plies, mails, and officers and seamen to and
from the squadrons on ttye coast; the Piir
•veyor, which has recently, returned from
Bt. Paul de Loando, where she landed a
cargo of stores for the European and South
Atlantic squadrons; the Don and Asoutney,
used for towing and other service between
the yards and stations; the Sacramento, on
a special crnlse and under special instruc
tions to the coast of China and Japan,
touching at various localities in the route
for the purpose of her mission, and the
Michigan, employed on the lakes.
The Sabine has her headquarters at New
Xondon, with her field for cruising extend
ing from the coast of Maine to the capes of
DolffWAr©* • • •
The Michigan, as soon as the ice permitted
the resumption of navigation,early in May;
was about proceeding on a crnise through
the lakes,when disturbances on the frontier
assumed such proportions as to require the
co-operation of that vessel with the military
and civil authorities to preserve in good
faith the neutrality laws. The Michigan
was engaged in this duty from early in May
until June, delayihgfrer annual cruise to
the upper lakes; When the armed force
which invaded Canada was defeated, the fu
gitives, driven from their positions by the
fierce directed against them, were about 700
of them, in their retreat by the
Michigan on the 6 3d of ; June, in Niagara
river, off Lower Black rock. They were re
tained and provisioned on board the Michi
gan until the sth, when they were turned
over to the civil authorities. On the 16th of
June, Captain Bryson was notified by the
. military commander of the district that the
co-operation of the Michigan was no longer
required at that point, the* difficulties on
that portion of the frontier having termi
nated. Shortly afterwards the Michigan
made a circuit of the upper lakes, visiting
Cleveland, Detroit, Mackinaw, Green Bay,
Milwaukee, Radne, Grand Haven, and re
turning to Erie and Buffalo.
, The steam frigate Susquehanna, Commo
dore James Alden, is on special service,
having been ordered to convey onr minister
to the Mexican republic, and Lieutenant
General Sherman to Vera Cruz, or snoh
point as might he required.
MONAfiNOCK AND MANTONOMOH.
"Thetnrreted or monitor class of vessels
was never designed by the department for
cruising purposes, but for harbor defenoe
and operations upon onr coast. In theobject
for which they were intended, these vessels
are 1 as formidable and efficient as was anti
cipated, and will furnish security to any
port, and be able to disperse or destroy any
blockading fleet which may appear in onr
waters. The peculiar formation of our coast
is in itself a protection against the heavy
and formidable iron-dads of immense ton
nage and deep draught which European
constructors have, devised, because,
except at a few points, it will
be difficult for them to approach within
cannon-shot of our Bhores, and there is but
a single port which they can enter from the'
Capes of the Chesapeake to the Rio Grande.
But, while in the estimation of onr best
naval officers onr monitor class of vessels
are more than a match for the monstrous
and expensive iron-dad structures of Eu
rope, they are of such draught that they
can enter all of onr principal harbors, and
are therefore peculiarly adapted to our coast
defence.
The impression sought to he oreated that
these vessels could not venture outside the
harbors where they were constructed; er at
all events that they could. not pro
ceed on a distant voyage, has been
dispelled by the oroise of, the Mo
nadnock, which, after navigating the At
lantic and Pacific, reached San Francisco in
safety: The Miantonomoh, another moni
tor of the same type as the Monadnook,
crossed the Atlantic, passed up the Baltic to
Constadt,and has visited many of the princi
pal ports of Europe: These vessels have, in
these two voyages, disposed in a great de
gree of the misrepresentations and preju
dices which had been created, and proved
the ability of the tnrreted vessels to perform
long voyages, when required:
Great credit is due to Commodore John
Rogers and the officers and crew who were
charged with the labor, responsibility and
risk of vindicating the navigating power
and. capability of these American naval ves
sels: To Lieutenant Commander Francis
M. Bunce, who volunteered to navigate the
Monadnock to San Francisco, and perform
that duty, which many deemed hazardous,
and not a lew denounced as an impossibility
honor and praise and promotion are due
for persevering and successful daring. Ser
vice such as his cannot otherwise than be
appreciated and rewarded by the country:
Rear-Admiral Goldaborough, in a des
patch dated the 7th of NovemDer, 1866, says:
•‘The pilot who went from Cherbourg to
Brest with the vessels, a man of large expe
rience, told me that he never in his life saw
a vessel behave better than the Miantono
mob, and for his part, as far as safety was
concerned, he would he willing to go round
the world in her. Vice-Admiral Popcff, of
the Russian navy, who took passage in the
Miantonomoh from Hamburg to Cherbourg,
also told me that he was particularly struck
with her good sea qualities in the midst of a
heavy blow and sea encountered just after
leaving the Elbe, and that if he was in my
place he would prefer being on hoard her
to the Colorado. Indeed he spoke in the
highest terms with regard to her merits on
'the Occasion.”
