The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-12-15
REPORT OF THE sEORArARY OF THE
4 r.. rgsa w NAVY. Bi Boo

WASHINGTON, Dec. b.
The Secretary Of the Navy sta,es in his re
port. that the steamers bought Tor the mercl
ant service for war purposes, have been to
great extent returned to their former pursuits
I He reviewed the services OF the North and Soutl
Atlantic Squadrons in the taking of Whining
ton and Charleston respectively, and OF tn
West Gulf Squadron, which received the sur
render Of Mobile on the 18th OF April, and th
formal surrender Of tho insurgent navy on tn
10th Of May, 1864. ''
There arc actually in commission at hom,
and abroad but III vessels OF all descriptions
and THE number will probably be further redu
ced as soon rs domestic troubles are overcome
Foreign sauadrons are re-established, which ar
considered sufficient for the encouragement and
protection OF our commerce. .....,s
Three hundred and twenty-five officers prov,
ed traitors to their government when the war
begun. Their places have been filled efficiently
with volunteer officers from the merchant scr
vice, and it is recommended that appointments
from this number he added to the navy. Since
the 4th Of March 1861, 4l8 vessels had been
purchased ut "a cos. ot Sl8 ,366,7 .88; Of then,
81 havo been sold for 81, ,92l ,S00.27. saa H
The Secretary suggests thorough survey oil
the islands on the Pacifccoa ,..,,r. ......
The history OF the Sea King, alias Sbspando-
ah, Il given. It reflects no credit upon ths neu.
trali,y Of England.
The enlargement Of tho Boston and New
York Navy Yards il urged. and the completion
OF tho Navy Yard at Mare Island on the Paci-
ic; also. the rebuilding rof the yurds ut Nor.
folk and Pensacola. League leland is recon
nended a, sito foa the building of yard for
iron clads.
AZ TO the healthincs OF iron clsds, the statis-
tics show that they are equal to, II not superior
to, ordinary vessels. .' .s-t.s
The number of miisbipmen at The Naval
Academy is iSl. 0fthose, who present them
selves for examination, one ifth fail TO-. pass u
physical or mental examination. After admis.
sion. nearly 33 per cent. fail t2 passand finally
only about 25 per cent. OF those who enter the
Academy, succeed. The Secretary recommends
the appointment to one half the midshipmen
from enlisted apprentices, and tho remainder
from congressional districts. lle also recon.
mends that an eligible site for naval academy,
embracing an area OF not less than 1000 acres
be selected; that the laws of Dec. 2lst, 1861,
and July, 1862, TO regulate the pay OF work
men in public service, be repealed. lie recon.
mends that two separate asylums for soldiers
and sailors be built.
The number Of vessels captured and sent TO
courts for adjudication from May l2, 1861, to
the close OF the rebellion was ISL; the whole
number captured and destroyed 1904.
The gross proceeds Of property captured since
the blockade, prior to the lst Nov. last, S2l
800, ,5i3. .96; expenses 81 GIG, ,223 96. o..
The estimate for the department, for the
yoar ending June 30, 1867, Is 500 ,9S2 ,457 so.
lie states that the expenses ofthe Navy De.
partmcnt, since the commencement OF the war.
have been but 800 per cent. Of the expsnd.
lures OF the government during the same time.
The. marine corps is reported in o condition cre-
ditable to officers and men. - .'.T'