SBSCN PEACOCK. Editor. ,
VOLUME XX.—NO. 205.
3teport of the Secretary ef the Navy.
Navy Department, Deoember 3,1866.
i Sib: I have tbe honor to present the annual
leport of the condition and ooeration of this
-department and of thenavy during the year,
*The reduction of the naval force at home
and the establishment and re-enforcement
i -of the,squadrons abroad, with the repairing
: -and placing in efficient condition the vessels
and ..machinery which had becomeworn
- and defeotiye .by long and constant hard
usage, have continued to be objects of para
• mount importance in the administration, of
? 3Mival affairs since my lasi annual report;
. When the war terminated, which had de
i veloped the energies and the resources of
the country, and so stimulated the activity
- and inventive powers of our countrymen'as
• to have given extraordinary efficiency to the
- mavy, this department ’became . relieved of
.. some of the labor and much of the responsi
. Jjility which for four y ears had commanded
. its unremitting attention. But to reduce the
immense armament which the exigencies o:
the period and the power of the government
bad called into existence, to discontinue the
blockading squadrons, to dispose of the large
number of captured and purchased vessels
which had been used for war purposes, to
’ -discharge and retire the volunteers from
Bervice, to suspend the work which had
, been commenced for increasing the navy,
, to contract within proper limits our naval
force, which, during the war, had assumed
a magnitude that gave us foremost rank
among naval powers, while yet plaoing our
navy upon a substantial but economical
■ peace establishment, involved no incon
siderable amount of labor and responsibility,
ns well as of judgment and discrimination.
While these reductions from the war
Standard have continued to occupy the at
tention and the efforts of this department
during the year, it has also been vigilant to
and re-establish efficientsquadrons
abroad, and for the protection of American
interests, and the assertion of American
.lights,'to have one or more of our vessels
visit every important point which our com
merce has penetrated.
Not until after the fall of Fort Fisher, did
the department spare any labor or effort to
strengthen and increase our naval ppwer;
but down to that period it was pressing for
ward with the same energy and determina
tion in the construction of additional vessels
and machinery, and in prqcuringadditional
ordnance supplies and munitions, as during
any period of the war.
The possession'of the Mississippi river
and its tributaries had justified the diminu
: Hon ofthe naval force which was made on
our internal waters at an earlier period, al-'
though" an efficient and well-organized
eqHadron continued to patrol those rivers
an til the rebellion was ; wholly suppressed.
• ; At the close of the. war the government
bad at its command an immense navy,com
posed partly of vessels built for fighting pur-.
: poses, and partly of vessels which had Been
;capturedor were purchased from the com
mercial marine and armed for the service,
n Ctontiaotafor new-yesselß which had.baen
commenced, and for engines which , are in
the course of construction, must necessarily
go forward to completion; but as far as has
been practicable, all such work in the navy
yards sad elsewhere has been suspended.
At the earliest moment consistent with the
public interest, most of the captured and
' purchased vessels were sold and returned
-to tbe merchant service, from which they
had been originally procured. They thus,
after having been used to suppress the re
hellion,, are contributing in a measure to
wards , re-establishing commercial and
social relations among the States which had
Been arrayed in conflict. Some naval- built
steamers, hastily constructed for war .pur
poses, which there was no object in farther
. retaining, have also, from time to time as
-opportunity presented, been put ,in the
market and. sold to advantage. In this
manner and by these means our large navy
has been reduced : and brought within
the limits of a' proper peace establishment.
, The naval stations which were established
at various points on the: southern , coast to
promote the efficiency of the blockade have
Been discontinued, and the supplies: which
were on hand when the blockade was raised
And the squadrons were -withdrawn have
Been sold or transferred elsewhere, as the
. public interest required. The reduction of
these stations has been effected as economi
-cally and with as little waste as was possible.
Fmdence required that a naval .force
-Should ! continue for a period to-line our
-coast, in order to prevent any renewal of.
