Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-12-24
THE NAVY
hEpoRr oF MR sEokErARY wELLEs

We make room to-day Tor large pOrtoh vi inc "o'
aud highly interesting Annual Report of the Secretary
the Navy, which was communicated to Congress al ID
opening Of its present session This Report will attrae
notice especially for the record which it makes of the eI
ensive and arduOus abors of the gallant officers and mel
who engaged in that branch OF the public service
well as for the gigantic strength and proportions ou
navy has attained the commencement Of the rebel
ion all attesting the energy aud ability with which thu
i'm oorant Department a the Government has been con
Quoted We regret that under the necessity q
emitting any part Of the report, to which however We
propose to at future day if opportunity sh"ua
offer.
THE BLOCKADE.
The naval operations of The year have been varied and
arduous well far more extensive than ever Do
fore under the Government blockade commencing al
Alexandria in Virginia and terminating at The kio Gratde
has been effectively maintained he extent OF ihis DOCK
ade according to accurate table OF care
fully prepared ut the Coast Survey Office, covers DIS
lance three thousand FIVE hundred and orynne statute
miles with hundred and eighty.nne harbor or river
openings ndenatons and much of the coast presents
double shore IA be guarded In addition 10 The coast
blockade naval force OF more than hundred vessels
has been employed in patrong the rivers cutting of re
bel supplies and cooperating with the armies 10 sup
preston Of The rebellion The distance thus traversed
and paroed by the gnnboats on the Mississippi and its
tributaries is 6i5 miles, and the sounds bayuus rivers
and nets of the States upon the Atlantic and the Cult
covering extent of about two Thousand miles have also
been penetrated and watched with unceasing vigilance
The blockade is bee 0ming more elective and complete
Progress has been repeiag the rebels from the
coast aud circumscribng their limits The Mississippi
and its tributaries have after protctei persistent and
struggle in which the whole energies and Efforts
Of the insurgents engaged to ohstruct and prevent
been reopened TO navigation aud commerce
As The rebels have possessed open port for either
belgerent operations commercial purposes, naval
commercial marine their maritime trade and proceed
inGs have been chiefly derived from foreign adventurers
and foreign capital IT. in the early period of the war;
the interruptions and unprncPed traders who IN viola
ton of law and public morality embarked IN illicit schemes
violate the blockade and furnish the rebels with sup
plies successful the general results of the year. now
its close have been to them most disastrous The
vigilance Of naval forces and the stringency OF the
blockade have operated with great severity on those who
have risen in against their country and have caused
heavy losses to those who have sbetted have been n
sympathy with the rebellion.
do not propose in this report to enter upon the details
OF naval operations my last annual c0mmunca
ton bnt shall append the official reports of the officers
themselves which best narrate their respective abors and
achievements No nobler encomun be awarded them
than the plain statement of their deeds and summary
can do Justice to their unsssumine communications. The
cruising grounds Of the several blockadng sqaadrons
main unchanged since my last report
NORTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON.
Acting Rear Admiral Lee continues 10 command Of the
North Atlantic Squadron, faithfully and ably dschargng
his duties in position OF great responsibility and in
respects of great embarrassment Seconded aud sustain
ed be has been BY officers Of zeal aud efficiency the
been penetrated, watched and guarded well the
tire coast that all intercourse with the rebels has been
cut off with the single exception Of the pert OF Whining
on to close which has been difficult from lis two nets,
thirty miles apart lanked by extensive batteries Some
Of the fastest steamers from the Clyde mud other quarters
of light draugh have under Of darkness succeeded
IN eadng capture but most Of even that description Of
vessels have fallen into hand been driven shore
With these exceptional cases all foreign and coastwe
with the rebels has ceased in that quarter At
Washington Newbern and elsewhere the innrr waters
&C nrtb Aotan thaN
other rivers of Virginia naval officers have been sleep
less sentnes and they have exhibited examples Of heroic
bravery and daring in repeing the rebels and protecting
and succorng the army when IN difficulty which reflect
honor on themselves aud the service
SOUTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON
The South Atlantic equation has continued to enforce
the blockade with vigilance and effect 1t il not known
that any vesseis eude the vigilance uf the feet
effect communication with the rebels that So
long the bockadlng force remained GH Charleston in
stead Of getting within the bar, tho Illicit trade at thst
point prosecuted with and vigilance
activity could wholly PREVENT it, With view Of inter-
1crg all traffic and If possible OF capturing Charleston
ITSELF the original seat 81 insurrection and Of dsuuon
preparations made by lhs Department, commencing
than ago. for The occupation OF TIE harbor and
the reduction Of the delepcrs The completion af the
iron clad vessels was urged forward with all the energy
the Department could ss into the contractors and such
ether Efficient vessels could be made available
ordered to the squadron add to m power aud efficiency
Delays and difficulties INTERVIEWED aud II not until The
9Th Of April that demonstration made On the
afternoon Of that day Rear Admiral DUPONT in the New
onsides accompanied by trreted vessels of the
Monitor class and the gunboa keokuk proceeded up the
barber and made VII orous assault upon Fort Sumter
From difficulty defect the Admirsls hip was
unable get into scton the others proceeded
n the attack, and sustained terrific concentrated FIRE
from numerous batteries.
Owing 10 the submerged distractions the character Of
which not understood il not deemed advisable
attempt pssssge up to the Cty and after contest of
lees than two hours, the signal given withdraw the
Heet But comparatively slight injury sustained by
the taTTatai vessels and only life lost this
markable contest No ships before sussined such
concentrated ere ana the enduring quses Of this class
Of els fully proved IL Was intended 10 have
nsWed the att7ck the following day bat ihia intention
wac subsequently abandoned, and the vessels with
drawn from TIE harbor under apprehension that they
could not withstand the storms Of the aud the FIRE
81 The rebel batteries But important considerations
dared 1t proper that the force should inside the
bar and orders were sent to Rear Admiral DUPONT Il
that effect
uss which the urreed vessels had sustained saac
tory aud confirm the Government in its determination
h. close eff ctuay and completely the port to pre-
vent the Ggress or egress of single vessel and also II
promote operations against the deences in the harbor
Rear Admiral DUPONT having expressed Willingness to
renqush the position which be had occupied for eighteen
months Rear Admiral Andrew ii F10te vas detailed n
relieve him. That brave and distinguished officer pre-
pared with great Aacriy and pTOmpttude for the duty
but when his way biz command was seized with
fatal Illness and died in New York lie associate and
cond in command, Rear Admiral John A. Danssaa pro-
ceeded immediately t. Port Royal aud the 9th day oil
July assumed command ~ tho squadron. combined
operation naval and army otcos tha latter under Gen
Gilmore instituted for the occupation and possession
Of Morris Islan the south side oi the entrance to
Charleston harbOr After oUg and severe Struggle, the
army operating upon land with the Efficient operation