The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-12-05
THE NAVY.
Secretary Robeson's Report-The United
states Navy Inferior 10 That OF Any
Respectable Power-ResuIts of the Poo
iaris Espedition-The Death OF Capt.

l 1868 guns, a reduction since his last annuai
report, by sale and otherwise, of thirteen
vessels.
A general enumeration of these yessels nre-
sents 63 steamers other than iron-clads and
tugs, carrying o2G guns 20 sailing vessels.
with 322 guns ; AZ lron-clad VESSELS with l2i
guns and % tugs used for navy yard and
freight purposes. OF tins number, there are
at present In commission for sea service dis
tributed on the several foreign stations and
on our own coast, i6 vessels, carving 40y
guns. The cruising or active force of the
navy, as they may be called and which Is con-
trolled by the appropriations made and the
seamen authorized by law, is about the same
as last year.
Six OF our live-oak cruising ships are now in
various stages of forwardness at the several
navy yards. These are all OF moderate size.
and none OF them sufficiently advanced TO be
OF present use but they are adapted to the
wants OF our cruising navy and will. IN a few
weeks, add materially to ITS strength and eff
cheney, The eight sloops of war authorized
by the last Congress are all in process of
building. The valuable work thus begun
should not be discontinued, but the Depart
ment should be provided with a moderate
amount OF funds and authorized to commence
each year to build certain number of tons,
to supply regularly the regular yearly expen-
dlture OF the naval force. which will Of nee Is
slty occur. The work of putting our IRON
clad force in efficient condition, referred to in
the Secretary last report, has been proceeded
az 1ast as the means necessary for the extra
ordinary work could be spared from the cur
rent appropriations for the support Of the
navy. The wisdom of this action needs no
illustration from him al this time. Without
it we would have been left not only powerless
to assert our own rights, but almost defense
less against arrogance or aggression.
The Secretary says the naval force ON the
North Atlantic Station was reduced in the
sorinG aud summer by ordering north as
necessity some Of the vessels which were
much in need of repairs, and whose crews
needed change, having been long in the
tropics.
The expedition for the survey of the Darien
and Inter-Oceanic Canal has completed its
duties and submitted its reports.
The Secretary, in speaking of the Polaris,
says her cruise has been decidedly the host
successful of Arctic expeditions. The geo
graphical knowledge of the Arctic regions has
been largely advanced by it. A very particular
questioning of every one OF the officers and
crew OF the Poaris, and Of the scientific corps,
except the three persons vet uncXamined. mas
completely satisfied his associates and himself
that Capt. Halls death occurred from purely
natural causes; that his medical treatment
was judicousy adapted TO his case. and that
he was tenderly nursed and cared tor 10 the
last.
The evidence has also made ii manifest that
Capt. Hall was always faithful to the trust re-
posed in him in assigning him TO the COM
mand of the expedition; that he was kind.
firm, and humane il the exercise of his
authority; that he was earnest in his desire
and IN his attempts to reach high northern
latitude, and, ii practicable, the Pole itself
and that his untimely death was an rrepar-
able loss to the expedition. 1t is also appar-
ant that Capt. Buadngton who succeeded TO
the chief command Oh the death OF Capt.
III al, proved himself to be 4 good seaman.
and that III all dangerous positions IN which
the pOiarls was placed his conduct as the
commander was skillful and judicIous-the
natural result OF long experience at sea and in
northern attitudes.
The Sectet ny rcuews the recommendation
that the forces in our navy-yards be increased
and developed so that we may be prepared
for all emergencies that the old navy-yard at
Philadelphia be abandoned. and new build
iugs erected at League Island: that the New
York yard toe preserved in the present site.
and that the Pensacola yard be, in measure
rebuilt.
The Secretary earnestly recommends that
ample provisions be made for the support OF
the Ordnance Bureau. in order that nothing
may interfere with the efforts to supply our
ships with the most powerful! guns.
The estimates Tor the next fiscal year are
SIS, 252 235 and 10 this il added the sum Of
1851. 56y Tor the current repairs Of buildings,
docks, and incidental expenses in the navy
yards, etc. These estimates are less than
| those of last year by rather more thdn 80
coo, 0C0. but they DO not include any extra
ordinary expenditure for the permanent i'm
proyement the navy, nor amounts neces-
sarN for the repairs Of our lrOL-cad fleet. nor
for the continued prosecution of some OF the
great works necessary 10 Il proper condition
of our naval establishment
Since the commencement OF the present
month events have taken place which make
1t proper that the navy should be put az once
upon Il footing for active service. II is by no
means the province Of this Department, as
such. to take part in the conduct or discussion
OF any diplomatic question, nor should its at
tltude, at time when serious international
difficulties are possible be held to indicate
| anything more than determination on
the pat of n military department of
/ the Government to be prepared Tor &C.
! ton should the necessity for action arise. \
respectable force of war-ves els and monitors
Is already on the sea aud concentrating at the
st&t ms nearest the scene OF our possible
| difficulties. Our whole available iron-clad
fleet y or hand. and every available wooden
war-yessel tEat viii float is in active prepare
ton at the various naval stations. These will
be ready for sea, fully fitted, as fast as proper
crews can be provided for them, and, if the
necessity for action should come before tho
time for Ii arrives, all there is of the Ameri-
can navy which can he put ailoat on the Allan
tiC CCcdu VIII bt III tOuultioD ana position 10
take its proper part.
" Inadequate, says the Secretary. as this
force may be deemed to the responsibilities
and pretensions of Government like ours,
and greatly at disadvantage, as we certainly
shall be in respect To the number and charsc-
ter OF our vessels in contest with the fleets
OF any respectable naval power. l believe that
the activity. skill science, and experience of
our navy will be found equal TO any difficulty
which courage dare to meet or energy will
avail to conquer"
The Secretary concludes as follows: Ia
taking the action above referred 20, the Navy
Department has already incurred considerable
expense. and has been forced to assume re-
sponsibllities unusual in times of peace: but,
convinced of the wisdom of prompt and de-
cilcd action. ! have not shrunk from those
responsibilities, nor hesitated. with the APP
prOyal of the President. to make warlike prep
arations in the interests Of peace and human
lily. / confidently RELY for support in this at
titude upon the patotism and good sense of
the American people and their representatives,
who cannot fail TO remember that orr naval
condition is the result o causes which have
been constantly pressed upon their consider.
alton, but which have failed to receive full
attenton.-doubtless on account OF more pres
sing present requirements and Obllgatlons,-
and who will clearly realize that duties constant
lypostponed are certain to be more difficult and
much more expensive when performed IN
haste under the pressure OF lmperlous neces-