New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-07

midst Of great city stopping its growth in one dlreo
ton and interfering with its Improvement aud itself sub
jected TO all the Inconvenience incident to It's position rs
an independent establishment in the midst OF munich
paty with adverse interests and under different govern
Like difficulties have been felt at the Brooklyn Yard.
but those at philadelphia are much greater These IN
importance az that of Philadelphia are most serious
They great all times and they VIII be more Sc
more generally used material for naval construction
In view of the necessity OF fresh water ior their pese
vatiOn the Philadelphia station s Tor tho repair ana
ordinary OF iron ships OF every class Tar the pest noI
the only practical one on the AtlhtiG coast S
great fresh river, 40 miles, by us course o
the sea, in the heart Of p0pnous county, az S ths
draugh Of the largest ships it presents at once every
condition OF convenience, economy, aud deehse o 9,
found in the size and situation that part OF the station
which now, for want OF legislative actOn oDgeu
to use as the working yard
| should not feel authorized to speak so strongly
on this subject it not that we now .actuaiiH
island Of an area of coo acres between the lines OF
mean low tide cut off by naygable water from the man
land with water front the Delaware alone OF y
statute miles with Gepth Of water Of so feet, ana Wlth
great natural facilities for basins ana docks enjoying an
the advantages before enumerated and subject to none
the experienced at that portion OF inc
trust therefore that authority, II It be necessary,
Will be given to the Department to transfer the WORKING
yard Of the Philadelphia station to League lsan, as rap
dy as is consistent with the interests OF the service aud
10 digpOse of the present Yard portions OF 1t shall De
vacated; and that adequate appropriation VIII DC
made for the work necessary 10 DC uoho OeA0Ie any P"
OF the present yard can be sold. ~, ,r,.
Netr acres OF land on the Thames
River near New-LOndOn, were some time since gwen Dy
the State of Connecticut and accepted Dy the GOVef
men with a view to the establishment Oh IaVai Station
Tn conformity with misunderstanding. the Department
has placed proper naval officer in command there put
&c s able to do nothing toward actually ESTABLISHING the
nov station without an appropriation for that purpose
Other YGrdS.-There are Two Other points WHICH itluil
consideration and action as soon as the cohdIuoh oi
The rs Is tho prOprlety of increasing the size of the
Yard at Gosport, In Virginia. -
which would ultimately result from the establishment OF
navyyord for repair and rehtting Mt least somewhere
on onT southern Atlantic coast All ships cruising in
the West Indian South American waters are Obliged
resort at great disadvantages to our Northern y"ruS
for all needed refttlng or repair.
roIso call attention to the lands reserved by the Gov
eminent for the supply of timber 10 the navy From this
source we drew supplies OF live oak in former times
No ADEQUATE protection has been given to it Of late
years Much Of destroyed during the war; and OF
that which escaped large Quantities have been ndls-
crminatey by trcspassers and sold 10 the Govern
men This timber is OF the greatest value aud its loss
cannot DO again supplied Once DESTROYED we nave no
other timber TO take its place Inc OLD constitution,
built Of this material more than 70 years ago. IS sun IN
commission, with half her more important original tul-
beers in her, while fleets OF we-OaK yesses nave IOs
since gone decay. IL must not DC supposed t WIN
the use Of iron I'm shpb1dlng tne necessity ior ieG
structibe timber viii no longer exist lne i; Is S'
must still be used 10 great extent IN the OF
cruisingycsses though built OF iron From u are
made the immense frames when are but 10 the
iron and give buoyaucy to the ship. -, =. - =,
The supplies Of seasoned timber laid mp in our yards
have been almost entirely consumed, and we should take
every means preserve aud secure thaI which remains
m" Dcnarmcnt has lately detailed officer to look
after these lands; but nothing but stringent laWsslcy
enforced will the remainder OIL the OH timber ahu
A'0'''' YiyAL ACADEMY
The standing OF the Naval Academy continues 70 be
maintained The system OF mental and physical training
there pursued OF tho highest order covering every
branch OF practical and professional knowledge, ana
tfiu the student for all the varied duties OF his profes
sion The graduates bring 10 the service minus usct
pned and enriched by regular and welldrected STUDY
and bode strengthened by manly exercise. In mental
and physical accomplishment, III tone ana splt IN caT
and capacity they do honor as Glass; 10 tne lns
No capro has been made in the system Of education
e,uce the as report. The number Of graduates at the
c1e OF the last year 75 the number OF those admit
ted during the present year was So the total NUMBER OF
midshipmcn now at the Academy Is 2io' Inc NlGe-Au'
ujra Tor the last four IN charge OF the Academy
and Who mas inspired 1t with the energy Of his own char
motor has been this day relieved by Commodore John H.
