Omaha daily bee., 1884-12-02
THE NAVY.

Thu report Of the secretary of the navy ex-
hibits the progress which has been made on
the new eteel cruisers authorized by the acts
of August 5. 1882, and March 8, 1888, of the
four vessels under contract. One, the Chicago,
of 4, 500 tons, is more than half finished; the
Atlanta, 5000 tons, has been successfully
launched, and her machinery is now fitting,
the Boston, also of 5000 tons, is ready for
launching, and the Dolphin, ad,spatch steamer
of l 500 tons. is ready for delivery. Certain
adverse criticisms upon the designs of these
cruisers ara di ,cussed by the secretary, who
insists that the correctness of the conclusions
reached by the advisory board and by the de-
ps@sment have been demonstrated by recent
development in ship building abroad. The
machinery of tho double turreted monitors
Puritan, Terror and Amphitrite, contracted
for under the act of Marcl 3, 1888, is in pro.
cess of construction. No work has been done
during, the past year on their armor,
atoms. A fourth monitor, the Mon
adnOck, still remains unfinished
Sat the navy yard in California. 1t is recon-
mended that early steps be taken to complete
these vessels and to provide also az armament
for the monitor Miantonomah. The recon
mendation of the naval advisory board, ap.
proved by the department. comprise the con.
struction of one steel cruiser of 4, 500 tons, one
cruiser of 5000 tons, two heavily armed gun
boats, one light cruising gunboat, one de-
spatch vessel armed with Hotchkiss cannon,
one armed ram and three torpedo bo Is, the
general designs, all of which are calculated to
meet the existing wants of the service are
now well advanced, and the construction of
the vessels can be undertaken as soon as you
shall grant the necessary authority.
\ ARCTIC EXPEDITIONS.
The act of congress approved August Z, 1882,
authorized the removal to the United States
of the bodies of Lieutenant Commander Geo.
w. belong and his companions of the
Jeanette expedition. This removal has
been successfully accomplished by Lieutenants
Harder and Scheut 70. The remains were
t.ken from their graves In the Lena delta in
March, 1883, and 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
February 20, 1884, where they were received
with suitable honors.
In pursuance of the joint resolution OF
congress, approved February 10, 1884, q naval
expedition was fitted out for the relief of
Lieutenant w. q eeley, United States
army, and of the party who had been engaged
under his command in scientific observations in
Lady Franklin Bay. Tn feet consisted of
the steam sealer Thetis, purchased in Eng
land; the Bear, purchased mt st Johns, N.
r.; and tbs Alert, which WIS generously pro-
vided by the British government. Prepare
ito ls for the expedition were promptly made
by the secretary Of the navy, with the active
cooperation of the secretary OF war. Com
mander Geo. w. Coffin, was placed in COM
maud of the Alert, and Lieutenant w. Ill.
Emory in command of the Bear. The Thetis
WAS entrusted to Commander Winfield S.
CoDley, to whom so was assigned the super
intendency of the eutire expedition. lmme-
diately upon its arrival at Upernairk the fleet
began the dangerous navigation OF Melville
Bay, and in spite of every obstacle reached
Littleton Island on june p, a fortnight
earlier than any vessel had before attained
= that point. Tn the Same day, it crossed over
to Cape Sabine, where Lieutenant Greedy anc
cred, After taking on board the living and
ths bodies of the dead the relief ships sailed
for st. Johns where they arrived on July IL.
They were appropriately received at Ports
m,uth, N. H., on August LIST, and at New
York on August 9Th. One o.
the bodies was landed o.
the former place, the others were put on shore
at Governors Islands and with the exception
of one which was interred in the national Gem
u cry, were forwarded thence to the destina
ton lndic ated by friends. The organization
ana conduct of this relief expedition reflect
great credit upon all who contributed to IL
success. II.
In this the last of the stated messages tina
shall have the honor to transmit to the con
.ress Of the United States, L csnnot. to-
strongly urge on its attenti m the duty OF re
storing our navy as rapidly as possible to tn
highest state of efficiency which formerl!
characterized it. As the long peace that ha
lulled us into a sense of fsncied security ma.
at any time be disturbed, it ia plain that tn
p.licy Of strengthening this arm Of the seryic
IL dictated by considerations OF use OF econ
omy, of lust regard for our future tranqulit.
aad honor Of the republic.