhur and the
Savannah river; and this, if clfyctually DONE
will prove the most economical and satstac-
tory meth OF iuterdicling commerce at those
points.
MASON AND sLIDELL.
The prompt amd decisive action of Captain
Wilkes ON this occasion merited aud received
the emphatic approval Ot the department, and
if TOO generous torbearance was exhibited
by him in not capturing the vessel which had
these rebel emissaries OH board, it may, in
view of the special circumstances, and of its
patriotic motives, be excused but it must By no
means be permitted 10 constitute precedent here
| Q1ltr for the treatment Of any case Of similar
utuctjon Of neutral obligations by foreign vesseis
engaged in commerce or the carrying trade.
EMPLOYMENT OF FUGITIvEs.
Ia the coastwise and blockading duties of
the navy it has been not unlrequent that lu-
gitives from insurrectionary places have
sought our chips tor refuge and protection,
and our naval commanders have applied to me
for instruction as to the proper disposition
which should be made OF such refugees My
answer has beeu that, if insurgents, they
should be handed over to the custody of the
government; but II, on the contrary, they
were iiee from amy voluntary participation in
the rebellion and sought the shelter and pro-
lection OF our flag, then they should be cared
for and employed in some useful manner, and
might be enlisted to serve on our public ves-
sells or in our navy yards, receiving wages for
their labor. II such employment could not be fur
nished to all by tie nary, &ey might be referred to
the army, and if no employment could be found for
them IN The public seryice hey should be ailo,oed to
proceed freely and peaceabiy ,eittout restraint to
seek livelihood in any loyal portion of the coun.
try fhis l have considered to be the whole
required du'y, in the premises of our naval
| pfiif