The New York herald., 1863-12-10


suitable establishment for tho construction or repair OF
iron vessels their machinery amature has it any
place for preserving them when laid up In ordinary Some
proper and suitable accommodations for vessels OF this
description are necessary where there fresh water
and as stated IN my oommunca tions TO the last Con-
gress II has appeared to me that place combines 30
many advantages TO be found tho Delaware, In
tho vicinity Of Philadelphia. commission Of naval
and scientific gentlemen appointed under tho
thority of Congress to examine League Island, aud
also TO "mak0 Q survey and examination a the
harbors OF New London Connecticut, and s surround
nes, with reference its capacity and nIness for naval
depot aud navy yard anc whether the public Interest
will not DO promoted by establishing naval depot and
yard in said harbOr OF New London instead
OF League Island and that they also make the nvestiga
ton in regard to the waters Of Narraganset Bay" Tho
majority OF this board recommended the establishment
OF additional navy yardat New London On that sub
sct il that the department should express
opinion 1t Is question for Congress, which instl-
tued the inquiry decide whether ap additional navy
yard on the old plan Is wanted at New London and
should il be in tho affirmative it will be tho duty OF this
department to carry that decision. when made into
etoct
But aside from and Independent OF the question Of
additional navy yard is that OF extended accommo
datious and ample facilities the Delaware than
we now have 10 the narrow and wholly insufficient limits
OF the Navy Yard at Phadephia Those limits as stated
by the chief the Bureau Of Yards and Docks in his able
aud practical report be enlarged to about double the
present by purchase at an expense of about $500 900
but with that addition the yard would still be
wholly inadelu luate to the public necessities and too
small for such an extensive establishment the
wants OF the government require. 1t would undOubt
edly be the part OF wisdom and true economy
to procure ground with ample front for such
vicinity OF PhiadeIpha, and can be made
available to dispose Of the present grounds and apply
S o hs Yaras asw whose
perience aud judgment entte his opinions
ton, suggests another locality than League Island at
Marcus Hook. few miles below Philadelphia on the
right bank Of the Delaware, which he supposes may,
perhaps, be procured at reasonable From the
animation which have been enabled give this ect
am not prepared to say that the advantages are my
mind, such counerbaance attanabe League
Island which has been teudered to the government for its
and Marc
Hook can be procured at any price, Either place. how
ever might apprehend, DO satisfactory, and. as have
already stated to Congres there doubt that for
purposes OF navy yard, aud establishment for au iron
navy and its wants. the banks OF the Delaware present
United States Prompt and Gdicous action by the iess
lave branch Of the government upon this subject is III
my Judgment urgently needed, and will when II shall
been had be carried effect by this department
NAVAL DEPOT ON THE MISSISSIPPI
deem il proper TO again aiude to the expcdiency
OF establishing at no distant day naval depot,
yard and foundry at some accessible and suitable
point one Of tho rivers IN the valley OF the Mississippi
The selection OF appropriate location for this purpose
vessels can be constructed ana repaired, is Ques
ton OF national importance The United States have ut
this time hundred nava vessels On the Mississippi
aDi its tributaries Iron aud coal, well wood, with
all the materials for ships war are abundant and may
be found contiguous to eligible situations
Steamers OF will endure for years fresh water.
and the naval vessels which the government place
those rivers will be preserved Should tho projected
water communication connecting the Northern lakes with
tho great interior rivers by an enlarged ship canal be
made available for the deicnce OF Northern frontier
when circumstances required It,
EDUcAuoN ENGTNEEas,
To attain and maintain our true position naval
power the best talcn! In tho country must be found
nOug the officers who to conduct the varied opera
tons OF the service and adequate provision to secure
such ability and accomplishment should command the nj
.entiOu OF those who have Charge OF naval affairs.
school Is producing officers of Skill well edu
Gated for their pr0fessiou yet If ships and steam
machioery not at the highest atanabe point per-
ectou and the engineers are not ssilf, the education
iItupt tn
give US tho naval superiority we should obtain.
