Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-14
Report Of the Secretary Of the Navy.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-The report of the Sec
rotary Of the Navy win show that there are be-
longing to the navy 146 vessels. of 150,15 tons
measurement. Exclusive of hoWltzers and Cat
lungs they carry JAP guns. OF these LIB carry
9I3 guns, with a measurement OF l7O,OSS tons,
and have steam power; Is are in actual service,
and five are preparing for sea; l6 may be con-
sidered entirely unfit for future service, and the
remainder are at the various navy yards. some
requiring slight and others extensive repairs,
but most OF them could be made ready for
any special service in a short time. There
is also on hand stored at the various navy
yards live oak timber sufficient for IS new ships
of war, besides a large quantity of naval mate
rial of every kind. The Secretary says: Our
Navy is now far more powerful for Warlike pur-
poses than it ever has been before in time OF
peace. 1t does not compare either in number or
character of vessels with the expensive estab-
lishments of those of the European nations
whose mutual relations keep them always in
armed array, and whose contiguous coasts aGG
deep harbOrs at home and scattered colonies al
over the world seem to require that they shoulC
constantly rival each other at whatever expense
in the size and power OF their naval
sells and armaments; but for the defer
purposes of a peaceful people without colo.
with a dangerous coast and shallow hal
separated by a vast ocean from War-like r
powers, our navy is not without strength,
when its iron clad fleet shall be completed!
paired a work requiring now but little time
expense, and its force supplemented by
comparatively cheap addition recommended.
will be found sufficient to resist any force WI
| could be brought across the ocean to attack
and powerful also for offensive operations
the seas and among the islands which lie
tiguOus to our own shores.
In view of the fact that the appropriation
| the two principal working bureaus of the Del
ment average but little over So, coo 900 nnu;
and considering the cost of merely maintai
a navy consisting largely of ships hurriedly
| of perishable material which, after requiring
a few years constant repair, finally drop OF.
the service from utter worthlessness, the Sc
tary the construction of fast woo
cruisers, to serve as schools of instruction
times of peace, and capable of destroying an
emy's m in time OF war; also, OF the
of monitors and marine rams for war purpoa4
The Secretary repeats the recommendation o
last year that Congress give the necessary au
thority to enlist annually 100 boys for the Nav
under existing laws, but, in addition to tn
number of men now allowed, he also urges tha
the enlisted men of the Navy may be allowed a
outfit of clothing, and a banking system
for the Navy such as is now in the Army
The estimates for the general maintenance of tn
Navy for the next year are BIS ,646 ,0l2, togeth
er with an additional amount of 81 ,55U,tW {
supply an inevitable deficiency in the pay ap
preparation. and to enable the department t
rescind it's order placing all unemployed officer
on furlough pay, and to make up to those VIII
have been or may be SO reduced, without fau
on their part, the amount Of pay which the
would have received.