The New York herald., 1878-11-29

the department feels constrained to say that this will
leave many of them without improvements consid-
erred absolutely necessary and greatly the put-
liz property to damage
Ia regard to tie ki.ery Navy xar,, the ses retsry
says that only the most urgent work has been done.
and much that could have been prontably done II
the appropriation had been sufficient has been omitted
The whole amount expended during the year under
this branch OF the service was s54,630 3d. While
this yard is in good condition. ana is Of the best
in the country ON account OF its admirable location
several frame buildings in u dilApdated condition
and subject to be destroyed by fire, for which more
substantial ones should be substituted. Besides this
how ot water has been secured which. with proper
appliances may be conducted throughout the yard,
that amy fire tlat might occur could 30 readily cx
tineushed. But these improvements cannot be made
without increased appropriations.
The Charlestown tMassl yard is in admirable
i'll charge satisfactory 1t has every facility for the
construction and repair OF vessels and its ropewalk
is believed to be unsurpassed in tho world The total
expenditure amounted to Ss0.927 II.
At the New London yard the sum expended has
been small in consequence OF the limited Improve
ments heretofore mado. and amounts only to
$6i95 o. which has been used for materials repairs
OF officers quarters and labor. This yard has been
left In unfinished condition, never having bccn
lifted up Tor the construction repair OF vessels
tor any branch OF manufactures necessary 10 the
naval service. Whether this shall or shall not be
done III the future depends upon the direction Of
Congress.
TaR BROOKLYN YARD.
This yard has been kept in Its present good con-
diton by the utmost care in management, the
economical improvement Of street roads and wharves
work. like that at Charlcstown, has been Of
general and miscellaneous character suitable
to the condition OF tho yard The whole
expended during the Year Is S119,50l 30. In
order however to make such other improvements
at this yard are demanded by its position on the
harbor of New York. much OF the work now i'll pro-
grcss will have to be continued
At the League Island yard very important and ma
terial work has been done. and but Tor q recent
freshet its general condition would have been
greatly improved. The work has necessarily been
Of varied character. as the yard has never yet
ham mt In nS tate ut
some Of those that have been longer established.
The total expenditure S2l94l5 T6. The condition
tention OF Congress. Its position i'll relation
to tho iron and coal fields OF Pennsylvania.
Delaware River. combine to render it second 10 no
yard III the country II LETT in its present unfinished
condition the property already accumulated there
contemplated by its location win be in danger OF ulti
mate loss
At the Washington City yard the repairs have not
been extensive We're required but have been Of
valuable character, confined to buildings streets.
shiphouse and wharves The sum OF $7452 20 has
been expended and all economically applied, under
the most careful and crcumspect management
At the Gosport or Norfolk yard the amount ex-
larger sum could have been aivantageously
sity as for M timber sheds. Without % these THE the
large amount OF timber collected there
is exposed to the weather and is rapidly decaying.
The annual loss by this means is almost enough to
erect sufficient Sheds but the department is unable
do this without liberal appropriations, Such
appropriations would undoubtedly be good economy
At the Pensacola yard the amount expended during
the year for iron floating dock authorized by Con-
gress wss S46i 7Ss. which has been paid OF the
| specific appropriation for that purpose This dock
has been built at Chester Pa. and is ready to be
transported to the yard Inasmuch. however. as
there would be great danger of loss, owing
to its great bulk and peculiar structure,
| il the attempt to transport were made
fitness OF for the purpose it has been delayed
but will be done ut as early period as possible.
When it reaches there will be very necessary and
important improvement in the condition Of this
yard, 1t will furnish the means OF docking ships
serving in the Cult OF Mexico 1t will be the only
dock upon the Gulf coast and the only south Of
At the Mare island yard the whole amount ex-
pended during the year was sio2 6os s0 Of which
these were concerned the work has been done i'll a
very satisfactory manner and the yard IL in as good
stances. This being the only yard upon the
Pacific coast the necessity for putting it in the best
ships is considered imperative. 1t must always be
the point to which all our vessels in the Pacific and
the Chinese viii be carried for repairs and these
be satisfactorily made unless the yard is put
III condition and kept so.
TORPEDO.
The Secretary says the torpedo has become abso-
lutely essential the effectiveness to Any modern
system Of naval warfare and that this terrible nstru
ment has been carried to such perfection that small
shell flled with q few handouts OF composition will
utterly destroy the largest ship in the world. The
torpedo be easily exploded below the water
electricity. and by whichsoever Of these modes it
may be done it is probably effective for the defence
nance Bureau has avuiled itself of every means at
it's command to facilitate the necessary experiments
and Inventions and these. made at comparatively
promise increased improvement in the f,l-
ture. Captain Ericsson has constructed partially
submerged and armored vessel intended for greater
speed than any ironclsd and capable Of projecting
submarine shell with great velocity and accuracy to
far ia kely fn ha
effective ut sea- Some preliminary trials have been
made by the inventor. and board has been
official test when 1t Is ready for trial The
torpedo can be effectively employed from amy vessel
machinery for ej0cting the torpedo
EDUCATION OF BOYS.
The Secretary says that too much Importance can
not be attached to the system OF educating boys for
the purpose OF manning ships of war with trained
seanien II IL permanent force available for any
class or kind of ships; but in order to perfect aud
place the system on permanent basis it
will require the enactment Of law
thorizino the enlistment Of 750 boys annually
at an EXPENSE not exceeding $4,000 per annnm. for
the purpose OF manning the American navy with an
intelligent, thoroughly trained and educated class of
American seainen, who will feel all the obligations
and responsibilities OF citizenship. 1t matters not
where these boys born their training under the be
its protection against all possible foes.
MARINE CORPS
. Inasmuch as the appropriations asked for the Ma
rne corps small comp red to the services rem
dered, the department hopes that the corps will be
literally dealt with by Congress. The number OF men
is limited that 1t is exceedingly difficult TO
supply ships at yards and stations with the
sary number Of men, and unless the department has
power to DO this the public service must suffer-
PENSION ROLL.
The report shows there were on the navy pension
rolls June 80 1878. inyads l,,sl. and navy widows
and others ,705, and tho amount paid Sb02 7s0 81.
by pairing tns statement with that OF the last sca
year il s that the n,irncr Of pensioners has in
creased A.; that the that thoy entitled
to draw has increased $26.57G 80. while the total
amount actually paid to pensioners has decreased
$3O4 y7Y t4 The Secretary, for stated
msuds that the interest on the navy pension fund
be hereafter increased to at least per cent
that the Investments may he made in bonds OF that
cllha.
NAVAL, INTELLIGENCE