The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-10

made and iailsl ID consequence OF local opposition.
Nothing has done lor want OF an approprao
has been receyei from the state Of Connecticut
The chief OF the bureau OF ordnance REPORTS tnat
very large amoants 81 the war still remain on
hand, the subsequent wants o. Tue se.vaoo nasing
made no material dninuton IA sne au s ineir
charcea for taelr preservation make considerable
drafts on the small APPROPRIATION allowed Tor
have Ceased entirely but the chief OF the bureau
commends an appropriation for renewing them, the
Condition TO o successful determination OF the
proper armature Is wen a. armament Of ef1icient
war vessels.
cruting reports that owing to the reduction OF the
naval force the only contract made for current
year for 10000 tons OF coal at So SO per ton. The
board appointed to test the comparative tensile
strength Of wire and hemp rope report that the ex
periments show shat wire rope of less than half the
Its manufacture and use Is therefore recommended.
During the year 3a1 ions OF hemp have been manu-.
featured into cordage. The reduction Of the naval
f0rce 70 che number authorized by law was accom-
pIshed on the LIST Of September. The necessity OF
providing by legislation for more eectiye punish
Enent Tor the crime or desertl0n Is again urged.
The chief OF the Bureau OF Navigation reports that
Che usual duties Of providing, distributing ana keep
ing navigation supplies have been satisfactorily per,
been given to the subject OF navy cnronometers and
compasses and means have been taken to diffuse
among naval oi1cers information employing the re-
So Is OF special inquiries and official experience con-
Corning this subject. The rapidly increasing interests
or the United States In the waters OF the Pacific and
indian oceans render 1t desirable that there should
be speedily inaugurated series OF surveys OF the
waters between the American and AsiaIc coasts,
from Behring Strait TO the Sandwich Islands IL Is
also suggested that our navy should do its part to-
wards a resurvey of the western coast Of South
America, rendered necessary by extensive hydro
graphical changes produced by the recent EARTH
quaes In that region. The number OF naval appren-
tees on board the apprentice snip IS 1877; ON board
cruising vessels 271 making the total number In the
service on the 30th Of September 46s. The accom-
panyng reports of the superintendent OF the Naval
Observatory and Nautical Almanac show the trans
actions OF their respective institutions during the
year and make suggestions for the future.
the chief OF the Bureau Of Construction and Repair
states that In consequence OF the reauced appropria
lions, the work upon all new vessels has been sus-
pended except on the four small ones referred TO IN
s las. annual report and an .b .ne rspa o. vessels
maintain our squadr0ns abroad, no labor being
done upon returning vessels 1t Is suggested that 1t
would be ultimate economy TO place these vessels IN
efficient condition, as the defects increase very
rapidly as their repair Is postponed. The enormous
loss arising from building ships with unseasoned
timber IL again adverted to, and special appr0prIa
ton OF about S5J500U for two or three years, Tor
the purpose OF gradually accumuiatlng supply Of
was formerly the policy Of the government, but the
materials accumulated were exhausted during the
20 enable to maintain our standing as first Class
Power Is also alluded to. There is suitable place
for other necessary work, and al appropriation OF
$3000,000 or S4,0o0.00O, the expenditure OF which
could be Judiciousy extended through several years.
will be necessary place the navy yards IN proper
condition for these purposes.
The chief OF the Bureau OF Steam Engineering re-
ports that the work In his department is reduced to
the lowest possible limit and that, IN consequence OF
tile small appropriation ar his disposal and the nom
nal amount being virtually reduced twenty per cent
from Its former value by the reduction by Congress
OF the hours Of labor from ten to eight he is e1aDled
70 make but few repairs on steamers returning from
foreign service and which should be put in read-
ness for another cruise The present condition OF
the new engines for which vessels have not been
provided stated. The results OF the trial OF COM
petiLive machinery, designed bv the bureau and by
several private parties clearly and deliberately set
forth. 1t IS urged that increased facilities for the
manufacture Of machinery should be provided to
thai may arise, to manufacture and repair ITS own
engines without res0rtng to outside establishments.
