National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-12-07
rent appropriations during the Eve working sum
mer months Of this year,

The Secretary concludes his report as follows:
in conclusion, an glad to be able to report
condition. During the last two years the whole
feet Of our single-turreted monitors has been
thoroughly oyerhauled and repaired, their sides
raised up, their rotten wooden beams and decks
replaced by iron, and their turrets and machinery
put in complete order, so that they are now EN-
Gent to their utmost capacity, and ready to 20 70
sea at any time as soon as crews can 6e nut on
board and organized. These, with the Dictator
and Roanoke, also In good order, make q feet Of
sixteen ron-elads, powerful for any naval purpose
which does not require long voyages or great
speed. Two powerful iron torped0-Vessels have
also been completed, and are ready for service,
fully equipped with this most powerful weapon Of
modern warfare.
-Four Of our powerful double .turreted monitors.
mock, and the Anphitrite, (by far the most form
liable vessels ever In our naVy,) are also now In
hand undergoing repairs, and the plans are also
being matured for the repair OF the PuritaR, the
only one Of our efficient iron.elads which remains
untouched. The eight new sIoops specially au-
are abou. ready 70 be ADDED to our cr1is nayY
and seven other OF our vessels have been, or are
being, thoroughly repaired with like durable
material, and supplied with new and improved
machinery as 70 be IN all respects equal 70 new
ships Of their class. We shall thus have added,
By the end Of the year fifteen new and active
ships to our cruising navy, to take the places OF
those vessels which arc worn out and must be re-
lIeved.
Most Of our powerful wooden ships Of tho first
class were also put In condition at the time of our
threatened difficulties Of last year, and are now
in commission or In ordinary, ready for immediate
service when needed. Thus all that there Is Of
our navy either is or will shortly be in the best
state possible for vessels Of their respective
classes, and all Will be and will continue to be
effective for service, except those Of our cruisers
which, built hastily Of green white-Oak, are now
rapidly reaching the limits Of their sea life, and
are one by one falling out Of the line Of active
duty, 10 be laid up or sold as unit for further
service.
"Warnsd by the rapid decay Of our White-oak
ships, the Department has required that all now
wooden ships should be built, and all our eXtan-
siVe repairs made, Of liYe-oak, a2d has for this
purpose, and for the future necessities Of the
uty Of this almost invaluable but rapidly -disap-
pear1Dg material in the various nRvy-y yards where
1t VIII be properly cared for and seasoned for
as occasion E.sJ require.
hThis statement certainly shows our navy TO-
day IN better condition OF effective and perma-
nent strength than Y has been for years; ana
when we understand that three years ago none OF
our new efficient lrOn-clads, except the Dictator
ard the Terror, were 1T for any service whatever,
and that during that time We have, in addition to
putting them In repair, practically built nfteen
Hve-oak cruising ships, and carried on also tho
necessary repairs to maintain the navy ahoat;
and that at that time there was scarcely q stick
Of Hve-oak timber in the Government yards,
where now is gathered an adequate supply OF
this most valuable and improving material; and
when we remember that It has been possible,
under the direction Of our skilled and practical
officers, so to utilize the nberality Of Congress,
that this has been accomplished out Of the COM
parattTely small portion Of the naval apprOprta-
tons which IL Is possible TO devote to the actual
building and equipment Of ships, We are iustifed
American navy Will be able In the future, as in
the past, to contribute its fair proportion 10 the
strength, resources and dignity Of . powerful
though peaceful nation