Year: 1873

The evidence has also made IL manifest that
posed In him In assigning him the command OF
the expedition; that he was kind, firm and hu-
he i,''S was earnest in his desire desire and in
his attempts to reach q high aorthern
latitude, and, 4 practicable the Pole itseli, and
the expedition. 1t Ii also apparent that Captain
Buddington, who succeeded TO the CHIEF command
on the death OF Captain Hall, proved himself TO bo
good seaman, and thatsln all dangerous positions
in which the Polaris was placed his conduct as ner
commander was skillul and judici0us tue natural
result OF long experience ~ sea anu III commanu


AcKNowIEDoMENT OF SERVICES.


The department takes occasion to express fte
Indebtedness TO the oncials OF the Danish govern
ment in Greenland for their Uniform courtesy 70
with the recent expeditions to the polar seas, and
for the facilities extended to those expeditions to
promote their success.


The secretary says:-l beg to renew the rec0ne
mendations made In my annual reports OF former
that that their resources may be- Increased ana de-.
veloped to meet the emergencies OF those wars to
which even the most peace-lovlng nations are la
BILE, and which are best averted by readiness for
action should they be thrust upon US. At the most
OF our navy yards little could be done during the
past yearbeyond making the repairs to keep them


AT MARE ISLAND


our only naval establishments on the Pacific, the
new dry dock and the iron working shop for con-
struction are well In hand and will add largely TO
Its resources. We have great naval interests on





hope that Congress may strengthen them BY liberal
appropriations to develop this admirably placed
arsenal


AT LEAGUE ISLAND,


in obedience to the injunction OF Congress, the
work OF removing to IL the material and stores OF
the Old Philadelphia navy yard has begnn. The
heavy ordnance, shot and cannon, the anchors
and chain cables and portion OF the ship-DuiId-
ing timber are already transferred massive
docks have been built, and the iounda-
tion o. sti greater establishment
or construction has been begun. 1t Is concusively
determined that there is no difficulty IN finding q
perfectly secure foundation at moderate cost,
odas coV tan at New ss @ or
Of other Of our seaboard navy yards. 1t Is time
that


WE SHOULD CEASE TO HAVE TWO NAVY YARDS AT


PHILADELPHIA,


and that the narrow and cramped yard, so much
needed py the city for lts commerce. should
slowed by Philadelphia and accepted by Congress
with its Impelled obligations. beg to renew my
Recommendation that Congress may cause the old
Navy Yard to be valued, and that 1t advance the
sum expected to accrue from Its sale TO the Navy
prlated within four years on sucn buildings and i'm
provements at League Island as shall authorize the
abandonment OF the old yard. The Treasury then
by its sale will be reimbursed for money advanced
to create new establishment at New York. am
impeled, by recent experience, TO say that trust
that no legislation may interfere with


THE PREsERv ALTON OF THE NEW YORK NAVY YARD


IN ITS PRESENT SITE


and in its integrity. The present moment shows
in the cearest manner how Invaluable this yard Is
to the navy in utilizing in time OF emergencies
the vast naval resources OF construction, equip
ables it to draw from the shipyards docks, machine
shops and stores OF the great city that surrounds
it. teeming with population Of skilled artisans.


THE PENSACOLA NAVY YARD.


think IL very important that the Pensacola
Navy Yard, burned during the rebellion, but with
MANY Of its improvements unharmed. should be in
some degree rebuilt In the event OF complications
IN or near the Gulf OF Mexico or West Indies 1t
would be O station OF vast Importance.


III u


l again call attention to the obligations Of the
government In regard to the naval station at New
by the State. Of q large and valuable property at
this place which has never been utilized t0r
want Of adequate oe
favor Of this site have been frequently pre-
sented, and win only add that all that we have
done there in the past has been done SO well and
SO cbeapiy as to give an earnest for the 1uture,
and indnce the belief that wel-found and sup
Jremely valuable to the service and to the country


PROVIDING FOR TIE ORDNANCE BUREAU.


The Secretary most earnestly recommends that
ample provision be made Tor the support OF the
Ordnance Bureau. in order that nothing may in
terfere with its efforts to supply ships with the


ESTIMATES FOR THE YEAR.


The estimates for the next fiscal year are
ior current repairs Of buildings, docks and Incl.
dental expenses In the navy yards, &c. These
estimates are less than those of last year by rather
more than So 0O0, 000 but they do not include any
extraordinary expenditure for the permanent Inn
provement OF the navy DOR the amounts necessary
either for the repair OF our ironclad feet nor for
the continued prosecution Of some OF the great
works necessary to the proper condition OF our
naval establishments.


gong is general report Of the condition, situa-
ton and movements OF the United States Navy for
present month. Since that time however events
have taken place which made 1t proper that the
navy should be put at once upon footing 70.
the province OF tnis department, as such,
to take part in the conduct Or discussion Of any
time when serious International difficulties are
possible be held to indicate anything more than a
determination on the part OF Q military depart
ment OF the government to be prepared for action
should the necessity for action arise. This s the
present condition OF public affairs, and such Is the
attitude OF the Navy Department.


THE vIRGINIUs DIFFICULTY.


! have felt 1t to be my duty, under the existing
circumstances, TO take promptly every means n
possible condition for immediate and active
service; Ali the power and means OF The depart.
aided at every point by the enthusE.
astic activity Of the officers Of every grade
sns ss0ce ., Rcs o.
even apparent impossbilities, are found to fade
away before determination and organized activity,
and the navy Is already in such y condition that
those to whom our interests and honor are en-
trusted may be relieved from the embarrassments
regarded because thought to be or decens
consideration be mistaken for lear. 1t is neither
nor proper that should enter here
into the details OF our preparations. Suffice IL to
say chat a respectable force Of war vessels and
monitors Is already on the sea and concentrating
at the station nearest the scene of our possible
diniculties; that our whole available iron-ciad ieet
Is in hand, and every war vessel that will float In
active preparation at the various naval
stations. These will be ready for sea,
fully fitted, as fast as proper crews can
be provided for them, and II the necessity for ac-
ton should come before the time for IL arrives, all
there Is of the American Navy which can be put
afoat on the Atlantic Ocean will be In q condition
and position to take It's proper part. Inadequate
as this force may be deemed to the responsibilities
and pretentions OF government like ours, and
greatly at disadvantage, rs we certainly will be,
In respect to the number and character OF our
vessels In contest with the fleets OF any re-
spectacle naval power, ! believe that the
activity, skill, science and experience OF our navy
Will be found equal to any difficulty which courage
care to meet or energy will avail to conquer. They
are thoroughly imbued with the spirit educated in
the details, and experienced In the warike duties
OF their profession, skilled in the use OF all the
terrible Yeapnns which scienca has prQYlded