, 1863-12-10
REPORT OF the SECRETARY
OF the NAVY,
Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune

Vessels 152 guns, so,7ss tonnage, eide-wheel
Vessels isso guns, i5ii Tonnage, screw z0'
Vessels guns, iSi5 tonnage, sailia; res 1's
Vessels i,sss guns, ionnass IL
There have been added to the navy, during
the past year, by pupchaae, 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 endcavoring 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 ont, he proceeds as fol.
lows:
The Monitor CLASS Of armed ships with reyolv-
ing tu5reta+ aud four guns of heary calibrc, has
proved itself well adapted for harbor defense, and
coast Enryey In some emergencies. These vessels
from their great powers Of endurance, have
shown themselves efficient and seryiceable IN Of
fensiye operations. Thus fonn and description 6f
1easel Which originated in tho inventive genius OF
Capt. John Ericsson. viii perform not only ali
that should DO expected Of them to make our haI-
611s 61t y hen Of enlarged capacity may
taln our rishtfol maritime position md pzcdomi-
70; Vessels 9f greater stze than any turzet vessel
they carry guns Of Il heavier cal1ber than have
heretofore been 1sed at sea, but In orler to make
49 9ng 1uises and to eope with apy
endurance and speed. Their structure must there
ioEe afford space enough for full sailing power and
f Tor TIE moSr poweIf4l steam 1aaehineg, and tie
Being unlike tho other great marine nations
with9pt distant colonies where coal depots can be
i'm +hn fn1
Of our condition and build ships with capacity
enough to- take on board fuel sufficient fof long
tons Of war, for the accommodation Of officers
and crew, should also be ample, and in addition to
this c9chof these vessels nnst in order to accom.
sament and p5epuisioa al 91 he poWef aha hal9 ths
resources Of modern invention and mechanical
science and art can furnish for attack resistaacc
Avease1 Of this description must, Of coursc, cost
Large price; but then wise statesmauship will
rot fall 70 perceive that possession Of even yery
vastly nngmentinag The force and rcnown
Of onr navy, afford us at the same time
itaat insstimshe d EusIaatee q peace with foreign
structures can we forget that Large as that cost
tkast With expenditures and sacrifices ofa single
that We may hare at our command navy which
shall fn!d!l these une1ampled and exacting condi-
t1ons Of efficiency commensurate public estab-
Indispensable, for navy carried on large scale,
md IN % eEery respect Of new plan: amply fqrnish
for It's operations were achinely 10, 1ae ste,nePs
can be Manufactured, Iron vessels coustructei:
made and teated aud repairs Of every description
these facts, I had the honor On successive occa-
sions to urge this matter upon the attention Of tho
.,ch asi and H. Of that bedy
country is now made to feel.
lc yarde are entirely inadequate for the manaiae-
sad Lee Of military opportunities have occurred,
aai tese9ss nost earnestly inveke the at
eious fact that our Government has made no sa6i
cent provision in its public establishments for the
try is Better prepared fer this change tsn almost
any other maritime nation, for We have but few |
ealing Eessels Of lslge class md these few, to
ohe9 Ssn e. g. 'sd
Of strength as co5pared viii those of iron struc
icn!arly when covered with Iron plating the action
Of the Immersed iron arnnor. or copper sheattng
eaqs1ng ths to onl and th
keePfnE Eessels tight under armor plates, and the
probability Of greater strength Of iron permits the
nd liner les' and dSAPs Ewing srsafe4 ai intesnsi
apacIty. They can be at any time Inspected in all
heir parts, are safe from fire, and arc better pro-
lec1ed &fom great leaks. ae they can have water |
light Compartments. Their repairs cau generally
bs more easily made, and from their great dura-
ity. they are probably In the end, NOT more cost
Y. An Iron vessel, moreover, can be taken from
which cannot be done With wooden vessels.
The disadvantages OF Iron vessels arc the serious
local kness Of the thin plates composing the
1ottcm Of an iron ship, the danger that would r.
Ions thsir liability to EapidIy become lou II salt
Tater, whereby their speed becomes greatly i'm |
2a1Fed. their requiring to be frequently docked
9r cleaning, the great danger from a shot stri-
be Injury caused by the splintcrs Of iron when TIC
,lates are tsoken Of En1ashed; the corroson inside
rom bi]ee *ater: the difficulty in making tempo
ary repairs Of shot holes, and the limited number
i artisans yet to be procured having skill In this
description Of employment.
It is believed that tho troops at every point
,ave been supplied with an abundance of
yholesomc food, and that If in the move
ncnt Of the cafmics temporary want has been +
cit, it has not been due to any want Of fore
light or attention on the part Of the Commits
ary Generals Department.
The Paymaster's report, mud the Acting
urgeon Generals report, with full details
70 also given.
A compliment is paid to the military telc-
raph and the valuable services it has rem
cred to the Government, under the superin-
cndcnce Of Col Stager and Major Eckert
After al1udfng to some claims against that
apartment, saying that further legislation or
1arger appropriation will be required to |
AIRY them into effect, he concludes rs fol-
ows: "1 may be permitted to express the
ope that the next annual report from this |
department. may announce the complete
vcrthrow Of the rebellion and restoration of
eace, and the establishment of the Union on |
sure foundation In all the bounds Of the |
[uited States.