Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-12-03

which, commenced then, have been finished
II. .cs .srs g. special
our present needs; most are too large for the
economical and efficient distribution OF our
small peace force, and almost all, built hastily
of uDseasoned timber. have now fulfilled the
measure of their useful life.
To spend money in the constant endeavcr to
keep these ships atioat Is the most expensive
way of maintaining a navy, since constantly in
creasiDg expenditure 10 ansv ered by constantly
decreasing results OF good. 1t would be the
wisest economy at once to afford the means and
the authority to build q number of small, &c
tive cruisers, Of live oak or Of iron, which.
adapted TO the duties and the means of our
navy IN time of peace, and fitted with the more
modern and economical machinery which has
succeeded that in use at the commencement of
the decade, could be maintained and employed
with more effect, and, for some years, with COM
paIatively little expense for repairs.
He SAYS without new material our active
force on the several stations must rapidly de-
crease until our cruising navy will, in few
views the work of the various fleets abroad. In
regard TO the 1nteroceanic canal he says: The
present se' ms TO be an opportune moment for
us TO take into serious consideration the reports
OF the surveys and explorations made upon the
American lsthmus. with the view of solving, If
possible, the engineering and commercial prob
lens involved, Rnd establishing water commu-
mcatlon between the two oceans. The Secre-
tary speaks of the great advantages of such
canal. and recommends the exploration of every
part OF the Isthmus, especially those nearer the
greater tleDgth, they be more directly in the
pathway OF our commerce and development,
and the mere obstacle of greater length OF can al
NAV be more than overcome. IL it shall appear
that 1t can be constructed, without encounter
ing serious engineering difficulties. Recent in
formation fayors the examination of the valley
OF the river Bojaya.
He next refers to the cruise of Commander
X. W. Meade among the islands OF the South
Pacific ocean, known as the Navigation islands.
Their position, in relation to New Zealand,
Australia, the Sandwich Islands, the ports Of
South America, and the Isthmus, and to San
Francisco, makes it almost the necessary har-
Dor for supplies, coaling, and repairs for all the
trade and travel westward to Australia and
southern Polynesia, or returning thence to the
shores Of America. As an available station for
coaliDg and supplies for our national and COM
mercial marine in that part Of the world, it is
far the best to be found within sweep Of many
thousand miles.
He warmly urges that the opportunity thus
afforded at least TO protect, If not to encourage
struggling to establish themselves be embraced.
The purchase of q building for the Hydro
graphic office Is recommended. 1t is also recon-
mended that experiments in steam boilers under
patronage of the government be made with the
view to increased security to our naval and com.
mercial marine. Legislation regulative Of the
inspection and management Of steam boilers
feet knowledge of the causes which lead to
explosions; and reliable kno Wedge can never be
attained by silent reflection in the study, or BY
actual trials on real boilers, under such condi-
items and circumstances as the present advanced
state OF engineering science and skill shall die
tate.
He renews his recommendation of last wear,
that our navy yards shall be developed and
adapted to the new necessities of naval warfare.
hey are the resources of naval power, and,
Ike Notifications, II strong and capable, often
deter other nations from lightly entering upon
war with their possessors. AT Mare Island es-
recially, he recommends the establishment of
gre Fat dock yard. 1t is recommended that the
Philadelphia navy yard be carefully valued,
and q sum equal to its valuation appropriated
TO convert Leage Island into a frst-class yard,
the sum TO be returned to the Treasury as soon
az the new works shall be sufficiently advanced
70 warrant the disuse and sale Of the cd ward
lie recommends liberal appropriations for the
Norfolk yard, TO re-establish and multiply its
he repeats the recommendations of his last
report in regard to the reduction of the num-
Der Of officers in the naval service, and the
manner OF filling the higher grades; and refers
again to the suggestion there made for in
cTeasing the time of service for cadet midship-
men al the Naval Academy; and further sug-
gests that, after the abolition OF the grade of
commodore in the manner proposed, Congress
should. by law, provide a certain amount of
actual sea-service to Re served by an Ger in
each grade before he shall be elgiblc, in time
of peace, tor promotion to a higher. one.
The appropriations made by Congress for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1872. were S2O,96f,-
dl'.25; the actual expenditures for the same
period, amounted to 81 ,69i, 6s5.76. This last
amount will of course be increased by the dis.
charge of existing contracts and liabilities
incurred in distant parts OF the world, but il is
believed that when all demands upon the appro-
friation shall have been satisfied the actual
expenditures will still remain more than 50 OoO-
COO less than the amount appropriated. The
appropriations for the current fiscal year,
amount in the whole to si9,7O4 $50 81. The
amount OF this appropriation drawn, up to the
first OF the present month, IL S5,275 513.07; this
reduced by the amount naming in the hands
of the various paymasters and agents of the
government, Will leave Sc 600 GOO about the
amount actually expended from the current
appropriations during the working months of
the present fiscal year.
The estimates amount to $50 90 47 So some
what larger than last year; but the increase viii
be found. on examination, to be almost wholly
owing to the imperative demands for improve
ments in our steam machinery, for several years
past eked out by the use of old and sometimes
imperfect materials.
In concluding his report, the Secretary refers
to the tori edo system, and says: Oar separation
from the political complications of Europe pro.
duces security which has resulted in notorious
uDreadiness to meet any sudden hostile emer-
gency, which can como only from the sea,
or TO the extent of our coasts. A well-dsveloped
syste m OF torpedo warfare would, to some ex-
tent, possibly to lar &c extent, meet this cond-
ton OF unreadiness. Torpedo warfare is still in
Its infancy; but 1t is the infancy Of q most DOW
erfHl develeFment, audit Is especially the poll
cy of the United States to foster its growth as a
weapon adapted to our situation. The Judgment
of the most careful and experienced OH GERS in
our service Ii unanimous and strong in favor of
the use Of every means Of charging and improy-
ing our knowledge OF torpedoes, and of proyi-
ding literally for their investigations and use
IL would be grave error, however, while advo-
eating the Importance of tOrpedoes as one means
of attack and defense, TO forget that these will
not alone suffice for naval purposes.
Men-ot-war add to the security of our citi-
Zens in foreign countries, often semi bar barOus:
they give protection TO our commerce against
illegal violence; they strengthen the hands of
diplomatists at hostile or half-civilized courts
Situations are frequent in which the words of
peace and of reason will only be heard when
supported by the argument OF the presence of a
Inan-Cf-waI's battery.