Bostilities, or any farther infraction of the
laws. .Happily no contingency has arisen
-calling for naval interposition, and it: is a
: snbjeet of congratulation that: since -the sur
render of the armies; and the termination of
■i thei blaokade, tranquillity .has pervaded the
>: States which were.in rebellion., The people
; .lately, iniasurreetion have peacefully;sub
mitted to the result of. the war, ac
, cepted its legal consequences, acquiesced
.in;tbe decision against secession, and ac
knowledged: their, allegiance to the Constl
xution and government of the Union. Some
.discontent has been: exhibited in conse-
quence of the attempts to impose upon this
portion of our countrymen, since their sub
, mission, terms which are regarded as in the
mature of ex post facto laws, v and,to’enforce
en the States, as a'condition precedent to
: their resumption of their rights under the
■Constitution, the adoption :of an amend
, Jnent to that instrument, ,in the preparation
And presentment of whioh they had no yoico
. > .:-jer representation,and whioh, if incorporated
, into the organic-law, is conceded as chang-:
ing in essential respects the character of the
government.: That they and others should
-object to and oppose such a measure is not
, surprising. So far as they areconeerned it
-conflicts with the acknowledged truth that
cgovernment derives its just powers from the
•consent of the governed, and °it conflicts
-equally with the method prescribed by the
:'Constitution for the initiation and stfbmis-
Bion to the States of all amendments to the
; fundamental... law. Yet never, perhaps, in
the annals.of the world, have, the. inhabi
tants of such an extent of . country, pre
viously aocustomed to self-government, so
-Boon and so generally submitted to the re-
Bults brought uponthem by defeat. : Intem
perate language has been uttered by-violent
And,inconsiderate partisans, but peaceable
, Acquiescence has generally prevailed for the
. .last eighteen months through the South, A
, -domestic disturbance of. a local character,
Laving its origin in a controversy concern
ing the State government, broke into ala
.-./ mentable riot at New Orleans, which was
npeediiy . suppressed: without ; assistance
: from the naval vessels,:/ which were ;itt
• aront of the city, and ready "to. vender aid
j OL squired. There was not. then, nor , has
i? 66 ® to fl ny quarter, resistance tP, the
■ authority; nor have thereiheen any
.. of the - anticipated outbreaks such., as in
■, -ether countries have followed the. disband
ing of‘great armies, and which it was ap
prehended might require-not only military
,- lbnt naval force to overcome. The,rebellion
■■•■ i Being suppressed, and the canse or pretext
which led to it extinguished, there has been
no Obstacle to the re-establishment of the
Union and the restoration of fraternal rela
tions, save the passions and resentments in
cident to a civil war. Gradually oar home
squadrons have been diminished and finally
wholly withdrawn, except a force which
has been and is maintained in the Golf with
reference as much to foreign as domestic af
fairs.
GENEBAB EXHIBIT OF THE NAVY.
The total number of vessels in the navy at
this time is two’ hundred and seventy-eight,
armed with two thousand three hundred
and fifty-one guns. Of these, there are .in
commission and on active duty one hun
dred and fifteen vessels, carrying one thou-"
sand and twenty-nine guns. The following
general exhibit gives, in detail a statement
of the character and condition of the naval
force: -
No. Quns.
"Vessels insquadron service, - 69 694.
Vessels on special service, - - 9 83
Vessels on service at home sta
tions, r including receiving
. ships, Naval Academy, navy ■
yard duty, &c., - - - 37 252
Total number of vessels in com
mission, - , - ■ - - 115 1,029
Iron-clad vessels laid np, - 54 147
i Iron-dad vessels not completed 7 40
Steam vessels not completed, - 19 386.
Sailing vessels not completed
(old line of-battle ships;, - 2
Wooden vessels laid np, repair
ing, fitting for Bea, and forsale 81 749
Total number of vessels <fe guns, 278 2,351
The total number of seamen in the naval
and coast survey service is about 13,600 men,
THE SQUADBONS.
In the spring of 1865, measures were taken,
while reducing our naval force and disband
ing our blockading fleets, to re-establish
our foreign squadrons, which had been re
called in the spring of 1861. For four years
our commercial interests had necessarily
been left almost without other protection
than such as could be rendered by a few
isolated cruisers, which represented us at
remote points. But the display of the flag of
the Union in foreign ports and on distant
seas, even at long intervals, by a roving
man-of-war, was an admonition of the naval
power of the republic, which though em
ployed for the time in aiding to suppress
domestic difficulties, it was well understood
wonld be prompt and efficient in vindicating
the rights and Interests of our countrymen.
Before the. close of the year in which the
rebellion. waBsuppressed,ourforeignsqnad
rons were re-established, and the admirals
in command on their respective stations.
These squadrons have been from time to
time augmented, and, with a degree of ac
tivity and energy never before exhibited,
. have, by one or moreof their vessels, during
the year visited nearly every principal port
of the world. The views of the department
enjoining activity, and the exhibition of the
.flag of our navy wherever onr commerce
penetrated, have been faithfully observed,
and the reappearance of onr men-of-war
has been welcomed, not only by onr coun
try® eß,butbythepeople of every nation
which they have visited.
ETJBOPKAN SQUADRON.
The restrictions imposed upon American
armed ships during the rebellion, by the
great maritime powers of Southern Europe,
virtually excluded our naval vessels fijpm
the ports of those countries. When Bear-
Admiral Goldsborongh received his orders,
these restrictions had not been removed,
and, avoiding for .the time the ports and
•countries from which our men-of-war had
been excluded,he established his headquar
ters at Lisbon.
. . This squadron, which is -still commanded
by Bear-Admiral Goldsborongh,- is com
posed of the following vessels:
Guns.
