Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-12-03

The secretary devotes considerable space
to this discussion, of which the main argu-
ments are familiar to the public He adds ::
1t is as important that the government should
build its own ships of iron as of wood. If the
apparent cost in either case is greater, the ac-
tual value is also greater. 1t is of the first
Importance that the material, whether of iron
or wood, should be OF the best quality; and as
regards iron, this can be insured aud made
certain only by its being received and rework-
ed at government establishments. The large
quantities will always enable the government
to purchase on economical terms. 1t is well
understood that the qualities of iron vary
greatly, and the use of inferior kinds will be
both injurious and expensive. Experiments
with shot in a target practice demonstrate that
some qualities have much greater powers OF
resistance than others, and are therefore bet
ter for armature. Other qualities may better
resist corrosion, and be more suitable to the
action of sea water, and still others may be
adapted to the internal parts exposed to differ
ent chemical action. These qualities and de-
nominations will be ascertained by obserYa-
tons and tests, the government can alone well
make and faithfully apply in the construction
OF Its war vessels. Contractors and private
establishments will not be equally yigilant and
careful in making the proper selections and
assortings. An establishment such as the de-
partment has in view, and has therefore re-
commended, will enable the government to
have all the advantages of the best and most
suitable descriptions in the construction of
vessels of iron and of iron armature Steam
machinery, anchors, chain cables, and heavy
iron work for the naval service, would be
manufactured at the same establishment to
| advantage. The necessity of such dock
yard and establishment is becoming so impor-
tant, that deem it proper again to present
the subject to the consideration of congress-
| As yet we have but few iron vessels, and these
| chiefly of foreign construction; but we have
built and are building iron clad vessels at pri-
| waite establshmentS-not one at our public
yards.
Since the date of the last annual report,
there have been seized by the blockading
squadrons, and reported to the department,
three hundred and ninety vessels of all de-
scriptions, making a total of five hundred and
torty-three vessels that have been seized since
the blockade has been instituted. Some OF
the vessels captured, which were fraIl and not
calculated for Il sea voyage, were destroy ed
but most of them, including a number of valu.
able steamers, have been sent in for adudica
ton. Ofthe large number of vessels. in only
torty-tiye have the proceedings been brough
to close, and while several millions of dol
lars in amount have been captured, and are
in process of condemnation, the amount ye
ordered to be distributed is but 1854, l76 81
The secretary differs from the majority o
the commission appointed to make examine
tions and surveys for the location of the new
navy yard, and expresses his intention to ac
cept League Island in preference to the har
Dor of New London, unless congress shall 9th
erwise Director the reason that the forme
is better adapted to the purposes and wants o
an iron navy, is made secure from external en-
emies, and in nearer proximity to beds of irol
and coal than the waters of NarragansettB Bay
The appropriations made at the regular anC
special sessions of congress for the fiscal yea
ending June 80, 1862, were S43,6l5,55 II
The expenses of the department during til,
same time were $42, 200,529 96-leaviug al
unexpended balance of 81, AIS, Cpl 81. TIL,
amount expended includes the payment fo
the construction of ifty-two steamers; tn,
purchase, alterations and armament of on,
hundred and seventy-fve steamers and sail
ing vessels all the charter money paid by tn
department, together with all the increase
expenses incident to the enlarged navy. Tn
amount appropriated for the current fisca
year, lending June 80, 1862 is $52,Sl4,
359 o. The estimates submitted for the fs
cal year ending June 30, 1854 amount t
S66, 257, 255 OIL, viz -