BY the introduction OF steam into naval operations
corps engratted into the service of
blnng science with mechanical skill and genius whose
proles ataumeus and practical power demand the
fostering OF the government. Our naval engineers,
like those OF the army ud bs thoroughly educated TO
their profession, for them the motive power of
hereafter depend Steam engineering should indeed
be QUE OF tho important studies OF all naval officers
and should be taught at the Naval Academy 1t would
be well ~ encourage such young exhibit ap,ncss
for mechanical studies to cultivate their peculiar talents
whether a. naval constructors or engineers that do
partmeut IN which they can render the highest public
service Other governments puEsue this course, and
shall nnd our advantage 10 giving similar encouragement
II Is question, indeed NJ sails are subordinate to
steam, whether every officer OF the line ought not TO be
educated to and capable OF performing the duties which
devove upon engineers The means OF acquiring pract
cal well as theoretical knowledge OF the subject should
be furnished by tho government, aud 1t would be well IL
every mdshinau TO receive instruction this
important branch OF hiS II the public
prepared combine what present are distinct pur
suits, and make every naval ocer engineer well
a sailor would recommend the formation OF a Gloss at
the Naval Academy OF youths giving precrcpce those
who mav have already evinced mechanical skill aud ap
ude for engineering who might be ciucated with special
reference 10 their profession as engineers. Alter two
years. study they could DO received tho corps by
errng on them the app)ctment OF third assistant cngi
ADD assigning them to duty The naval aud
the country have suffered injury that scarcely be
mated from the want II thorough, capable aud well edG
Gated engineers. Mony OF our most cilclcut vessels
have been dsahel ana crippled ~ the midst OF
, cruise lnd sometimes even At the very commence
ment e their service, In Consequence Of the inca
lacy OF tue eogneers, whereby tue country has beon
dcprved only Of the Il tho vessel for weeks.
sonnet mes ior months but the officers and crew have
been constrained TO nactivi,y instead BEN, employed
against the enemy. necessary
aud prevent these disasters ioigrous the
~ aud know OF mono - thorough aud complete that
4 publicly educaii1g and tra,sns engineers 70 the sor.
The most imp)rtint branch " study the Naval
Acaieny IL, very appropriately. seamanship a gen.
eri knowledge of tho application and use OF steam
ant Of practical mechanics should follow, almost
equally csse1tll Line officers OF the navy, or
whatever rank, should, moreover, have tho
privilege OF attending lectures aud pursuing the study ~
steam me, bancs and, indee1 every branch that may
b. taught at the Naval Academy Al! It recommended
that be made tor carrying into effect these
suggestions Having recommended the enlistment and
riHi1, Uf boys for the navy, deem IL scarcely less
p,rtint to suggest the policy d giving employment to
seamen IN time OF peace. Our commercial marine and
fisheries havo been and valuable sailors,
which tho government must rely in time Of war for
such additions ~ may be necessary 10 its force OF tho
rougbbred naval seamen But TO build up aud sustain
navy that shall be capable o asserting aud maintaining
rights aad honor OF tho country. the government
peace as well a. In war, must foster that hardy aud
adventurous class who in every coniici at home and
abroad, have always CALAMITY upheld the tag form
dabe navy at the commencement of present diicu
ties would have caused !oreisn nations abstain ron
aiding the rebeis and brought the speedy
olus,on. Why might not the government ia time of
peace employ its own fast steamers tor ocean MAJ.
vice. AMI perhaps other important transportation such
carrying specie and packages " small bulk but high
value .lignt armament OF few guns nations yes
sells would b. sufficient to exercise aud TO give
character aud security 10 the shp. Fronting as
country docs the great this system would
insure 10 u.s. first, vessels built aud ready. all times,
Tor fighting purposes second organization OF able and
efficient oncers, with well trained and educated seamen
actively employed and always ready or naval service
third rand mail communication with dderen, parts Of tho
world the whole furnishing nucleus for the navy, where
both It's officers and better class OF would be
constantly improving aud nttng themselves Tor the high
public usefulness No better school or training could
be instituted for modern naval warfare ssamanship
much IN advance Of that which prevailed when only
sailing vessels known to the navy such system
would besides being nursery FOR the navy contribute
to the expansion OF commerce, which II would stmu
late and encourage, and with which would not come IN
competition. Under II the naval and merchant service
would raernze and bo educated together when tho
try ~ at peace, aud In time of would combine tho
power OF both for national purposes Such cmpoymen of
would