' Reports of the performance of the Monad
nock and the Miantonomoh are appended
'to this report.
A joint resolution of Congress, approved
March 24, 1866. authorized the Secretary of
the Navy to place gratuitously at the dis
posal of the commissioners of quarantine, or
the'proper authorities of any ports of the
United States, to be used by them lor
.quarantine purposes, such vessels or hulks
.belonging to the United States as were hot
required for other uses by the National Go
vernment; under this authority the sloop
of-war Saratoga and Portsmouth were
placed: at the disposal of the commis
sioners of health at New; York for
service at quarantine—the first nsmed on
the twentieth day of April, and the other on
the eighteenth day of May. They were re
turned to the navy yard in the latter part of
September, the commissioners reporting
that they wpre no longer required.
THE NAVY YABDS.
During the past year the operations of the
several navy yards have, with a view to
economy, been reduced to the lowest limit
consistent with the publio interest. On
several vessels work has been alto
gether suspended, and on others only
.•so much has been done as was neces
sary to enable the contractors for the
steam machinery to place portions of their
engines in the hulls. Six vessels of the
class intended for high speed have been
launched, and also three others in which the
steam power, has been somewhat reduced
-in order to increase the armament. Steam
machinery for twelve vessels of the classes
here referred to is in an advanced condition,
and the department is under contracts,made
.during the war, to provide the vessels in
which these engines are to be placed. It has,
however, been considered advantageous
under the circumstance, there being no
pressing necessity for this class of vessels
since hostilities have ceased, to make tem
porary arrangements for -storing the ma
■chinerv and postpone the construction of
tfhe'hulls.
We have in our navy yards too few ship
hodses. As a matter of eoonomy, ships
should be built under cover. - Protection
from the weather not only facilitates the
work during construction, but if retained
upr apy period on the stocks, adds greatly
Ejdhe durability of the ship after comple-
ourteen ships are now in the course of
struction at the several yards, of which
i arejin ship houses, and five are exposed
to the weather. Ov* these last temporary
covers are being erected.
These vessels, and others hastily built da
ring the war, are constructed to a great ex
tent of unseasoned timber, and for that -rea
'son it is best that they should remain on the
stocks a ioDger period than would other
wise be required. The vessels which are ia
the course of construction can he launched
whenever it may he necessary to make
room for others, for which the steam ma
chinery is being manufactured. Four of the
vessels which are now on the stocks are
iron clads, larger and mnch more formida
ble than the Miantonomoh and those of her
class. The steam machinery and tun£!s
for these vessels are prepared and ready for
erection whenever it may he considered ad
visable to launch them.
In addition to the steamers which are be
ing constructed, or are afloat, it has been
deemed expedient to have a class of smaller
vessels which, in many cases, can serve
the purpose of the government with greater
economy than the larger vessels, particu
larly in time of peace. ‘
The want of a sufficient number of build
ing-shops, ship-houses and dry-docks, has
been a serious embarrassment and cause of
delay throughout the whole of the war.
There should be an increase of all these, for
the efficiency of the navy depends in a great
degree on having an adequate number of
each. * ■.
There are in the single navy yard of
Portsmouth, England, eleven dry-docks;
more than three times the number that we
have at all our yards, for there Is only a
single permanent dry dock at any one yard,
and but three in all of them. With these
limited means and under these disadvan
tages, the department has been compelled
to struggle to maintain an efficient navy in a
period of great and exacting trial. Had we
a war with a maritime power, where naval
combats would be frequent, and eruising
active, the necessity for more docks and
larger yards would be great,-
The supplies of timber' at the different
yards have been exhausted during the re
bellion, and it will be true economy-to pro
vide an abundance, so - that in future
emergencies the difficulties and embarass
ments recently experienced may
be avoided. Our former policy,many years
since, was to make an annual increase of
ship timber, and' other countries have
wisely furnished themselves with th s ma
terial. Commodore Steedman, in a recent
communication from Carthagena, in Spain,
writes: “It is an interesting fact that there
is still a stock of Florida timber in this yard
which came from Florida while it was yet a
colony of Spain.”
