The New York herald., 1870-07-22
O \ r N Av v.
Renew d Activity in the Navy Yards-An ships
u. 30 Made Ready for Sea at Oncs-Mors
Sailors to be Recruited, and tho Navy tobs
Placed in an Efficient Condihon-The
Squadron for tho Fishing Banks.

Tue administration seems to be thoroughly alive TO
the exigencies OF the occasion 80 suddenly brought
about by the Emperor OF France In declaring war
against Prussia The United states are possibly not
directly interested In the coming war, but no one ls
bold enough TO assert that eventually we may not be
drawn into the complications that threaten 10
involve all Europe In fierce and protracted
conflict II Is an evidence or wise craftsmanship
that nation Ii always found prepared for any even
tuallty. In these days OF immense armaments and
ambitious schemes and bitter hates no nation can
feel secure without full battalions and efficient
neets. 1t Is with this view that the Navy Depart
ment has just given orders to the commandants OF
the various navy yar0s of the North TO hurry on
with all possible speed the completion OF every ves-
sci that can be placed anoaJ within reasonable
time. The order has lent
NEW ACTIVITY TO THE NAVAL STATIONS,
and although the government win be compelled to
draw heavily upon insufficient appropriations
granted by Congress- while the political aspect was
peaceful and satisfactory, the work will be- pushed
forward and our navy placed upon the best possible
footing that time may permit. Our navy Is noto.
riOusy weak. Our force In European waters shrinks
into insignhcance by the side OF Swedens naval de-
inonstraton Of power, and we lind ourselves
unable, on the eve Of q great war, when
It Is possible we shal remain the only
wooden ships the scene Of the conflict, to sus
tain our national interests and to protect the lives
and property ol our citzens, thousands Of whom
now abroad.
Instructions which have thus far been given, II
promptly carried out will enable the Navy Depart
ment to put eight ten efficient cruisers on the con-
tnental coast In less than two months and an addi-
iona force can be sent out thereafter il necessity
requires.
The only obstacle yet met with is the aDsurdly
small number OF seamen allowed by Congress to
man our naval vessels. Eight thousand five
hundred men, the limit fixed by short-sighted Con-
gress is entirely inadequate to national wants.
Already that limit has been reached, and naval
force anoat is humiliatmgly small and insufficient.
The President viii now be compelled, under the
authority granted by the constitution, to see that
the country receives no deriment to increase this
force to fifteen thousand or more men in order to
man the ships ready for sea or in process OF re-
pairs Congress will be called upon hereafter to
confirm his action, which it will doubtless promptly
do In view OF the perlls that encompass citizens
and commerce abroad.
At the Portsmouth Navy Yard additional work.
men have been put on, ana the corvette California,
tweDry-one guns, and the Narraganset, SIX guns
will soon be ready for sea-
At Boston large number OF mechanics WIN be at
once engaged, and work VIII be pushed ahead on
half dozen ships.
Yesterday orders were received at the Brooklyn
Navy Yard to put every available ship
In condition for service with all pos.
sible haste. Already two ships are ready for sea,
and only await their stores and crews to he sent 10
any quarter OF the world. Recruiting Is extremely
SLOW but additional inducements will doubtless be
offered to bring all the men In that are needed. We
shall unquestiOnably soon see q revival Of war
times IN the activity OF the Brooklyn yard, with
gratifying result.
:, the gnnboat Nipslc, guns, Lieutenant
soop Guard, guns Lieutenant Commander
j. p. Lull, are under orders to proceed at once to
the fishing banks to join the FrOc, Commander
Henry Wilson. on that station, in guarding the
interests OF the American fisheries on the banks.
BY recent order or the British Admiralty the duty
Of our officers will be greatly simplfed. The ma
rine league from shore which Is regarded British
territory. and In which fishermen are forbidden
10 pursue their avOcatOn, Is now construed by
British authorities to mean that 1t follows the shore
On all bays not over ten miles wide from headland to
leadland So the best fishing grounds are still
open 10 our fishermen. There Is no doubt but thai
officers will be kindly received bv the authorities
md that our nsnermen will be permitted to carry
IN their dangerous calling undisturbed by ganboats
)r Dominion police.