The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-05
Report Of III. secretary Of tho Navy.

| Report Of the Secretary Of the Navy.
| Secretary Welles has awakened and given
us live report Of his departments docu.
ment full OF practical suggestions and satisfac.
tory results, which we print in another column
Returning rapidly from war to peace we look
naturally for a large reduction in our naval
establishment. but at the same time wo must
! not lose sight OF the fact that the war has
! made us per force . great naval power, and
that to maintain that position In peace involves
our national dignity. We have progressed
with gigantic strides in the creation Of navy,
and. even dispensing with the contingent
which war rendered necessary. splendid
navy remains The Secretary's report assures
us that all those vessels which were either
captured or purchased and used in service
during the rebellion have been within the past
year sold and returned to the merchant SER
vice, Che department retaining sufficient
number Of ships Of all kinds for the purposes
Of the nation. The total force ut present con-
sists of two hundred and seventy-eight vessels,
armed with two thousand three hundred and
6fty-one guns. OF these one hundred and IF
teen vessels, carrying one thousand and twenty.
nine guns, are In commission, distributed
chiefly among seven squadrons. The number
Of men in the service is thirteen thousand six
hundred. The pension fund amounts to
$1l,75O,OOO, having been Increased $2,75O, 900
during The year. The expenditures Of the de.
partment for che year were 1885, and
the estimates for the coming year smount to
s23.568. 1856
The destination and strength Of the several
sguadrons are matters Of much interest The
European squadron, commanded by Admiral
Goldsborough, consists Of ten ships, carrying
one hundred and thirteen guns, aud cruises
along the west coast Of Europe snd Africa as
far south as 81. Paul de- Loand0, taking In the
Mediterranean and Baltic Seas, and visiting
from time 20 time, with one or more vessels
such ports - those OF Tripoli. Egypt, Syria
and Turkey, reminding those semi-barbarous
nstions that the great republic keeps her
starry fag afioai upon all the waters of the
globe, the emblem and the safeguard OF pro-
yress and freedom. The Asiatic squadron
patrols the east coast Of Africa and Asia. Ii
consists Of eight ships, carving seventy eight
guns. and is commanded by Rear Admiral Bell.
Within its Jurisdiction come the newly opened
ports Of China and Japan, into which our adj
vanced civilization is gradually creeping. The
North Atlantic squadron, under the care OF
Rear Admiral Palmer, has charge Of the West
India Islands, where American interests are
closely involved. Il contains Eileen ships, with
one hundred and thirty -fye guns. The South
Atlantic squadron sweeps the eastern coast Of
South America and round the Cape to the east
rrfscoasi OF Africa meeting the patrol Of the
European squadron al 81. Paul de Loando.
This is commanded ~ Admiral Godon. and
consists II eight vessels spd seventy-five guns.
IN the North Pacific Rear Admiral Thatcher
has ten vessels, carrying bne hundred and
twenty-five guns, but for Inc past year their
movements were confined TO visiting the Sand
witch Islands and various ports IN Central
America and Acapulco. runhing up occasion
ally 10 Pugets Sonnd 10 box after or in
terests in that quarter. conveying Queen Emma
70 Honolulu and making surveys OF that por-
ton Of the Pacific Ocean. HE coast line from
Panama to Cape Horn and reaching az Gar in
the Antarctic direction as he British colony
of Australia. Is known as the South Pacific
squadron. composed Of ses,n vessels, carry
ing seventy-one guns, reccttly placed under
command of Rear Admir Dahlgren. Jhe
Gull squadron, which Commodore wisslow
commands, has supervision az its name sug-
gests. Of the Gulf Of Mexfo, and consists of
ten vessels, with seventy-fMr guns. All the
sJnadrons together, it mrst be admitted. put
very effectual .girdls rou, III about The earth"
and represent the Ameica nation most
respectfully on the ssa.
The Secretary Of the N.Y. refers with just
pride 10 the efficiency OF Or Monitors as sea
going vessels, as illustrated by the voyage Of
the Nonadnock round CapdIorn to San Fran
cisco and that OF the Milan tnomoh to Europe.
Among many recommendation in his report
the most important are tn, provision for COW
cred docks in the shipyard; the purchase Of
timber which has been marty exhausted by
the necessities Of The war dry docks in our
navy yards; the repair Of be yards 81 Norfolk
and Pensacola. seriously $msged during the
rebellion. and the securin OF = proper place
for The safe keeping Of our ton-clsds now lying
ct League Island, near Philadelphia.
The condition OF our hsb defencs- claims
due attention. That thew AZ wholly inadequate
Tor our protection in case I foreign war we
have repeatedly enforced upon public stten-
,ton. and Il 10 TO be hopa that Congress will
take the matter into carnst consideration. II
appears that tbe Board APPOINTED 70 look into
II last summer arrived atho satisfactory con-
cIusion, and W. TINS sian for the time being
almost wholly dcfsncclessos Tar - our prin-
cipsl ports are concerned
We spprovc Of sccretaf weiles' recomnesr
dalton that our Naval lcademy and school
ship system should he ttended so ~ to ern-
| brace the education or sjcrs for the merchant