The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-11-30
CONDITION OF OUR NAVY.


Annual Reports Of the bureau OIL
GERS.
The annual report of Chief Walker, of
the Bureau of Navigation, shows that the
magnetic record of ships in commission has
been kept up and new instruments for such
purpose purchased. He recommends cx-
periments with electric lights with view
to its adoption on vessels of war. An in
crease in the appropriations Is asked. Tho
work of the bureau Is reviewed, and that
of the photographic Office mentioned as
having been very successful and an extern
sion of its usefulness Is recommended. The
revised national regulations for preventing
collisions Mt sea should be made statutory
by Congress.
Commodore English, chief Of the Bureau
of Equipment and Engineering, shows that
the expense of cquipping sixty.ninc vessels
during the past year was $i38,901.S6, and
tho increased estimate asked for is by reason
of the constant depletion of stock on hand.
He suggests the establishing of coaling
station in Magdalen Bay, l.. c., to take the
place of the one now existing Mt La Paz, j..
c., in the Gulf of California, and at least
one other coaling station about midway be-
tween Magdalena Bay and Panama.
An estimate of $4,000 is submitted for
the building of eight iron coal barges with
steam hosting arrangements. The rolling
mill ut the Washington Navy-yard con-
tinucs to give the highest satisfaction
turning out iron of the finest quality, and
the other work shops there are also doing
satisfactory work. During the year 1919
men and 75l boys have been enlisted. He
recommends special legislation for the men
employed on vessels Of the Coast Survey,
the Fish Commission and the practice YES
sells, as now their supply seriously cripples
the force of the navy.
Col. McCawley, commandant of United
States Marine Corps, in his annual report,
calls attention to the absolute necessity of
an immediate increase of officers and men to
meet the wants of the service. Appropria-
tions are asked for barracks and quarters at
Pensacola and Norfolk. He renews his
recommendation for legislation defining the
manner of appointment in the corps and
promotions and appointments in the staff,
also in restoring the grade Of brigadier-
general. He also suggests the establishment
of q naval prison.
ear-Admiral Rodgers, late superintend-
ent of the Naval Academy, says the prac-
tce of hazing has been entirely broken up.
He thinks the number Of cadet-midship-
men and cadet-engineers might be advan-
tageously decreased.
Commodore Shock chief of the Bureau OF
Steam Engineering, in his annual report,
reviews his recommendation that Congress
be requested to pass an act permitting con-
demncd material, stores, &C., to be sold at
public auction and the proceeds used In the
purchase of new materials; also, his recon-
mendation that tho double-turreted mont
tors Puritan, Amphitrite, Terror and
Monadnock, to avoid the prospective dam
ages to the Government growing out of de-
lay.
Attention is called to the anomalous con-
dition in which the grade of passed assis-
tant engineer stands with regard to pay,
and it is recommended that their pay be
graduated on the basis of length of service.
Commodore Jeifcrs, chief of the Bureau
of Ordnance, says in his annual report that
the most important question in armament
now pressing for attention is the manufac-
turo of suitable high power riled cannon
for the navy, and that steel Is. the proper
material to be employed in the construction
of such guns is admitted by most naval
men.
1t is also apparent thatia comparatively
small gun is more easily manufactured
than larger one, and that in the endeavor
to effect the production of cannon it would
be best to attempt the smaller calibres first.
Beyond the conversion of certain num-
Der of smooth bore guns into rifles and the
introduction of an excellent form of breech
closure, our guns are in the same state as
they were twenty years ago. The contest
between gun and armor having been deter
mined in favor of the gum it is recon-
mended as preliminary to the proper arma-
ment of the navy that Congress appropriate
for the construction of ten steel guns, for
which estimates are submitted.