National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-12-07

TO the patient scientific instruction Of the officers
in the use of torpedOos, that new and powerful
element Of naval war, still imperfectly known,
and needing much careful experiment by the
THE instructions to Rear Admiral Case also
called for careful exercise In landing large
bodies Of men and guns from the fleet, to be ma
n1uyered on shore. These were skillfully carried
into effect: brigade Of 800 men was landed and
manoeuTered at Key West on January 30 under
staff; and March % still larger force of 400
seamen and marines, with Calling and field
Of Capt E. simpson, Of the Franklin, in 81 boats,
tho landing being made under cover Of the guns
Of four Of the ships Of the feet, placed within
easy range Of the shore. The force was landed
in excellent order, and, preceded by battalion
Of skirmishers, the brigade advanced to the rail-
"After manouverlnE for somelhours, the brigade
was re-embarked, having given sufficient proofs
Of its efficient training, and that our seamen, IN
der the skilltul instruction of the graduates Of
the Naval Academy themselves carefully trained
during four years In the infantry battalion and
1eld- batteries at Annapolis, may always be re-
lied on as efficient troops, should It be necessary
to disembark them for land service.
At the BEGINNING of April, hetactieal exercises
and practice with guns and tOrpedOes having
been finished, the force was dispersed, tho usual
squadron remaining in the Gulf Of Mexico, while
the other ships returned to the North, to their
several stations in Europe or South America, to
resume their usual duties in supporting the inter-
eats Of our country and in protecting its CON-
'.The important trust committed to Rear Ad-
miral Case was fulfilled with his accustomed zeal
and ability, and in manner highly satisfactory
"The Department has also much reason to be
satisfied with the proofs given Of the success Of
our Naval Academy and TORPEDO school, in i'm
parting to our officers the varied training now
become essential to accomplished seamen."
PUBLIC MARINE SCHOOLS.
Under the act OF June 20 1874, to encourage the
establishment Of public marine schools, appliea-
ton ''having been made BY the Governor Of the
State OF New York and by the Governor Of the
State of California to have furnished for those
States respectively vessel indicated in the act Of
Congress referred to, the sailing slOOp-ofwar st.
Nary's has been designated for the State Of New
York and the slOOp-ofWar jamestown for the
State of California. These vessels are the best
Of their class in the navy, and we'll adapted for
training ships. They will be turned over to the
State authorities with all their spars, sails,
boats, rigging, chains, anchors, battery and
articles OF general equipment, with the exception
of sea-store5 and ammunition. commanding
officer or superintendent has been detailed for
each: also an executive officer as an ASSISTANT for
the st. Mary's. The naval service will be sub
ieeted to . considerable expense in preparing
these vessels for this service, for which provision
should be made by Congress-"
EXPORT TO COLoNIzE ALASKA.
A novel feature Of the Secretary's report is an
account of an effort made to secure the emigra-
tiOn Of Icelanders to Alaska. The report says:
"FOr the last half year q desire to explore our
extreme northwestern coast, with view to set
Ting, has been expressed by certain Icelanders,
who have begun an emigration to this continent,
and who wish to establish themselves in some
region where the climate shall, in summer at
least, approximate that Of their native island.
With the aim of assisting movement Of which
the possible effect might be to for the coast
of the Northern Pacific so excellent q population,
which, at the same time, would furnish hardy
fishermen and superior seamen and in compl-
auco with q suggestion Of the State Department,
tee selected by these Icelanders from their own
number, to make short reconnaissance Of seYe-
ral points on the Alaskan coast.
'She sailed from San Francisco in the middle
of September, and has Just returned With some Of
the committee to that port. The latter expect to
report Immediately, and at length TO their coun-
trymen, both in Iceland and in Canada, as we'll
as in this country. From all the accounts which
have been received am Of opinion that the re-
port will be favorable, and that they will recon-
mend an immediate emigration of some Of their
eOuntrymen to our Western eoOst, with view to
an extensive settlement in the near future. 1t
may easily be that Alaska, however damp and
cold, as compared with the greater portion Of the
United States, will gain by comparison with
and that the dryness Of air and height Of tempe
rature which to the American appear necessary,
may, to q native Of that island seem almost nox-
, iOus. Incase, however, the Icclandic committee
should find Alaska not we'll adapted for COLOMBIA
tiOn BY their eountrymen they cannot fail to find
a suitable region upon the coast of Washington
or Of Oregon, or even of Northern California,
where the climate is most favorable to agrieul-
by many degrees not SO cold as those Of Iceland.
