The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-08


dsasters
The mos. formidable ironclads those OF the class
OF the PasaconaNay The turrets OF these vessels,
which fifteen inches thickness and the machinery,
which is OF power 10 drive them eleven knots an hour,
Is plain and OF moderate SIZE ana ~. .ney eu
constructed and sent 10 ia three years 80 ~ Is OF an
work out OF that ordinary routine LOT which oai oso
lshmens, public and private are exclusively aesgned
The Immediate indsI cnsabie and truly economical
remedy for all this enlarge the navy
yards az Boston and New York. to complete the YARD a.
Mare Island ON the Pacific rebuild those OF Norfolk and
Pensacola aud sell tho present restricted grounds at
Philadelphia after establishing YARD OF suhciens ca
pacit at League Island or some otner proper on
the Delaware With these extensions and improvements,
end q proper establishment az some point upon tho
Western waters naval position WIN DC SO strength
ened 10 constitute additional safeguaro against ex-
pense and perhaps
have omitted any recommendation IN regard 70 the
yard at Ks because there arc SERIOUS % on
ocean, which renders public property there insecure
Should II however, be decided to improve the station as
public shipyard tho acquisition OF Seayys Island,
recommended by tho Chief of tho Bureau OF Yards
and Docks should be carried into effect But the value
Of tho island has beon recently greatly ouhanced and its
acquisition rendered difcut In consequence OF road
which passes through the yard and bridge connecting
the island with the yard, which has been IN my opinions
without due consideration, authorized by Congress-
the yard itself Is not TO be abandoned the road and
bridge should IN justice to the public interest," DO dis
continued and Seavy's Island secured
CONSTRUCTION OF NAVAL yKsSM&
At the beginning OF the rebellion the department was
wthous appropriate vessels for chase or blockade.
south Of Hampton Roads Port Royal and those
Of the Hartford class could enter but few OF the block
All tho VESSELS constructed before the possessed
only moderate steam power, but had nearly fu sailing
the commencement in efforts 10 vessels Of nar
nitudo tor war purposes, with machinery capable Of
making fifteen knots per hour, as has been earnestly
urged could scarcely have completed such vessel
before the date Of the fall Of Wilmington The Depart
mens, without attempting impossibties, directed its
ergios TO accomplish what was practcablE
After procuring supply OF vessels for the blockade by
purchase and construction the next pressing want
an iron clad or arnored ship capable of operating in
waters and going in all weathers from port to port On
public appeal to tho mechanical ingenuity of coun-
tymen this want supplied by the Monitor, turret
cd vessel which, as completed indicated its
capabity and the model thus projected has been adopt
ed and extensively copied abroad This class Of vessels
stands the undoubed and acknowledged best defonce
OF our shore against any naval armament at present in
existence. Different types Of turreted yessels-a Of
them improvements in some respects on the original
model-have been constructed. Several of the light
draught vessels of this class drawing but eight feet Of
water, completed snoo the adjournment of Congress-
have como from Boston and other points to Philadelphia
ana Hampton Roads; and has made voyage TO
Charleston, s. c. where she is stationed and performs
with entire satisfaction all the duties required of her
The double enders, vessels originating in the peculiar
necessities OF this war-desisned to run head stern
st-were intended for operations in the rivers bayous
and inner that pcryade our Southern coast where
1t important to- avoid the difficulty, delay and risk
Of turning round in narrow channels or under fire.
When these arrangements had been made, and the
vessels Immediately required well under way IS
to DO nterferod with delayed by additional work.
the Department commenced the construction Of su1c
ror class Of steamers OF size and power sucient to in
sure high speed. The most forward OF these vessels
could not DO at until 1866 The delays and embar-
rassmens which have been experienced demonstrate the
importance, IL absolute necessity OF charging
principal yards and tho need Of suitable establishment
for the construction OF engines and heavy iron work.
such as the Department for tlrco years has steadily
urged upon the consideration Of Congress
FACILITIES YoE REPAIRiNa NAVAL VESSELS.
