New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-12-08
TIE M W.
Of the House Of Representatives.

REPORT OF SECRETARY ROBESON-THE NAVY IN AN
EFFICIENT CONDTTION-DErAILED STATEMENT OF
THE VESSELS IN OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
AND EXPENDITURES.
The annual report OF the Secretary of the
Navy has submitted to the President. The Secre-
tary declares that the navy in Remarkably efficient
condition. both regards the number Of vessels, their
armament end sea-gOing qualities. He then makes the
following detailed statement:
Oue year ago the consisted OF 165 vessels OF oil
classes armed with l,2C9 guns inclusive OF bowitzers
since mat time there have been added TO IT 8 new
steam soOps torpedo vessels, and dispatch boat and
II been diminished by the sale OF wooden and ii
iron % ok n TIE as e
beer sguy increased by the increase in the number Of
gnns on the new SHIPS. OF this whole number % have
All 10 Ter only aud these be placed the
disposal State and local authorities as school or train
ng shps under the direction OF the act OF Congress
proyiding for such disposition. Seven are IN
use only as receiving ships, are OLD hue
stocks for many years and are OF the old type and In
lad condition. and can be used only for barracks and
stationary scholarships leaving which can be pui to
nrsrtca use AT sea stOresbips, Transports or survey
ing vessels Our steam navy consists OF 1877 vessels of
ali classes ard in every condition OF this number %
are tugs used exceptions for yard pur-
poses 81 armOred vessels and are torpedo boats,
leaving steam vessels ORIGINALLY OF class ADAPTED Ior
cruising These classified at present as ioilo"s:
First rate vessels i9g ns third raT vessels
1888 guns, 1886 IONS fourth rste-6 vessels Il guns
91s3 tons, making total OF 70 vessels, 9H guns QA-
Guiding hOwitzers), ano 1880 tons.
CONDITION NAVAL VESSELS.
or the ironclad armored vessels. l6 of class
and IN condition actual ard efficient service; four
others OF the class OF powerful doubie-turreted non
TORS are actually on hand undergoing repairs. and
Ann well worth the same attention. but the remain
der NAV be counted really useless for any active and
efficient purpose Four of the largest OF them, designed
| and commenced during the war, have never been
launched and consist, in TACT, only OF their
wooden frames, still ON the stocks, and their
incomplete plating and macninery stored IN ths
| nnyy-yards, though their names and designed
lion
10 of the class known gnt-draught monitors, not
abIe 10 carry turrcts guns and munitions OF war;
90 vsInuhle only as Old material. OF tue 70 steam
Sruising vessels, OF over 1900 tons each nave re-
~ Incl IN Inc stocks since the war, never having Decn
i,nn~ned and are not estimated to be worth for our
| ,nrnnses the cost OF completion, are condemned
| go Ia,d nm Ia ordinary A. unnt Tor fufther
| u.r q others with condemned machinery and 81
ere' an commission for various duty. o. The remain
n 7, u0o which we must rely to take the place OF tho
crusn0 vessels they return nome ana are put out oil
Two are Laid mp ready for service seven are
repairing at the various nayy-yards ana cgnt arc
budnq under special appropriations OF Congress Thus
II will he seen mat ope-alf o. the steam navy adlp
10 cruising Is commission ana ID artaI Service Ih5