The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-12-13
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
Annual Report OF Secretary Robeson-Im-
portant RecOmme ndations Concerning the
Efficiency Of the Navy.

Important recommendations concerning the
efficiency of the navy are made in the report
of Secretary Robson, predicated in part upon
the reports of the chiefs of bureaus or that
department. 1t has been found that more
money has often been spent III the repair Of
old vessels, as authorized by Congress, than
would serve in the construction of new ones
Of greater strength and improved model and
appurtenances. As an instance OF this, the
Pensacola cost 1926, 900, and the repairs more
than twice rs much, namely, S760,U00. As TO
the other vessels Of the navy, including the
Guerrero, Nevada, Iowa, and Vanderbilt, to
put them into thoroughly good condition
would require an amount OF money far ex-
ceeding their original cost Their timbers are
much decdyed, the ships having been built of
unsound white oak. The necessities of the
situation, however, have required expendi-
lures upon them to meet emergencies with
out permanent benefit. Congress at the late
session authorized the Secretary of the Navy
to sell the WORKOUT vessels and useless mate
rial OF the several navy-yards. Ii is known
that there are such accumuiations there which
originally cost millions Of dollars, and which
were for the most part never applied TO prac-
teal purposes. Several Of the WORKOUT YES
sells are soon to be sold at auction, and others
of like character will be sfterward offered to
the highest bidders. The opinion OF naval
officers is that there should be at least twenty
good active steam vessels always il condition
TO be Immediately used
About year ago. when there was such an
excitement at Havana as to induce the Consul
General at that city to telegraph our Govern
ment to send vessels thither for the protection
of American citizens, il difficult TO i'm
mediately find vessels suitable for such an
emergency, and the Secretary was therefore
obliged to dispatch an ironclad from Kew
West, together with four other vessels, not of
formidable proportions, to that locality
or fhA ttrn TO tol, rafa -.
had 20 vessels in the gulf and in the vicinity
of the Island Of Cuba. Our vessels. owing to
this disparity OF force, would have been un-
able to contend with those of Spain in case of
hostile movements on her part.
The Chief of the Bureau of Construction
and Repairs WILL it is understood, recommend
that compound engines be placed in all our
vessels, both..as to economy of fuel and increase
OF speed, and that he will support his views
by careful argument. IL has been ascertained
from naval officers that not more than 10 Of
the 81 ironclad vessels can be rendered use
ful for naval purposes. Therefore the Gov
eminent will dispose Of the remainder of them.
The 20 light-draft monitors built during the
war at a cost of $4,000. 900 never fired gun.
not having been called into active service.
bill is now pending before the House of Repre-
sentatlves approprlatlnB S3.OO0,UO0 for build
ing ten sloops Of war.
In view OF the facts concerning the in
efficiency of the navy, efforts will made at the
approaching session of Congress to completely
reorganize IT. A part Of Secretary Robesons
report Is devoted TO this subject, and he re-
peats the recommendation In his last annual
report to supply the places Of vessels which
have become useless with those Of good and
sound construction, and urge that unless
something is done In this direction our cruis-
ing navy. now 10y no means powerful, indeed
scarcely respectable for a nation of our rank
and responsibilities. will soon almost wholly
pass out of existence as an arm of the national
poWer.