Colorado,flag-ship, 48 Canandaigua,
Ticonderoga, -11 Frolic,
Augusta, - -10 Miantonomoh,
Swatara, - - .'0 Guard, -
Shamrock, - -10 Ino, -
The limits of this squadrom embrace the
Mediterranean, the western coast of Europe,
i and Africa as far south as St. Paul de Lo
ando. Great activity has been exhibited by
most of the vessels, some of which have
visited the principal ports of the Baltio and
the Mediterranean, as well as those on the
Atlantic. Except, when important public
interests or some unavoidable circumstance
has rendered their presence in port indis
pensable, the ships nave been almost con
stantly cruising. In pursuance of the sys
- tern of active operations adopted by the de
partment when re-establishing the foreign
squadrons, lengthy anchorages and cruising
. collectively, have been avoided. .
These naval representatives of .our coun
try were warmly welcomed by the different
nationalities, and more extended commer
cial -and.friendly intercourse was.invited.
The appearance of our naval vessels gave
confidence , wherever they went, and en
couragement-to. the. immense emigration
which, like an irresistible current, flows
withincreasing volume westward; especially
from Northern Europe.
On the decks of one or more of the vessels
of this Bquadrpn the sovereigns, or Bome re
. presentative of the reigning families, and
, the people, of most of the maritime powers
, .of Europe have,- during the, year, received
an dinterchanged courtesies withourofficers.
- All expressed their gratification with the re
appearance pf our flag-in their waters, and
extended their congratulations on the return
of peace and the retoration of the Union.’
When the nsual tranquillity,of any of those
countries bas been disturbed by wars and
revolutions, the appearance of our flag has
imparted security to our citizens there lo
cated. Inthe early part of the year the
distnrbed condition of Spain, and daring
the summer the war. between Austria and
Prussia and Italy, excited lively interest..
An ample force during those peripds was'
maintained on the Spanish coast, and the
German ports were visited. When agitations
and revolutions ceased in .one quarter, and
peace was restored.in the other, the active
- movements of the squadron were resumed.
The Ticonderoga passed the Dardanelles
and went up,to.the capital of Turkey On the
7 th of September.-, The anohorage of a man
of-war of her dimensions in the Bosphorus,
before the. palace of; the Saltan, had not
been permitted to.the naval -vessels of any
other power since the treaty pf, 1856. The
•officers were received by the Sultan and
people in the most cordial manner, and the
vessel was vistted hy the* grand vizier, his
minister Of foreign affairs and others of his
cabinet,and by the members of the diploma
ticcorps at Constantinople. Qaher arrival at
Tripoli on the 18th of October-she was re
ceived with marked courtesy -by. his High
ness Prince Pasha and the officials in the
place, i, Our consul there reports that the
.visit had a most happy, effeot, none of onr
men-of-war having visited- theplace for
several years.
- -The shores of Greece, the Syrian coast, the
; Barbery States, and the settlements on the
northwest coast of r Africa aooessible to onr
have received, due attention,
i . \ H >’
PHILADELPHIA, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4,1866.-TRIPLE SHEET.
and friendly relations have been cultivated
in all'those quarters.
The large emigration to our shores from
Germany and Northern Europe rendered it
important that special attention should be
directed to that quarter. Early in the spring
the department had made preparations to
send out the turreted iron-clad. Miantono
moh, accompanied by the steamer Augusta,
to join the European squadron. Before
these vessels /were .ready to sail, Congress,
passed the resolution approved May 16,1866,
greeting the Emperor, and congratulating
the people of Russia on the escape of.Ms
Imperial Majesty from assassination. A
request that the President should forward a
copy of this resolution to the, Empeor, fol
lowed by the authorized appointment of an
additional Assistant Secretary of the Navy for
six months, led to the designation of Assist
ant Secretary G. Y. Fox to bear to his Impe
rial Majesty the resolution of Congress., fie
was authorized to take passage in the Mlan
tonomoh,which vessel, with her companion,
the Augusta, was directed, before reporting
to Keaf-Admiral Goldsborough, to proceed
to Crohstadt to carry out the. purpose of
Congress. In compliance with these orders
those vessels have visited the Baltio, and
have also entered the principal ports from
Crohstadt to Lisbon, including the capitals
of Sweden and Benmark.
The reception of this forcce wherever it
has appeared, and especially in Kossia,
where all classes were impressed with the
friendly sympathy evinced by our govern
memment toward the Emperor and people,
was of a most flattering character. The
Assistant Secretary and the officers
of the navy were welcomed with festi
vities ' and' extraordinary , courtesy
and* attention for a successsion of
days not only at St. Petersburg, but at Mos
cow, and throughout the empire, and warm
friendship was everywhere manifested for
our conntry and people.
Great courtesy has been shown the squad
ron in the ports of those countries from
which our men-of-war had for several years
been excluded, and every facility has been
extended in their dockyards and elsewhere
for the accommodation and repairs of any
of our vessels.-
Contagious disease has prevailed at many
places whioh our vessels could not visit un
less required to do so by absolute necessity.
