Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-12-13
Report OF the Secretary of the Navy.


The report OF the Secretary OF the Navy will
show that there are belonging to the navy 1i6
vessels OF 80 lo1 tons measurement, exclusive OF
howitzers and Gatlings. They carry l,l42 guns.
of these. E3. carrying 9l3 guns with measure
ment OF 120. 1913 tons, have steam power; seventy
nve are in actual service, and four are preparing
Tor sea Sixteen may be considered entirely unit
Tor future service, and the remainder are at vari-
ons navy-yards. some requiring slight and others
extensive repairs, but most OF them could be made
ready Tor any special service in a short time.
There Is also on hand, stored at the vrious
navy yards, ve-oak timber sufficient for thirty
I'VE new ships OF war. be, sides large quantity OF
other valuable timber and naval material of every
kind.
Our navy is now far more powerful for warlke
purposes than 1t has ever before been In time of
peace. II does not compare either in numbsr
character OF vessels with the expensive establish
ment OF those European nations whose mutual re-
lattons keep them always In armed array, whose
con iguous coasts and deep harbors at home and
scattered colonies all over the world seem to
quiie that they should constantly rival each other
at whatever expen.e In the size and power Of their
naval vessels and ornaments; bnt the deien-
sive purposes OF powerful people without col
onies, with danger Gus coast and shallow barbors
separated by vast ocean from warlike naval pow
ers, our navy Is not without strength, and when
its iTonclad fleet shall be completely repaired
a work requiring now but little time and expense
and its force supplemented by the comparatively
cheap addition recommended, it will be found
suficient to resist any force which could be
brought across the &C ;an to attack the Uni ed
States, and powerful also for offensive operations
upon the seas and isl-nds that lie contiguous to
our own shores.
T In view Of the fact that the appropriation for
the two prime pal working ureaus Of the Depart
ment average but little = .OJ0 900 annually
and considering the cost OF merely maintaining a
navy consisting largely OF ships hurre lily bailt of
perishabe material. wit h after recurring for
lew years constant repair finally diop out OF the
service from utter worihlessness the question
constantly recurs, brought up by conh ting in
terests aud opinions. Snail We enter upon the ex-
pensive and unsatisfa tory construction Of arnor-
plated gun-hearng vessels, Involving millions of
dollars in the cost OF each one or shall we be
content with providing ourselves at minimum
cost with the means OF dest Dying such vessels
should they appear In hostile atitgde our coas
or in oar bay or harborst Fast well-nuilt wood
cruisers, proper for the police OF the Sc = serg
ing as schools OF instruction In time of pea e and
capable OF dcstro ing an enemvs commerce in
time OF war, are under all conditions ser iceabe
The monitor class OF vessels has for the United
Stat = special and valuable uses in con uucton
with other forces. The torpedo schools give our
officers the instruction necessary to utilize what
ever there Is in this most efficient arm
of attack and defense, and | would add
10 the force new element-the marine
sssnc IN forms on I'd
strength or its particular and appropriate service
| to be n weapon Of most destructive warfare. The
construction of this class OF sells has been care
fully considered for several wears past by naval
officer Of high rank, assisted by able experts and
detailed plans are put at the service Of he Depart
uc,ion of such sci Of ti hest mat rin
and of special strength would involve an expense
OF about $S00O, and If successful. as Ii promises
to be, II would add new element. tending to
make our force complete in Itself at once eco
nomical and efficient
The Department has lately adopted the plan OF
retaining all ships on going into commission upon
this coast and attaching them to the North Atlantic
Squadron for few months previous 10 ordering
them abroad. 1t Is believed that the effect has
been beneficial, as any defects in ships or their
machinery be remedied at home. and the
discipline OF the personnel can be perfected our
own waters. The Department has also commits
stoned receiving ships at the different naval
stations the frigates Wabash and Colorado a. Is s.
ton and New York, and proposes 10 place the
franklin at Norfolk instead OF the hulks formerly
used for this pufpose. These ships will form 4
reserve. ready to be used in any emergency.
IS a remedy for the reduction OF the force OF
our feet from s 800 10 800 men and for the pnr.
pose Of maintaining trained class OF men, skilled
In their duties and devoted to their flag. III Sec
rotary repeats the recommendation OF last year
that Congress give the necessary ap horty TO
list annually $50 VS. for the navy In addition 10
the number OF men now allowed. tie also urges
that enlisted men OF the navy may be allowed an
outfit of clothing, and banking system for the
navy such n now prevails IN the army.
The Naval Academy has kept pace with the
changes which have taken place. and the branches
there laugh, are those adapted to the naval pro-
fsssion OF 10 day
Tia SECRETARY rvfers 10 the rsport Of The Bureau