Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-12-05
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF
THE NAVY

The report of the Hon Gideon WelIes Sec.
rotary OF the Navy, gives comprehensive
statement Of the operations Of the Navy, Its
present conditions and future necessities A
concise report OF the operations of the North
Atlantic, South Atlantic and West CT lf SQUAD
rons is presented, together with the details of
the reduction of the naval force at the close of
the war. The number of vessels and crews on
foreign service will not be greatly Increased
over those Of former years, while the number
OF guns Will be less; YET il is believed that the
superiority OF steam over sails for naval war
vessels, and the Improvements Of ordnance
will give our force abroad greatly augmented
efficiency and power. There are now the En-
ropean, Brazil. East India and Pacific squad
rons, in all thirty-two vessels. To these will
be added the West India squadron. with nine
vessels. We had in 1860 five sQuadrons on for
eign stations, numbering 81 vessels carrying
$40 guns At the present time we have on the
several stations abroad 80 vessels, Inounting
341 guns, and carrying Sc howitzers. Since the
Atm OF March. 1861, Ais vessels have been pur.
chased, Of which 3i3 Were steamers AT a cost
OF Sls,366.6Sl 50, and OF these there have been
sold $40 vessels, for which the Government
has received S5,62I, SG027.
The Secretary recommends the enlargement
OF the Navy Yards az Boston and New York
70 complete the yard at Mare Island, on the
Pacific, rebuild those of Norfolk and Pensaco.
Ia, and sell the present restricted grounds at
Philadelphia, after establishing ward of suf
nclent capacity at League Island or some other
proper location on the Delaware. He states
mat lie omlts any recommendation i'm regard To
ibe yard ct kittery, because there are serious
objections 20 it rs anayal station, on account of
us proximity 10 the ocean, which renders pub
lie property there insecure.
Midshipmen. IL is recommended, should be
appointed one half from enlisted apprentices
of the navy, and the remainder from Congress
sionai districts. The establishment of naval
academy on the Chesapeake is urged, as pos
sessing superior advantages to any other place
that can be selected.
The laws Of Dec. 81, 1861, and of July I6, 1862,
directing that "the hours Of labor and the rate
OF wages Of the employees in the navy wards
shal! conform, as nearly Us is consistent with
the public interest, with those OF private estab.
iishments in the immediate vicinity OF the re.
spPctlye yards, TO be determined by the COM
mandants of the navy yards, subject to the an
proyal and revision Of the Secretary OF the
Navy" the Secretary recommends should ba
repealed. 1t is also urged that the military
and naval asylums be separate and that what
ever funds may remain In the treasury from
lines or other causes specified in the fifth sec.
ton of the act of March Sd, ISG5 ato incornor
ate National military and naval asyIumn he
set apart, not for one asylum, but for the two
branches OF the service. He also recommends
that all fines, forfeitures. &c, derived from
naval officers or seamen may inure to the bepe-
fl of the men Of the navy, rrespectiye of the
asylum indicated in the act of last March
which IS more appropriately adapted to the
army.
The subject OF the increase of salaries in the
navy is presented for the favorable considera-
ton of Congress.
The total expenses of this department from
the Attn of March, 1861, TO the Both of June JsS5
embracing period of four years and four
months, and covering not only the ordinary
expenses OF The navy, but such rs have arisen
IN the purchase. construction, and euuipment
OF vessels, and In tGe raiutenanc e of tI,t large
naval force required during the war. vera
S3ll.lso..tp.ts-nn average annual expenditures
OF S72.5oO,'9OTl 1t IS gratifying To note th,t
the expenses OF This department since the 60 or,'
mencemrnt OF The war have been but nine and
ttree-fenths per cent. OF the expenditures NJ
the soverninen during the same time