In order that the activity and service of
this and all squadrons may be known and
appreciated, an enumeration of the ports
which they have respectively visited is
given.
. Burtng the year the flag of the navy has
been shown at Queenstown, Kingston, Bel?
fast, Liverpool, Swansea, Falmouth,Ports
mouth, Southampton, Plymouth, Sbeer
nesB,Bpithead, Chatham, and other points
in Great Britain; Marseilles, Toulon, Brest,
Cherbourg, L’Orient. Rochefort, Lormont
near'-Bordeaux, and Villa Franca, in
France; Barcelona, Malaga, Carthagena,
Corunna, Valencia, Gibraltar, Terragona,
Cadiz, Ferrol, Port Mahon, Vigo, and other
ports in Spain; Lisbon and Oporto, in Por
tugal; Messina, Palermo, ana Syracuse, in
Bi3ly; Naples, Spezzia, Leghorn, and Civita
Veccbia, in ' Italy; Milo, Athens, and
Pirams,in Greece;.Constantinople, and the
islands of Candia and Cyprus, in - the
Turkish dominions; Syria, Bey rout, Trieste,
Venice, Alexandria, Tripoli, Tunis, Algiers,
Tangiers, Antwerp, Kiel, Hamburg, Flush
ing, Nieuwe-Diep, Sierra Leone, Monrovia,
the Cape de Verd Islands, the Canaries, the
Azores, Porto Praya, St. lago, the ports on
the Elbe and Weser, in Germany, and many
others of leseer note.
The Asiatic squadron Unbraces the eastern
coast of Africa and Asia, and the islands
which stud the seas and ocean eastward of
ibe Cape of Good Hope. The squadron is
commanded by Rear Admiral H. H. Bell,
who reached Batavia, within the limits of
bis command, on the 2Sth of Becember, l'S65.
The vessels of the squadron are—
Guns.
-9
- 5
-4
- 3
-3
Guns.!
Hartford, flagship, 23 Shenandoah,
Wachusett, - - -10 Wyoming, - - - 7
Mcnocaoy, - - -10 Supply, - - - - 6
Abhuelot, - - - 10'Reiief, - - - - 3
All the open ports of China, including
some ■which no American man-of-war had
ever entered, have been vi3ited by the ves
sels of this squadron. Hear-Admiral Bell
in April proceeded to Canton, where he had
a friendly reception end an agreeable inter
view with the governor general oftheQuan
tung provinces. The disposition manifested
toward our country and countrymen was of
a gratifying character. Unlike the great
maritime nations of Europe, the Chinese
government and people gave no encourage
ment or recognition to the rebels in their
war upon the Union.
‘ American residents in that distant quar
ter of the globe have not been interfered
with in tbeir legal pursuits, or molested by
the natives, 1 save in a single instance. The
exception was that of the United States
Consul at New Chwang, who was assaulted
by a party of dissolute characters. The
Watshusett was despatched in June to that
port for the purpose of securing the arrest
and punishment of- the parties who were
engaged in the outrage, By the considerate,
yet f determined 'course of Commander
Townsend, the ; tried of eight of them was
secured and conviction followed. The ninth,
and chief instigator, Whom the authorities
seemed powerless to arrest, was seized by
Commander Townsend and delivered over
for trial.
The increase or renewal of piracy in the-
Chinese waters has rendered the institution
of decisive and vigorous measures for its
arrest a necessity., Hear-Ad miral Bell has
been fully authorized to act in concert with
the naval commanders of other' nations on
that station, in the suppression of piratical
depredations.
The small number of our vessels in those
waters—as compared with the English and
French fleets—as well as the size of our
ships, has not admitted of enlarged and
complete arrangements' for pursuing the
lawless depredators, who seek shelter among
the - shoaled and: most intricate waters. A.
class of smaller vessels will soon re-enforce
this squadron. In the meantime, Rear-Ad
miral Bell is giving his earnest efforts to
this great, object, and the force under his
command is . under orders to pursue with
vigor and destroy all piratical vessels, and
deliver the. captured freebooters to the au
thorities at thenearest consular ports.
Dtiring the summer, Rear-Admiral Bell
has visited the several open ports of Japan
in his flag-ship the Hartford, taking with
him. one or more of the other vessels of his
squadron. Hepassed through the Straits of
Simonpsaki and ; the inland sea, where! no
American man-of-war had been since 1863.
There were apprehensions that he might meet
with some opposition in that quarter in con
sequence of the rebellious attitude of the
ASIATIC SQUADRON.
While 'Waiting thedecision of the courts
in the Case of these outlaws, Commander
Townsend, at. the request of the Chinese
customs authorities, availed himself of the
occasion to survey the bar at the mouth of
the Lian river. The channel was ascertained
and buoyed for the benefit of the commeroe
of the world.
onufEom ooumby,
Prince of Nagote towards the government
of the Tycoon and the existence of war be
tween them. He met with none, however,
and the passage was made quietly, without
holding communication with the citizens of
the disaffected province, in accordance with
his determination announoed to the governor
of Nagasaki before departing from that port.
