The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-12-07
TELE G. e A PHI.
Eeport OF the seCretaFy 0f the NaYy,

OEWVAA VA AMC OLAACt1Ay Va bnO NAVY
WASHINGTON, ID. O., Dec. 6.-The
report of the Secretary of the Navy
details at ength the employment of
vessels in active service, as follows:
North Atlantic Squadrou, IL vessels,
76 guns; South Atlantic Squadron,
vessels, 43 guns Pacific Fleet, IA
vessels, 129 guns, including the frig-
ate Gurriere, now refitting at New
York; Europeon Squadron, vessels,
106 guns; Asiatie Squadron, 10 yes
sells, ~ guns. The Commodore of
the North Atlantic Squadron has
been directed, while preserving strict
neutrality between the contending
powers in Cuba, to permit no injustice
TO citizens, prevent interference with
commerce, and at once to report and
punish any disrespeet or violation of
our flag. The other squadrons need
reinforcements, and the action of Con-
gress is invoked for the means of
largely adding to their efficiency. The
service needs, says the Secretary, and
the position of our country requires,
a great increase In the effective force
of the Navy, not so much In the num-
Der of ships that constitute it, but in
the number and character of these
sity for close economy in expenditure,
under the recent circumstances
Il the country, but the naval ex-
penses make but q small part of the
national appropriation, and the true
wealth of the country will not be in
creased BIZ neglecting the means of
\ national safety and honor, nor money
saved by refusing adequate protection
to commercial enterprise. The Secre-
tary earnestly urges the prepriety Of
commeaciog at once tho build
ing Of sea going iIOn-elads, suita-
BILE to cruise on foreign stations
and able 10 protect our commerce and
vindicate our principles in any
emergency. This will ultimately re-
quire no less than ten; and without
attempting to build them all at once,
we should commence imme diately one
for the Asiatic, one for the Pacific,
and two for the European squadron.
He recommends that the plans for
the boilers and engines of these ves-
sells be submitted by persons outside
the Navy, the best Of which may be
adopted. These, with some additions
to our wooden vessels and the proper
employment of such effective ships as
we now have, and with our monitors
and torpedoes for our defense, will
give us a nucleus of a navy sufficient
TO command respect abroad, aHd to
afford time, In case OF sudden war, TO
organize and apply the sources OF
our country, and the resources of our
people. The Seeretery, also, urges
that the monitors be provided with
additional armor and late improve
ments in ordnance, for harbor de-
fense; that means be given for the
perfection of q system of submarine
torpedoes; that a large number ol
the costly vessels, and a large
amount of the expensive machinery
on hand and unadapted to naval
service be sold. That inducements
should be held out to our merchants
and ship builders to build ocean
steamers on plans approved BY the
Navy Department, subject, In case Of
necessity, to be taken by the Govern
ment at an appraised value. The i'm
provement of Navy Yards and The
building of more dry docks are recon
mended. as is the re6tting of the Pen
sacola Yards. Great increase in th'
capacity of Mare Island Yard
Immediately, and the commence
ment of works at League Island
IN the DeiahdtS 41AFSAi aHu @'O'
London. an increase in the size o
the Gosp> >tNavy Yard, and the es
tablishmenC OF another yard on the
Southern Atlantic Coast; the passag
of a stringent law for the protection
of timber lands, and the adoption 0
measures for an increase Of the per
sonneI Of the navy, including tn
training of boys, education of men a
petty and warrant officers, and th
registration of all seamen in tn
United States. The estimates 10
next year are made on a basis o
1900 men-an increase of 400
which, it is hoped, will be approved
The actual expenditure for the yea
ending December l, is $20,081 ,285
The estimates for the fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1871, are $28, ,205. .671.