New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-07
USEFULNESS OF THE MARINE CORPS.


SIR In THE TRIBUNE, which l always read
with interest, have seen Washington dispatch and
an editorial reference respecting the Marine Corps 1t
very unfair and incorrect that in justice to the Ma
rne Corps and THE TRIBUSEs ntellgen readers, ssk
the publication Of the following 2general In the
same journal.
By law the Marine Corps is 1900 though until the
other day only 1000 employed. II constitutes
one-fourth OF the effective navy and is the only part
that Is disciplined ready for action when ship goea
into commission The marine guard OF ship not ony
the guard and police force having charge Of all
ers enforcing all orders and discipline, guarding stores
magazines. fires, lights, receiving ali officials under
arms &C., but these marines stand every watch
that a sailor does at They go aoft neither
do half blue deck At from three 10
men the watch deck posted sentinels I've
low, keeping strict military post, while sailors only
keep their feet while working ship. In port where
ships usually are i've days out Of three years
cruise the marines clean their part Of the ship,
their accoutermens, pump s water for washing ship,
assist in all drill at tire quarters aud exercising sails
&C.; do all their cooking and washing stand their
military posts which increased IN port so that 10
marine in than four reliefs day and night wbd
only about dozen sailors required deck for all
purposes, the rest sleeping from or sp m. I'll
revelle." SO you perceive the marines watch with
sailors at sharing their hardest duties, and arc
worked hard in port Is this doing nothing for the pub
lie Servloef
In the English navy there 10000 marines, IN
Guiding 5000 artillery marines hrstcass frigae car
ries lbs men, and in only 90. They have ho
only navy the world and more experience; Therefore
refer TO their system. In these days Ot steam abd
ironeads, the first considerations 0f fighting navy arc
suitable ships aud good arterymcn; and WAL 10
wanted in the Is not to do with marines Dus
the landsmen cOuntrymen OF the service who consn
tute large portion OF IL. aud neither sailors
soldiers marines anything else-wholly wIthon
drill, discipline, experience OF any kind. change
this force marine artillery system like England a1a
the efficiency and discipline OF the navy Will be nearly
doubled Some force has 10 perform the duties OF ma
rines In every navy Therefore IL Is only question OF
the best system. The late Admiral stewart said De
would lust as to without his guns as WIN
out marine guard" and our best officers agree Win
him. ..- . -, l.,
The marines are drilled in small arms drill. and In
every tight the great guns. receiving the appro
baton aud endation OF men like Farragut, W ms
low OF the Kearsarge Turner OF the lrUnsdes roucad
and Thatcher OF the frigate Colorado fsee reports
Navy DEPARTMENT. aud in fact Of every officer that
ever had fight land or sea Finally, where can you
find 500 tried disc pinned who have always done
their duCy ashore and aoat. who guard naval sts
tons our ships and are called upon even to execue
revenue avs and put down &C. that cost the TAX
payers only q little over si,oo.ooof l.. L. DAwsos;i
Captain and Brev Mayor, U. 5. d. u
Nary. Yard. Philadelphia Penn, Jan. l, 1874.