New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-12-07

those which are. Mr.. Wdles. however. hai
always been ready to cooperate with the armJ
in the capture of this troublesome port. but NJ
troops have been at hand.
In regard to Charleston, the Secretary re-
marks that an effective blockade has been main
tanned by keeping fleet off Morris Island, in
side the bar, and that this port has been. with
few exceptions, sealed against the runners Of
blockade The cessation of all active demon.
STATIONS for the possession Of Charleston is &C.
counted for by the statement that Admiral
Dahlgren, having mcditated an attempt to pass
Fort Sumter, called council of war concerning
that project, and that the council Of war do
cded against the feasibility Of the effort.
The operations of tho North Atlantic Squadron
are detailed with particularly. We dismiss
them with & reference to the one exploitywhch
has converted .,c defensive tactics of that
squadron into active hostilties by tho heroic
assault of Lieut.. W. Il. Gushing upon the
Rebel ram Albemarle, known already to the
American people as one of the signal actions OF
this war, and resulting in the re-capturc OF
Plymouth and the secure possession Of the
North Carolina Sounds.
This report explains, SO far as the Navy is
concerned, the failure Of the Red River expedi-
ton. Admiral Porter was sent to cooperate
with Gen. Banks. When the land force was de-
feated at Pleasant Hill, the navy had nothing
to do but to get out of the river as best it could
and due credit is given to Col, since Gen. Bal.
ley, for his wonderful work in constructing the
dam which raised the waters Of the Red River
and liberated the feet.
Concerning the capture of tho Florida, the
Secretary Of the Navy observes adiplomatic reti.
cence; remarking merely that ''she encountered
the steamer Wachusett, commanded by Com.
mander Collins, to whom she surrendered, and
by whom she was brought in leaky and dilapi.
dated condition to Hampton Roads. Here,
while at anchor an army transport came in
collision with the shattered vessel which sunk
few days after near the wreck Of the Cum
berland."
The victory Of the KearSarge over the Ala.
bama is properly honored, and the capture Of the
Georgia by the Niagara completes the destruo-
ton OF the three principal pirates which were
maintained by the Rebellion, and by its British
allies, for depreciation on American commerce.
1t is made to appear, alsoAhat the Tallahassee,
while engaged in her piratcal career, was owned
in Liverpool, and sailed from beginning to end
under a British register.
The condition ofsthe navy is briefly exhibited
in the following statement:
GENERAL ExnrBI OF THE NAVY. INCLUDING VESSELS W.
DER CONSTRUCTION. DC. lisa
No. ~ No. Of No. OF
ye.~ls Dr,cription. guns. tuns
ilJ Screw steamers especially con
siructed for naval Purposes. at lba,"Jl
81 Padhewheel steamers especially
constructed for naval purposes. 5?f 5LeIs
II Iron clad vessels. 80 ~. $50
isg Screw steamers purchased. cap
tured, &C, fitted for naval purps 92l 7e.I62
ll2 Sailing vessels of all classes 80 69.I9
Oh To,nl....................46lo slO3e6
Upon the disputed topics relative to the mont
tiers, to the doublecnders," to the character
of the machinery employed in naval vessels.
and other kindred matters, Mr.. Welles expresses
such views as are known to have held sway in
the Department, during his management.
The question as to the proper site for q new
nayy-yard is again brought forward, and DIR.
welless predictions in favor of the Philadel-
phia League Island are urged with the same
pertinaeity, and by help Of the same arguments,
which have heretofore been addressed to Con-
gross, but without influencing that body 70
adopt them. The point conceded on both
sides il that somewhere there must be either q
new hayward or a great extension and en-.
largemcn, of some yard now existing.
Mr.. Welles touches upon many other topics
of interest, to which we cannot this morning
refer even in the briefest way. His report will
appear in our columns in full tomorrow.