New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-12-08

OF creating and sustaining one, mas no' III AZ .e
wards combined the appliances possessed by shgs
Establishments In England and France. Were there
outside Of our navy yards establishments 10 pciiof
promptly the requisite work IN time 81 war; shouu io
al this time again press the subject Of nav ysfd o
iron work for the construction OF vessels upon the
s.deration OF our authorities. But although the pe
parment has generally been ably and leaousy seconuo
in its efforts by private contractors YET the lac! ,
there Is no customer but the Government for mucn o
this heavy class Of iron work. orbds US ~ eiPecl ln
individual enterprise will DO prepared 10 execute II
without f remuneration Tor az ihe outlay roE snol
tools and schnery nich may be required IN prcla,N
ton Besides this unlimited time Is taken by them Dr
the completion Of the work II may be proper 10 men
tion instance Of the delay to winch the
ment subjected that in October 1862 contracts were
made with a manufacturer OF reputation and nbi!iy VT
making and setting up the turrets OF the Toni~a.uss
and Minsntomen winch were 20 nave been cosS
until February ls65 two years alter the expiration vi
the time specified in the contract At the comm'H'c
ment Of hoslties this department had equipped su
its immediate disposal, three vessels OF war. In"sc
which were laid up and those which we're recalled rom
abroad had to undergo extensive repairs Tor when ~
provision lad been made. The Governmert nas ~
even 1t this time establishment where SHAFT can "
madafor our steamers or plate for our IrOn'cInus
The frontage Wharfage at all our navyyards SO im
portant for repairs, is less than is required at oaeh Vi
them. -,
Our next contest NAV be with q naval power which
will attempt 10 direct upon our shores course OF opo
ti0ns simG' 10 those which We nave spphed " w
southern coast for supprcssng the Rebellion. One AI1
AZ least vLsro iron vessels iron aTnor and iron shet
ing can be MANI featured, Is now mper1tvey DeeesS1
~ Among ihc considerations that Should control we
selection o. site for such yard aud establishments
Which shall become the depot for the materials collected
In wears OF peace with which 10 build and repair our
naval vessels and where VIII be aggregated machinery
and tools such AZ present are hot 10 De fuund I'D u
country and which when once procured. could not II
dcsro,ed be easily readily replaced, VIII be II ahsO-
Lutte safety from attack by or land 10 lr as Is pos
able shoud avail ourselves OF natural advantages III
obtaining the indispensable security for such IN est"b
Hshment without depending ertr.l! on iortheail"ns
and artificial means which would De more costly IMAM
the navy yard Itself.
The additional military defenses Of Portsmouth, Eng.
land rendered necessary by the proximity OF that great
naval station the ocean, and It's consequent as-ail
b,y by modern ordnance, are low being cols trGcled
al an expense VI $50 90.
A pnVy.vnrd II we hsye ono for naval iron work.
should be established fresh water for this Is essen
tin 10 the preservation Of iron vessels Weh cannon Ve
laid up IN salt during peace. Ready access to
coal iron and timber is also important for these essen
tia articles should he always available On the lnhhu
waters without exposure 10 al enemy hy coasinisc
trans. ortation. abc vicinity Of large eiiy "heIe
skilled artisans can he obtained without difficulty, and
the facilities Of markets Gsd tenomenis are abundant,
should be- considered. foundation of gravel would
for the purposes Of machinery. DC peieIahc 10 stone
An extensive water frontage must also De secured FOR
such depot and establishment whore costly machinery
aud material would accumulate during years OF peace
the advantages Of an interior location are most mann
fest These favorable conditions are TO 10 obtained
nowhere else 50 completely on the Delaware River;
and the pOstion Of League l'and, within The limits 0
The city OF Philadelphia presents probably stronger
combination Of the points that are Necessary than an!
