The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-05
The Navy Observation-Disclosures Report
o. The Non. GLNeOM Welles.

The Annual Report of Hon. Gideon Welles,
Secretary OF the Navy, has been completed and
printed tor Transmission to Compress on Tuesday
next, with the message of President Johnson.
The report shows the present naval lorce tue
different squadrons and the vessels attached,
and the injury aud destruction of vessels by
earth 1uakes, the reduction of force in navy
yards; speaks OF the survey of The North Pacific;
irUn.cads; League Island; aud contains the
amount OF expenses for the fiscal year and esti.
mates for the next. 1t also has Chapters deVo ed
to the reports of the several bureaus OF the de-
parment. One of the most interesting features
OF the report is the account of the extended tour
OF Admiral FaTragut, which covers several
pages. here are also reports from several Oil.
GERS of the navy in regard to the terrible earth
quakes in Peru. The exhibits OF the naval force
contain the following intormatioa:-
The number of vessels in squadron service as
cruisers, storeshlps and returning is AZ, carry
ing Ill gnns--a reduction during the year OF Ia
vessels, carrying 96 guns. Tne number of YES
sells OF all descriptions IN use as cruisers, store
shlps receiving ships tugs, ETC., Is 81, carrying
693 guns-a reduction from last year OF ~
vessels, earring 2O5 guns. The total number OF
vessels borne upon the navy list is 2O6, carrying
l743 guns "a reduction during the year
following tables eXnibit the present
employment and condition of the naval
force:-Cruising vessels in squadron service 35,
356 guns; vessels returning from squadrons 8,
"a guns; storeships Tor squadrons A, 81 guns;
special and lake service 3, 10 guns; apprentice
ship ], ii guns; practice vessels and IN use at
Naval Academy 10, ll6 guns; receiving ships G,
92 guns; quarters for officers at League Island
and marine barracks, NoGlolG2 ~ guns: tugs at
navy yards and stations, powder boats, etc.. II,
lS guns. Total in use. 81 vessels, 693 guns.
lron-clads vessels laid up 46, l07 guns; iron
clad vessels not completed 5, lS guns; steam
sloops not completed, 15 253 guns: line. Of battle
shi ps not con- @leted, 2, so guns. Other vessels
laid up repairing, fitting for sea and ros sale, 81,
572 guns Total number OF vessels of aii de-
scrIpuons in use, building, repairing, citing for
of al 81 h
navy are clasSihed as follows:-Vessels of the
nrst rS,e OF 2400 tons and upwards, 80, 662 guns;
vessels OF the second rate OF 100 10 24OO tons,
81, 483 guns; vessels OF the third rate OF 600 TO
1900 tom 76, Ala guns; vessels of the fourth rate
under 600 tons, is, l64 guns. Total, 2O6 vessels,
The following table indicates the character Of
the vessels: -Iron-clad vessels, 50, l29 guns;
screw steamers, 50, 95S guns; paodle.wheel
steamers, 2s, 1893 guns; sailing vessels, 81, All
guns. Total 206 vessels; l743 guns,
The Organization OF the squsdrons remains
essentially the same as when the annual report
was ma2e. Some changes OF commanding
Officers and of vessels have taken place, and
the foJ ce OF each squadron has, in consequence
OF th limited number Of seamen allowed by
the act of nth of June last, been necessarily
re' Iuced. The Secretary says that II our COM
,erce aud shippnglnterests have not recovered
Gou the depression consequent upon the war
and are not as expanded as formerly, 1t Is from
no iLattention or neglect On the part OF the
navy. Since the squadrons were reorganl2ed
our countrymen and their interests abroad have
been as Vigilantly guarded and protected on
every sea and at every accessible point rs at
any iormer period.
Ii has been the purpose Of the department to
have one OF more of our naval vessels visit
annually every commercial port where Amerl'
can capital IS employed, and that man wal
should not be long absent from the vicinity o
every merchant ship that might need assistance
or protection. To accomplish this purpose, anC
meet the requirements OF the department. grea
activity and vigilance were necessary with oul
limited navy, numbering, in men aud ships, les
than onefOuTth the effective force of any one o
the principal maritime powers. Yet the wort
has been performed with energy and zeal, ant
the views of the department well sustained
Admiral ID. G. FarIagut, who was 10 command
OF the European squadron at the date OF la
report, returned 10 New Yolk in the flagship o