Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-12-09
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE


Secretary Welles reports the number of YES
seis IN squadron service, as cruisers, store
ships, and returning, is Il, carrying All guns;
reduction during the year OF IA vessels, carry
ing Sc guns. The number of vessels of all de-
scrIptiOns in use, as cruisers, storeships, re-
ceivins ships, tugs, &c. is Il, carrying G93
guns a reduction from last year of - vessels.
carrying 2O5 guns. The total number of vessels
borne upon the navy list Is 30, carrying LIB
guns; reduction during the year OF y vessels,
carrying l26 guns.
At the commencement OF the rebellion the
naval force on foreign stations was recalled TO
assist IN establishing and enforcing the block
ade, leaving the commerce and persons OF our
citizens abroad greatly exposed On the resto-
ration OF peace the Department Immediately
took measures to re-estaDiish the squadrons
which had been broken mp. and course of
active cruising was ordered by which the flag,
so long Withdrawn. might be promptly exhib-
tied III every mpertant port where the CON-
lLerce of our country had penetrated.
II has been the purpose of the Department to
have one or more of our laval vessels visit an
nually every commercial port where Ameri-
can capital is employed, and that man-of-
war should not he long absent from the vicinity
of every merchant ship that might need assist
ance or protection. To accomplish this pur.
pose and meet the req uirements OF the Depart
msnts, great activity and vigilance were
Necessary with our limited navy, numbering
in men and ships less than one.fourth the ef.
fective force OF any one Of the principal mari
time powers. Yet the work has been performed
with energy and zeal. and the views OF the De.
partment well sustained.
An interesting recapitulation of the events OF
Admiral Farraguts recent trip Is given, and
Secretary Welles speaks OF II deservedly as
Zone Of the most marked and interesting
cruises N naval history, which cannot fail TO
prove OF national benefit during which extra
ordinary courtesies and entertainments were
everywhere received and reciprocated.'
In none OF our navy yards Is there more than
a single dry dock, and there are but six in all
three built Of stone and three floating docks.
In the event Of a maritime war this deficiency
would be seriously felt-peThaps to greater
extent than any other Of our pressing wants
and n is worthy Of consideration whether steps
should not be taken without delay to place our
havai establishments In this respect in q con.
oIIon approaching, n least, our relative I'M
PoI tahee Win other naval powers. The dock
at Portsmouth In Grea, Britain. each conta,n
greater number OF dry.docks tnan Ali ON
yards comoinrd; and come Of the other doek.
10 those named While Great Rr,t.iI Ers,n
and other mai thine powers are incre.s,nr tn; ,
dry.ooCk facilities, already far ere.,as .s
ours, we are doins nothing in this direction.
those who work for the government to 49,.
hours instead of ten. has imposed on the A.
partment, as a necessity, the employment ~
q larger number OF hands 10 exec1te the same
an cunt of work. and IL IL was Intended that tina
per diem compensation for working day OF
ten hours in outside establishments should,
under the statute. fix the rate OF wages IN navy
yards, twenty per cent Is added to the cost o.
labor.
The estimates for labor for the current veal
were based on the standard which hsa always
previously been recognized and observed, but
Congress, while diminishing the appropria-
lions below the estimates, also Iessensd the
smOpnt OF laeor To- be daily rendered BY each
individual workman. While, therefore, the
dspar.ment furnished with less means il Is
compelled - employ one-hith more laborers