The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-12-07
WASHINGTON.
Synopsis Off Report Of secretary Robe

Synopsis Of the Report Of Secretary Robe
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-The report OF the
Secretary of the Navy details at length the
employment of vessels in active service as fol-
lows: North Atlantic squadron, IL vessels and
rs guns; South Atlantic squadron, vessels
and 43 guns; Pacific fleet IA vessels and 129
guns, including the frigate Guerrero, now ft-
ting out at New York; European squadron, 6
vessels and LOG guns; Atlantic squadron, 10
vessels and " guns.
The commanding officer of the North Allan
tic squadron has been directed, while preserv-
ing strict neutrality between the contending
forces in Cuba, to permit no injustice to citi
zens of the United States, to prevent interfer-
ence with our commerce and at once to repel
and punish any disrespect or violation Of our
flag.
and the action OF Congress isinvoked for means
for largely adding to their efficiency. The SER
vice needs, says the Secretary, and that portion
of our country requires great increase in the
effective force OF the navy-not SO much in the
number of ships that constitute it but in the
number and character of those employed. He
recognizes the necessity for close economy in
expenditure under the present circumstances
of the country, but the naval expenses make
but 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, nor money saved by refusing
adequate protection to commercial enterprise.
The Secretary earnestly urges the prOpriety
of commencing ct once the building of sea-go-
ing iron-clads, suitable to cruise on foreign sta
tons and able to protect our commerce and
vindicate the principles in any emergency.
This will ultimately require no less than ten,
and without attempting to build them all at
once, should commence Immediately on four,
one for the Asiatic, one for the Pacific, and two
for the European squadron. He recommends
hot nil fowl OilarS nd m uinas For fhaco
sells be submitted by persons outside of the
navy, the best of which may be adopted. These
with some additions to our wooden vessels,
and proper employment of such effective ships
as we now have, and with our monitors and
tOrpedOes for harb0r defence, will give us the
nucleus of a navy sufficient to command re-
spect abroad, and to afford time in case of a
sudden war toOrganize and apply the resources
of our country and energies of our people.
The Secretary also urges that the monitors
be provided with additional armOr, and the
late improvements in ordnance for harbOr de-
fence; that means be given for the perfection
of the system of submarine torpedoes; that
large number of costly vessels and a vast
amount OF expensive machinery now on hand
and unadapted to naval service be sold; that
inducements should be held out to our mer-
chants and shipbuilders to build ocean steam
ers ON plans approved by the Navy Depart
ment, subject, in case Of necessity, to be taken
by the government at an appraised value. The
lmprOVeWenG Vi navy yarus anu Iue DuliuluS
of more dry docks are recommended, as is the
refitting of the Pensacola navy yard; great
increase in the capacity of Mare Island yard !;
the immediate commencement of work at
League Island, in Delaware river, and at New
London; an increase in the size of the Gosport
yard, and the establishment of another yard on
the Southern Atlantic coast. Passage of a
stringent law for the protection OF timber lands
and the adoption of measures for an increase
of the personnel of the navy, including the
training of boys, education of men for warrant
and petty officers, and the registration of all
seamen in the United States. The estimates
for next year are made On the basis OF twelve
thousand men-an increase of four thousand
which, it is hoped, will be approved. The ac-
tual expenditures for the year ending Dec. 1st
are $2O,O81 ,285. The estimates for the fiscal
year ending June 3Oth, 1870, are SIS, 2O5,61.