other location. =, =,
II IL to be regretted ;hat competitor FOR supposed local
benefits should interfere with Iettrd sns perhaps en-
trey defeat the Government IN s Efforts to secure 30
important d national estnbhshheht IL 10 such con
fct for sectional favor the connty should lose forever
the best situation for such maynard ana establish
ment the result would always he deplofed The De
paTtmeEi las suGiousy avoided TIE controversy "hich
hs. arisen 10 II The eorst" secure navy
ward al New London which is Foreign Ia the question
OF ,nargine substituting moro conmodious estab
lslmeBt At Philadelphia. multiplicity oil snlnl Ntrds
similar In character crowded into one section OF tie
country was not tho object purpose Of tie Depart
Gent in the suggestions AID recommendations which y
has from time To time urged upon 'ongress there ore
already three navyyads east OF The udson and should
congress deem il 10 add another 10 that
ton or e here II l. To be hoped tbat snch deierm
nation will not interfere with prevent the Govern
men' from aa'iDg proper ostaDshheh' IoI we cor
every description for naval paroses Ia the Immediate
vicinity Of the iron aud coal region OF the more central
portions of the rBion such 81 establishment ~ The
Department has adv sed the Dolawnre would not aid
10 the number Of yards hut would be mere subsitu
ton without dollars expense TO the Government
for land OF the conmodOus and extensive grounds
and water front 81 League Island n place o the present
limited and restricted site at Philadelphia, which Is
Wholly made uaie and insufficient FOR the purposes OF
yard Tor even wooden ships
Amcng the reasons which impel ne again 10 intro
duce this subject and earnestly press II upon The imme
date attention Of Congrcsr The fact thai the great
OF obisiuing "a portion Of the least valuable part OF
League Island for depot. The objections urged
against that position for navy yard WITH - work
shops have no weight with tins Company. which re
oures rhops and heavy work and knows is own inter.
est Unless therefore ihr free gin Of over six hand
red Of land. with water mont OF twenty ibree
feet drp, extending for more than two miles within
the limits oil Philadelphia should be accepted during
The present session Of Congress. vii probably pass
into private hands ard the most desirable and available
position in this country FOR such yard will be diverted
10 other purposes and lost forever 10 the Government
As measure Of ordinary prudence II Is most earnestly
recommended that the offer ~ League Island be without
DELAY accepted When plans Tor its improvement shall
hc submitted and an appropriation asked, with view
Of transferring the works ~ the present yhfd Ia Tie
new location Congress then exercise III discretion
in determining The amount o! expenditure proper iuf
this p.IiOse.
MAYNARD on THE MISSISSIPPI.
By on act Of Congress. approved june 20 1864. tie
Secretary of the Navy vas authorized hnd empowered
10 appoin; commission consisting of one nav 81 ofcer
one officer Of the engineer coTps and one civilian ~
select the mott approved site ~. navy yard or naval
station on tho Mississippi. River or upon one OF ts tb
In Of the authority conferred on me by this
act a commission has been constituted and is now en-
gagged in making the required examinations. Resr'Ad
niral Charles u DAVIS, who has had experience rs
recommending officer of the Mississippi Squadron
appointed senior member 81 the commission. The Sec
icuy Of War having been requested 10 name suitable
officer OF the engineer corm 70 be associscd Oh tIs
commission, and having named aud detailed Lieut.
4 N Eowinan Tor the purpose. that officer ap
pointed George ". Blunt. civilian ~ nautical repu
,,on and ability OF The city OF New York is tho third
gentleman OF the commission.
NAVAL RASK.
There in the naval branch Of the pnblc service no
rank spending with that Of heutenhnt general
Congress has established the grade Of rear admiral.
which corresponds with that OF major general, and i
would be an act OF recognition emiBently deserved and
which would be fully appreciated by the gallant men OF
the nsyv were Congress 10 authorize the appointment
of a vice admiral Such honors and pTelerments stimu
late heroes.
Among eminent; commanders III naval service. Of
whom the nation may well be proud have one Who
oil will Acknowledge merits Dy his achievements as
-. I'll H. In