The New York herald., 1870-12-05

the iitn OF October arriving &c Key West ON the
24th Oh mat month. When last heard from they ha1
lett Key West in good condition. for the place OF
the rendezvous. IL ~ expected that the survey VIII
pe cohptted during the present season. and iayor-
anie result ~ hoped lof.
sucn are some OF the duties required OF our naval
Ioice IN time o. peace and such is the force which
lorinahee or these dutles
~ y true tnai, with al the department has been
nie 10 do during the las year 1t hast possible
~ nelcahc nialerlily our cruising force on foreign
stations. But TINS force is THINK, IN a state or
~ uch greater ehiciency than formerly and there are
IN auuitlo, seyerai ships ready Tor sea, which
sali E9 strengthen our s9uadrons as soon Is crews
can be enlisted 10 man them.
. am happy, moreover, 10 be able TO report that
the past year shows a marked improyenlent in the
Character ana the conduct OF the men enlsting In
OF the crews OF our men-otwar. Many regulations
nave been made and orders issued during the last year
looking 70 their comfort and health aud a system
OF reWarls and promotions for good conduct estab-
lshed. This has already produced noticeable
erect ior good and II needs only he pursued and
sn'arcu sa 70 MAKE me navy attractive 70 the best
this subject unite IN recommending, as an Improve.
Ment now most urgent the allowance OF an Outht
VI cloth ny 10 eacn sailor on enlistment, alter the
manner OF the allowances OF similar character
mSde 10 the army, and the department concur Ia
.na sms anienoation as an act OF justice and
means OF relieving the men from the necessity OF
entering the service In debt 70 the government
and removing this inducement TO discomfort and
uesertlUn. beg also, in this connection, TO refer
10 ana repeat the recommendations az length
Ia my last report upon the subject OF improving the
"Stcl VI ouh ocdlutN, dlu vi buelF LralDlQx reg
istry and organization as part or the available
iorce OF the country.
The condition OF our navy yaids In various parts
or the country demands attention. Very lutte has
been done toward their Improvement at any time
since the commencement oi the war and asC year
nothing was appropriated for thai purpose exceet
small amount or tho Mare Island yard
The late Secretary, Mr. weiles, frequently
dlt,on 10 which building and repairing
yafas san - were coming under this policy;
to speak at some length ON the sublect Each year
tnat they are postponed the necessity improve
ments grows more imperative, ana the cost or
making them larger, while the want of them Is each
year more ana more severely felt Ia the increased
cost to The government OF the work which we are
Obliged to DO enLa led by the want OF the ordinary
appliances Tor rapid and economical labor. rms
want IL most severely teit at Mare Island where Ia
situated only naval establishment on Inc Pacic
coast. Our vessels tor the Pacific f1eet should he
oe punt, us ar rs may be- ana all OF tnenl as well
a. those Of the Asiatc feet should be repaired at
TINS yard. The passage round Cape Horn - too
difficult ana dangerous and consumes too much time
TO be Thought OF when other means OF rehtting
ana repair are possible TO the government:
yet, the want OF appropr,aIions ror the proper
1ululngs, Tools ana machinery for this yard the
Pacific, our ships are Obliged to make long and dan.
geroas passages TO the Atlantic coast with great de.
trment to the service and loss TO the government.
and expensive and cumbersome machinery built at
the East must be transported across the Continent
at an expense often equal to Its original cost.
wouiu also again press the suggestions made last
year IN regard to the Importance OF removing our
large working yards from their present situation In
the midst OF popuous and growing cities, and call
attention again to the necessities OF the service and
League Island portion OF the philadelphia station
and t0 that at New London.
THE SUBMARINE TORPEDO.
The Importance or the submarine torpeao az
weapon Oi naval warfare Ii every day more appa-
rent. AS our experiments and improvements pro-
gress the terrible power OF this engine and the GER
talnty and ease with which it may be applied are
more clearly demonstrated, and 1t promises TO bo
the most efficient, as wen as the least expensive
tn tHa
Recent events In Europe nave shown It's value as M
important part OF the system OF coast defence We
preparation VIII permit, and If the suggestions OF the
officers In charge OF this branch are carried out
snail, think, be as well armed In this respect AZ
any ether Power in the world.
