Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-12-03

an imperial government In Mexico was abaa-
Soned. A cor solicitation OF the squscron under
Com modore Wirslow with that OF Rear Ad-
nirel Palmer was therefore determined upon
In Aprn, and, in pursuance OF instructions
then issued, the transfer was made on the S2d
OF May. This transfer disposed OF the last Of
the several squsorons which our civil war
bad called into existence. 10 had been retained
as a distinct force two years after all oreanizsd
Resistance TO the Government had ceased, In
fairs in the neigh boring republic, and soi ron
any disturbance within our own territory.
From the date OF the transfer. Resr Admiral
Palmer has had command OF the whole North
Atlantic squadron. In Consequence Of TIE prev
alence OF yellow ever, a number OF the vessels
have been Withdrawn. This disease hss pre-
vailed TO greSt extent tbs current 'yesr s!ong
The Cult snd through a considerable poruoL
of the West lndps.
Preceding and attending the surrender Of
Vera Cruz. great Judgment and address were
exhibited by Commander Roe. the naval co
mander stationed at that place. To has good
judgment, In concert with that OF our consul,
the surrender OF Vera Cruz without disaster
or bloooshed IL attributed.
The naval station At Port Roya, hss been
discCntD ued, and sitter hippipg to other places
most OF the movable naval property, a sale OF
Point, has been effected. Key West has been
made the principal depot for supplies for th,s
squadron.
Early in January the Kansas, Commander
Wells, of the South Atlantic Squadron, left
Montevideo for a cruise on the west coast OF
Africa. Tbis vessel visited the Cape of Good
Hope st. Paul de Loapdo, Bengueia. and Lit
tie Fish bay. No American slavers were heard
OF at any Of those points, ana from English
ohicers, met with along The coast and from the
Governors of Loando and ST. Helena, inform
alton direct was received that the shameful
traffic had virtually ceased.
The North Pacific Squadron remains in
command Of Rear Admiral II. h. Thatcher.
These vessels have been employed during
the year in watching and protecting the per-
sons and property OF our countrymen, and the
welfare and interests of the United States In
Mexico and on the isthmus, where war and
internal oiffculties and disturbances have
been threatening. or have TO a great extent
prevailed. They have also been engaged in
surveying and exploring the North Pacific
ocean, and 10 visiting our recently acquired
possess ions in the North.
The Lackawanna since her arrival in the
Pacific has been most of the time cruising
among the Sandwich Islands, a locality OF
great and increasing interest And importance.
In May she visited the French Frigate shoals
4 and brought to Honolulu twenty seven of the
officers and crew OF the Daniel Wood, an Amer
lean whale ship which had been wrecked.
Recently she has been engaged IN examining
| and surveying the islands, reefs, and reported
dangers which lie northwesterly from the
Sandwich groupe towards Japan. Many of
/ them have not been surveyed, nor their posi-
| tons reliably established. The acquisition OF
Russian America will call for more extensive
. operations on the part Of this squadron, and,
/ IN connection with onr increasing commerce
/ with Japan and China, and the rising Impor-
lance Of the States on the Pacific. g more thor
/ ough exploration and survey OF the North
{ Pacific ocean is necessary.
! Information IN regard to the newIy-acquired
/ territory is wsnted, and early in the sea on
: Rear Admiral Thatcher WAS instructed to send
one or more of our naval vessels 10 visit the
most important points, to cruise among the
I islar6s. and report in detail in regard To the
typographical and hycrographical condition
of the country, its harbors, productions, hshe-
Iies, timber, and other resources The transfer
! OF the territory WAS cons urSu atsd al so late a
period that but little can be sc romplished until
/ smother season.
Rear Admiral George ?. Pearson was re.
