Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-12-03
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF
THE NAVY

During the year our naval force has been al
most exclusively employed on foreign stations
But little remained Tor 1t to perform in our
own waters, and the general peace which has
prevailed throughout the CT ' iliZed world has
called tor no interposition OF active operations
ON our part fer the protection of our commerce
abroad. The dis play OF a ma val terce has been
sufficient to suppress thresIened differ ties,
al in every quarter American interests have
been respected and American rights obsel we'd
by commercial nations, ana Intercourse and
trade have been fostered.
During the year the aggregate naval force
has been reduced forty vessels and four hun
dred and eighty-two guns. The number OF
vessels Ia commlss ION has been reduced tweI We,
and tGe number on squadron service Is thyr-
teen less than at the date Of my last report
The following is summary of the present
condition Of me vessels OF the navy
Vessels III squadron service. 81; 5O7 guns
Apprentice ships. j. 81 guns. Receiving ships,
:: I29 guns. Special and lake service, 3: 81 guns
Attached 10 Naval Academy, 10: lI5guns On
service at yards and stations, including yard
aud poWoer tugs, and vessels used as bzrraC KS
and AS coal barges, -. IL guns. Total NUN Der
OF vessels IN use, 1U3: egS guns. lron-clad ves-
sells laid up, ~: lt9 guns. Iron clad vessels
not compIeted, &: - guns. Steam vessels not
completed, 81; 32 guns. Sailing vessels not
completed, told line -ot battle ships,) =. Other
vessels laid up. repairing, fitting for sea, and
for sale, %; 81 guns. Total number OF vessels
and guns, 23o; 1869 guns.
Eleven thousand nine hundred men have
been employed IN the naval and coast survey
service during the year.
Admiral Earragut was last spring designa-
Jed TO command the European SO uadron. He
hoisted his flag on the Franklin. at New York.
on the i5th OF June. and departed from Sandy
Hook on the 18th OF that month. On the Iith
OF July he relieved Rear Admiral Colds bo-
rough, at Cherbourg.
commander by the people at the different por Us
he has visited, and by the sovereigns and au :
thorlties Of Europe. has been Of q char cter
crafty ing to himself. and 10 the government
and people Of the United States.
Earnest appeals III behalf of the suffering
Christians in Crete have, from time to time,
been made 70 our naval officers, urging them
TO so Tar depart from the principle Of nor in =.
reference and that neutrality which the gov
ernment Of the United States has studiously
enjoined and observed, As TO repair to that
island and convey to the shores Of Greece the
women and children, who were represented
as houseless and destitute, the results OF the
insurrection against the Turkish authorities.
The effort was made, but failed in consequence
Of permission being refused by the Turkish
authorities. 1t could not be done without yIo-
latibg the neutrality which We had always
observed, and, whatever may have been our
sympa thies, we could take no active meas ures
with the irsurrectionists without an inlu stice
10 the Turkish government, which had scrup-
ulously respected our national integrity and
refused recognition OF the rebels when other
nations gave them countenance
The Asiatic squadron is still under the com.
mand of Rear Admiral H. II, Bell.
In consequence OF the domestic troubles In
Japan, and to pre- vent interruption of our opeu /.
ing commerce with that country, and especial.
ly in consideration Of the national importance
Of the recently established csmmunicatto
with Asia by the Pacific NJ all Steam ship Com.
papy, one or more OF ,he vessels OF the Asiatic
squadron is constantly maintained IN the
waters OF japan.
American commerce in the East suffered
some detriment during our civil war, and 9th .
eTs have profited by our misfortune Prussia
has, within q few wears, become conspicu Gus
as a mercantile Power in the East. Sailing
vessels under her flag are seen in eyery porf,
receiving freights at lower rates than are Of.
tered by either Anne rican or British ships and
Germsn merchants are securing q thriving
business in that Quarter. Approximations are
expressed that we are not destined to recover
the prestige OF our former successful mercap.
tile marine in the China seas, unless II be by
means OF steam vessels built for that trade
Particulars are given OF The unsuccessful ex
petitions against the pirates OF Corea and For
mesa, who m ordered the crew ana pssseng gers
of the American schooner Sherman and the
American bark Rover
The experience obtained demonstrated the
inutilI'y Of such an expedition against savage
enemy IN a wild country, by sailors uuaccus.
toned to ambuscadss and bush life No troops
could have exhibited more bravery but the
warfare was ore 10 which sailors are no,
adapted.
The causes which rendered expedient the
continuance OF q distinct force in the Qulf OF
Mexico ceased when the attempt 10 establish