This pass te an important onerto the com
merce of the United States, and the passage
of onr. vessels through it, during a season of
hostility, indicates that there is a disposition
on the part of the people of Japan to recip
rocate, the kind feelings which we entertain
towards them and to respect our flag.
. The manifestations of the Japanese
towards Americans have been more friendly
than to any other nation. While Europeans
were, excluded from intercourse with
them, they entered into treaties with
the United . States and opened
their ports to our trade. It is important in
every point of view that, these amicable re
lations should be cultivated and sustained,
and that there should he. no aggressive act
on our part to interrupt or disturb them.;
In the not distant future it will be of im
portance to this country to secure the com
merce of Japan, and we should not permit
ourselves to become complicated in the con
troversies of other powers with this peculiar
people. Such is the /policy of this depart
ment.
The Shenandoah on her way.to the Asiatlo
coast visited many points, after- leaving the.
Cape of Good Hope, unfrequented by ves
sels of the United States Navy. The inter
course between the officers and the autho
rities in all instances was mutually
pleasant. ■ While at Tamatav, in
the island of Madagascar, Captain
Goldsborough, in company with the
United States consul and a large number of
officers of the Shenandoah, mad&an official
visit to the governor of the province, by
whom, surrounded by his counsellors, he
was received in the council chamber. The
governor expressed his gratification and
pleasure in seeing an American vessel-of
war for the first time in a port of Madagas
car, and offered any assistance in his power
which the vessel might require. The treat
ment received from the natives was most
kind and hospitable.
Proceeding np the Arabian sea the She
nandoah anchored in the cove of
Muscat on the 15th of September last,
where she remained until' the 18th.
Immediately on the arrival of the
vessel an officer came on board with the
compliments of the Iman, to■ extend wel
come to the port, to offer the facilities of the
place, and to express the desireof his High
ness to exchange the customary courtesies.
A salute of twenty-one gnus was fired by
the Shenandoah, and promptly returned.
The commanding officer and others of the
vessel called on the Iman, who, surrounded
by the governor of the province, the coun
cillors of state and several military officers,
received them in a dignified manner. The
Iman was particular in his inquiries as to
the health of the President and the people
of the United States, with whom he hoped
to be always on terms of peace. There are
no American residents at this place, but our
commerce, which we desire to encourage
and extend to every sea, was not absent
from this distant quarter, there being two
vessels at the time belonging to onr coun
trymen waiting cargoes in the cove of
Muscat.
. During the greater part of the year the
service required of the navy on the North
Atlantic coast and in the West Indies has
been divided between three squadrons, but
on tbe Ist of November last the Atlantic
coast and West India squadrons were con
solidated, and thereafter designated the
North Atlantic squadron, the combined .
forces being commanded by Rear-Admiral
Palmer. The vessels are as follows:
Quns. Guns.
Rhode Island, flag- Cbickopee, - - 10
ship, - ' - 12 MonoDgahela, - 9
Osceola, - - 10 DeSoto, - - 9
Saco, - - 12 Bienville, - - 9
Mackinaw, - - 10 Yantic, - - 9
Winooski, - - 10 Conemaugh, - S
Agawam, - -10 Florida, - - 6
Lena pee, - - 10 Daffodil, - - 1
Until the union of the West India and
Atlantic coast squadrons,the former was un
der the command of Rear Admiral Palmer,
and the latter under Commodore Joseph
Lanmah, The vessels of these squadrons,be
sides guarding the coast, have visited the
following points outside tbe United States:
Havana, St. Jago de Cuba, Matanzas, Ba
hia Honda Caye, Cardenas, and the princi
pal cays and islands on the. north side of
Cuba; the' Anguilla group, the Cayman is
lands, Bermuda,St. Thomas,Fort au Prince
and Cape Haytien, in Hayti: St. Domingo
city; St. John’s, and Mayaguez, in Porto
Rico; Kingston and Port Royal, in
'Jamaica;. Santa Cruz, St. Christopher,
Nevis, Antigua, and St. Bartholomew’s, of
the Leeward islands; Barbadoes, Trinidad,
Martinique, Tobago, St. Lucia, and St. Vin
cent, of the Windward islands; Demarara,
in British Guiana; La Guayra and Porto
Cabello, in Venezuela; Curacoi, and the
island of Nevaza. Some of these points
have Belaom or never before been visited by
an American man-of-war. There has
always been a vessel at Aspinwall, prepared
tb give assistance and protection to the im
mense number of our countrymen, and'the
vast wealth crossing the isthmus. A portion
of the squadron has been on the northeastern
coast, and visited Halifax, St. John’s, Pie
ton, the Magdalen group, Prince Edward’s
Island, and other points. •
Revolutionary movements And civil dis
turbances in Hayti and St, Domingo, which
threatened to place in jeopardy the lives and
property of American residents, or made
them apprehensive of danger, have bailed
for visitations of our naval vessels and the
exhibition of the flag at frequent intervals
in those quarter. There has, however,been
no occasion for interference, for the rights of
our countrymen have been respected,
- Rear-Admiral Palmer, in April last, was
ordered from the West Indies with a portion
of his command to the northern Unfits of his
station, in consequence, of apprehensions
then prevalent in regard to the condition
and treatment of our fishermen on the east
ern coast. But the liberal and conciliatory
policy of the English government dissipated
all apprehended difficulties, and the ques-
In May last the headquarters of the squadr
ron were removed from Macao and re-es
tablished at Hong-Kong,which is considered
the most convenient and best adapted lo
cality for that purpose.
