The Nevada Democrat., 1862-09-04
NUMBER 661.
Wonderful Expansion of our Navy.


following interesting naval statistics:
The people of the Uuiled States have liz.
tie idea how wonderful the American navy
has been expanded since the rebellion
broke ont. In 1861 our entire navy con
sisted of SS vessels ouly, of which about 80
were steamers. To day we have 29O yes-
sells, all of which are propelled by steam,
except a few sailing corvetles and and fri.
gates which can at any time be cut down,
converted into irOn-plated rams or elOops-
of-war, aud propelled by steam. We had
5000 sailors ard marines year ago.
There are now over $4,000 seaman In the
United States naval service; the marine
! corps has been doubled, and, besides, pro
pOrtlonate increase OF officers on the regu-
lar staff. commanders. lieulenants and mi
nor officers have been easily obtained for
near 200 vessels purchased or chartered for
war purposes. These are facts which
should, aud doubtless will make European
nations hesitate before they still further tax
our resources Among our aeets are two
iron clad frgates, 2S irOncad gunbOats,
aud good stock OF the highly effective ma
val weapon, the ram. OF the latter the
number can be increased Immediately, and
at any moment, rs they may be needed.
All we have 10 do, Is TO nt q beak on Ia
any staunch steam craft. plate its most vul-
nerable parts, aud it is ready for service in
sinking aud destroying wooden walls, or
whatever else IL can get drive at. In this
way the magnificent ocean steamship Van
derbit was fitted up in short time in this
port, and sent down to Hampton Roads for
tilt with the Merrimac; and the river ram
fleet Of Col. Ellet was also turned out 10 the
same way. With all the boasted powers OF
the Merrmac, her commander did not dare
TO venture into Hampton Roads to try
brush with the Vanderbilt, fitted up AZ
ram In few days time. with her machine
ry protected by cotton bales, and not an
inch OF irOn-cadding anywhere upon her
bull, In case of contest with q naval
power, the ram, we believe, would be one
of our most formidable weapons. Fifty OF
them, stout aud swift, cruising along our
coast, aud it would be hard work for an en-
emy to land troops anywhere on our shore.
II the foe sent mailed conveys with his
transports the rams would simply dodge
the iron'clads aud sink the transports,
If indeed they could not quickly destroy
both.
The following is brief summary Of the
new steamers constructed especially for the
United States Government within the last
twelve months:
Wooden gunbOats (by cOntract) ....23
Wooden gunboats (by DeparimenD. D.....9
Sde-wbeel steamers (by Department.. IL
Steam fiigates (by Department.. ........4
Iron clad gunboats (by cOss7acD ........7
Rams ........... .....'......' ..........s
Iron plated vessels. ls.............. .....!G
Grand total. l....,...,........ 80
OF these. all save the iron clads and
the four steam frigates, are a6Oal aud Gn.
isbcd.
The following is the naval list as il stands
to-day:
Sailing ships of-lhe line. e.........6
Sailing frigates. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
Sailing corVettes .....,.............l
Sailing brig. ig........,..........
First-class screw steam frigaies. .........9
Firstclass steam coTvettes.
Firsl.class side-wheel steamers .......H
Second class steamers. ers...............H
Third-class screw steamers. rs.............27
Third class side wheel. el.................4
StoreFblps. ...................3
Permanent (anchored) storeships .....7
Steam tenders. rs...............
lron-clad frigates. .............
Iron clad gunboats. s...............2S
hauu .'s.'' ..ssss.s..... ......J
Purchased vessels. s...................l 1876
lOlal' '........... ............s L5%
Still other iron-clad gunboats are 10 be
constructed Immediately. Our iron toun.
dries are all crowded with workmen. .prepar-
ing boilers and machinery with all possible
speed for Government vessels. Within the
year last past we have constructed alone
nearly AZ many vessels az the entire num-
her Of The shiDs IN tbe Naval reOister of