New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-12-06


ton to the report Of the Commission appointed under
the Joint resolution Of Congress in june 1864 to
lect the most suitable site for hayward naval sta
ton the Mississippi River Or upon ono Of Its triba
tares" Without intending to indicate any preference
an 10 its location it is not to be doubted that future
wars the vessels particularly those OF iron and the
machinery and a,nature Of our steamers. will 10 some
extent be constructed In the valley o. the Mississippi
where the material il 80 abundant. The experience OF
the past years has demonstrated the espahites OF
that section in producing naval vessels aud machinery
with rapidiiy. ,
our naval force in time Of peace wl DO to keep our
ir0nclads laid up in fresh water IN perfect nghtlng Or
der Our largest steamships should remain III ordinary
distributed among tho principal commercial ciiss;
wheie there should be force afoat sufficient to visit
annually. If Necessary. every nnVlgapie port Oh tne
globe where our trnde exists
HEALTHINEsS OF IRON CLADs.
Some interesting and extraordinary facts and stats
tics covering the comparative heatness OF iron cads
aud wooden vessels given in the report OF the Cei
OF the Bureau Of Medicine and Surgery. Inc monitor
class Of vessels IL is well knowp have but ie| Ihchee
of their huls above the waterne. and in heavy sea
are entirely submerged II has been doubted whether
under such circumstances it would be possible long to
preserve the health OF the men on board. and conse'
Quently to mantain the fighting material IN condition
for effective service. II is gratifying, therefore. to
know that examination Of the sicS reports covering
period Of over 80 months, shows that SO far nom
being unhealthy there less sickness on board tie
monitor vessels than the sane number Of wooden
ships with equal Dumber OF mer. and in similarly ex
posed positions. The exemption IRON sickness upon
the iron cads in instances is remarkable There
were on board the Saugus from Nov 25 1854 to April
l. 1855 prriod Of four months but four cases Of
sickness excluding accidental injur!es) and OF these
diseases with which the patients had suffered
FOR years On the Montauk for period OF l65 days
prior to the 29ih of May 1863 there was but one case
Of disease board Other vessels EXHIBIT equally re-
markabe results and the conclusion Is reached tha'
wooden vessels in ally squadron Throughout tne Word
can show I'm equal immunity from disease The iacts
and tables presented are worthy Of careful study.
THE NAVAL ACADEMY.
The number of midsbipmen at tie Naval Academy Is
45I. The present method of selecting candidates is,
in many respects, Objectionable Of the enlisted boys
those who from choice betase themselves to the seas
and ore nurured in the Navy only rte are permitted
annually to 80 to the Academy. Few 81 the multitude
Of BOYS who have inclination and aptitude for the naval
service obtain the important advantage OF public
cdrcston OF those who annually pre.en; themselves
nuder the present system, fifth TAIL TO pass sats
factory physical or mental examination. The same
defects sre more strkiney developed after admission.
Nearly % Der cent fail the FIRST year, and finally only
about IS per cent OF those who enter the Academy
graduate In consequence Of this state Of things the
great wants u the service IN the junior grades OF
officers have been poorly supplied for the Academy mas
only graduated II class averaging yearly aboet - mem
beis. large portion oftbe money appropriated Tor
naval education Ia thus wasted chiefly In consequence
Of the defective system of selecting the candidates
The Board OF Visitors in 1854 instituted some search
ing injuries to ascertain whether the requirements Tor
entering the academy of too rigid u character.
and becsme fsy convinced that the failures were not
nj butabe 10 that bat that many OF the boys
had neither the mental nor Qualities 10 III thei
Competitive examination in each Of the Congressional
districts which shall be open to al boys under proper
regulations has been suggested as remedy. Sncb ex
alton would probabig establish the mental proh-
cheney Of the candidate which. however might De the
result OF premature development. The less accom-
pished scholar whose powers may not be July deVel'
oued might nevertheless possess mental and pbysi'
cal organization better adapted to the service WHEN
would make him eligible pupil and better naval
office. .
The Government should have in training for its naval
officers bows OF good mental capacity and the best phy
cal development These are not obtained under the
present system. i have elsewhere suggested tne e1
uediency Of appointing ole.half OF the mldshipmen
from the enlisted apprentices, and the remainder 1rom
Congressional districts the selection to be made from
those possess both the physical ana mental guam
ties e. ut MT them for the position %,
In dispensing with vessels propelled wholly by saiis
from the lis, OF regular menof war; has become nc
cessary to Instruct the future naval ofcer IN Tue p
ciples and practice Of steam engineiy. A separate
depariment having this o0ject Ia view. mas Deen Is
tsbrshcd at the Naval Academy. under the manage
meut and direction Of ChiefEngineer WIN. W. W
Wood assisted by eight Others, who are charged VIII
the duty Of teaching the mdshiPmen. not only 'ht
theory Of the but as Indicated IN my as
report its actual manipulation oumeieh' eAPeiImc
and progr.ss have already been made In running Tue
of the vessels attached to the Academy Dy the
miishipmen TO warrant the Department to lersr'eIe
in its purpose Of pcriecing the education OF ts iuture
ne officers by making them competent In adatioh 70
their other requirements. to manage and work the
engine.
The management Of a mar-ofwar in q gale, on a lee
shore in "a nsrrow haibor. the splendid maneIvers
of battle BY sailing vessels. have hitherto been the
highest and proudes duties OF thorough naval ofcer
The skilful disposition cf tue sails, which was the re-
sut o The best training Of the old school, Is no longer
Necessary except as auxiliary 10 the motive power
which modern invention AID science have introduced.
The naval vessel is longer dependent oh the winds
nor is she at the mercy OF euTitn'si out the motive
power which propels and controls her movements Is
subject to the mind and will OF her commander, pro-
yided he Is Of bis profession in the iutuTe Us
has been ia the past To retain the pomli encc whch
sEi and education gave him when seamanshp was the
most important accomplishment. the line oiicer must
be qualified to guide and direct this new element or
power. Unless he has these qualities he III DC aeps.u
emf on the knowledge aud skill OF linn who mafipuates
and directs the engine. To contne hnself to seaman
ship without the ability TO manage toe sieamengine
will suit in his taking secondary position as eY.
pared with that which tho oHphsHeu hn'' onVe'
formerly occupied.
Object which can no LONGER be c"n'.Gcrel doubta!
experiment. the active cooperation oi naval ocers II
reuircd When this change is effected engineers viii
become The designers and constructors oi engines anu
other arne works and the superntendenf OF tue me-
chapical employment which navy propelled ny steam
has developed and may require. They wiz constitute
IN reality highly educated and scientific corps, and
the line officers will have added TO their duties the prac'
teal ma agement Of the engines.
LOCATION OF IRE NAVAL ACADEMY.
The Naval Academy. which nj Inc beginning ~ the
Rebellion removed to Newport. Rhode Island. was,
conformity with the act OI Congress rctIas eTeu 20
Apnapolis IN September last Commodore Blake. who
uas Supe ntendent In e6l continued Ia charge OF the
school 30 long as II remained at Newport
On the return Of the school Annapolis, Rear Adj
mral Porter was appointed Superintendent ard under
his immediate supervision. the academic buildings and
grounds which had been seriously impaired while oecu'
MED ,og military purposes were repaired and mnde
ready for the reception Of the m!dshpnen and academic
staff
May Inconvenience attended the Temporary soourn
at Newport: yet when the uncertain ahd unsettled
state of airs Is taken into consideration, the selection
of that place for the purpose required was perhaps
fortunate.
Tic academic grounds belonging to the Government