New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-13
THE CONSTRUCTION OF ARMORED
SHIPS.
secretary welIes's Letter to Congress
WAsHISGToy, Thursday, in

The following letter has been addressed Dy the
Secretary Of the Navy TO the Naval Committee Of
both Houses:
NAVY DEPARTMENT, June 8, 1862
SIR: had the honor TO address the Naval Com
miuee nnder date Of the 9th Of March last on the
sufiect Of amored ships and the necessity OF pre-
Urinary measures in The future construction OF yes
eel for the naval service. The fact that radical
change has commenced in the construction and
armament Of ships-wbich change, IN effect, dis
peu'es th the nuvies that have hitherto eXised-ls
obvous; and il IL IA question for Congress 10 decide
wht her the Government will promptly tise the
natory steps TO place country IN the trout rank
Of maritime powers.
Il is unnecessary that i should recapiula the
suggestions contained in my letter OF the 18th OF
March; but / woud again call your attention to
then, snds srate my earnest desire mat Congress
shotld take action before its adjournment, on the
subject, not only of supplying itself with the arma-
ture and heavy ordnance for ships, out OF the SUD
sli'riion by the government of iron Tor wood, III
whole or in part in the construction OF naval ves-
sels II has hitherto been supposed 10 be the true
interest Of the Governmen 10 bnid lts own SHIPS OF
war. and 10 manufacture the arms, and most OF the
articles which are requisite for the naval service.
This necessity has arisen chiefly from the TACT that
naval vessels and naval purposes and obJec's are IN
many rev. ects 60 essentially different from thot' OF
the nrrcantiie marine as to place them out OF me
usual line Of private enterprise. The Government
has consequently to pay extra cost for extra ana
better work. In naval and military matters, IL -
Indispensable that vessels, guns, machluery, anu
everything pertaining to them, should be OF inc best
quality-trustwor.hy, and always ready ~ any mo-
nent to meet the public necessities.
The Government has several large navy-yards for
huding Rhirs and the introduction OF steam, which
IL necessary for and made applicable TO All naval
vessels now constructed, has compelled u 70 erect
extensive shops for making steam machinery. but
these shors are inadequate 10 the wants OF The navy
aud for some years i, viii be necessary, under any
circumstance 20 contract for much the larger por-
ton of the work that will he reio red.
II ia now generally conceded that vessels for light
ing purposes must be heavily plated with iron II
they are not built entirely OF that material IN ms
az in most costly fabrics economy Is reached through
durability.
Iron shin building il new 10 this country, mt few
rersors are engaged in il, end II i novelty IN our
Navy-Ysrds. Heavy iron beams, shaitlug, and
thick iron plates can be procured from only two or
three partes. and then in limited quantities, and
SUBJECT 10 great delay. Individuals have lit'le nss
for iron Of snch magnitude az the navy must nave,
aud there mast unavoidaby be great outlay 70 pre-
pare for the execution Of snch work. WIN only
the Navy for a purchaser. there can be 10 eompe-
tition, aud tie Government will be compelled, under
such circuu stances, 10 pay almost any pler tue
mills aud FORCES may demand.
No incoJ Siderable portions Of an iron ship ran b.
made and procured ai the ordinary Hiis, and' -
70 sapTca f'Rc re heavy and ezren'ys portions
ear not be 50 procurci and, unless the Government
u prepared TO execute he work, ii will be subject
10 mrosifiOn, and iis yegses TO marked infenority
Other nniions whose wooden ships-of-war far eX-
coed onr own in number osnnot afford 20 lay them
aside but are compelled to plate them with iron, a;
very great cost. They are not unaware OF tho
disadvantage Of this proceeding, but II Is present
necessity.
IL must be borne in mind, however, that those
Governments which are striving for naval suprem-
acy are spaing no expense 10 strengthen themselves
nv building iron vessels, and already their dock
yards are undergoing tho nece,sary preparation for
this change in naval architecture, notwithstanding
those Governments have 81 their command the
Createft experience, ana the most extensive and
coup-te iron and machine factories that private en-
terprise can produce.
The facts are suggestive 70 our Government, and
deeire 20 call your attention to the necessity OF
making the necessary provirion for onffelves by
providing the means and convenience Tor building
and repairing navy, such IA the strength aud char
acter Of Government and country require, in or
der TO maintain i,s true position among maritime
pOwers.
We have been engaged for years, and have spent
milio.s in our navy-yards, and ON our eafl ma
chine shope for sipbuildug purposes, and yet have
not been asle to keep up with the wants OF the navy
and the exgencies on the service.
IL il not the part Of wisdom 10 close our eyes to
the progress Of eyents nor TO evade the responsi-
biiiies that properly belong to us. The creation OF
a new and different navy, such az the Development
of science and ant already demonstrate as a neces
sitv. calls for vigorous measures, and prompt euer-
u lie aciiOn. The Government should not IN justice
10 ITSELF be dependent private establishments Tor
ia most important and expensive works, but should
RELY upon itself. Great works, however, require
time in their PREPARATION, and lavish eXpeDdl-
lures cannot hasten them Congress has been liberal in
ts appropraiions for building yesses but these ap
propriatiOus cannot be made available III obtaining
Inc proper locations and mills orges, furnaces, and
shops all Of which are requisite, and which, to be
secured properly, need time and careful consider
alton.
If the money for these purposeSbe now appropri-
aied we shall commence, under ne favorable oircum-
stances ar any nation, the construction Of navy
adapted 10 the wants Of our country and the
times.
No nation can have an advantage over us If we
avail ourselves Of means and opportunities, and
il n no longer doubtful that our future safety and
welfare are dependent on our naval strength and
efficiency II il duty M well Ia Il necessity, that
we make these United States a great naval Power.
We owe it 10 Ourselves TO commence at once this
work and the present Congress should, in my
opinion, take The preliminary steps at the present
session for living the foundation for the construction
of a navy commensurate with the wants aud magnl-
ude OF the country. Tue place, or places the shops
and tools, aud other appnrtenancts for thn great
york, must be provided IN season.
The experience we have had admonishes us not %
hermit n war 10 come upon us unprepared yet such
an event msy be pending, aud the responsibility and
ca lamiiies that would follow neglect should be
warning for Us TO be prepared. No amount OF money
would repair the that might De iniiictsd from
present neglect. million two Of dollars judici-
ously expended at the present time, may FAVE hun
deds Of millions and the honor OF the nation after
hostltics have commenced.
have made these suggestions in consequence Of
the near termination OF the session without any
movement, as yet, for establishing the necessary
works 10 produce the heavy iron and arnature that
will hereafter enter into the construction OF our
naval vessels II il doubtful whether either of or