The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-06-27
The Construction OF Armored Ships.~


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SECRETARY wELLEs's LETTER TO CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, Thursday, June II, 1862.
The following letter has been addressed
by the Secretary Of the Navy to the Naval
Committee of both Houses:
NAVAL DEPARTMENT, June 8, 1862.
Sir: had the honor to address the Ma
val Committee under date of the 25th Of
March last, on the subject of armored
ships, and the necessity of preliminary mea-
sures in the future construction of vessels
for the naval service. The fact that radi.
cal change has commenced in the construc.
tion and armament of ships-which change,
in effect, dispenses with the navies that
have hitherto existed-is obvious; and it is
question for Congress to decide whether
the Government will promptly take the in
itiatory steps to place our country in the
front rank of maritime powers.
1t is unnecessary that should recapitu-
late the suggestions contained in my letter
of the 25th of March; but will again call
your attention to them, and state my earn
est desire that Congress should take action,
before its adjournment, on the subject, not
only of supplying itself with the armature
and heavy ordnance for ships, but of the
substitution by the government of iron for
wood, in whole or in part, 10 the construc-
ton of naval vessels. 1t has hitherto been
supposed to be the true interest of the gov
eminent to build its OWE ships Of war, and
to manufacture the arms, and most of the
articles which are requisite for the naval
service.
This necessity has arisen chiefly from the
fact that naval vessels and naval purposes
and objects are in many respects so essen
TALLY different from those of the mercantile
marine as to place them out of the usual
line of private enterprise. The Govern
ment has, consequently, to pay an extra
cost for extra and better work. In Daval
and military matters, it is indispensable
that vessels, guns, machinery, and every
thing pertaining to them, should be of the
best quality-trustworty, and always ready
at any moment to meet the public necessis
ties.
The Government has several large navy
yards for building ships and the introduc-
ton of steam, which is necessary for and
made applicable to ali naval vessels POW
constructed, has compelled it to erect ex-
tensive shops for making steam machinery.
But these shops are inadequate to the wants
Of the navy, and for some years it will be
necessary under any circumstances, to con-
tract for much the larger portion of the
work that will be required.
1t is now generally conceded that vessels
for fighting purposes must be heavily plated
with iron if they are not built entirely of
that material. In this, as in most costly
fabrics, economy is reached through dura-
bility.
Iron ship building is new in this country,
but few persons are engaged in it, and it is
novelty in our Navy Yards. Heavy
iron beams, shafting, and thick iron plates
can be procured from only two or three
parties, and then in limited quantities and
subject to great delay. Individuals have
little use for iron of such magnitude as the
navy must have, and there must unavoidably
be great outlay to prepare for the execution
of such work. With only the navy for a
purchaser, there can be no competition, and
the government will be compelled, under
such circumstances, to pay almost any price
the mills and torges may demand
No inconsiderable portions of an iron
ship can be made and procured at the ordi
nary mills, and, so far as it can be done, it
may be the best policy to be so supplied !;
but the heavy and expensive portions cam
not be so procured and, unless the govern
ment is prepared to execute the work, it
will be subject to imposition, and its vessels
to marked inferiority.
Other nations, whose wooden ships of
war far exceed our own in number, cannot
afford to lay them aside, but are compelled
to plate them with iron, at very great
cost. They are not unaware of the disad'
vantage of this proceeding, but it is pres
ent necessity.
1t must be borne in mind, however, that
those governments which are striving for
naval supremacy are sparing no expense to
strengthen themselves by building iron vess
sells and already their dock yards are un-
dergoing the necessary preparations for this
change in naval architecture, notwithstaud-
ing those governments have at their com.
mand the greatest experience, and the most
extensive and complete iron and machine
factories that private enterprise can pro.
duce
The facts are suggestive to our Govern.
ment, and l desire to call your attention to
the necessity of making the necessary pro-
vision for ourselves, by providing for the
means and conveniences for building and
repairing navy, such as the strength and
character of our Government and country
require, in order to maintain its true po-
sition among maritime powers.
We have been engaged for years, and
have spent millions in our navy yards, and
on our steam machine shops, for shipbuild
ing purposes, and yet have not been able to
keep up with the wants of the navy and
the exigencies on the service.
1t is not the part of wisdom to close our
eyes to the progress Of events, nor. to evade
the responsibilities that properly belong to
us. The creation of new and different
navy, such as the developments of science
and art already demonstrate as necessity,
calls for vigorous measures and prompt en-
ergetic action. The Government should
not, in justice to itself, be dependent on
private establishments for it's most import,