Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-12
THE NAVY REPORT.

The report of Secretary Robson shows that
the navy consists of Isl vessels, calculated to
carry 1900 guns. OF these 52 are of the IRON
clad or monitor class; of the remainder 80
are sailing vessels without any steam power,
and the rest steamers or sailing vessels with
auxiliary power. OF these, Is vessels, in
GLIDING store and hospital ships, mounting i65
guns, are attached to the several fleets and
four others, mounting seven guns, are in COM
mission for special service. These, with six
receiving ships at the various stations, and the
tugs and small vessels on duty at the navy
yards and stations, make the naval force now
in commission. Ten others, mounting l43
guns are now ready for sea, and will join the
several fleets as soon as they receive their
complement of men. These, however, can
not be enlisted till the ships which are return
ing TO this country shall have discharged their
crews. OF the remainder, whose names are
borne on the register, Is are on the stocks in
various stages of forwardness, Is are under
repair at the various yards, and others are laid
up in ordinary, or as unfit for service or re-
pair.
The secretary says that during the past year
appeals have come from citizens of the United
States, in all parts Of the world for better pro-
lection than is afforded by the limited force OF
the navy at present. He thinks that the diff
ferent squadrons should be recruited, in order
to ensure respect for the authority of the Uni
ted States, and to be prepared for any emer-
gency. He calls especial attention to the
feeling of uncertainty and alarm which at this
time pervades all the European settlements in
China, saying that it extends to our CONNER
cial and religious representatives. The bulk
of our Asiatic fleet is now cruising in that part
of the station for the protection of any inter
| -. Il, h
display, as far as may be, Of that armed force
which makes the strongestappealto the Asiatic
respect.
The work of improving the Midway isant
harbor in the Pacific ocean, as a refuge fol
United States vessels, for which Congress ap
propriated $4,000, has been prosecuted faith
fully. The estimated cost of the whole i'm
provement is S2li 600
The secretary gives Il history of the survey,
| for an inter oceanic ship canal, of which tho
following are the main points First--Tht
Darien route, which starting from Caledonia
bay, proceecs to the hcadwaters of the Sucu
biti river, following that river to its junction
with the Chucunaqui, thence goes Westward,
across the ''diyide" to the confluence of thu
Lora and Savanna rivers, and down the Sa
wanna TO the Pacific ocean. Second-Ths
Sassardi route, which, leading from Sassard
river, at the hortherly extremity of Caledonia
bay, up the Sassardi river to the dividing
ridge, moves thence TO the river Morti trib-
utary of the Chucunaqui, and thence, by the
Mort, Chucunaqui and Savanna to the Pacific
The route of San Bias, which, starting from
the gnlf of that name, passes through the val
leys of the Mandinga and Marmoni rivers, to
the junction Of the latter with the river Bay
amo or Chepo, and thence twelve miles by that
river to the Pacific. Each of these three
routes was found to be impracticable for a
ship canal. The survey Of the Tehauntepec
route will be completed in few months, and
the secretary hopes for a favorable result.