New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-03


force in chase, unless their speed wsre vs,, u,x
greater than that Of the other vessel. "a'%
Distinctions, OF various kinds NAV alro n. II.
at different parts of the channel. P'acss
IL will be seen that now have In view on,v a,
main passage 10 the City, the Raritan Bay ana 1s
"Killa" being easily defensible. W.
The same remarks which apply TO New.Yo,l
aso apPheaole to many other seaports, such a. Mar
And on the Pacific side, most especially IA O..
Francisco, which, though reuots from the sceps =
the present struggle. g yet worth all attention ~
in fortfyiag il against attack, for is s,ns.s
hsrbor should not be exposed 10 the eas! ms.bar
The greatly increased importance OF Key Ws.s
aud similar IslaDds demands improvements in ~,
Notifications, with sufficient number Of iIop-cIs1.
and rams.
GUNNERY-sHIP.
IL seems very late now to urge the institution ~
a system OF instruction In gunnery for our sesms.
Other naval powers have considered this one Of IN
indispensable requisites for navy, while with \.
~ mas received no countenance whatever. In lssy
az my urgent solicitation, tue Department allowed
me the use OF ship for this purpose but no nsas.
ures were taken 10 supply men for instruction, !.
that the main purpose was defeated and after Ma
the vessel itself was directed to another Use. !,
time when 200 or 300 good captains Of guns cnoS
have been supplied from it yearly W the navy :
l have been entirely at a loss 10 conceive why An
interest 30 vital should have been thus pegl,,taI.
for whatever may be the skill Of toe officers 4
manifest that the effect Of each gun in action A.
Ponds on the seaman who adjusts he sights. 40.
the ain, and fres tie piece. Yet teis peSsoa Is lst
entirely TO his own instincts TO pick up such notons
as chance may throw in bis way.
| 1t seems TO be common impression that all ~.
men are conversant with the use Of sl,llery-ybioA
is by no means correct. On the contrary, this
knowledge is the peculiar acquiremen, Of he man
H. var'. and "a nnf nd in ho
When, therefore, the Department is, BY tha
exigencies OF circumstances, compelled suddenly V
increase the number Of its searnen, resort 10 no.
queDtly necessary to those whose service may no,
have been in the navy.
Tho material is excellent, but still has 70 ~
initiated into the very rudiments Of guunery. Fl.
TIE ship Of war about going into service ana
winch may De in action bat few days after receiv.
ins new crew, Is not by any means the place u
schooling tie recruits; yet such must be the caSe
under present arrangements.
And this Is now OF even more importance from ths
fact that oar chips are very short Of officers.
[ may mention here one fact corrooorative Of the
foregoing.
Just after the d.saster at Bulls Run Qs6ll, wa
called on las CoLnmandaDt OF the Navy i ara) to
place detachment Of seaInen az an important point
TO aseisi ia the defense OF the lines Turee hundred
prime, able- bodied seanen were mustered Tor Tie
purpose, and on apreliminary examination with &
view " siationing Sue nen st the guns they we're
to man, is was found that only ten or fifteen had
over served al gun before.
Wherefore respectfully urge that some course d
instruction in gunnery may he Instituted as par' d
the ~ stem OF the Navy.
Ia conclusion beg leave 10 ask yeur considers-
ton OF the present organization VI this Bureau The
nature Of It's duties are military well civil and
the minu,est details of "a cannon or It's managensca
on ship5oard are sub OF 10 cosuiLanee, az well
as tho directions for making cannon and all tnen
complicated appliances.
1t is thus necessarily In the closet professional
contact with commanders OF fleets and OF sbiis, Y
well 10 OF founders aud mechanics.
J. A. DAHLGREA