( lievsd OF the command OF tie South Pacific
Squadron by Rear hdriral John A. Dahlgren
on the 12t h of Dec nber last a Panama
The cortnuatlcn Of the war between Spain
and the REP ublics of Chill aud Peru, tbocg n
rot prosecuted with much activity, bias ia
! some neas uTe limited ne operations of this
squadron and render q il expetent that the
vessels should remain chiefly on the coast and
IN The por-s ofthe republic. The progress CT
! these International difncptips has been
watched with interest by Rear Admiral Dahl
greu, who has been prepared TO furnish what
ever aid and protection cur citizens needed,
and which the law lUsHfed.
The cruise of the Miau,ouonoh TO Europe
ard her return. and cf the M5nadnock TO San
Francisco, are the most remarkable voyages
ever undertaken BY turreted iron clad vessels
, These vessels encountered every variety OF
weather, and under all circumstances proved
| themselves 70 be staunch. reliable sea COINS
9 sDipS. Inc monitor type o. yeSs6t has been
constructed primarily for harbor defence, and
/ II was Lot contemplated that they wouid do
more than move from port 10 port on our own
coast These voyages demonstrate their abl-
ity 10 90 to any part OF the world. and It is be-
/ Heved by experienced naval officers that with
slight notifications above the water line, in
Lo way interfering with their efficiency in &C
ton, they viii safely MAKE the longest and
] most difficult voyages without convoy.
Steam, turTetted iron- clads, and fifteen in n
guns nave reyoluuonized naval warfare, and
Varftav Al.
great change, are slowly but surely coming To
the conclusion that turTeted vessels and heavy
ordnance are essential parts OF an efficient
/ lighting navy.
Four new vessels have been launched dur.
irg the year the MoShOlu, OF LAS IONS, a
New York, on The 22d Of December: the Mil-
4 netcnka, 2,39O tons, at hittery, on the 20 OF
( July; The Pushmataha, LAS tons, at PbiIadeI
phia, Oh the Eth OF July land the Nantasket.
( a23 tons, at Chariestown, on the 18th OF Au-
gust.
The stea m machinery is compile ed for seven
more vessels Of this class, but il is not the in
I tentIon OF the department 10 commence their
. construction AT Present. A smaller vessel j.
found 10 be more servceable and con venieu
Tor general purposes, and the building OF four
TITLE larger Than The Nantasket has been
. commenced the AIgoma. ar HitteIy: the Alas
/ ka, 1T Charlesto1n; the kenocha, a. New
| York: and Tie Omaha, at Philadelphia
There are several vessels on The stocks at the
different yards. upon which work has been
I wholly suspended. and In all OF which some
I portion OF the machinery has been placed.
The expeIi fence of the last seven year, has
! demonstrated the importance of more extern
I save areas and greater facilities at the navy
I yards for the construction and repair Of naval
vessels and heir machinery. Our navy yards
are too circumscribeo IN their limits as we'll as
/ too deficient in their means to build and sus-
| tain navy which is AT all commons rate
Z with our position and character among a lions
, More enlarged accommodations, where the
! work required can be better. more reliably
ard, so far a. repairs are invol we'd, more econ
omicaliy executed, should be pro vided.
Notwithstanding present deficiencies, and
! the unfinished condition OF many of the shops
| and buildings, Congress omitted to make ap.
| Preparations for Improvements In any Of the
navy yards for the current year. In conse-
| quence OF this omIs sion the estimates pres ant
ed under tina head for he en- U ING III cal year
which will close on the ;suth Of June, Ic09, are
| necessarily Increased.
| The Naval Academy continues under the
| superintendent of Nice-Admral Porter.
| Some additional facilities are needed, both iu
the academic and steam department., tor which
estimates have been submitted. further
| purchase of land and the ere c ton Of ad diuona
buildings are also desirable. The department
OF natural and experimental philosophy, es.
! pecially, needs enlarged and better accommo-
dauons. and the discipline OF the academy
| would be much benefited il all the officers
couid live within the grounds of the institu
ton instead OF being compelled to occupy
| very Indifferent quarters outside. Two con.
yenient dwellings hs We been cemp ieted during
the year at a moderate cost, and the erection