In the construction of ships-of-war iron
may ultimately, to a great extent, super
sede wood; but such are the resources of
timber in this country that wooden vessels
will, for some time to come, constitute a
large portion of onr navy.
For the construction of iron and armored
vessels, it can only he repeated that, al
though onr country has the material in
great abundance, and posses many advan
tages in that regard, we are almost wholly
unprepared. In future maritime wars the
contests between the great naval powers for
supremacy on the ocean will he determined
chiefly by iron clad or armored ships. Gar
tnrreted vessels or monitors will be power
ful and effective for harbor and cosst defence,
but in conflict with any European, power
onr countrymen will hardly be content with
merely defensive warfare.
Armored.vessels tor ocean cruising must
necessarily be of large size, which toannot,
with the requisite strength, be secured in
wooden structures. If attempted, the im
mense masses of timber -must rapidly de
cay, and the cost resulting from deterior
ation will be such as no economical and
prudent will consent to sustain.
Ships for crnisißg and offensive operations
must he such as can use sails, for no vessel
can long keep the sea under steam alone.
Such vessels as are here suggested should
be built at-agoveramentsstablishment, for
though private enterprise can do much in
aid of the navy, the peculiarities ofc
iron vessels for naval purposes aresech that
private parties cannot undertake the work
unless at prices which will cover all the
outlay for the establishment, as well as the
vessels, for there can be no other customer
than the Government for such work.
In this view of the subject it is plainly the
interest of the government to erect its own
shops and machinery, and to possess its own
establishment for the construction of its iron
and armored naval vessels. Several years of
preparation will be required to provide the
necessary appliances for such an establish-'
ment, and a special and convenient location
with ample area should be promptly selec
ted.- In each of the navy yards a dry dock
is indispensible and for a steam navy there
should De suitable shops and accommoda
tions tor the repair of vessels.
The navy yards at Norfolk and Fensaeola,
which were almost totally destroyed during
the war, require large expenditures to place
them in a condition to be efficient.. They
have been ocoupied as naval stations since
tbe Government recovered possession, and
some repairs have been made at each;
but the dilapidated walls and
remants. of the former establish
ments rncain in a condition whieh renders
them scarcely fit for occapancy or use.
This is more particularly the case at Pen
sacola, where only a few outbuildings and
stablesescaped destruction. These are now
convened into temporary quarters for the
ofßoers on duty at that station. From the
limited appropriations which have been
made some progress 1 has been affected to
wards restoration at Norfolk. The destruc
tion at this yard was not so thorough and
complete as at Pensacola.
VESSELS.
The yard at Norfolk is, in a national point
of view, one of the most important, as well
as one of the best located, in the United
States. Itisthe only southern yard on the
Atlantic coast,is accessible in all seasons,
has oneof the best harbors in. the country,
and is, in every respect, favorably situated,
with many natural advantages for a naval
establishment. There is at this yard a per
manent dry-dock which, under all the
disadvantages that have existed, has been
pf immense service to the government
jn the repair and ,refitment of ves
sels, .without the delay and additional ex
pense that would have been incurred in
sending them farther north. Since the ter
mination of the war, most of the machinery
which belonged there has been recovered,
and portions of it put in ODeration. But in
order that this yard may be placed in proper
working condition, at all comparable with
its former state of efficiency, and adequate
to the future wants of the service, muon yet
remains to be' done. r
The yards at Norfolk and at Pensacola are
as essential to the navy and the country as
either of the yards at the north, and in the
event of a foreign war we could better dis
pense with one of the yards north of the
Chesapeake than with either of these. Our
possession of them dining the late conflict,
even in their dilapidated condition, was of
great value to the Union cause. After
their recovery the vessels composing the
several blockading squadrons were not de
tached and sent north for ordinary- repairs,
with.loss of service, during their absence!
of vessels and crews, but were retained
°“ their stations. The repairs thus
effected were made without many of
the, required facilities, but,notwithstanding
great, disadvantages, considerable saving
ensued to the government,and the blockade
was thereby made more efficient. • • ■
The suppression of the rebellion and the
re-establishment of that peace , and unity
which constitute ns one country and one
people, make it a duty to restore these na
tional establishments to their former effi
cient condition. In so far as there, was
reason during the rebellion for refusing to
do this becanse insurrection prevailed in the
region where the yards are situated, that
reason no longer exists. True,the expendi
tures will be made in States whioh were in
THE DAILY EVENING BULLETIN—PHILADELPHIA, TUESDAY. DECEMBER 4,1866.--TRIPLE SHEET.