The reports Of the several bureaus Of the depart
nent, and that Of the Admiral upon the condition OF
the service will be found IN the appendix 10 this
report. They contain much that is instructive and
valuable. shall not pause to rep at them IN de-
TALL but recommending them for the study OF ali
who, from duty or inclination are Interested IN the
service, shall refer specially 10 few things which
impress me as OF the most urgent Importance.
HYDR0GkAPHIC OFFICE.
The necessity Of an American photographic estap.
lshment, furnishing its ewn Charts books ana sail.
Ing directions at least TO our own commerce II
to the outside world and performing ts portion OF
the work OF surveys and discovery, must be appa
rent to any one even slightly acquainted with The
wants Of commerce and the duties Of commercial
nation. UnGer all European governments OF any
note such establishments have long been in opera
ton, furnishing their quota for the general advance
OF science and the greater security OF navigation.
tnls the nyur0yTapDlc ONCE or England takes the
lead and furnishing its CHARTS and publications 20
great part OF the commercial world, exacts a
tribute which pays almost the whole expense. not
only oil the o1ice aud It's publications, but Of the
surveys constantly carried every quarter or the
globe. Our country, WITH perhaps greater advan.
tages has done and Is 0ong bur little in com arI.
son. Although q photographic Office has been es-
tablishcd by Congress- under the Bureau Of Nayga-
lon, no steps have been taken toward lis advance
ment ana gradual increase, and IL Is ar present
scarcely more than a depot Of charts, the greater
part Of which, with the sailing directions, &C.. used
by our naval and commercial marine, are pur-
chased from abroad; and, III the event OF rupture
OF our relations with Great Britain. our supply
would be- IN a great measure, cut on. There 10 not
in this country private firm or photography. The
government, by establishing its own office, hls de-
stroyed private enterprise in this direction and
taken upon itself the supplying OF all the neeed in.
formation: and most properly so for private firms can
neither find this branch sufficiently remunerailve 10
insure accuracy nor can they readily obtain ne.
cessary information, which comes largely from the
offices OF foreign governments and irom original
surveys entirely beyond their province.
To place our Office on proper basis and make z
gradual advancement from year 10 year Iair ap-
preparation Is required 10 procure and arrange
proper building for the prosecution and extension
OF the work, and yearly allowance TO enable the
ONCE TO increase gradually irs engraved chart
plates, &c. until such time as, by the sale ot their
work. with an Increase OF commerce, the ollce
would pay ITSELF small yearly appropriation
abroad in such unsurveyed fictss ls most require
IL, aud which may most Immediately beuef5 eur own
commerce.
MAGAZINE AT NORFOLK
safe condition of the magazine ri Norfolk va,
aud to ask that sufficient appropriation be made
for the purchase OF new site In a safer position
and for the erection of the necessary buildings.
smelling furnace has been erected and Is la full
operation within 200 feer OF the present site OF the
magazine buildings, some OF which are of wood,
and the town Is fast extending TO direct contact with
their walls.
NfTRE DEPOT.
The subject OF nitre depot, for The atorare OF
nitre at some inland point. ne ar railroad or canal
come unlcation with the sea coast, also presses for
anftA tttGs fut1u ,f..Sk
Chief OF the Bureau OF Ordnance In q note To the
estimates for the Bureau for lS89-10. This is be-
lieved ~ be very Important and ii is hoped that
Congress will see the proprety OF act;ng in the
matter.
ORDNANCE
In ordnance there Is no reason 10 believe we are
yet behind other nations, bat large sums are nov
being expended by them In experiments With can.
non and guns OF all calibres, and as the inventive
genius OF our country is much engaged IN the
Improvement OF arms, and new suggestions,
some OF much apparent merit are CON.
stanliy offered, 1t IL hoped that a suitable
sum may be allowed Tor testing them particularly
most Of the Inventors are without The meana for