The following ports, among others, have
been visited by the vessels of Rear-Admi
ral Bell’s command: Macao, Swatow, Amoy,
Foo-Chow, Ningpo, Shanghai, Whampoa,
Canton, New Chwang, Chee-Foo,. Tang-
Chow and Taskee. in China; the ports of
Japan; Manilla, in the Philippine islands;
Ambong, in Borneo, and Batavia. On her
way out the Shenandoah touched at Fayal,
Funchal, Santa Cruz, Porto grande, Porto
Pray a, Simcnßtown.Mauritus, Tamatav, in
MadagascarjlMah£, one of the Seychelles
group; Muscat, in Arabia; Bombay, Ceylon,
Calcutta, Penang and Singapore.
SOUTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON,
1. , „
tions were early in such train, of
adjustment that no necessity arose
requiring the presence of a naval
force on the fishing banks, other threaten
ing questions were also quietly disposed of.
IJuringthe summer, AdmiralPalmervisited
Halifax, in the steamer Rhode Island, and
the Winooski in . June and. July made a
cruise among the fishing fleets in the Gulf
of St.Tiawtence. Our citizens engaged in
thefisheries were found pursuing their,
avocation quietly, and good feeling between
them and their neighbors, prevailed. The
intercourse between the officers of our ser
vice and the - authorities at the British
ports visited was most friendly, and the
former were the recipients of gratifying at
tentions. \
The vessels on the West India station
were instructed to exercise vigilance in de
tecting slavers and preventing the slave
trade, provided any remains of
that nefarious traffic still existed. But no,
captures have been made, and it is to be
hoped this infamous. trade is extinguished.,
SOUTH ATLANTIC SQUADKON.
The Bouih Atlantic squadron, which em
braces the southeastern coast of South
America, and the west coast of Africa from
the Cape of Good Hope to St. Paul de Loan
do, iscommanded, as at the date of the last
annual report, by Rear Admiral Godon.
guns . guns.
Brooklyn,flagship, 21 Nipslc, - - -' - 8
- - - lSlShawmut, - - - 6
Juniata,
Shamokin, - - 101 Wasp, - - - * 3
Kansas, - - - 9 Onward, - - - - 3
The vessels of this squadron have, daring
the year.visited Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, St.
Catharine’s, Ceara, Maranham, Per
nambuco and Santos, in Brazil;
Buenos Ayres and Bosario, ih the Argen
tine Republic; Montevideo, Colonia, and
Pasandre, two hundred miles up the Uru
guay river, in Uruguay; Concepcion, in
Paraguay; St. Paul de Loando, Benguela,
Little and Great Fish bays, and other points
on the coast of Africa, the Falkland islands
and St. Helena.
The duties of this command have been
faithfully and promptly performed, without
any extraordinary incident to record. The
re-establishment of the squadron in that
quarter has been productive of
friendly and beneficial intercourse
between the officers and seamen of our ser
vice and these of other powers in whose
waters our vessels have appeared. Riode
Janeiro has been selected as the headquar
ters of the squadron, and at St. Paul de
Loando, which is now embraced within its
limits, a joint depot of stores and supplies
for the South Atlantic and European squad
rons has been established. It is believed
that so far as the former squadron, particu
larly, is concerned, the arrangement will be
£ reductive of economy, and that advantage
i to . flow from embracing a portion of the
southwest coast of Africa and. the east coast
of Sbuth America in one squadron. The
saving of fuel—one of- the most costly arti
cles on our foreign stations—is a subject
worthy of the closest attention, and is one of
the objects which the department had in
view in fixing the present limits of the
squadrons. A vessel taking its departure
from some point on the southeast coast of
South America can run before the wind,over
to the African coast, follow that coast under
steam to the depot at St Paul, and then take
the vade-winds back to the coast of BraziL
The Juniata arrived at Rio on the 16th of
September, having made a successful cruise
to the southwest coast of Africa. The in
formation obtained by ber goes far to con
firm the impressions that the maintenance
of a permanent sqnadron on the African
coesl will no longer be required. But one
slaver bad been fitted out on the southern
coast of Africa within the past year, and she
had been captured on the coast of Cuba with
her cargo. It was the opinion of
officials at Loando;- including the French
admiral on that station, that the slave trade
bad expired, and that this blot on civiliza
tion haa become at lasta matter of history.
