Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-12-02
THE AMERICAN NAVY.
Annual Report of Secretary Robson
Hts Present Condition and Prospects.

Annual Report of Secretary 1sODeS0n-
Hts Present Condition and Prospects
| WASHINGTON, Nov. 30.-The Secretar
of the Navy, in his report TO the President
says that there are now in the navy Is
vessels, Carrying, exclusive of hcwitzers
1 1863 guns, a reduction since his last an
nual report, by sale or otherwise, of thir
teen vessels. A general enumeration 0
these vessels presents sixty-three steamers
| {ctlIer than iron-clads and tugs), caITyin.
S26 guns; 30 sailing vessels, 322 guns; 2;
| iron-clad vessels, 121 guns, and 25 tugs useC
| for nayy-yard and freight purposes. 0
1 this number there are at present in commis
| sion for sea service, distributed on the sew
eIal foreign stations and on our own coast
46 vessels, carrying 407 guns; the cruising
or active force of the navy, as these NAV b6
called, and is controlled by the appropria,
tions made and the seamen authorized by
law, is about the same as last year. Six Of
| our iive-oak cruising ships are now in va
rious 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 tC
the wants of our cruising navy, and will in
few months add materially to its strength
and efficiency. The eight sloops of wal
authorized by the last Congress are all in
process of building
The valuable work thus begun shout
not be discontinued, but the department
should be provided with moderate amount
OF funds and authorized to commence each
year to build a certain number of tons to
supply regularly the regular yearly ex-
penditures of naval force which will of ne
cessity occur.
THE IRoN-CLADs.
The work of putting our iron-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
needs no illustration from him at this time
Without it we would have been left not
only powerless to assert our own rights, but
almost defenSeleSs against arrogance or
aggression.
THE CUBAN SQUADRON.
The Secretary says the naval force ON the
North Atlantic station was reduced in the
spring and summer by ordering north, as a
necessity, some of the vessels which were
much in need of repairs, and whose crews
needed change, having been long in the
tropics.
SHIP CANAL SURVEYS.
The expedition for the survey Of the
Darien and Nicaragua Inter-oceanic Canal
has completed its duties and submitted its
reports.
THE PoLARIS.
The Secretary, in speaking of the Polaris,
says her cruise has been decidedly the most
successful of Arctic expeditions. The geo
graphical knowledge of the Arctic regions
has been largely advanced. A very partic-
ular questioning of every one of the off
GERS and crew of the Polaris, and of the
scientific corps, except the three persons as
yet unexamined, has completely satisfied
his associates and himself that Capt. Halls
death occurred from purely natural causes;
that his medical treatment was judiciously
adapted to his case, and that he was ten
derby nursed and cared for to the last. The
evidence has also made it manifest that
Capt. Hall was always faithful to the trust
repoSed in him in assigning him to the
command of the expedition; that he was
kind, firm and humane in the exercise of
his authority; that he was earnest in his
desire and in his attempts to reach high
northern latitude, and if practicable the
Pole itself; and that his untimely death
was an irreparable loss to the expedition.
1t is also apparent that Capt. Buddington,
who succeeded to the chief command on
the death of Capt. Hall, proved himself to
be good seaman, and that in all the dan
gerous positions in which the Polaris was
placed, his conduct, as her commander, was
skillful and judiciOus, the natural result of
long experience at sea, and in command in
the northern ATTITUDES.
THE NAVY-YABSDS.
The Secretary renews the .recommenda-
ton that the resources of our navy-yards be
increased and developed, so as to be pre-
pared for all emergencies; that the old
navy-yard at Philadelphia be abandoned,
and new buildings erected at League Island;
that the New York yard be preserved onits
present site, and that the Pensacola yard be
i'll a measure rebuilt.
THE ORDNANCE BUREAU.
The Secretary earnestly recommends that
ample provision be made for the support of
the ordnance bureau, in order that nothing
interfere with its efforts to supply our ships
with the most powerful guns.
THE ESTIMATES.
The estimates for the next fiscal year are
SIS, 252, 235, and to this is added some
SS64,5S9 for current repairs, buildings,
docks and incidental expenses in navy
yards, etc. These estimates are less than
those Of last year by rather more than
s., 100000, but they do not include any ex-
expenditure for the permanent
improvement Of the navy, nor the arma-
ments necessary either for the repair of our
iron-clad fleet, nor for the continued pros
ecution of some of the great works neces-
sary to a proper condition of our naval es-
THE PRESENT EMERGENCY.
Since the commencement of the present
month, events have taken place which
made it proper that the navy should be put
at once upon footing for active service.
1t is by no means the prOvincel of this de-
partment as such to take part in the con-
duct or discussion of any diplomatic ques-
ton, nor should its attitude at time when
serious international difficulties are posi-
BILE, be held to indicate anything more than
a determination on the part of a military
department of the government to be pre-
pared for action, should the necessity for
action arise. A respectable force of vessels
and monitors are already on the sea, and
at the station nearest
the scene Of our possible difficult
ties. Our whole available iron-clad
feet is in hand, and every wooden war YES
sci that will float is in active preparation
at the various naval stations. These will
be ready for sea, fully fitted, as fast as prop
er crews can be provided for them; and, if
.he necessity for action should come, be-
fore the time for it arrives all there is of the
American navy which can be put afioat on
5he Atlantic ocean will be in condition and
position to take its proper part. Inadequate |
Says the Secretary as this force may be |
Ieemed to the responsibilities and preten-
;ions of a government like ours, and great |
" at a disadvantage as we certainly will be |
IN respect to the number and character of |
our vessels in a contest with the feet of |
any respectable naval power, l believe the |
skill, science ard experience of our navy |
will be found equal to any difficulty which |
courage will dare to meet or energy will |
wall to conquer.
The Secretary concludes as follows: In |
aking the action above referred to, the |
Navy Department has already incurred con-