Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-12-15
VESSELS NOW IN THE SERVICE.


tions which took place up to the I'd of June.
VESSELS NOW IN THE SERVICE.
There were in the several blockading squad.
rons in January last, exclusive of other duty,
four hundred and seventy -one vessels. and two
Thousand four hundred and fifty-fve gums
There are now but twenty -nine vessels remain
ing on the coast, carrying two hundred and ten
guns exclusive of howitEers. Disposition has
been made of all the others. Some of the yes.
sells are laid up in ordinary, some with their
crews are on foreign service, but many have
been sold, and, with most of the men that were
actively engaged in hostile operations, are now
employed in peaceful occupation.
Six squadrons are now in service-namely,
the Atlantic, Gull, European, Brazil, East In
liza and Pacific 1t is proposed to revive the
West India squadron.
THE NAVY DURING THE WAR
Mr.. Welles gives an historical sketch of the
growth of the navy during the war. From
Z, 600 men in the service at the commencement
Of the rebellion, the numbers was increased to
81 500 at its close. In addition TO these the ag-
gregate of artisans and laborers employed in
the navy yards was I6, $50, instead of 3, ,644
previously in the pay of the government. This
is exclusive of those employed in the private
shipyards and establishments, under contracts,
constituting an almost equal aggregate num-
bers. Two hundred and eight vessels have
been commenced and most of them fitted for
service during this period. A few of the lar
ger ones will require still further time for COM
plelition. Since the 4th of March, 1861, 4ls
vessels have been purchased, of which three
hundred and thirteen were steamers, at cost
of $I8,366, ,68l SO, and of these there have been
Solu $40 vessels, for which the government has
received S562I 500 81.
Three hundred and twenty-five officers trail
torously abandoned the service at the outbreak
of the rebellion, but their places were supplied
from the merchant marine, whence seven thous-
and five hundred naval appointments were
made during the war.
EUROPEAN "SEUTRALITY"
After alluding to the eager haste with which
the maritime powers of Europe recognized the
rebels as belligerents, Mr. Welles observes:
Virtually excluded from the ports of the
great maritime powers by this assumed neu-
tralty, the difficulty of maintaining even a
limited naval force abroad was greatly increas-
ed. The withdraw of our squadrous left our
unprotected commerce exposed to the depreda-
tions of semi-practical cruisers, which were
built armed, manned, and sent out to plunder
and destroy our merchantmen from the shores
of neutral Europe. To these aggravated
wrongs we were compelled, in the great emer.
gency which existed, to submit, for under no
circumstances WOuld tne department relax the
blockade, or permit its efficiency to be impair
ed.
The suppression of the rebellion enables US
to re-establish squadrons abroad, and to dis
play again the flag of the Union in foreign
ports. Our men -of-war, released from the
blockade, will soon be found in every sea, pre-
pared to assert American rights and protect
American interests.
THE FLAG TO FOLLOW COMMERCE..
The Secretary contends that our flag should
now be carried into every sea and penetrate
every commercial port where American capital
is employed; and he adds:
Wherever our merchant ships may be en-
ployed, there should be within convenient prox-
nifty naval force TO protect them and make
known our national power. Such are the en-
ergy and enterprise of our countrymen, that
they will, Row that the war has closed, COM
pete for the trade and commerce of the world,
provided the government performs it's duty in
fostering and protecting their interests Be-
sides guarding the channels hitherto occupied
and explored, it would be well that examina.
ions be made for new avenues of trade. In
connection with this subject, l would suggest
he importance Of more thorough survey and
exploration of the principal islands in the Pa
c-fc ncean and that the Department have Gu-
thority to carry this suggestion into cffscs