The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-12-07
gp Ttltaraph.
-, Ar ,hc Secretary Of the Navy.
To the REGnscRR.-

p.nort Of shc Secretary Of the Navy.
WASHINGTON, December 6.-The re-
mort of the Secretary of the Navy de-
tail, Mt length the employment of YES
sels in active service, as follows: For
the. Atlantic squadron. IL vessels, 76
guns; South Atlantic squadron, 4 YES
sells; 40 guns; Pacific fleet, IA vessels, 129
guns, including q frigste now re6tting
at New York; European sqadron, 6 yes
sells, LOG guns; Asiatic squadron, 10
vessels, 70 guns.
The commander of the North Allan
tic squadron win preserve strict neu-
trality between the contending powers
in Cuba, will permit no injustice to cit
liens of the United States, will prevent
interference with our commerce. and
will at once punish any disrespeot to or
violation of our flag. The other squad.
rous all need achievements, and the
action of Congress is invoked for the
means of adding to their efficiency.
The service needs, says the Secretary
and the position of our country requires
0 great increase in the effective force OF
the Navy, not 80 much in the number OF
ships that constitute il, but in the num-
Der and character of those employed
He recognizes the necessity for close
economy in the expenditure under re-
cent circumstances of the country, but
the naval expenses make but a small
part of the national appropriations and
the true wealth of the country will not
be increased by neglecting the means of
national safety and honor. More money
cannot be saved by refusing to add JUS
tice and protection to commercial en-
prise.
The Secretary earnestly urges the
propriety of commencing at once the
buildingof sea.going iron-clads suitable
TO cruise in foreign stations and able to
protect our commerce and vindicate our
principles in any emergency. This will
ultimately require no less than ten, and
without attempting to build them all at
once, we should commence Immediately
on four-one for the Asiatic, one for the
Pacific, and two for the European squad
rons. He recommends that the plans for
the boilers and engines of these vessels
be submitted by persons outside OF the
navy, the best of which may be adopted.
These, with some additions to our wood
en- vessels and the proper employment
of such effective ships as we now have,
and with our monitors and terpedoes for
harbor defense, will give us navy suf
fcient to command respect abroad and
to afford time in case of sudden war to
organize and apply the resources of
our people. The Secretary also argues
that monitors be provided with addi-
tional armor and late improvements in
ordnance for harbor defence; that means
be given for thepsrfection of system of
submarine torpedoes; that large num-
Der of costly vessels and largo amount
of machinery on hand and unadapted
to the naval service be sold; that induce
ments should be held out to our mer'
chants 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
proyement of Navy Yards and building
of more dry docks are recommended.
The estimates for next year are made
on the basis of $4,000 men, an increase
of 1000, which it is hoped will be ap-
proved. The actual expenditures for
the year ending December 1st are $780,
0sl ,2S5; estimates for the fiscal year
ending December 30, 1871, are s2S 2V5,-
GIL,