rebellion,but the rebellion has passed away, i
the States are parts of'the Union, and the
establishments which are to be renovated'
are natipnal in their character; and of gene
ral interest to all. Upon the Pensaoola
yard, eveff in itß present ruinous state,
we must depend for repairs and supplies
for any squadron we may employ to guard
the ocean outlet of the great central valley
of the Union, and of our whole ooast bor
dering on the Gulf. To neglect to put that
yard in proper condition would be to neg
lect lowa,Tllinois and the States north, as
well ajs Louisiana and Mississippi.
In the event of a foreign war with the
great maritime powers, our country would
Tabor under serious disadvantages were we
without a navy yard or naval station in the
Gulf, A naval force of steamers—and all
fighting vessels must hereafter be
steamers—could not be maintained
in the Gulf, without frequent re
pairs and supplies. With no navy yard in
the Gulf, the disabled vessels would neces
sarily be withdrawn from their station and
compelled to proceed to a northern yard for
refitment. Besides the perils incident to a
voyage under these cirbumstances, with an
' enemy on the coast, the services of the offi
cers and crews, as well as of the vessel itself,
would be lost during the time she might be
absent in going to and retaining from a
northern yard. The rebels and the waste of
war have devastated the Norfolk and Pensa
cola yards, but the. best interest of the seri
vice, and the obligations of the government,
are not less imperative, now, when peace
and union are restored, to place them in
proper condition. It is to be hoped, there
fore, that liberal appropriations will.be made
lor that purpose.
NAVAL DEPOT POB IBON-OLADS,
In consequence of the failure of the Senate
to act on the bill which passed the House of
Representatives for the acceptance of League
Island for naval purposes, the government
remains without a depot or station for our
iron and armored naval vessels. Most of
them have been permitted to remain in the
hack channel at League Island, where they
were placed after the dose of the war, as the
best aqgt most available location for their
security and preservation. It is desirable
that the hill for the acceptance of League
Island, which has been unfortunately de
layed in its passage throngh the Senate,
should receive the early action of that body,
that the necessary appropriation may be
made for deepening the channel, preparing
suitable docks, and making other necessary
arrangements, at an early period, for the
proper care and protection of the large num
bers of costly vessels which are there in a
precarious condition, and from which
they are liable at any time to be warned
away by the proprietors of the adjacent
shores. The vessels lying in the back
channel are there on sufferance. Being of
iron, it is essential that they should be laid
up in fresh water,and in consequence of the
omission of Congress to provide any suit
able place, the department selected this lo
cation as by far the most eligible in the
country for that purpose. They are there,
however, under many disadvantages.for no
preparations or improvements for’ them
have been made, nor is the department au
thorized to make any, for the safe-keeping,
protection and preservation of vessels
which have cost the government several
millions. Deterioration and permanent in
jury must he the consequence of this delay,
and, notwithstanding every precaution has
been taken, it is but reasonable to expect
that they have already been damaged to
some extent from their exposed condition.
ENLABGEMENT OP HAW YABDS.
The purchase ofSeavey’s island, adjacent
to the navy yard at Kittery, authorired by
the act of April 17,1866, has been consum
mated, and that island now constitutes a
part, of the Kittery navy yard. This acqui
sition enlarges the heretofore restricted
limits at that station, and will obviate some
of the difficulties which have been expe
rienced in consequence of insufficient room j
for the shops, sheds and storehouses which *
are wanted to store materials. The annual
lobs at this and other yards by the de«
terioration of materials unavoidably ex
posed to the weather or stored, with much
inconvenience, in temporary sheds, has
been very great. The want of sites for the
erection of additional store-houses and
sheds has led to propositions for adding one
additional story to thepresent buildings.