In assigning to the European and South
Atlantic squadrons the duties heretofore
performed by -what was known and main
tained as the African squadron, that distinct
organization has been dispensed with, and
tie service is more economically performed.
The prevailing war between the allied
powers of Brazil, Uruguay and the Argen
tine Bepublic and Paraguay has rendered it
adv issble to keep one ormore vessels in the
vicinity of the La Plata. The flag-ship has
been most of the time in that locality, and
American citizens and .interests have re
ceived due care and attention, aid and en
couragement being alwaysneakat hand and
ready to be extended in their behalf.
In April last Bear Admiral Godon as
cended the Uruguay river as far as Pasan
dre, some two hundred miles above Monte
video. «>.
NORTH PACIFIC SQUADRON.
The extensive limits of the Pacific squad
ron, and the important and rapidly increas
ing American interests on the’western coast
of this continent, which require to be pro
tected, rendered a division of the naval force
advisable. By this division- the North
Pacifio squadron was made to embrace the
coast of North America and the Sandwich
Islands, and was plaoed under the com
mand of Bear Admiral Thatcher. This
officer hoisted his flag at San Francisco
on the 6th day of August, 1866. The follow
ing vessels have been allotted to this squad
ron: •
Guns.
Vanderbilt, flag- Mohongo, -
ship, - - 15 Jamestown,
Pensacola, - ~ - 21 Lackawana,
Saranac (tempo- Mohican, -
rarily,) - - 13 Resaca,
Suwane?, - - 121 Saginaw,
'The Pensacola, Mohican and Resaca have
not yet reaohed their destinations, and the
Saginaw, under authority of an act of Con
gress,is aiding the Western Union Telegraph
Company in laying a telegraph’e cable on
the northwestern coast.
The vessels of the squadron have visited
the Sandwich Islands, the ports of
Central America, Puget Sound and Aca
pulco, Guaymas, Hazatlan, San Bias,
and La Paz, in Mexico. At all times
one or more vessels have been at San
Francisco, and also at Panama, ready for
any emergency, - and there has been almost
constantly a vessel at or in the vicinity of
Acapulco, the most important point to our
interests on the west coast of Mexico.
In the latter part of September a convey
ance to Honolulu in the Vanderbilt was
tendered to and accepted by Queen Emma,
and the vessel sailed from San Francisco on
the 13th of October on that service.
A more thorough exploration of the Pa
cific ocean, with a view of correcting the
charts and thereby lessening the dangers of
navigators, is important, and our cruising
vessels are expected to render themselves
useful in ocean surveying service. Under
. the special direction of the Bureau of Navi
gation, which is intrusted with the details
of such work, much valuable nautical in
formation may be obtained by competent
and efficient officers, who, with the means
furnished to ; each vessel, will be able to
correet some existing errors and establish
--. „ _ _ r.
E. L. EETHERSTON. Pabßfihefc
THREE CENTS
with approximate correctness the geographi
cal position and actual extent of many' of the
dangers which are now; imperfectly stated.
The cruising vessels of this squadron, when,
not on special service, instead of avoiding
these.reported hut doubtful and' ill-defined
dangers, will make it their duty to ascer
'tain, by actual observation and search, .the
exact facts in regard to them, and report
full particulars to*the department, :
, SOUTH PACIFIC SQUADEOSt..
The South Pacific squadron extends from
Panama to Cape Horn, and includes within
its limits Australia. This squadron is under
command of Bear Admiral Pearson, who,
until the division of the squadron. had
charge of the entire Jhrce in the Pacific
ocean. He is to be relieved by Bear-Admi
ralL&hlgien, who sailed from,.Hew York
on the. Ist instant. The vessels composing
the squadron are the following: ?
. Guns. .... - . , Guns.
Powhatan, (flag- Nyack, ■ -- 8
ship, - - . 22 Dacotah, -.' .-- 7
Tuscarora,. - -10 Farallones, - -' 6
Wateree, - - 10 Fredonia, - , - 4
The Lancaster, recently attached to this
squadron, is on her return to the United
States. The following points , have been
vi.sited during the year: Valparaiso, Callao,
and the commercial ports between.- those
points; the Cbincha Islands, Payta, Guaya
quil, Panama, and the Straits of Magellan.
Events transpiring on the coast of, Pern
and Cbfle.have rendered the presence of the
greater part of the Pacific squadron necesr
sary in that vicinity. In the absence of
Bear-Admiral Pearson .on a cruise to the
Sandwich Islands, war was declared and.
entered into between these powers anlSpain.
