New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-12-10
ryppoyy,,yy1s IN NAVAL yrwyra.

Upon the assumption that tho United sstrs are q
occupy leading pc.tion among martins nations,
rrnnry object with the Government must 10 TIE rGn
snnuce u uAvr force adequate for defense against a.
foreign aggression The thorough trarsiruaiio'
which has taken place IN the character of naval ssr
fare 10 the result 81 change not lcss complete 10 N,
character and sruciur. Of Darsl vesscia Tho salny
shrs of. war whose construction had been brougtt NJ
mot TO perfection. were superseded lr,t by paddle
wheel steamers and they Ia iurn hhyc given place
vessels propelled by submerged sorcwa Steamers
however. are Hsblo 10 disaster IL battle ron
which sailing vessels arc exempt A single chance
shot mny totally disable the most Iov
eTfl steamer; mud Ills exposure rendering vessels M
SAFE aud dangerour. has led 70 precautions and sale
guards for their protection In the form VI Iron ars:uie
by which frat cnss man war 10 made Inv ulncrnh'
to tho ordnance formerly used In naval warfare. Be-
ris new form IL defense has developed with n
spOnd ne Improvement In TIE form and force OF attack
and lus tie proper naval armament OF the present day
consisting Of ordnance u cslibcr reach ard power
heretofore regarded impossible hss become 90 move
Brd experimental 10 tie new naval structures and 10
fuscs Rhich il e intended to nsss These successive
changes Introducing into naval war vessels poveifa
achLeTy insure speed eriInurc for lite protection
and heavy ordnance FOR Assault have led 10 Necessary
constant Increase in lie tlse u our ships until tie at
tiinnent u sufficient dimensions for frat rate man 81
war steamer, properly hrmored. and with suitable arma
ueni and for supplies requires proportions whicf
al lfst view enOfDous Yet without such gregil)
neued size tho essentials Of inyulnersbhy speed
heavy armament and space for 70 necesssr, supyhe
for cruising opernt!6ns cannot MI be secured
In tie responsible task Of applying to naval vesscI
aid naval armament tie principles which modern In
yenton and improvement have developed. tie depart
uent been compelled 10 pursue path hitherto to
GREAT extent uney plofed Tie Monitor cnis Of armor
ed ships With revolving turrets and few gum o hcav,
cabIs has proved itsc W be well adapted for hnrbo
delep.e aud cOnst service and in tOno Emergencies
these vessels from their great powers Of endurance
have shown themselves 10 be- efficient and se!ylcenb'
In Offensive operaitoEs Ihis form aud description OF
weasel which ongnat 10 tho inventive genius VI Capt
John Ericsson, viii perform not only all that should h'
expected Of ihcm make bnrbofs secure, but When
OF enlarged capacity may snpeisede ships oi higher pFo
tensions. To maintain our righiiaI maritime position
and for predonnhnce upon the ocean, vessels u greater
silo O. an rny reted vessel yet completed mny be ~
sentin Not only must they carry guns Of n heavier
caibor than bnyo heretofore been used at sea- but In
order TO make long cruises and To cope succcssiul,
with any force. these vessels must have all possible
strength. endurance and speed Their structure must
Therefore. Afford space enough Tor full tniing power
ana for tho most powerful steam machinery and M
large supplies of fuel nccdf0i 10 keep IL ne work
Being. DDike the other great maritime ma
tons. without distant colonies, where coal do
pots can DO established On the shore Of almost
every We must conform 10 the necessities Of on
condition. and build shIs with capacity enough 10 ta
board fuel sufficient for n long cruise. Tho spgce
for other supplies for munitions Of war; and for the
cOmnodation VI officers and crews. should Also b<
ample and In addition to this each Of these vcssoli
must. tn order to accomplish ig work. present In ~
construction amor and propulsion, all the
power that the resources VI modern invention aud
mechanical science aud furnish for attack 70
sistance. and parsuit vessel Of this description
must Of course. eos! hrgo price. But then wise
craftsmanship viii not fail to perceive tht tue posscs
sion Of even very few Euch nncong ships must
while vastly augulentng the force cad renown VI
navy afford u.s. at the tine nostimable guar
anly OF peace with foreign natons In counting the
cost VI such floating structures can We forget shat.
large that cost may be- It yet snks into sn6ceace
In contrast with the Expenditures and sacrihccs of
single ysar or even u month of foreign war.
IN order that we may have Of our command o navy
which shall fuh these nneIampled and eIncting oondi
tOns Of efficiency O commensurate pubic establish
ment for is aud preparation 10 Ddispens.
able. Navy Yard On large scale, and. III many ro-
spccts, Of now plan. amply furnished With all the
proper facilities aud aids It's opeiatons where
cbprry for steamers bo manufactured. iron vessels
consr ucied iron armature mnde and tested. and re-
pns of every description executed, 10 m absolute ne
ccssi,y In view OF these cts, Ind the honor
cssyc 0coason 10 urge this matter upon the att nion
of the ast Congress- and tho ouxson VI that BODY IN