Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-26
The Needs of Our Navy.


WASHINGTON, u. G., Nov. 25.-Imp5rtaut
recommendations concerning the efficiency of
the navy will be MAIDS in the forthcoming re-
port of Secretary RJbesOu, predicated in part
upon reports Of cEieis OF bureau OF that depart
ment. 1t has been found that more money has
often been spent in the repair OF old vessels, as
authorized by congress- than would serve in the
construction of new ones OF greater strength and
improved make and appurtenances. As an iu-
stance, the Pensacola cost 1925 OOO and the re-
pairs more than twice as mach, $4,000. As to
other vessels, including the Guerrero, Nevada,
Iowa and Vanderbilt, TO put them into thorough
ly good condition would require sum far
exceeding their original cost. Their timbers are
much decayed, the ships having been built OF
unsound white oak. The necessities OF tue situ-
alton, however, have required expenditures
upon them to meet emergencies without per-
manent benefit.
Congress, at the late session. authorized the
secretary OF the navy to sell worn out vessels at
the several navy yards, and is known that there
is an accumulation which originally cost mil
lions of dollars, and which were for the most
part never applied to any practical purposes,
Several Of the worn out vessels are soon to be
sold at auction, and others OF like character will
be afterwards offered to the highest bidders s.
The opinion Of naval officers is that there
should be at least twenty good steam vessels al
ways in good condition TO be Immediately used.
About a year ago, when such excitement at
Havana induced the consul general 10 telegraph
our government to send vessels thither for the
protection OF American citizens, il was difficult
Immediately to find the vessels suitable for such
emergency, and the secretary was Obliged to
dispatch an iron clad from Key West, together
with four other vessels, not of formidable pro-
portions, to that locality.
Spain at the time to which reference is made,
had % vessels in the gulf and vicinity Of the
island OF Cuba. Our vessels, owing 10 the dis
parity of force, would have been unable TO con-
tend with those Sunin pI bpStiIp
movements on her part.
The chief of the bureau of construction and
repairs will it is understood, recommend that
compound engines be placed ia all our vessels,
both as TO economy Of fuel and increase OF
speed; and will support his views by careful
arguments.
1t has been aScertained from naval officers
that not more than ten of the fifty iron clad
vessels can be rendered useful for naval pur-
poses, therefore the government will dispose of
the remainder of Ghem and as they will be sold
for nothing better than old non, it will be for
the general benefit. The 90 light draft monitors
butt during the war at a cost OF $4,000 900,
never fred gun, not having been called mo
active service.
A bill is now pending before the house of rep
resentatiycS appropriating 200 for build
ing ten sloOps OF war. In view of tue facts con-
corning the inef1icency Of the navy, efforts will
be made at the approaching session OF congress
to completely reorganlze it. A part of Secretary
ROBeSOn'S report VIII be devoted TO this SUBJECT
and he will repeat the recommendations IN his
last annual report to supply the places of yes.
sells which have become useless with those of
good and sound construction, and urge that,
unless something is done in this direction, our
cruising navy, now by no means powerful, Ou-
indeed scarcely respectable TOR nation OF our
rank and responsibility will soon almost
wholly pass out Of existence as an arm ot our
national power.
The president to-day, in private conversation
with ship builder, said that he would, in his
forthcoming annual message, recommend that
congress take action with a view to restore the
commerce Of the country to the condition was
in before the late civil war.