The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-12-03
our NAVY.
What Secretary Robson Reports Concerning
A GENERAL ENUMERATION

ISL VI NllItcNu Ncorol1. |
A GENERAL ENUMERATION
{ these vessels presents 63 steamers other
han iron-clads and tugs, carrying $40
,uns 20 SAILING vessels, with 322 guns;
Is iron-clad vessels, with l2l guns, and 25
ugs used for navy yard and freight pur-
Doses Of this number there are
AT PRESENT IN COMMISSION
Tor sea service, distributed on the several
foreign stations and on our own coast, for
ty-six vessels, carrying 407 guns. The
cruising or active force OF the navy, as they
may be called, and which is controlled by
the appropriations made and the seamen
by law, is about the same as
last year.
VESSELS on THE STOCKS.
Six Of our Ive-oak cruising ships are
now in various stages Of forwardness at the
several navy yards. These are all of mod
ern size, and none of them sufficiently ad-
vanced TO be Of present use, but they are
adapted TO the wants of our cruising navy,
and will, in few weeks, add materially to
its strength and efficiency. The eight
slOops-of- war authorized by the last Con
gress are all in process of building, HE
thinks the work thus begun should not
be discontinued, but that the department
should be provided with a moderate amount
offunds, and authorized TO commence each
year to build certain number OF tons, to
supply the regular yearly expenditure OF
the naval force, which will Of necessity oc-
cur. The work Of putting
OUR RON-CLAD FORCE
in efficient condition, referred to in the
Secretary's last report has been proceeded
with as fast as the means necessary for the
extraordinary work could be spared from
the current appropriations for the support
of the navy. The wisdom of
this action he thinks needs
no illustration from him at this time.
Without he says it we would have been left
not only powerless to assert our own rights,
but almost defenceless against arrogance OF
aggression.
CONDITION OF THE STATIONS AND DETAILS
The Secretary says the naval force on
the North Atlantic Station was reduced II
the spring and summer by ordering nortl
rs necessity some Of the vessels which
were much in need of repairs, and who's
crews needed change, having been lon
in the tropics.
The expedition for the survey of III
Darien and Inter Oceanic Canal has com
pleted its duties and submitted its reports
TIE PoLARIs.
The Secretary, in speaking of the Polar
is, says her cruise has been decidedly tn
most successful of Arctic expeditions Tn
geographical knowledge of the Arctic r,
rinns has been largely advanced by il.
very particular questioning OF every one I
the officers and crew Of the Polaris and I
Al, So mo-
sons yet unexamined, has completely sati.
fed his associates and himself that Captai
Halls death occurred from purely natur;
causes that his medical treatment wa
judiciously adapted TO his case, and that h
was tenderly nursed and cared for 10 III
last.
The evidence has also made it NANTES
that Captain Hall was always faithful j
the trust reposed in him in assigning hiI
20 the command Of the expedition; that h
was kind, firm, and humane in the exercis
Of his authority that he was earnest in hi
desire and in his attempts 30 reach hlg
northern latitude, and, IL practicable, Oh
Pole itself, and that his untimely deaf
was an irreparable loss 10 the expedition
II is also apparent that Captain Budingtor
who succeeded 10 the chief comman
on the death OF Captain Hall, proved hin
self 10 be good seaman, and that in n
dangerous positions in which the POLAR
was placed his conduct as the commando
was skillful and iudicious-the natural re
suit Of long experience at sea and in con
mand In Northern attitudes.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECRETARY
The Secretary renews the recommends
ton that the force in our navy yards ;
increased and developed so that we ma
be prepared for all emergencies that th
old Navy Yard at Philadelphia be abaI
doned, aud new buildings be built
League island that the New York yard
preserved in its preseN site, and that Ii
Pensacola yard be. in measure, rebuilt
The Secretary earnestly recommend
that ample provision be made for the SUI
port Of the Ordnance Bureau, in order thu
nothing may interfere with the efforts
supply our ships with the most powerfi
guns
The estimates
FOR THE MKT FISCAL YEAR
are sl9, 25l ,235, and to this is added Il
sum Of 1854, $50 for the current repairs
buildings, docks, and incidental expens
in the navy yards, etc The estimates a
less than those Of last year by rather mo
than $2,OOO,OO0, but they do not inclu,
any extraordinary expenditure for the pc
manent improvement of the navy, D
amounts necessary for the repairs of o.
iron-ciad feet, nor for the continued pre-
ecution Of some Of the great works nece
sary 10 proper condition of onr naval Q
Enlistment.
REVERENCE TO THE VIRGGSIUs MATTE
Since the commencement Of the presC
month events have taken place which ma
il proper that the navy should be put
once upon footing for active service.
is by no means the province Of this Depa
nent, as such, to take part in the c,
duct or discussion Of any diplomatic qu
tion. nor should its attitude, at fine wi
serious international difficulties are pos
bic be held 90 indicate anything more II
a determination on the part Of a milit
department of the Government 10 be ?
pared for action should the necessity
action arise A respectable force of W
vessels and monitors is already on the
and concentrating at the stations neal
the scene Of our possible difficulties
whole available iron-clad feet is on ha
and every wooden war-vessel that will 4
is in active preparation at the various
val stations. These will be ready for
fully fitted, as fast as proper crews can
provided for them and, if the neces
ior action should come before the time
it arrives, all there is Of the Amer
navy which can be put afoat on the At
tic Ocean will be in condition and posi-
TO take its proper part.
inadequate, says the Secretary,
this force may be deemed TO the respc
bilities and pretensiOns of Governu
like ours, and greatly at disadvantag
we certainly shall be, in respect TO
number and character of our vessels
contest with the fleets of any respect
naval power | believe that the acti
skill, science and experience Of our
will be found equal to any difficulty "
courage dare to meet or energy will
to conquer. "
THE SECRETARY CONCLUDES
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