Operations at most of the yards have beeD
much embarrassed for want of room, hut
at no one has there been so much difficulty
and inconvenience from this cause as at
Philadelphia. Until the introduction of
steam the Philadelphia yard was of second
ary importance, on -account of its interior
location, which rendered ingress and egress
to vessels propelled exclusively by sails
difficult and dilatory. But the revolution
wrought by steam—the manufacture of iron
vessels, aDd engines, and armature—the ad
vantage of an interior location which was
formerly an objection—the facility with
which iron and coal-can be obtained on the
Delaware, and the necessity that our iron
and armored vessels should fee laid up in
fresh water, will make the navy establish
ment on the Delaware river important be
yond any other in the country. It is
impossible, however, to carry on the
operations which are essential at t.M»
central point within the limits of the
present yard, which has scarcely one-
Bixth of the area of any ether, almost
all being too restricted. Nor can the .present
yard, which 1b within the thickly populated
part of the city of Philadelphia, be enlarged
except at a cost which precludes the idea
of its accomplishment. Another location
must he obtained.' Ten times the itater
front, and twenty times the area of the pre
sent Philadelphia yard are wanted for the
naval establishment on the Delaware. Thera
is ho doubt that the present yard will be
abondoned, and the sooner another location
is secured, with ample room for the neces
sary works, to which the present -establish
ment can be transferred, the better will it
be for the servic? and the-country. Should
the Senate confirm the law which was
passed bv k the House at the last session, ao
cepting League *island for naval purposes,
ample ground and water front will be ob
tained.
HABBOB DEFENCE.
The changes which -have -taken place
within a few years, both in the character of
vessels and guns, have raised questions as
to the most effective means and the best use
of those means forsea-ooaat defence. The
value of iron-clad vessels, of channel ob
structions, and of' torpedoes as means of de
fence, are, respectively, matters for conside
ration. A communication was addressed by
this; department to the Secretary of War in
February last, suggesting the organization
of a joint army and navy board for the con
sideration of these questions and' the adop
tion of some general principles concerning
them.
The extent to which each or all of the
means suggested, could be advantageously
used,,the best form of iron-clad vessels, the
character of tbe obstructions and of torpeo
does—to what department the preparation
of these defensive means properly apper
tained, and which should control their use
—are points' which it is important to have
defined and settled.
The Secretary Of War conourredin the im
portance of organizing ' such a board,
and , assigned experienced offioers to
serve upon it in conjunction with naval
officers detailed by this department. This
board, consisting of Bear-Admirals Charles
H. Davis and John A. Dahlgren, and Com
modore ‘James Alden, of the navy,' and
Brevet Major General J. G.’Barnard, Brevet
Brigadier General Z, B. Tower, and Brevet
Brigadier General B. S. Alexander, of the
army, Washington on theTst
of March, and continued in session until
the 17th of July, and had these matters
before them.
In the discussion of the three leading sub
jects which have been indicated, it was an
object with the board to arrive at and re
port upon some definite plan of proceeding
by which onr harbors could, on a sadden
slrrm or emergency, be pat at once in- a
complete state of defence against an enemy’s
fleet.
In their preliminary report the board ad
vocated the. importance of haying always on
hand a number of iron-clad vessels at each
of onr great commercial cities, and within
the waters of oar exterior bays; but without
farther information both as to the offensive
and defensive properties of our forts, and
also Of onr iron-dads, it was unable to spe
cify the requisite number, or to define pre
cisely the part they should perform in the .
defence of our harbors, especiaUy as that
would depend-upon the degree of success
which might be attained’ in a' well-devised
system of ohaqnel Obstructions. -
On the subjectof channel obstructions, a
plan submitted by one of their number was
favorably received by the board, who re
commended that it should be tested experi
mentally, but snob a test would have in
volved a large expenditure of money, for
which there was no adequate
The board also recommended some general
experiments to be made under their direc
tion for assertaining and settling certain
general principles concerning the effect of
torpedoes. After a fall examination, the
members became convinced that they could
arrive at no definite conclusions on the
points submitted without nreliminary ex
periment, and satisfied that they could not
add materially to what they had already
reported, the board was dissolved by order
of the department.
The subject is, however, of great import
ance, and should receive thorough conside
ration.
PROMOTIONS.
In conformity with the provisions of the
act of the 25th of July last, “to define the
somber and regniate the appointment of
officers in the navy, and for other porposes,”
selections were made for promotion and ad
vancement in the brief period which re
mained after the passage of the act, and
before the close of the last session of Conr
gress. This labor was much facilitated by
consultations which had previously taken
place with most of the officers of the highest
rank in the service who were on the active
list, and under whom nearly every officer
had served during the war. But the require
ment, “that the increase in the grades
authorised by this act shall be made by
selection from the grade next below, of
officers who have rendered the most efficient
and faithful service during the recent war,
and who possess the highest professional
Qualifications and attainments,” could
scarcely be expected, under any cir
cumstances, to be carried into
effect without causing some dis
appointment. By the act of January 24,
1565, an advance, '“not exceeding thirty
numbers, in rank for having exhibited
eminent and conspicuous conduct in battle,
or extraordinary heroism,” was authorized.
