Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-12-05
Report Of the Secretary Of the Navy.

In his report, the Secretary Of the Navy says
there are now In the navy 165 vessels, carrying,
exclusive OF howitzers, 1859 guns, reduction
since his last annual report by sale and otherwise,
OF thirteen vessels.
A general enumeration Of these vessels presents
SO steamers other than iron-clads and tugs, carry
ing S26 guns 30 sailing vessels, with 322 guns; as
irOn-clad vessels, with i2l guns; and 70 tngs used
for navy yard and freight purposes. OF this num-
per there are at present IN commission, for sea
and on our own coast forly-six vessels carrying
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 author
lied by law, Is about the same as last year
Six OF our liye.oak cruising ships arc 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,
hut they are adapted TO the wants OF our cruising
navy, and will In few weeks add materially TO It's
strength and efficiency. 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 Department
should be provided with n moderate amount Of
funds and authorized to commence each year to
build certain number OF tons to supply regularly
the regular yearly expenditure Of the naval force
which will of necessity occur. The work Of put
ting our iron clad force In efficient condition. re-
ferred to in the Secretary's last report has been
proceeded with rs 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 IL we would have
been left not only powerless to assert our own
rights but almost defcnseess against arrogance or
aggression.
The Secretary says the naval force on the North
Atlantic Station was reduced in the spring aud
summer by ordering north a 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 lis reports.
The Secretary, in speaking of the Polaris, SAYS
her cruise has been decidedly the most successful
OF Arctic expeditions. The geographical knowledge
Of the Arctic regions has been largely advanced by
II. very particular questioning OF every one OF
the officers and crew Of the Poaris and Of the
scientific corps, except the three persons yet un-
examined, has completely satisfied his associates
and himself that Capt. Halls death occurred from
purely natural causes; that his medical treatment
was judiciousy adapted TO his case, and that he
was tenderly nursed and cared for TO the last.
The evidence has also made II manifest that
Captain Hail was always faithful TO the trust re-
posed 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 earn
est in his desire and in his attempts to reach a
high northern latitude, and. If practicable, the
Pole itself; and that his untimely death was an
irreparabe loss TO the expedition. IL is also ap-
parent that Captain Buddington, who succeeded
| TO the chief command on the death Of Captain
Hall. proved himself TO be good seaman, and
| that in all dangerous positions In which the Pol
aris was placed his conduct as Che commander was
skillful and judicious-the natural result Of long
! experience at sea and in command in Northern
| lattudes.
The Secretary renews the recommendation that
| the forces IN our navy yards be increased and de
velOped 30 that We may be prepared for all emerg
encies that the old navy yard at Philadelphia be
| abandoned and new buildings erected at League
| Island; that the New York yard be preserved II
ts present site, and that the Pensacola ward be- liz
| a measure, rebuilt.
The Secretary earnestly recommends that ampl,
provision be made for the support OF the Ordinance
| Bureau In order that nothing may interfere will
the efforts to supply our ships with the most pow
| erful guns.
The estimates for the next fiscal year are S19,
so235, and to this is added the of $s6i $50 fo
| the current repairs Of buildings, docks and Incl
| dental expenses in the navy yards, etc These es
Inmates are lees than those Of last year hy rathc
more than 81 600 but they do not include any cx
traOrdinary expenditure for the permanent improve
repairs Of our iron clad fleet, nor for the continued
prosecution Of some of the great works nccessar-
| to proper condition of our naval establishment
In reference to the Nirgnius matter, the Sec
| retary says that since the commencement of tn
| present month (Noyember) events have takeI
| place which make 1t proper that the navy shoul'
| be put at once upon footing for active service
| A respectable force of war-yesses and monitor
| is already on the sea and concentrating at tn
stations nearest the scene of possible difficu
ties. Our whole available iron-clad feet Is ol
hand, and every wooden war-vessel that will hoa
Is In active preparation at the various naval sta
uons These will be ready for sea, fully fitted, a
fast as proper crews can be provided for them
| and, II the necessity for action should come be
fore the time for It arrives, all there Is OF tn
| American navy which can be put s1oat on the Al
| luntC ocean, will be in condition and position {
take its proper part.
inadequate" says the Secretary, ''as this fore
may be deemed to the responsibilities and prefer
| siOns Of a Government like ours and greatly at
disadvantage, as certainly shall be in respect
| the number and character Of our vessels in cor
test with the fleets Of any respectable naval powe
l believe that the activity, skill, science and eY
pe5ience of our navy will be found canal 10 an
| difficulty which courage dares TO meet or energ
will avail 10 conquer"