W0rdep VINO takes charge as superintendent.
The report OF the superintendent for tho last year Is
N''' sGAMEy AND PETTY OFFICERS.
But is IS worth while to maintain expensive navy
~ HIGHER GRADES ulcsss pay closer attention TO the
Character taniugo Of our petty officers ana seamen
tbe bg character Of our naval service that some Nede
fined system calculated to create and secure cass OF
can RELY 10 man fleets in time Of war; should be at
once adopted, and carefully and rgdly applied 10 the
England and France have long since recognized this
necessity and each, though in different FORM best suited
Ia rho character their government, has successfully
nrovidcd suitable plans 10 accomplish the desired result
We can prohtaDy study and learn iguch from tue pTac
England, with navy many times larger thah os, py
OF her training shp soOu T
longevity pay and liberal pensions mas now IuI anu
NM lipg supply OF excellent seamen during peace, anu
nm naeGnate reserve 10 draw from in time ot war
France with naval force in time OF war quite equal to
MAJ 81 Great Britain. has her maritime CONSUMPTION,
suited alone TO that country but which fully supplies her
RSyv"nJ fine honorable discharge which seems 70
have bcen bestowed indIsCrlmnatey hitherto, ana a
halfway pension navy holds out no indueement for
sailor, to ship especially while the merchant service
tTmpt, them With Increased pay, moro liberty and the
chance Of promotion to the positions or petty Olcers
or late years great attention has been paid abroad TO
the training of boys scamen and petty officers The
system adopted has been long enough in operation TO
enable It's full benefits 20 be understood Both England
and France are reapng lis advantages In the posses
SION OF nne body OF petty officers ana leading seamen
vii ia discpline and its traditions who belong TO the
service as much do the officers, and who look to 1t as
on seyeFa occasions We have attempted to introduce
tho apprentice system in navy but IL has never made
c01ragcd 70 was diverted from its intended object and
number OF scamen In the navy TO 5000.
FOR tho improvement OF the personnel OF the navy
would suggest that some plan be devised TO attaCn
permanently 30 the service the pest men now III ~ idst
FALLING away through carelessnes5 ana neglect ana 10
raise up and educate ne" C.dS W. ion ~, " .
petty oiiccr aiming 10 secure w lnis Ieans
humber natyeborn seamen 70 supply current wants
and TO have large always ready Tor emergency
rr colst sgnadron suggested in the plan OF naval
establishment hereto annexed, wo shOull endeaHOr 10
combine a training school and heet Tor nome
defense-familrlLns our Oulcels WIN our COASTS a'
harbors aud providing disciplined corps OF lety ON
Ger
M tbe shortest notice This squadron would also form
reserve from which our ships could DO manned as they
we're fitted ont for service abroad 80,
ia also highly important that plan should be
devised by which all seamcn belonging 10 the United
states may be registered" In such manner tat tney
cnnd I'm fine OF war be NJ once designated and called
upon Notwithstanding all the laws enacted Tor their
benefit and the protection" they receive inc Uhted
states Government has control our seamen IN
time OF war a civilian may be enrolled in the militia,
and ia subject CALL but authority exists by when
sailor could DO called 10 go board ship 10 protect our
harbors were an enemy laundering at our gates.
take occasion, In this connection, TO draw attention
IN or mercantile marine and 10 urge some acton by Con-
gres 10 protect our seamen from runners and land