In the selections for promo
tion the tests prescribed by Congress con
trolled when the qualifications in other
respects were unexceptionable'. Many
officers afloat had no battle record; others
possessing high qualifications, but occupied
in other Unties, had unfortunately been in'
no position to render actual fighting service
during the recent war; Some few have
necessarily been superseded by their more
fortunate juniors, whose records being in all
respects meritorious, they were selected for
promotion under one or both of the tests
which Congress adopted.
But for the war no such law would have
been enacted, and the great object of the
law recognition of war services,
governments very justly recognize and re
ward courage and success. The acts of 1565
and 1666 gave preference for promotion or
advancement to those meritorious officers
who had distinguished themselves by their
heroic qualities and achievements over these
who were not endowed with those qualities,
or who had been so unfortunate as to have
no battle-reoord.
Where -aU had done so well, It was a
delicate and embarrassing duty to dis
criminate and select for promotion. No
body of men ever acquitted themselves
with mors honor than the gallant officers ol
the navy during the late war,and it is a gra
tification to know that, while some have re
ceived higher honors than others, yet every
one on the active list who faithfully dis
charged his duty has, by the liberal .provi
sions of the Government, been advanced,
and,if-not promoted,occupies a highs num
ber in his grade by the operation and ad
ministration of the law.
By the provisions of the third section of
the law, a board of naval officers, consist
ing of Commodore S. P. Lee.-
Captain Foxhall A. Parker, and Com
mander John, Lee Davis, was convened at
Hartford, on theoth of September, for the
purpose of examining such officers as have
served in the volunteer naval service for a
period of not less than two years, with in
structions, after examining the plating of all
candidates, to select and report from the'
most meritorious in -character, ability, pro
fessional competency, and honorable ser
vice, the number authorized to beappointed
and transferred to the regular navy under
the act. This board was subsequently en
larged by the addition of Captain Daniel
Am men and Commanders Walter W.
■Queen and K. Randolph Breese. Owing
to the large number of candidates who de
sire to avail themselves of the privilege
of the act, as well as to ihe thorough
ness of the examination, and also to the
fact that all who rdauu the right must' be
examined before the authorized selectipns
can be made, there, will be necessary and
unavoidable delay oh the part of the board
in making their report, a
NAVI, ACADEMY.
The Naval Academy is re-established at
Annapolis, with some. enlargement of the
grounds and soma important improve
ments. No measures were adopted by
Congress for establishing the institu
tion elsewhere on the .Chesapeake,
where theremlght be greater seclusion, with
more ample area for those connected with
the academy. The appropriations for addi
tions and improvements of the present site,
with the acquisition of more ground, will
obviate some of the objections which were
taken against that location. The authori
ties of Maryland have manifested a warm
interest in the academy, and afforded facili
ties for enlarging the premises, which were,
and still are, too limited. They have also,
by suitable legislation and by municipal
regulations to guard and protect themfd
shipmen from improper influences, done
acceptable service in another respect.
On resuming possession oi the academic
grounds and buildings, expensive repairs
became necessary, in order to place them in
proper condition for the school. Baring the
war the houses and buildings had been used
for army and hospital - purposes, and the
grounds hadbeen broken and’ impaired by
wagon roads while in the occupation of the
military forces. Considerable labor and
expenditure was necessary in ; renovating
and restoring the buildings and grounds for
use. This has been accomplished under the
immediate direction of the 1 superintendent.
The buildings and grounds are ho Win good
order, and the institution is in all respects
in as prosperous and satisfactory a condi
tion as could be expected In so brief aperiod.
A transfer of the executive mansion and
grounds belonging to the State of Maryland
authorized by the government of that State,
and for which an appropriation was made
by Congress at its last sessiob, has been
completed, and the land Is now enolosed
within the academic grounds, to which it
was adjacent, and when graded, will make a
handsome addition to the site already owned
by i he government. An appropriation will
be necessary, however,to defray the expense
of grading and filling in the water front,for 1
which the proper estimate has been made.