The naval expenditures which have been moderate
otherwise have been consequences Of che insufficient
and limited Of tho several navy yards With
out further provision in these respects the government
must always depend In great Degree on private estab
lishments for much Of ito work This is not objection
able perhaps in tho construction Of new huIls and
gnea The experience OF the last four years taught
us the and importance OF e:ient and reliable pr
vate establishments TO aid tho government in great
emergency. The promptness and enorgy exhibited at
OF these establishments have boon wonderful and
OF invaluable service. Until summoned to assist tho
government In tho great struggle that was upon @ the
me"ts were not known nor appreciated They generally
responded with zeal and vigor TO the calls Of tho Depart
mont and their ability WILL in ail future wars give rcii-
In constructing new vessels and machinery the gov
eminent can always have the benefit Of wholesome
petition at private establishments. In making It's con-
tracts for now vessels supervising thor execution
tho department will DO ahlo protect itself but that
cannot b tho case as regards tho constant and often
scrvico These cannot DO made by contract and oppor
unitios for fraud and imposition IN making repairs are
great that too many yiod 70 them Work Ia often
sighted and porfcctiy executed dsastrous delays
tervene; sometimes the job win DO skfuliy nursod by
Tc charge for materials and labor must Of course DO 70
. considerable exeent at the discretion Of those who
make the repairs and y is not SURPRISING perhaps that
all the vigilance and efforts that were exercised TO pro-
tcct the government
True economy would be promoted wore the govern
ent TO have the necessary workshops and machinery 70
execute its repairs In all cases. Almost all the
machinery and engines for the navy have b.en con-
struotcd private establishments, and they must con-
tnue until the government shall
clude to change s policy In the manufacture Of hcavy
70 cruss for months and Often for years abroad IL is
important that we should have the most substantial
workmanship and the best materials that the govern
safely reply the strength and durability OF
It's naval representatives, however remote from the
country and the officers and should be enabled 70
feel 50 nss he Dn sy
provide.
cruise or far removed from establishments where tho
cessary repairs can be made . calamity against which
every precaution should be taken
LAYING PIE IRON cLADs.
Tho IRON clad vessels, formidable In war, bat un-
suited for active service In peace have been laid up
ready be brought forward al any time for active duty
should circumstances require No provision having been
made by Congress for suitable dockyard station In
fosh water where alone iron vessels can remain and DO
preserved and there being neither room nor accommo
the Department was under the necessity until Congress
shall make provision, OF selecting suitable place for
the purpose. Fresh water being an Indispensable
requisite for the preservation OF this class OF vesso and
an interior location from the seaboan being almost
indispensable tne vi
hesitation in selecting League Island possessing these
advantages in an eminent degree Tho board OF naval
and scientific gentlemen appointed In 1892 In pursuance
Of Congress- passed the suggestion OF the De
parmont TO select site for navy yard for iron pur-
poses while entertaining different opinions TO the most
eligible location for navy yard for general objects,
united In favor OF League Island go far as Iron
vessels are concerned" There probably sto 70 be
found in tho country presenting 80 many circumstances
In It's favor for laying up clad feet Removed
from the coast and with fresh water, League Island
combines the advantages Of both security and preserva-
acknowledgements requisites for vessels Of this deecrp
tion.
Had Congress, three years since authorized tho TO.
moval OF the Navy Yard from its present contracted and
wholly insufficient limits in Phiiadelpha 10 League
Island rs recommended by the Department, other i'm
porant economic advantages would have been attained
cannot omit the opportunity o. again advising the sub
srtion Of that site for the present crcdmscnbed yard
Philadelphia and securing this location provided IL
be obtained, for the government IL must be borne
In mind that should Congress neglect TO obtain IT. tho
government will be liable ut any moment 10 BE- disp0s
scssed and compelled 10 remove rs iron-clad feet
On the Mississippi river where there IL as yet no pub