Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1865-12-09
The Operations Of our navy.

Jay AlOlAAAnE AdoS NAbha bCAtk ldBAAC ~ nOD-
sis of the annual report of the Secretary
0 the Navy, but upon examining that doc
ument, we find SO many interesting and
important facts omitted in that synopsis
that we have determined, at some risk of
repetition, to condense the essence of the
report into an editorial article. The re-
port commences with the first naval opera
tions of the year 1865, the expeditions
against Fort Fisher, for the failure of the
first of which the Secretary quite pointed
ly blames General Butler. Mr.. Welles
says that the capture of Wilmington had
been a fayorite project with him since
1862, but he had not been able to secure
the cooperation of a sufficient military
force until last year. The command of
the magnificent armada then fitted out was
offered to Farragut, but, that veteran de-
Ginning it on account of impaired health,
it was undertaken by Admiral Porter. At
ter the first failure, this officer earnestly
protested against the abandonment of the
plan, and it was at his solicitation that the
second assault was projected.
Since the fall of Fort Fisher the navy
has accomplished nothing of especial bril-
liancy, and the work of ~retrenchment has
been the chief employment of the Depart
ment. In January last there were four
hundred and seventy vessels and two hous-
and -four hundred and ffty-fve guns en-
ployed in blockading service. There are
now but t~wenty-nine vessels remaining on
the coast, carrying two hundred and ten
guns, exclusive of howitzers. We have
now four foreign s~quadrons-the Europe
an, Brazilian, East Indian and Pacific ;
the first three having been organized
anew upon an economical scale. The Pa
cific was not abandoned during the war.
In 1850, there were five squadrons num-
bering thirty-one vessels, carrying four
hundred and forty-ive guns. There are
now on the several stations abroad thirty
six vessels mounting three hundred and
forty-seven guns, and carrying fifty-six
howitzers. The Secretary speaks very
highly of the iron-clads which have been
laid up at League Island, where, removed
from the coast, and with fresh water, they
have the advantage of both security and
preservation. Statistics during the war
show that the iron-clads were healthier
than voodaD raosaIs
The Secretary gives a large portion of
his report to a description of the manage
ment of the blockade, and to a history of
the d~epredations of the rebel pirates, TAX
ing occasion to comment severely but
justly upon the cause of Great Britain in
reference to the Sea King or Shenandoah.
The number of men connected with the
navy at the commencement of the rebel
lion, was 1900; at its close 81, 500. Since
March 4th, 1861, four hundred and eigh-
teen vessels have been purchased; of which
three hundred and thirteen were steamers,
at a cost of SIS, SOC, 6sI So, and of these
there have been sold, three hundred and
forty vessels, for which the Government
has received S5,62l,sOO 81. We captured
during the war Lac vessels. The gross
proceeds of all captures confirmed as
prizes between the commencement of the
rebellion and the first of November
amounts to s2l, 829, SAB sc; costs and ex-
penses, Sl,6l6, 223 90; net proceeds for dis
tribution, $2O,5Ol 1927 SO. There are a
number of important cases still before the
courts, which will largely increase these
amounts. The value of the one thousand
one hundred and forty nine captured yes
sells will not be less than S24, 500, 900, and
Of the three hundred and fifty-fve' vessels
destroyed at least $4,000 GOO, making a
total valuation of not less than S3l, $780,
600, much of which was British property,
engaged in unneutral and so
justly captured and condemned.
On the first of November there were
2,O27 persons on the pension rolls, receiy-
ing a total amount of S248, 529.5O, being
an increase during the year of 4lS persons.
During the progress of the war laos per-
were killed, 1888 wounded, and l76
reported missing, making the total num-
Der of casualties in the naval service 1920.
The total expenses of the Department
from March, 1861, to the Both of June,
1865, were s3I4, {, 96O.6s, being an aver
age expenditure of s72, 500, 9OO.O3. Mr..
Welles makes numerous suggestions in his
among others that the navy yards
be enlarged, that a Sailors Home be built,
and the Naval Academy removed from
Annapolis to some point where the mid
can have outdoor drill the year
round.