The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-18

mage Of five hundred and ten thousand three
hundred and ninety three tons. OF these we
had of screw and paddle-wheel steam
ers, especially constructed for naval pur-
poses, one hundred and sixty-fve, car
rying two thousand and fifty guns;
screw and paddle-wheel steamers captured,
purchased and fitted for naval purposes, three
hundred and twenty-three, carrying one thou
sand five hundred and thirty-fve guns; sailing
vessels of all classes, one hundred and twelve,
with eight hundred and fifty guns; iron-clad
vessels, seventy-one, carrying two hundred and
seventy-fve guns. Thus it will be seen that
while the American navy In 1869 consisted of
seventy-eight vessels Of all classes-most Of
them sailing ships and unseaworthy-in 1864 it
had risen to the magnitude Of navy Of q first
class Power, with an increase in the number of
fighting vessels of nearly six hundred, and an in
crease in the number of guns Of three thousand
three hundred and sixty. AS regards the per-
sonnet Of our navy, it may be stated that at the
beginning of the rebellion it consisted of seven
thousand six hundred men, and at its CLOSE
ell within the five years we have named-it
had risen to ffty-one thousand FIVE hundred;
very nearly reaching the personnel Ct the Eng
lish navy, which, according to our latest re-
ports, was about sixty thousand men, including
the East Indian navy. Her naval reserve is
one hundred aud twenty thousand men. We
could raise one hundred and fifty thousand If
circumstances should require it But it was
not in the number of vessels or guns that
marked this almost miraculous increase in the
navy of the United States. It was principally
In the formidable character of the vessels
built and the extraordinary calibre and weight
of metal in the batteries of recent invention
employed. In the building of iron-clad ves-
sells the record shows that we are in advance
of both England and France combined, as the
following comparative statement will show
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF IRON-CLADs IN 1864.
lronclads in French navy*.. 40
Iron clads in British navy*.. 70
Total in England and France. Observation-Disclosures. 90
Iron clads In American navyt.. -
Difference in favor of America over both ........
for harbor defence.
Exclusive Of iron cads on the Mississippi and other
Western rivers
TOTAL NUMBER OF NAVAL VESSELS IN COMMISSION
No. Vessels. Guns
Unted states ........'.........'' ena a1a0
Great Britain .....................0O 0 vIoI
France. ......................sSz o,ooo
In the last table il will be seen that the
weight Of metal appears to be against the
United States But this is not in reality the
case A little incident will show why. A short
time ago an American man-ofwar (the Wyom-
ing) was at St. Simon's Bay, Cape Of Good
Hope, and controversy prose between one of
her officers and an English naval officer. "How
many guns do you carry?" asked the English
man. "Six," replied the American. "Oh, we
carry eleven" rejoined the Englishman. "What
weight Of metal do you throw at q broadsidc!"
"About eighty pounds" "Well," replied the
officer Of the Wyoming, tone Of our guns alone
throws one hundred and sixty-eight pounds
that's double your whole broadside." And
that is enough to settle the question of the
weight of metal in the respective navies.
The iron-clads are the vessels with which the
great naval battles of the future will be fought;
and as 1t will be seen that the American navy
in 1864 had the preponderance Of two to one
over both her transatlantic rivals, there need
be no doubt as to what may happen In case
the dire conflict for naval supremacy arises.
But this depends upon what the United States
government determines to do in regard to our
naval establishment We do not approve Of
large expenditures at this time; on the con-
trary, retrenchment in every branch Of govern
ment expenditures is demanded. But in the
meantime, by establishing government foun-
dries for the construction, repair and al
teration of iron-clad vessels and bate
ries, and for the purpose of experimenting
upon whatever may be practically suggested
as improvements in this invaluable arm Of the
naval service, by enlarging our navy yards
and increasing their number, and by always
having in view the importance of supplying
the places Of old and worn out wooden
hulks by new and invulnerable iron-clads--
it costs as much to man the one as it does the
other-the United States will be steadily aug
menting the power of their navy, and gradu-
ally approaching that period when, although
Great Britain may be declared the mistress
and France the master, yet, in reality, the
American navy will he the monarch Of the
seas, and American commerce prosper and the
American name honored wherever the Ameri-
Nm flag may be unfurled.
The DYING STRUGGLES OF SLAVERY IN ZEN
TucxY.--Slavery in Kentucky dies hard. In
the Senate Of that State, on the 18th instant
there were some very curious proceedings, dis
closing the predominant influence of the pro-
slavery spirit, a specimen of which will suffice