Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1863-12-24
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF
THE NAVY. 4 r

Vessels 81 guns. LILO tonnage, sim
gle turrct. iron cla,ls. 660 tons each, 20
Vessels, 40 guns, l2,2S0 tonnage.
double turret, iron clads, 8, l20 tons i
each,
Vessels l6 guns. 1880 tonnage.
clipper screw sloops, 1900 tons
each, e IL
Vessels. 96 guns. 400 tonnage,
screw sloops, spar deck, 200 tons
each, g
Vessels l60 .guns. IL 600 tonnage
screw sloops at great speed. 5000
tons each. s 5
Vessels 40 guns, 10000 tonnage.
screw sloops at great speed. $500 J
tons each. s.
Vessels 40 guns, 900 tonnage,
screw sloops at great speed, 5000
each, wgf , 9
Vessels 16 guns. 5000 tonnage, -
EXHIBIT OF THE NAVY WHEN THE VESSELS
UNDER CONSTRUCTION ARE COMPLETED.
lron-clad steamers, coast survey, 46
Vessels $50 guns, 6.21S tonnage. iron
clad steamers inland service, 90
Vessels l53 guns. 2O.FS4 tonnage,
side-wheel steamers. 2Os
Vessels l 1,24O guns, 1861 tonnage,
screw steamers, 1913
Vessels 1913 guns, 1S7 S92 tonnage,
: sailing vessels, 112
Vessels 1928 guns, 20. 256 tonnage, =
There have been added to the navy, du-
ring the past year. by purchase. some thir-
| fxy fnrr ffxrc cfa g. l.
and supply purposes, and over twenty
other vessels for tenders anil store ships.
AT least twenty of the steamers were
captured in endeavoring to violate the
blockade.
The Secretary then discusses, at some
length. the improvements in naval vessels
After speaking of the wonderful revolution
that has taken place in naval architecture
since the war broke out, he proceeds as
follows:
The Monitor class Of armed ships with
revolving turrets, and four guns OF heavy
calibre, has proved itself well adapted for
harbor defense, and coast survey in some
emergencies. These vessels from their
great powers of endurance, have shown
themselves efficient aud serviceable in Of
fensivc operations. This form and des-
cription of vessel which originated in the
inventive genius of Capt. John Erricson,
will perform not only all that should he
expected of them to make orr harbors Sc
cure, but when of enlarged capacity, may
supersede ships of higher professions. to
maintain our rightful maritime position
and predominancy on the ocean.
Vessels of greater size than any turret
vessel yet completed may be essential
Not only must they carry guns of a heav-
ier caliber than have heretofore been used
q. sea, but in order to make long cruises
and to cope successfully with any force,
these vessels must have all possible
strength. endurance and speed. Their
structure must therefore afford space G.
nough for full sailing power, and for the
most powerful steam machinery, and the
large supplies of fuel needful to keep it OF
work. Being unlike the other great ma.
rine nations without distant colonies where
coal depots can be established on the shore
o. almost every sea. we must conform to
the necessities of our condition and build
ships with capacity enough to take on
board fuel sufficient forlong cruises. The
space for other supplies for munitions oil
war. for the accommodation of officers and
crew, should also be ample, and in addi.
/, tion to this each of these vessels must
in order to accomplish its work, 2resen
in its construction armor, armament and
propulsion all the power that the resour-
ces of modern invention and mechanical
r science and art can furnish for attack, re-
, sistance and pursuit.
A vessel of this description must, o
course. cost large price; but then wis,
craftsmanship will not fail to perceive tha
, possession of even very few such uncon
querable ships must, while vastly aug
menting the force and renown of our navy
afford us at the same time lnestimabl
guarantee of peace With foreign nations-
Nor, counting the cost of such floating
J structures can we forget that large as tha
cost may be. it sinks into insigniticance il
r contrast with expenditures and Sacrifices
Of a single year. or even amounts of for
eign war. In order that we may have a
, our command a navy which shall fulfil
these unexampled and exacting condition,
of efficiency, commensurate pnblic estsb
lishment for Its construction and prepar
tion is Indispensable. for a navy carried
; on large scale. and in every respect of
; new plan. amply furnished with all tn,
+ proper facilities and aids for its operations
where machinery for steamers can be man
, ufactured, iron vessels constructed, mad,
and tested. and repairs OF every description
executed, is an absolute necessity Ii
view of these facts, had the honor on sue
} cessive occasions to urge this matter upor
the attention of the last Congress, and th,
omission of that body of such establish
ment is a misfortune which the country j,
now made to feel.
Vessels frequently need repairs. and a.
our public yards are entirely inadequate
for the manufacture and repair Of steam
machinery, great delay and loss of militia
ry operations have occurred. attended will
vast loss Of money.
again. therefore. most earnestly invoke
the attention of Congress to the manifest
and inauspicious fact that our Government
has made no sufficient provision in it,
public establishments for the existing re-
. quirements Of naval warfare. Our coun.
try is better prepared for this change thar