National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-05
Our Nayy.

THE REPORT OF SECRETARY RoBEsoN SHOWING
OUR NAVAL STANDING, AND SUGGESTING GER
TAIN CHANGES THAT WILL RENDER US CA
FABLE OF RESISTING AMY POWER THAT MIGHT
COME AGAINST Us.
The report recently made by the Secretary Of
the Navy shows that the naval armament of the
United States at the present time comprises ono
hundred and forty-six vessels, of $50 l57 tons
aggregate measurement. They carry l,l42 guns
OF these one hundred and twenty-three vessels
of 120, se4 tons measurement, have steam power,
and carry 9l3 guns. The steam vessels are rated
as five first rate, twenty nine second rate,
thirty third rate, six fourth rate, and twenty
seven tugs, two torpedo boats and enty-four
iron-clads. The sailing vessels are rated as four
rate. Seventy five of the whole number are at
present in actual use. review Of the present
oOnditGn Ds Of the navy as compared with what it
i've service 1t has suffered loss of four ships BY
disasters, and many others of its valuable
claimed by the Secretary of the Navy
that it is now more powerful for warlike
purposes than it has ever before been in time Of
people, without colonies, with a dangerous coast
and shallow harbors, separated by Q vast ocean
from warlike naval Powers, the Secretary thinks
our navy is not without strength, and when its
iron-clad feet shall be completely repaired and
its force supplemented by cheap addition, as by
resist any force which could be brought across
the ocean to attack us; and also powerful for
offensive operations on the seas and among the
islands which lie contiguous to our shores. In
considering the question Of establishing a sound,
economical and efficient navy, the Secretary says
that fast, well-built wooden cruisers, proper for
the police of the seas. serving as schools of
instruction in time Of peace and capable Of de-
stroying an enemy's commerce in time of war, are
under all conditions serviceable. With the addi-
ton Of marine ram, weapon Of most destruc-
tive warfare and costing $780, 900, a new element
would be acquired tending to make our force
Gent. With such force he is Of opinion we
may well dispense with the heavy-armored and
unwieldy iron clads of European nations, and
also with the monster cannon necessary to pene-
trate them. The Secretary lays great distress
upon the of the torpedo effective to destroy
with hostile purpose.
The reduction Of our fleet by act of Congress
from G. 500 to 1900 men has placed the navy in the
personnel of the enlisted men, below that OF
nearly every navy of Europe. To make up this
deficiency the Secretary recommends that Con-
for the navy, in addition to the number of men
now allowed. The cost would only be equal to
that of $50 men. and would in q few years man
our navy with educated American seamen. He
also recommends that the enlisted men of the
navy be allowed an outfit of clothing.
The estimates for the general maintenance Of
the navy for the next fiscal year amount to sls,-
6i6, 012.eq.
The vessels added to the navy since 1859 are the
Newton, Trenton, Adams, Enterprise, Essex,
Alliance, Alert, Huron and Ranger all third
rates: the Alarm, torpedo boat, and the Intrepid,
plated the sides of i've inches Of iron, and two
inches over the decks; also, arranged for forward
underwater torpedo. The machinery is all under
the water line.