New-York tribune., 1872-12-03
THE kdYY

The Secretary states that the active force OF
the Department has been slightly increased
since the date of the last report. The whole
number of vessels in the United States Navy
is given at 178 of all classes, carrying 1rS7S
guns, exclusive Of howitzers, and rated as fol-
lows: 6S steamers, 929 guns; 81 sailing vessels,
800 guns; 81 firon-cads, 127 guns; and % tugs.
There are 4J vessels in commission for sea
service, carrying 462 guns. The distribution
of the force is given, showing a slight increase
of strength since the date of the last report.
but the Department has nearly reached the
limit of its power in this direction. In the
opinion of the Secretary the most pohhe
course would be to construct number Oh
small active cruisers, of oak or iron, suitable
for time Of peace, and fitted with the more
economical machinery of modern times
The situation Of the iron-clad force as set
forth in the Report is not encouraging. SeYera
of the most powerful vessels OF this class are
Of wood, and much of the frames OF those
which are built of iron are of the same ma
terial. This it is found upon inspection, las
begun TO rot leaving no resource but to re-
place it with iron. This was done, and wo
are assured that several of the monitors are
now in an effective condition for their pecu-
liar service. In regard to foreign service, 1t
ia stated that upon the European station we
/ have maintained fleet of six vessels ana llo
guns; upon the Asiatic, Ii vessels with Ilo
guns; upon the North Atlantic Station, IL yes
4 sells with n guns upon the South Atlantic
station, vessels with 33 guns; upon the North
Pacific station, vessels with 60 guns; on the
South Pacific station, vessels and 43 guns.
The Report discusses at length the important
subject of an Interoceanic Canal. 1t Is the
opinion of the Secretary that now is the time
to consider seriously and effectively this en-
terprise, with view of solving the CONNER
cial problems involved and establishing water
communication between the two oceans. The
REPORT warmly advocates the construction CT
the Isthmus Canal, arguing that naturally
would follow from it the speedy developments
of our Southern and Middle tier OF States,
with corresponding advantages to the Valley
of the Mississippi. Nor, in the opinion of the
Department, would the interests of land COM
munication between the Atlantic and Pacific
States be injured by the completion of such q
canal. Many bulky yet valuable pro-
ducts of both sections-wine, grain, heavy
machinery, and the Lke-will not now repay
railway transportation over long distances.
quick and economical carriage by water, it is
held. would favorably affect both the wealth
and population of the Pacific slope, increasing
railway travel and the transportation of moro
valuable and less bulky merchandise of all
kinds. The survey of the Isthmus of Darlen,
as well as that of Nicaragua, is being carried
rapidly forward, and further appropriations for
these surveys as well as for that of the 18th
mus of Tehuantepec, are recommended.
The Report sets forth at considerable length
the advantages of the Navigator Islands, and
specially of the Bay of Pogo Pogo, as an
available station for cOaling and supplies for
cir national and commercial marine. The
natives are represented as well disposed, and
Commodore Meade, it is stated, entered into
the most friendly relations and intercourse with
the people and authorities Recent disasters by
the explosion of steam-boilers have attracted
the attention of the Department to the necessity
of finding some remedy for these casualties.
Experiments upon actual boilers have been
authorized at Sandy Hook. No material ad-
vance in our knowledge of the subject seems
to have been made since the experiments I'm
1886, by the Franklin Institute OF Philadelphia.
under the patronage of the Government. tx
periments upon actual boilers are TOO expensive
to be carried on, except at the pnOhc expense,
and a reasonable outlay for this purpose Ia
recommended as an essential preliminary 10
iudicious legislation upon tins ponat.
further adaptation of our Navy iards 10
the new necessities or naval warfare rs
urgently recommended better plan would
be tolabolish them. An advance upon tho
estimates of last year is made, but 1t Is stated
that these are wholly owing to the imperative
demands for Improvements IN our steam ma
chinery. ------