The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1878-12-07
The Navy.

r. W. Thompson. secretary of the navy, in
his annual report, says that.there are in COM
mission twenty-eight cruising ships, one steam
boat and five sailing vessels There are lothers
undergoing repairs, and which, if put in use,
would make our navy consist OF forty-seven
steam and five sailing ships. The number Of
monitors now ready for service is thirteen,
and as the one recently put out of commission
can be soon repaired, and the Miantonomah
can be completed out Of existing appropria-
tons, the number may be properly fixed at fif-
teen. Two torpedo-boats are now also ready
for service. The total fighting force of the
navy might soon be made to be ifty-one cruis-
ing ships, fifteen monitors snd two torpedo
boats making in all sixtyeight.
The report mentions the success Of the ex-
pedition to survey the Madeira river. The
mouth of the river is $50 miles up the Amazon,
and its falls are 1000 miles above the Ma
deira's mouth. A railroad is being completed
around the falls, and it will open mp the vast
country of Bolivia. 30 {ea %sasi
The estimate for the next years expenses ia
S14, 562, 381. As which is in excess of the appro-
priation for this year $33, 949.75.
The total estimates Of the last fiscal year,
including the amount appropriated for the de-
ficiencies of the previous year, were $17, 1885,
392. After deducting the deficiencies OF 1877
| and 1875 which were 81, 161 ATS, the amount
chargeable to the expenditures of the year was
S13, S06. 914, which was $767, 199 less than the
actual expenses Of the previous year, and 81,
92S, 677 less than the expenditures, including
the deficiencies of that year, and "a, $50, 430
less than the expenditures of the year ended
June so, 1876.
Secretary Thompson next discusses the rela-
tons OF the navy to commerce. He says: IS In
my last annual reportthe attention of Congress
was directed to the condition of our commerce,
and the relations borne to it by the navy. Our
rapidly increasing exports Since that time have
| demonstrated
the greatest producing country in the world.
| AS experience has shown that no nation can
| afford to leave its commerce unguarded upon
the seas, the duty Of protecting ours is now
| greater and more urgent than it has ever been
before" The secretary, at very considerable
length, refers to the legislation Of this coun-
| try III regard to commerce and the regulation
| Of our coasting trade, and pays attention to
| the decrease in our tonnage and ocean-carry-
ing trade, which begun in 1861. The secretary g
reference to the disadvantages which this
country aborsunder in relation to the carrying
trade of the world are voluminous, and he
argues to show our dependency upon foreign
nations for the transportation of our surplus
| productions to the markets of the world.
| Upon the subject Of our navy yards it is
stated that the limited means placed at the
| disposal of the department for their preserva-
ticn and repair has been disposed Of with COM
mendable discretion Rigid economy mas
been practiced, and no other work has been
done than what was found necessary to pre-
vent decay and waste.
The secretary says the torpedo has become
absolutely essential to the effectiveness of any
modern system of naval warfare. and that this
| terrible instrument has been carried to such
perfection that small shell filed with few
hsndfuls OF composition will utterly destroy
the largest ship in the world. The torpedo can
be SIS easily exploded below the water as upon
its surface, by either conclusion or electricity,
and by Whatsoever of these modes it may be
DONE it is probably as effective for the defense
of harbors and ships as it ever will be. The
ordnance bureau has availed itself Of every
means at its command to facilitate the neces-
sary experiments and inventions, and these.
made al comparatively small cost, have already
been go perfected as to promise increased inn
provement in the future. 4 y A+Se
The report shows there were on the navy
pension rolls June 80, 1878: Invalids, ], 1884, and
widows and others, 1,7o5, and the amount paid.
1902, 970.91. By comparing this statement with
that Of the last fiscal year, it is seen that the
number of pensioners has increased forty
seven; that the sum that they are entitled to
draw has increased 1926, 35; while the total
amount actually paid to pensioners has de-
creased $21, 1884.