The Dickinson press., 1884-12-06
THE NAVY.
b E CRuIsERA

The report of the secretary of the navy ex-
hibits the progress which has been made on
the new steel cruisers authorized by the acts
of Aug. s, 1882, and March 80, 1883. or
the four vessels under contract one, the Chi
finished; the Atlanta, 5000 tons, has been
successfully launched, and her machinery Is
now fitting; the Boston, also of 5000 lions.
is ready for launching; and The Dolphin, q
dispatch steamer Of 500 tons, is ready for
the designs of these cruisers are discussed by
the secretary, who insists that the correct
ness Of the conclusions reached by the adj
visory board and the department has been
demonstfatedby ecentdevelopmen in ship
double turreted monitors, Puritan, Terror
and Amphitrite, contracted for under the
act of March 3, 1883, is in process Of con-
struction. No work has been done during
the past year on their armor, for lack of the
itor, the Monadnock, still remains IN
finished at then navy yard in California It is
recommended that early steps be taken to
complete these vessels. and to provide also
an armament for the monitor M~lantonomah.
The recommendations of the naval advisory
prise the construction of n steel cruiser OF
$500 tons, one cruiser of 5000 tons, two
heavy-armed gunboats, n light cruising
gunboat, n dispatch vessel armed with
Hotohkiss cannon one armed ram and three
torpedo boats. The general designs, all Of
which are calculated to meet the existing
wants OF the service, are now we'll advanced,
and the construction Of the vessels can be
undertaken as soon as you shall grant the
necessary authority.
THE ARCTIC EXPEDITIONS
The act OF congress approved Aug 4, 1882,
authorized the removal to the United States
of the bodies of Lieutenant Commander q.
w. De Long and his companions of the Jean
nette expedition. The removal has been sue
cessfully accomplished. The remains were
taken from their grave in the Lena delta. in
March, 1883. but were retained at Yakutsk
until the following winter, the season being
too far advanced to admit of their immediate
transportation They arrived at New York
Feb. 20, 1884, where they were received
with suitable honors. In pursuance of the
Joint resolution Of congress approved Feb.
IS, 1884, o naval expedition was fitted
out for the relief of Lieut. A w. Greedy,
United States army, and of the party who
had been engaged under his command in
bay. The feet consisted of the steam
sealer Thetis, purchased in England; the
Bear, purchased at st. John's, Newfound.
land, and the Alert, which was generously
provided by the British government Prep
arations for the expedition were promptly
made by the secretary Of the navy, with the
active cooperation OF the secretary Of war.
Commander George w. Coffin wal placedin in,
command of the Alert, and Lieut. w. H. En-
cry in command Of the Bear. The Thet;s
was tntrusted to Commander Winfield s.
Schley, to whom also was assigned the su-
p~erintendence of the entire expedition. I'm
mediately upon Its arrival at Upernavik,
the feet began the dangerous navigation of
Melville bay, and in spite of every obstacle,
reached Littleton island on June %, a
fortnight earlier than any vessel had be-
fore attained that point On the same day it
crossed over to Cape Sabine. where
Lieut. Greeley, and other survivors of
his party were discovered After taking on
the relief ships sailed for st. Johns, where
they arrived on July IL. They We're appro-
priately received at Portsmouth, N. H., on
Aug. 1, and at New York on Aug. 8. One of
the bodies was landed at the former place.
The others were put on shore at Governors
island, and with the exception of one.
which was inferred in the national cemetery,
were forwarded thence to The destination in
dicated by friends. The organization and
conduct Of the relief expedition reflects
great credit upon all who contributed to lis
success. In this, the last Of the state meg
sages that / shall have the honor to transmit
to the congress of the United States, 1 can
not too strongly urge IN Its attention the
duty OF restoring our navy as rapidly as pos
stble to the high state of efficiency which
formerly characterized it As the long peace
that has lulled us into q sense of fancied Sc
curity, may at any time be disturbed. it is
plain thai the policy OF Strengthening
this arm of the service is dictated by consfu.
erations, of use economy, of just regard for
tion of the dignity n honor Of this repub-