the chief OF the Bureau of Provisions and Cloth
ting recommends change In the method OF supply
Ing the outfit OF the sailor. In the military service
inc necessary clothing or the soldier = furnished by
the government, while in the navy the sailor is not
only required 10 pay for his clothing but for his ham,
mock, bedding, &C., his total OUTFIT costing at present
prices cighty-five dollars. This, with MS cash adj
vance OF from forty to sixty dollars brings him
largely III DEBT 20 the government at the commence
ment of his cruise ana Is both dscouraging and de-
moralizny and gives great temptation to desertion.
IL 10 suggested that some portion OF the needed arti-
cles be supplied gratultously During the year the
81. Paul dc LOando discontinued aud the stores OF
Panama transferred from the store 20 a storeshp.
An increase IN the compensation OF clerks in the pay
department upon shore stations s recommended.
The CHIEF OF the Bureau oil Medicine aud Surgery
oeaths &C, at the several hospitals and naval sta
tons and In tho squadrons SO classified as TO ex
hlbit the prevalence OF different forms OF disease
upon different stations. During the year there were
20,751 cases under treatment, OF which number $50
died. 1861 wero returned TO duty or discharged the
service leaving 700 cases under treatment at the end
OF the year 1861 The proportion OF cases treated to
tho whole number OF persons In the service was
about 1.53, each person was on the sick list l5S
times during the year; the proportion OF deaths o2o
and the percentage OF deaths TO the whole number Of
treated il Ol7 or less than two per cent. The
rtlOl N. nhar nf 70 Cav.
<ember so, 1868, was 3l5. The total number Of in
sane in the government asylum during the year Is
20 deaths and discharges, % leaving 20 in the instl
tuton on the 5oTh september 1868 The fund for the
support OF naval hospitals derived from monthly
ol twenty cents upon the pay OF officers, amount
Ell on The LIST OF October, 1865, to $i3l560. For
particular statement o. the condition and wants OF
tne several hospitals, &C., reference is made TO the
report
:orce in the best possible condition OF efficiency and
discipline, and tue barracks ana pu bile property IN
their charge well cared for end IN admirable order.
reduction of the force corresponding to that OF the
naval service has been made and the entire strength
OF Ie Gorps oncers ana men, Is now put 1000.
fcrent material nearly seventy years ago. repre-
scented as rapidly crumbllog TO decay, and In such
diapdated condition that 1t will be impossible for
the troops much longer TO occupy them. The neces-
stg for the erection OF new barracks, which has been
repeatedly urged is again respectfully recommended.
CONCLUSION.
in this my eighth annual report 10 satisfaction to
state that the year now drawing to It's close has
been oae OF peaceful but active cruising the part
OF the navy. Our commerce and shipping interests,
less extensive than they were eight years ago.
nevertheless az vgilUntly guarded and protected.
II has fallen TO my ot TO sustain greater respon-
sibiity, and to have had q mucn more eveniful and
varied as well as longer experience this depart
ueni iEan any one Of my predecessors. While
claim no exemption from error, 1t Is gratifying
Election that the duties entrusted 70 me have been
acce2tsbly performed and that the record which
comnemorates the services and achievements or our
naval heroes, also bears evidence, through a most
important period 81 our countrys history, OF not
unsuccessful administration OF our naval affairs
IN this department, soon after I entered II, de-
vovod the task or creating within BRIEF period
navy unequalled In some respects, and without o
paralle-of enforcing the most extensive blockade
which was ever estahllshed-of projecting and car
Iying forward TO successful execution immense
naval cxpeditons-of causing our extensive rivers,
almost continental In their reach, to be actively
patsolledand finally after four years Of embittered
warfare OF retiring the immense naval armament
which mad been promptly called into eXlsience. OF