The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-05

uAfssunstey d1ayvd In It's passage through tina ans,.
should receive The ssry action Of that body, tai Che
channel preparing suitable docks, and makine other
necsay arangemsnis Z. an early period for me pro
vessels which there In precarious condition. and
from which they are liable ct any time to be warned
lying In the back channel are there on suier
ance Being OF iron Is essential that they should DO
laid up 10 fresh water and in consequences OF tho
sion OF Congress to provide any suitable place. the de-
parment selected this location by far the most eligible
In the country for that purpose They there how
ever under many disadvantages; for preparations or
improvements for them have been made, nor Is the de-
patment authorized 10 mako any for the safekeeping
protection and OF vessels which have cost
the government several millions Deterioration and
manen injury must DO the consequence OF this delay,
and, notwithstanding every precauon has been taken,
been damaged some extent from their exposed
dition-
ENLARGEMENT or NAVY YARDS
The purchase OF seaveys Island adjacent 70 the navy
YARD ktery, authorized by the act Of April IT. 1861
has been contaminated and that island constitutes
larges the heretofore restricted limits At that station
and will obviate some Of the difficulties which have been
experienced In consequence OF insufficient for the
Shops sheds and soroouses which wanted 70 store
materials Tho annual loss a this and other yards BY
tho deterioration Of materials unav0daby exposed the
weather or stored, with much inconvenience IN tempo
rAry Sheds has been very great The want OF sites for
the erection OF additional storehouses and sheds led
70 propositions Tor adding one additional story 70 the
Operations Al most Of tho yards have been much ON.
for want Of ROOM but at no has therebeen
at Philadelphia Until the Introduction Of steam the
Philadciphia yard was Of secondary importance, ON
account Of II. interior location which rendered
siveiy by sails difficult and dilatory. But the
revolution wrought BY steamthe manufacture Of iron
veescls and engines and armature-the advantage OF
Interior location which was formerly Objectionable
facility with which iron and coal can be obta ned on the
Delaware and the necessity that our iron and armored
vessels should DO laid up fresh water, will make the
navy establishment ON the Delaware river important be-
yond any other in the country 1t Is impossible. how
ever TO carry on the operations which essential at
this central point within the limits Of the present yard
which has scarcely one-sixth the area OF any other,
almost all being restricted Nor can tho present yard
which s within the thicky populated part Of the city OF
Philadelphia, be enlarged, except at cost which pre-
cludes the idea OF Its accomplishment Another location
must DO obtained Ten times tho water front and twenty
times the Of the present Philadelphia yard are
wanted for the naval establishment on the Delaware
There Ii doubt that the present yard will be aban
doned and the sooner another location Is secured. with
ample for the necessary works, TO which the pres
establishment BIO transferred the better will 1t be
for the and the country. Should the Senate
firm tho law which passed by the House at the last
session, accepting League Island for naval purposes
ample ground and water front will be obtained.
uARBoR DEFENCE
The changes which have taken place within few
years both In the character OF vessels and have
raised questions the most effective the
best use Of those means for sea coast defence The
value OF iron clad vessels of channel distractions and
Of torpedoes means OF defence respectively mat
tiers for consideration. communication addressed
last suggest ny the organization Of joint army and
navy board for the consideration Of these questions and
the adoption Of some general principles concernne
them.
The extent to which each or all OF the means suggested
could be advantageousy used the best form OF roncd
vessels the character OF the distractions and Of tope
doos-to what department the preparation OF these de.
fepsive means properly appertaned, and which should
control their useare points which y 70 important TO
The Secretary War concured In the importance Of
organizing such board and assigned experienced officers
tnGa In rftnr xytth
aiiedlby this department This board consisting Of Rear
Admirals Charles IL Davis and John A. Dahigren, and
General j. G. Barnard Brevet Brgadier General T. B
Tower and Brevet Brigadier General s. Alexander of
the army, assembled At Washington the LIST OF March,
and continued in session until tho 18th OF July and had
these matters before them.
In the discussion Of the three leading subjects which
have been indicated was an object with the board to
as ~ which Sf k.rSSfs Could on sudden alarm or
emergency be put ut once In complete state OF do
fence against an enemy's feet.
In ther preliminary report the board advocated the
importance OF having always on hand number OF
clad vessels at each OF our great commercial cities aud
within the waters OF exterior bays; but without
further information both 70 the offensive and defensive
properties OF our FORTS and also OF clads Il
unable TO specify the requisite number define pre-
cisey the part they should perform in tho defence OF
our harbors especially that would depend upon the
degree Of success which might be attained in well
devised system OF channel obstructions
On the subject OF channel 'obstructions q plan sub
mitted by OF their number favorabiy received
VINO recommended tnat ~ buOu0 Do te6Leu
experimentaly, but sucn test would have involved
large expenditure OF money, for which there was
adequate appropriation. THIS board also recommended
some general experiments TO be made under their drec
ton forHsccrainng and settling certain general prnct
pies concerning the effect Of torpedoea After very
full examination the members became convinced that
they could 81 definite conclusions points
submitted without preliminary experiment, and satised
that tn could not add materially TO what they had
already reported, the board dissolved by order OF
the department.
Tho subject is however. Of great importance, and
should receive thorough consideration
In conformity with the provisions Of the OF the
25th July last "to define the number and regulate
the Of officers IN me e. navy and for other
vancement in the brief period which remained asr the
OF the act and before the close o. the last session
OF Congress- This labor was much facilitated by
situations which had previously taken place with
Of the officers OF tho highest rank In the who
officer haa served during tho But the requirement
that the increase in the grades authorized by this
shall be made by scecAon from the grade next below,
OF officer who have rendered the most efficient and
faithful service during the recent war; and who possess
the highest professional qualifications aud attain
ments, y could scarcely be expected, under any
causing some disappointment by the act Of January -
1866, advance, mot exceeding thirty numbers.
rank for having exhibited eminent and conspicu-
conduct In battle, or extraordinary heroIsm,n
authorized. In the selections for promotion the
tests prescribed by Congress controlled when the quail
iGcatons other respects unexcep,ionabis Many
officers afoat had battle record; others possessing
high qualifications, but occupied In other duties, had
fortunately in position TO render actual hitting
service during the recent Some few have ssari
~ been superseded by their moro fortunat, juniors
whose record being all respects nertoous they
selected for promotion under one both Of the
which Congress adopted
But for the such law would have been enacted
and the great object of the1aw the recognition OF
services Governments very justly recognize and
reward courage and The acts OF 1895 and 1856
gave preference for promotion advancement those
meritorious officers who had distinguished themselves
by their heroic qualities and achievements those
who were not endowed with those qualities, or who had
been unfortunate TO have no battle record
Where all had done well 1t ~as delicate and en-.
barrsssing duty 20 discriminate and select tor promotion
No body OF men acquitted themselves with more
honor than the gallant Officers Of the navy during the
late war; and Il Ia qualification 10 know that, while
some have received higher nonors than Others yet
every one the active list who faithfully discharged
hts duty has by the verai provisions OF the govern.
ment boon advanced, and, not promoted, occupies
higher number In his grade by the operation aud
nlnistration Of tho law.
by the provisions OF the third section OF the law
board Of naval officers. consisting OF Commodore r.
Lee, Captain Foxhai A. Parker and Commander John
xvna nj Hartford the II M San.