The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-08
THE REPORT or THE SECRETARY
OF THE M AVY.

That portion of the report OF the Secretary
of the Navy most interesting to the citizens
of Philadelphia is in reference to League
Island. The Secretary states that a board OF
officers was appointed by his predecessor to
report upon the condition of the various navy
Yards. and that he himself made a tour of
inspection last summer, visiting most OF
those upon the Atlantic coast. Nearly all
of them we're found TO be of small capacity,
and entirely inadequate to the requirements
of the naval service at the present day The
small capacity of the yards, the Secretary very
iustly thinks, renders the naval establish
ment weak in very important point,
notwithstanding which he does not
propose any large expenditures for
the improvement of those III
actual operation on the Atlantic coast.
He does urge, however, the Importance and
necessity for commencing Immediately the
work of preparing League Island for the
establishment of great naval depot. The
Secretary sets forth in plain terms the various
disabilities of the present site, situated as it
is in the midst of a great and growing city,
and he suggests that the sale of this ground
as fast as the various shops and other ap-
pliances can be removed will provide large
proportion of the funds required to make
the necessary improvements at League
Island. The Secretary thinks that this site
is the best that could be selected for the pur-
pose, and while calling the attention of Con
gress to its many advantages, he expresses
the hope that the proper appropriations
will be made for commencing work i'm
mediately.
The representations of the Secretary with
regard to the insuficiency of our naval
force in foreign waters are important. We
do not think it essential, as he seems TO sug-
gest, that the United States should attempt
to rival England and France in the number
and strength Of naval vessels on foreign sta
tions, but we ought certainly to have enough
well-constructed, well-armed, and fleet ves-
sells to maintain our dignity and to afford
adequate protection to our commerce. The
Secretary recommends that ten seagoing iron
clads be constructed for foreign service, and
that the monitors be retained at home for
harbor defense, for which they are particu-
larly fitted. He also thinks that cruising ves-
sells should be provided with ample steam
power, to be used iu case of necessity, but
that they should have irst-rate
sailing qualities in addition, so
as to be able to keep at sea without
consuming coal. A number of vessels have
been altered to fit them for sailing, and
stringent orders have been issued forbidding
the use of steam except i'll cases of emer-
gency. The result has already been large
saving. An order similar to this was issued
by Secretary Welles, but it was practically
disregarded in a large number of instances
by officers who found it much easier work to
steam than to sail. 1t is to be hoped that
the present head Of the Navy Department
viii see that the policy Of economy is carried
out in proper manner by his subordinates
This matter is of more consequence as the
naval officers of the present day are not cele
brated for being good sailors, and it is proper
that they should have ample opportunities to
learn how to manage vessels under canvas
and not be obliged to depend entirely on the
engineers for the means of driving their yes
sells through the water.
The Secretary alludes to the experiments
that have been made with torpedoes as often
sive and defensive weapons, and announces
the establishment of Torpedo Corps, under
the direction of the Bureau of Ordnance, for
the purpose of making experiments and per-
fecting system for the application of this
means of defense to our coasts and harbors
Much is expected of this corps, and the re.
sults achieved thus far indicate that ere long
torpedoes will be brought to high state OF
perfection.
The character and training of petty officers
and seamen are mentioned as of the highest
importance, and the Secretary urges that it is
necessary to devise some means to make the
naval service popular with seamen, and to
give us the means of expanding our force in
time Of war. He recommends that some
plan be devised by which the seamen belong.
ing to the United States may be registered, Sc
that in time of war they can be designated and
called upon. The Government now has nc
control over our seamen in time of war, and
although civilians may be enrolled III the
militia and be subject TO call, there is nc
authority by which seamen can be compelled
10 go on board ship and protect our harbors
when an enemy is laundering at our gates.
With regard to the difficulty between the
line and staff officers on the subject of rela
tive rank, the Secretary very judiciously
takes no sides, and contents himself by in
viting wise and dispassionate legislation on
the subject. The injustice of confning pro
motion for distinguished services to only one
class of officers is pointed out, however, and
justice is done to the staff by the recommen.
dation that distinguished gallantry and goot