Information of this fact was despatched'to
Rear-Admiral Pearson, with order to pro
ceed without loss of time to Peru and Chile.
These did not reach him until his return to
San Ifrancisco. With as little delay as pos
sible he proceeded to execute the orders he
received, but before he arrived at Valparaiso
the Spanish fleet had bombarded the city,
inflicting great damage.
In anticipation of active hostilities be
tween Spain and the southern republics,
whereby American interests, and especially
the shipping interest at the Chincha Islands,
might be put in jeopardy, the department
bad taken, the preceding autumn,measures
for re-enforcing our squadron in the Pacific
by sending thither a special force, consist
ing of the turretted iron-clad Monadnock
and the steamers Vanderbilt,Tuscarora and
Powhatan, under the command of Commo
dore John Hedgers. This officer reached
Valparaiso previous to the bombardment of
that city, and apprehending the views of tho
department, remained on that station for
the protection of our countrymen until the
arrival of Bear-Admiral Pearson. The ap
pearance of' so distinguished a commander,
with a formidable squadron, on the eve or
so Important- an occasion and in the absence
of Bear-Admiral Hearson,- was opportune
and fortunate. -■ >
The course pursued by Commodore
Hedgers in protecting American interests,
and in observing and preserving neutrality
in the harbor, met with approval. What
ever may have been his opinions or feel
ings as regards the course which the Span
ish admiral thought proper to pursue, he
was not required to interpose his fores
against of for either party.. As the armed
representative of this government, which
was on friendly terms with each of the bel
ligerents, it became his duty, even while
endeavoring to mitigate the harsh severi
ties of war, to maintain a strict neutrality.
His friendly offices in the cause of hu
manity were manifested so long as they
could be effective, but the officers Of other
neutral powers having de alined to unite in
any decided steps to protect the city, no al
ternative remained for him to pursue, con
sistently with the position of this govern
ment, towards the parties, than that which
he adopted.
After the bombardment of Valparaiso,
which took place on the 31st of March, the
Sdanish fleet retired from before the city
aid proceeded to Callao. Bear AdJhiial
Pearson, who reached Valparaiso on the
17th of April, also proceeded- to Callao, and
was present during the attack on the de
fences of that port on the 2d day of May.
No occasion was presented for him to de
part from the neutral position which had
been taken, and which has been strictly ob
served throughout the contest, towards
these belligerents.
GULP SQUADRON.
Affairs of public policy required that an
organized squadron should be continued in
the Gulf of Mexico. ■' Commodore John A.
Winslow was selected for that command,
and entered upon his duties on the 7th day
of May, 1566. The Teasels of this squadron:
Guns. Guns.
Estrella,(flag-ship) 3 Chocura, 7 r - S
Mahaska, - -lOTahoma, '- 4
Tallapoosa, - -10 Yucca, - ’ - 2
Potomac, - -26 Glasgow, - - 2
Paul Jones, - - _B(Charlotte,
The vessels have patrolled the Gulf of
Mexico, and repeatedly visited all the porta
on our coast from Key West to: the Rio
Grande! also, Havana, Matanzas and Car
denas, on the north side of Cuba, 1 and the
waters of - the Rio Grande and Tampico, in
Mexico. "
On repeated occasions during the year one
ox more vessels of this squadron have been
sent to Tampico. Apprehensions were at.
times entertained by American residents in
'that city to their: entire. security(and
safety. The reports of the commanding
officers to whem this service was assigned
indicate that neither American citizens nor
American interests haye suffered violence
from either of the contending parties. ;
During the spring ‘ and summer re
ports were circulated of the intentions of
lawless parties'to seize colored persons on
the Bouthem - coasts of the Gulf States
and carry them into slavery, the neighbor
ing island of Cuba being their al
leged destination. Such contemplated vio
lations of our laws and the rights of hu
manity were sufficient of themselves to
arouse the vigilance of the Gulf and coast
squadrons, each of which had itaattentibn
called to the subject, and was at all times
vigilant to detect such schemes,! if they ex
isted, and to intercept those who should
venture to engage in them. Judicious in
quiry and anxious watching have failed to
bring to light any attempt to carry on this
detestable traffic. Precaution was taken,
by despatching a vessel for the especial
purpose, to warn our consular representa
tives at the neighboring ports Of Cuba of
suspected movements of the kind referred
to, and from an expression of opinion ob- '
tained from those officers and others after
diligent inquiry, it is difficult to believe
Ouns.
- 10
- 22
- 9
- 8
that, even if an expedition of that charac
ter were successful in A departing
from our shores, it would, be
permitted to land or be .received' -into
Cuba.
SPECIAL SERVICE. i 7,
Besides the vessels attaohed to the seve.- J
ral squadrons, a number are on special seiJ /
Vice. The Sabine, the : apprentice' shipt '/’
tbenavy; the Massachusetts,’Memphis •;* i
Kewbem, which are used in conveying ->, . f