In either event, in the interest Of our navy and
Of commerce, earnestly recommend, If the Ice
landic committee shall ind at any point on our
Pacific coast satisfactory location, that what
ever assistance the Government is competent to
extend toward establishing an Icelandle colony
there be promptly afforded.
81 learn that efforts are making to attract this
tncipient emigration elsewhere, and it is under
stood that the clannishness OF these hardy people
will direct future emigration almost exclusively
to the hrst wellestablisbed colony. 1t is not
proper for me in report Of this eharaeSeI to
which must follow from the settlement Of this
part Of our public domain by people Of this
character, but such result could not but be Of
value both TO our national and commercial ma
rine. The large choice Of occupation offered
within our territory. and the comparative hard
ships of q iaring life, combine 10 prevent our
naval and merchant marine from obtaining fair
and desirable share of the most energetic and
WelLeducated elements Of our population.
'.As the PaciheeOast shall become more thlekly
settled the valuable fishing grounds which skirt
portions Of Il will make extensive fisheries there;
and from this quarter may in time be expected n
repleGishment Of the stock Ofnative sailors. Out
Of the various racial c0mpOnents of our popula-
ton, those in which either inherited prOclvities
or the force of circumstances have deyeIoped a
taste for sea-lile, WILL naturally, more than others,
be attracted thither, and as the first great i'm
probably to take effect on the Pacific and in the
direction Of the vast and newly awakened en-
piTes Of the East, large demand for American
sailors will be created upon that coast.
81 shall not discuss here the broader questions
connected with this subject, but at least the eE-
istence on our western coast Of a settlement more
or less extensive Of these hardy, industrious, and
orderly Ieelanders, devoted to the sea and its
various pursuits, trained to ms dangers, and ex-
perieneed in its trials, would be a valuable and
fruitful source Of supply to the naval service Of
trained American selmen in time Of need"
The Secretary calls attention to the import
anee Of
THE PHOTOGRAPHIC OFFICE,
and recommends that 1t receive from Congress
me ne a nth
the most important Of sHch institutions abroad,
and enable 1t to furnish to our naval and COM
mereial marine the charts, books and informa-
tiOn required in the navigation of the waters Of
the globe. He thinks special attention should DO
given to surveys Of the North Pacific ocean,
which Is in great measure considered an Ameri-
can ocean. For the prosecution Of the surveys
already commenced there, he recommends that
the appropriation be allowed IN accordance with |
the estimates submitted by the bureau Of nayi- |
CATION.
The Secretary alludes to the report concerning
the navy yards to be made by the Senate Naval |
Committee reviews the Recommendations made |
In previous annual reports in reference to the 1
navy yards, and urges the propriety Of increas- |
The attention Of Congress is called to the use |
ToRPEDoEs
IS q means Of naval warfare which Is at this |
time commanding the attention Of the scientific |
world. 1.-TWO torpedo-bOats, the Intrepid and |
Alarm, have been completed, but not in season
for the extended trials necessary fully to de- |
Velop all their capabilities. The general pro-
fessional opinion OF the navy Is that the offensive
torpedo can also be most edeetually operated
nom swim, inexpensive, unarmOred vessels, some /
Of which will escape the hostile guns, owing i
their safety to small size and rapid maneuyre-
ing"
THE MARINE CORPS.
With regard to the marine corps the report says:
''The eommandant Of the marine corps reports
the discipline Of that service as creditable alike
70 officers and men. During the year, In conform
ty with legislation the strength OF the corps has
been reduced i've hundred men, but the command
ant is Of the opinion that, in view Of the number
Of ships, navy yards and magazines requiring
guards, the present limited number Is not sum-
cient for all the duties required Of the corps In
regard to this gallant corps am glad to say that
Its usefulness as q part Of the naval service has
been we'll established by the active and honorable
part It has always borne in the achievements Of
our navy, and by the concurrent testimony Of our
most experienced and distinguished commanders.
''The appropriations applicable to the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1874, including the unex-
pended balance OF the appropriations for the
building Of new sioops, and the special appropri-
n refunhrfraa IA hr,r hail. /