Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-04-30
The Condition Of the Navy.


In order to keep up the system which has
prevailed since Gen. Grant became president
and to obtain large appropriations from con-
gress the secretary Of the navy has year af-
ter year falsely represented the true condi-
ton Of that branch Of the public service, ex-
aggerated its efficiency, suppressed its worth
lessness, and deceived the country.
The most recent illustrations Of such fraud
is made doubly sig nHcant, because over
demand of the secretary for alleged expen-
dtures in the so-called emergency" OF the
Virginius, when not n single ship OF the
North Atlantic squadron appeared on the
scene for weeks, and the remaining passen-
gers and crew of the Virginius were saved
from butchcry by the commander Of n Brit
ish mau-of-war.
In his last annual report, of December l,
1874, the secretary Of the navy says
One year ago the navy consisted of 1866
vessels Of all classes, armed with .269 guns.
exclusive of howitzers. Since that time there
have been added to 1t eight new steam sloops,
two torpedo vessels, and one despatch boat.
and II has been diminished by the sale of
two wooden and eleven light-draught iron
vessels, leaving the present number 1853 YES
sells with 1854 guns, the armament having
been slightly increased by the increase in
the number Of guns on the new ships. OF
this whole number, 20 have sail power only.
Our steam navy consists Of 1877 vessels Of
all classes and in every condition.
This statement certainly shows our navy
to-day In n better condition of effective and
permanent strength than 1t has been for
years.
We are justified in feeling some pride in
the prospect that the American navy will be
able in the future, rs in the past, to contrib
ute its fair proportion to the strength, re.
sources and dignity OF powerful though
peaceful nation.
According to this official representation
the navy was strong, we'll equipped, and
with more elements of effective and per-
manent strength" than had existed for years.
This formed the basis for the appropriations
by Congress and was used ms an argument
before the committees in favor of the money
grants. Accompanying this document. but
not published until long after, is the regular
report of Admiral Porter sent to the secre-
tary on the 9Th of November; and here Is
what no says in regard to the navy. Speak.
ing of the great fleet composed OF the best
ships of various squadrons (which assembled
of Key West and Unanswered after the
Virginius business was over, he reported:
| took great pains to keep fully Informed
of everything that related to the West India
fleet, and while impressed with its personnel
| regret to say that the fleet showed itse
very unsuitable for war purposes, either &c
contend against the improved class Of vessels
now being constructed by all foreign pow
ers, or to cut up an enemy's commerce.
In the first place, nearly all our ships were
of wood, unprovided with improved ord
nance, and only one or two having a speoC
Of ten knots.
Indeed, one such ship rs the British iron
clad Invincible ought to go through fleet
like ours and put the vessels horS dc coDlbd
in short time. for she could either rur
them down or destroy them ut long range
with her heavy rtied guns.
| may therefore say that our navy, a'
compared with others, is like foot soldier
armed with pistol encountering man clad
in armor and carrying u breech-lolding ri
fie.
The available monitors formed part of our
West India fleet which lately assembled
but they would have been Of little use in
fleet fight on account Of their want Of speed
of forty eight so-called iron-cads now
on the navy register, thirty-one can neve
'be Of the least use in peace or war, unless
sunk rs Instructions to channels.
Out of the nlnety-nine wooden vessels or
the list, only thirty mine come properly under
the head Of vessels of war;" that is vessels
propelled by steam and sails, and carrying
guns, and OF all these not one could cOnten,
with foreign ship Of equal size.
These extracts show that we have no nav.
Mt all in the proper and professional sense
and that Mr.. Robeson's report is wholly dos
titute oftruth. There is n collection of OLE
wooden ships and worthless iron-clads, which
can neither fight for want of strength, no
run away for want of speed; and this is call
ed n navy.-SaH.