Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-12-05

1 =
| out strength; and when its ironclad
feet shall be completely repaired, a
work requiring now but little time
| and expense, and its force supple
merrted by the comparatively cheap addition
recommended, it viii be found sufficient 10
resist any force which could be brought across
| the ocean to attack US, and powerful also fer
| offensive operations upon the seas and among
! the islands which lie contiguous to our own
shores. In view of the fact that appropriations
for the two p. incipal working bureaus of the
department average but little over five mil
lions annually, and considering the cost of
merely maintaining navy consisting largely
of ships hurriedly built OF peri5hable material
which, after requiring for a few years con-
slant repair, finally drop out of service from
utter wOrthlessness, the question constantly
recurs, brought up by conflicting interests and
opinions, shall we enter upon the expensive
and unsatisfactory construction of arInor-
plated, gun-bearing vessels, involving mil
lions of dollars in the cost of each one or
shall we be content with providing ourselves
at minimum cost with means of destroying
such vessels should they appear In hostile at
utude on our coasts, or bays, or harbOrs
Fast, Well-built wooden cruisers are proper
for the police of the seas, serving as school
OF instruction in time of peace and capable of
destroying an enemy's commerce In time Of
war, are under all conditions serviceable.
The monitor class Of vessels has for us special
and valuable uses In conjunction with other
forces. The torpedo schools give our officers
the instruction necessary TO utilize whatever
there is in this most efficient arm of attack
and defense, and | would add to the force a
new element-the marine ram-whiCh prom
ises, when constructed upon scientific princi-
pies In forms of special strength for its par
tCular and appropriate service, to be a
weapon OF most destructive warfare The
construction Of this class of vessels has been
carefully considered for several years past by
a naval officer of high rank, assisted by able
experts, and detailed plans are put at the
service OF the department without cost or
charge of any kind. The construction
Of such a vessel of the best
material and of special strength |
would involve an expense of about 1856, 900, |
and, if successful, as it promises to be, it !
would add new element tending to make |
our force complete in itself, economical and |
efficient. The department has lately adopted |
the plan of retaining all ships on going into |
commission on this coast, and attached to the |
North Atlantic squadron, for a few months |
previous to ordering them abroad. 1t is be- |
heved that the effect has been beneficial, as |
any defects in the ships or their machinery |
can be remedied at home, and the discipline |
of the personnel can be perfected in our own |
waters. The department has also commits |
stoned as receiving ships, at the different naval |
stations, the figates Wabash and Colorado, |
at Boston and New York, and proposes to
place the Franklin at Norfolk, instead of the
hulks formerly used for this purpose. These
ships will form a reserve ready to be used IN
any emergency. As remedy for the reduc-
ton OF the force Of our feet from $500 to
1900 men, and for the purpose of maintain
ing trained class of men skilled in their du-
ties and devoted to their flag, the secretary
repeats the recommendation of last year that
congress give the necessary authority TO enlist
annually $50 boys for the navy, under the ex-
isting laws, but in addition to the number of
men now allowed. He also urges that the
enlisted men of the navy may be allowed an
outfit OF clothing, and banking system for
the navy, such as is now in the
army. The naval academy has kept pace
with the changes which have taken place
and the branches there taught are adapted to
the naval profession Of to-day. The secretary
refers IN his report to the bureaus in astrOnOm-
lcal ObservanceS, ordnance, the naval signal
service, the torpedo stations, the nautical al
manac surveys, OF inter oceanic, canal and
other subjects connected with the navy, and
obtained important res, - ia their branches.
The secretary renews hii recommendation in
his successive annual reports in reference to
our nayy-yards and stations, and to urge that
their resources may be increased, and that
sufficient appropriations NAV he made
to keep them In thorough repair and ready
for any emergency. The report of the five
officers ordered by congress to
examine fully and determine whether any of
the navy-yards can be dispensed with, etc,
Will be forwarded when received. Onthe first
Of July, 1875, the amount of appropriations
applicable to the fiscal year ending June 30,
1876, was 1891, ,73l q; the actual expendi-
-ure Of these appropriations during that
period, namely, from July l, 1875 to June 30,
1876, was $17, ,737, ,354 72; the appropriations
available for the present year, commencing
July l, 1876, are in the aggregate, $12,961,-
100 80; the whole amount Of these 'appropria-
lions drawn up to the first current month was
81, 7,879, ,757 49, from this may be deducted the
amount in the hands Of paymasters and
agents OF the government, and the
amounts refunded during the period above
which Will reduce the amount of
these appropriations actually expended since
the commencement of this fiscal year to less
than $7,000,000. The estimates for the
general maintenance of the navy for the next
year are 1S,646,0l2. The amount estimated
for new buildings, and repairs and improve
ments necessary at the various navy-yards,
stations and hospitals, is S2,908, ,596. There
is also submitted by the bureau of ordnance
IN estimate for $775, 800, deemed necessary
to provide proper armament for cur large
ronclads and other ships now being fitted
for sea. This shows an aggregate sum of
about 100000 less than the amount asked
for last year for like purposes. In regard to
the pay of the officers of the navy, the secre-
tary says that after careful consideration of the
subject he has, beside the ordinary estimates
for the next fiscal year, submitted an addi-
ional one for $150,0OO to supply an inevita-
bic deficiency in the pay appropriation, and
to enable the department to rescind its order
placing all unemployed officers on furlOugh-
pay, and to make up to those who have been
Dr. may be so reduced without fault on their
part, the amount of pay which they would
otherwise have received. Congress will be
earnestly pressed to make this provision.