Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-04-25

render Of Norfolk Navy Yard, year ago,
was the most disgraceful event of that period
of national disgraces. If it excited less COM
ment at the time than its Importance de-
manded, it was simply because the loss was
too alarming to be dwelt upon, and the In
competency which permitted 1t too utter 10
be described. 1t was not open treason In the
commandant of the Navy Yard,-that could
be understood and appreciated-bnt the most
pitiable cowardice and lnefficiency, such
that no words could or can do justice to the
subject. Attention has just been renewedly
called to the matter by tie report OF the
committee of the Senate, Senators Hale,
johnson and Grimes, appointed last j uly TO
investigate the subject.
The report recounts the condition OF the
Navy Yard and its contenus,-the splendid
docks. the yard three quarters OF mile long
covered with machine shops the ship houses
and materials the ttro thousand pieces OF
heavy ordnance the nine frigates, including
the new and splendid Merrimac, and all COM
pletely covered and commanded by the guns
of the Cumberland, Com. Pendergrast. The
committee say that for the neglect of Gov
eminent to fully protect the Navy Yard they
lean find extenuatIon only in that insane de-
fusion which seemed to have possessed the
public mind, that the portentous clouds that
had blackened the heavens for months were
charged with no real danger, and were to be
dissipated by a continuation of a forbearance
which had been continued 20 long that it
had ceased to be virtue and had become
the most disgraceful weakness and pusIllani-
nifty"
The conduct of Capt. McCauley, comman-
dant of the yard, is examined at length. Hi:
conduct of affairs, the last Of which was to
scuttle all the vessels, except the Cnmber-
land, is fully condemned. A chapter of the
report is devoted to the history of the Merri.
mac, and the circumstances Of her loss TO oul
navy. The officers Of the frigate were an
xious to take her away, and the Navy De
partment gave peremptOry orders that she
should 90 as soon as possible, if she was moi
absolutely needed for the defence Of Norfolk
| Commodore McCauley was notified on ia,
18th of April that she was ready. and b,
said steam might be got up next morning
Her engine was put in motion on the lStl
at the wharf, but Captain McCauley ordere,
the fires drawn, and she was lost to our gov
eminent.
The committee come to the following con
/ illusions -
First-The administration OF Mr.. Buchanan
was guilty Of negligence in not taking ex
traOrdinary care, and employing every pos
slble means to protect and defend this yard
after indications of danger had manifesto,
/ themselves.
SecJnd-The administration OF Mr.. Lin
cola cannot be held blameless for suferin;
thIrty-seyen days to elaIse after it came int
power before making a movement for the De
fence OF the yard.
Third-Captain McCauley was highl'
ceusurabe for neglecting TO send the Merrl
mac from the yard, as be was ordered, an,
also for scuttling the ships, and preparing t
abandon the yard before any attack Wa
MADE or seriously threatened when he shuul,
have defended the property entrusted t
him. repelling force by force, as he was in
strueted to do, if the occasion should presen
itself.
Fourth-Captain Paulding was censurabl
for neglectin- TO consult with Captain
Cauley and Captain Pendergrast, while b,
was at the yard, on the 18th Of April, II
regard to the course to be pursued in tn,
event of an attack upon the yard and also fol
Immediately upon his arrival at the yard OF
the 20th Ordering the property to be burne,
and the yard abandoned before taking propel
means To salsiy himself that any necessity
for such measures existed.
Filth-Captaiu Pendergrast. in command
OF the Cumberland, the flagship of the Hom
! Squadron, made DO suggestions as to tht
measures proper 10 be adopted. and seems I,
have taken no part in the transactions *
cept TO move his ship as be was directed
the estimation formed by the department
| of the conduct Of Captains McCauley
Pduldmg and Pendergrast, has been mani
tested by leaving the first named without &C
tive duty, and assigning to the others tn,
commands of two of the most impoItan
Navy Yards We have left, namely-Brooklyr
and Philadelphia.
In concluding, the committee remark that
the lesson afforded by the surrender OF the
Nofolk Navy Yard will not be wholly with.
out Its value to US, if We shall learn by it as
a nation that pusillanimity in the defence
of our rights may be as seriously injurious
as the open assaults of our enemies.