The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-12-18
SAINT PAUL FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1s 1863

and $500 men, Commodore HARDWOOD COM
mands fotila on the Potomac IT, intercept
the illicit traffic between Maryland and Vir-
ginia. .-... r..
Admiral Charles H. Bell continues to CON-
mand the Pacific squadron. which comprises
the same vessels as last year, with two additions.
The naval force at the commencement Of the
Administration consisted of sc vessels, and of
these only were in commission. The addi-
tons whichMave since been made have elevated
the country into first-class naval power.
In the following table an exhibit is presented
OF the altered numbers and description of our
vessels at the date of the last report and at the
present time:
COMPARATIVE EXHIBIT OF THE NAVY, DE-
GENDER 1862 AND 1858.
Navy at the date of present report 5SS vessels
T. 443 guns 467, 967 tonnage.
Navy at the date of st report, 427 vessels 26S
guns, 34O 036 tonnage. Increase exclusive of those
lost 16l vessels, ], l25 guns 1881 tonnage
VESSELS of the Navy st since December r, 1862
Captured-12 vessels, Is guns, 59IS tonnage.
Destroyed to prevent them from falling into the
h.nds of the rebels35 vessels 997 guns g 1873 ton
mage.
Sunk in battle or by torpedoes-4 vessels, % guns
22Ol tonnage. Shipwrecks s. and collisions IL yes
Is. 81 guns. 4,s54 Tonnage
VESSELS PLACED UNDER CONSTRUCTION SINCE
DECEMBER, 1862.
Double end iron steamers l, O30 OBS each I
Vessels 81 guns Ito tonnage 81 gle turret
irOn-clads $40 ton each. Observation-Disclosures. 20
Vessels 40 guns, l2,2S0 tonnage, double turret.
irOn-clads 3. 100 ms each. .............. 4
Vessels IL guns, 2, go tonnage clipper screw
sOOpS. 2.2nO IONS each. Observation-Disclosures. l2
Vessels 90 guns, 2G, 400 tonnage, screw sloops o.
spar deck, =, 200 tons each. .................. 8
Vessels 100 guns Ii, 600 tonnage s:rew sloOps at
great speed, 1920 tons each. ................. 5
Fesses ~ guns. IT, 600 tonnage. screw slOOps at
great speed, 5000 tons each. ................ 5
Vessels 4" guns, $4,000 iOnnage, screw slOops at
great sped J, 600 tons each Observation-Disclosures. g
Vessels IL guns, 1, 600 tonnage. .......... -
EXHIBIT OF THE NAVY WHEN THE VESSELS
UNDER CONSTRUCTION ARE COMPLETED.
Iron-clad steamers coast survey. ............ 46
Vessels !5o guns, g, 2ls tonnage iron-cad steam
erS, inland service ...................... 20
Yes els Is. guns. 2o.7S4 tonnage, side-whee
steamers. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 2G3
Vessels 1.24o guns 12G5i7 tonnage, screw
Vessels ISIS guns 1882 tonnage sailing
vessels. 900 10 49, liz
There have been added to the navy during
the past year, by purchase. some thirty tugs
and fifty steamers, for blockading and supply
purposes, and over twenty other vessels for
tenders and store ships.
At least twenty Of the steamers were cap
tured in endeavoring to violate the blockade
The Secretary then discusses. at some length,
the improvement In naval vessels After
speaking of the wonderful revolution that has
taken place in naval architecture since the war
broke out. he proceeds as fellows:
The Monitor class of armed ships with re-
volving turrets. and four guns of heavy calibre,
has proved itself well adapted for harbor de-
fence, and coast survey In some emergencies.
These vessels from their great powers of en-.
durance. have shown themselves efficient and
serviceable in offensive operations. This form
and description Of vessel which originated in
the inventive genius of Capt John Ericsson.
will perform not only all that should be ex-
pected OF them to make our harbors secure
but when of enlarged capacity. may supersede
ships of higher pretensions, 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 heavier caliber than have
heretofore been used at sea, but in order to
any force, these ves sells must have all possible
strength, endurance and speed. Their structure
must therefore afford space enough for full sail
ing power, and for the most powerful steam
machinery. and the large supplies of fuel need
full to keep it at work. Being unlike the other
great maritime nations without distant colo
MES where coal depots can be established on
the SIOTc VI altnOSL every sea, we NluSt con-
form to the necessities of our condition and
build ships with capacity enough to take on
board fuel sufficient for long cruises. The space
tor other supplies, for munitions of war, for
the accommodation of officers and crew, should
also be ample, and in addition to this each of
these vessels must, in order to accomplish its
work, present in its construction armOr, arma-
ment and propulsion all the power that the re
sources of modern invention and mechanical
ov,1 orf ich for nffn nh
ance and pursuit. ...
A vessel of this description must. of course
cost large price; but then wise craftsmanship
will not fail TO perceive that possession of even
very few of such uncOnquerable ships must
while vastly augmenting the force and renown
of our navy, afford us at the same time ines
Unable guarantee of peace with foreign nations.
Nor, counting the cost of such floating struc
lures can we forget that large as that cost may
with expenditures and sacrifices of a single
year, or even amounts OF foreign war, In Or
der that we may have at our command a navy
which shall fulfill these unexampled and eX-
acting conditions of efficiency, q commensurate
public establishment for its construction and
preparation is indispensable for navy carried
on on new scale and in every respect on
a new plan, amply furnished with all the
proper facilities and aids for its operations
where machinery for steamers can be manu-.
featured, iron vessels constructed made and
tested, and repairs of every description exc
cuted, is an absolute necessity. In view of
these facts, / had the honor on successive Oc-
casions to urge this matter upon the attention
of the last Congress, and the omission Of that
body of such establishment is a misfortune
which the country is now made to feel.
Vessels frequently need repairs, and as our
Spublic yards ale entir ly inadequate for the
manufacture and repair of steam machinery,
great delay and loss Of military opportunities
have occurred attened with vast loss of money.
again, therefore most earnestly invoke the
attention of Congress to the manifest and in
auspic Gus fact that our government has made
no sufficient provision in its public establish
menls tor the existing requirements of naval
warfare Our country is better prepared for
this change than amo tany other maritime ma
tion for we have but few al ing vessels of large
class ind these few, 70 which steam cannot be
applied, may be ussd to advantage for other
than fighting purposes
The disadvantages of wooden vessels are,