River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-12-04
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
Annual Report of Secretary Thompson.

The annual renort of the secretary of the navy
is very brief He reports to congress there are
now eighty vessels of the navy in good condition
Tor action In case of need, and that there also
twenty tugs that in an emergency m ght be made
equal 10 some of the vessels Included in the
eighty for the purpose of He estimates the
navy practically to consist Of nnety-two vessels.
MIR. Thompson refutes the idea that the navy IL
not OF present in good condition. and il Is in
ments. The natural wear and tear Of material,
however, makes MIN anxious 10 make small ad-
dtion to the navy, and for shat reason ne will ask
congress TO give
THREE MILLIONS or DOLLARS
for the construction of new vessels. He est
mates that this sum, If given him, will nu Id
ABOUT SIX vessels upon models proposed by him,
be has bu IL no new vessels since bis time as
Rotary In the proper of The word, for he held
thaiu nder the law money appropr ate Tor the re-
par oil vessels could not be used for the simple
construction of new vessels. Two vessels, how
ever, have been rebuilt upon old stocks, unger
the repair act, and practically new vessels.
The hartford has just returned from three
years cruise in the southern seas, and will be
surveyed IN few DAYS. IL Is probable that the
board of survey will find that she has suffered
good deal froil the southern climate, where
sells do not keep as well as they do i'll the nortn
% d that possibly she Will be placed the re-
tired list Il is to meet the possibility of several
Old vessels going out that Mr.. Thompson asks
perlmenting with
PROCESS OF PRESERVING WOOD
used in the construction of vessels He began
his experiments when he first went into the po-
fition of secretary. but has had no opportunity
of testing practically the results Of any OF his ex
periments. The only place where he could prop
ely use WOOD so treated would be in the con-
structon OF an entirely new ship. In one of his
experiments with his process he treated portion
OF a bit OF wood and then submurged 1t in water
for nine months At the end OF that time the
gu murged bit was taken out, and it was found
that the part treated WIS as good as ever, while
the other part thoroughly honeycom5ed
Mr.. Thompson thinks that 1t
HAS BEEN WISE POLICY
on the part ofthe country to let the question OF
building ships of war lie IN stdtu quo for time.
England has been making, during the past few
years. very costly experiments In determining
the best class of vessels 10 be built and this
country can now reap the results OF them without
any experiments. 1t would be possible TO have
the American government at comparatively little
expense, build up a very powerful navy. The
secretary believes that the day OF iron vessels
has already come; that they are practically
doomed There is no iron plate that can be man
ufactured for which bail cannot be found to
pierce it, and an iron vessel once pierced will 60
Gown with almost no warning An aperture cut
in 40 IRON vessel cannot be stopped up, as in
the case of wooden vessels lie believes that
the navies OF the earth VIII have to
RETURN TO WOODEN VESSELS,
and rely on speed, superior armament, and skill
ful seamanshIp for success. UfcouTse be refers
with PRIDE to the fact that at the end a the fiscal
year he will have sl.500,000 to cover into the
treasury of unexpended appropriations made for
his department. He will ask for the department
proper $3000o0 more thar was given him by the
last congress, and from the secretary statement
1t appears that never was more reasonable re-
quest made by cabinet officer. He says that
under the law naval officers are oil course allowed
so much pay, aud all that person would need
would be the rank OF officers, and Their number
to ind out exactly how much money is required.
He figured that ont for the last congress gree 60 but
they cutit Gown 100000. He asks 100000 of
congress to make up the deficiency OF last year,
100000 for this year and the third SlOO 90 IS for
the increase in pay that has come from natural
a ia tn
continuance of his naval school. Upon This sub
ject the secretary is enthusiastic. lie says he
never means to pause until he has the entire
MANNED BY AMERICAN SAILORS.
When he began his system of training ships he
said there was hardly a sailor in the navy that
was native born; they all represented the scum
of foreign ports, ald it rare thatany of these
sailors who were enlisted ever became natural
lied citizens. The results that have thus far
been obtained by his school are most flattcring.
He graduates each year seven hundred Il fifty boys
who when they graduate, have a good common
school education, and are thorough seainen as far
training goes. He says every commander OF
ship IN the navy is very anxious TO get them, and
gives them :he highest praise.
Owners of merchant vessels are very anxious
to get hold Of these boys. Graduates of his
schools have no trouble in obtaining positions
mates upon this class of vessels. He says that,
as general thing, officers Of merchants vessels
in this country are uneducated, irresponsible
men. The class of men these schools educate
all ofvery high character, because, IN the first
place, he.taRes great pains in selecting those to
be apprentlced, and the training of the schools
bueAg out their best elements. He Gays it also
affords great advantage TO
SONS FARMERS,
and people living in the interior to acquire
good education and at the same time knowl-
edge of the world, even if they should not care
TO follow the sea for living. He says that boy
who has been through the training ship course.
has travelled around the world two or three times,
and returns home to go into business, makes
better citizen through his superior education and
views broadened by travel. Mr.. Thompson does
hot think the time has yet come for free ships.
He thin ks that the present laws SHOULD remain,
for in tlem ne thinks shipbuilding can only be
maintained IN this country. He wants this coun-
tly to do like EngIand-build all vessels required
by it's own navy. He makes some recommends
tons in relation to the naYy ass S for the means
10 keep in gooi condition all navy yards; and
suggests that certain money be allowed for the
repair and reconstruction of the yard at Pensaco-
Ia which was DESTROYED during the war. He has
already sent float NJ dry-dock to that yard,
which is one OF the most valuable in possession
of the COVE, nment, for the reason that workmen
there can be employed toe year round, and that
vessels coming home from the Caribbean sea and
the West indies find this the most accesal
Bile one for repairs.