An appropriation of $25,000 was made at
the last Bession of Congress for the purchase
of certain other contiguous property whioh
it was deemed advisable to secure, bat the
owners hold it at Bach exorbitant rates that;
the negotiations for it have been discon
tinued.
A more extensive range for those con
nected with the academy than the present
area'furniehes is much wanted, and was
one of the principal reasons forjsnggeating
a change of location of the institution in my
last annual communication.
Attention is invited to the recommenda
tion of the superintendent for additional
accommodations for the officers and assis
tant professors, there being suitable- loca
tions upon the ground for the proposed
buildings.
The. machine shop erected for the benefit,
and improvement of the pupils is completed!
and: the machinery, with a propeller.engine
adapted to the purpose of instruction, has
been properly prepared, " .
The midshipmen ■ have the present year
entered upon a full theoretical and practical
course of studies in regard to the application
of steam power, so that hereafter the gradu
ating class will be enabled, with very little
practice afloat, to manage any engine in the
nqvy, and will thus have attained in their
academic coarse the requisite elementary
knowledge ef this indispensable part of the
profession of the future naval officer,
Three cadet engineers have been reoeived
into the academy under the provisions of
the aetof July 4,1864, which requires that
the applicant shall, besides satisfactory evi
dence of .mechanical skill and proficiency,
have been employed at least two years in
the actual fabrication of steam machinery.
The stringent requirements of this act may
eed modification, in order to make it prao
ically useful, for it is a severe exaction that
youths under" the age of eighteen who make
application to be received as cadet engineers
s£ all have had two years’ previous practical
xperience in such employment. Under the
E revisions of this act, a class of only three
ad prepared themselves for the purpose
was formed, and as the necessary teachers
and accomplishments for so small a olass
might be employed to advantage in im
proving a larger number, several young
-men who bad been trained at some of the
best scientific schools, and received the ap
pointment of acting third assistant en
gineers in the navy, have been added
to the class for instruction in the
higher qualifications of their profession.
The great loss, delay and embarrass
ments experienced daring the war in con
sequence of the ignorance, inefficiency and
incompetency of many of the engineers, ad
monish the government of the necessity of
educating and training men of ability to
this highly responsible profession. *Oar
naval officers must themselves hereafter
he familiar with steam enginery as . well as
with seamanship, in orderto be masters of
their profession. Unless this is the case they
cannot be masters of their Bhip, bnt will be
dependent on the engineer who controls its
motive power, and whose negligence or in
incompetency may destroy its efficiency.
The cadet engineers, making, as they will,
steam and steam machinery a specialty,
must attain proficiency, and from their ac
quirements and mechanical skill will be
come a highly scientific and usefnl class,
indiepensabte to the service and morensefnl,
perhaps, in the design and construction of
engines than in duty adoat.
Great credit is due to the energetic and
judicious efforts of the superintendent, who
has given to the academy the benefit of his
acquirements and experience, and who in
his well-directed labors has had the earnest
co-operation of those associated With him in
educating the future officers of the navy.
Under such management, fostered and sus
tained by the Government, the institation
takes high rank and will be of incalculable
service to the country.
Some valuable suggestions are made in
the very able report of the Board of Visitors,
as well as in that of the superintendent, both
of which are appended, and commended to
the consideration of Congress and all who
feel an interest in the success of the navy.
NAVAL APPRENTICES.
| The revival of the Bystem of .naval ap
prentices, authorized by the act approved
March 2,1837, promises enoonraglng results.
Having been imperfectly understood and
not judiciously carried into effect at its ori
gin, nearly thirty years ago, and compelled
to encounter not only indifference and pre
judice, but opposition, the execution of the
law had been neglected and fallen into
ffisnse.
Time and •experience, will still be needed
to perfect the system, which has many diffi
culties to overcome, for it is yet in its in
fancy; but when fairly established and its
merits iuHy developed, important benefits
may be anticipated from it, not only to the
naval but the merchant service. A class of
educated and trained seamen will go forth
yearly from the Bchool-ships to give char
acter and efficiency to American commerce
as well as to the American navy* Under
judicious and skillful management the
echool-ehips will be nurseries for tne naval
and merchant service, from which, when
the system is in full operation, there will
graduate a superior class of well-instructed
and thoroughly-disciplined seamen, who in
a few years will elevate and thoroughly
revolutionize the maritime force of the
country. \
It the government would enlist the best
class of hoys as apprentices, it most, as has
been heretofore suggested, make the
service .attractive; and to-do this most
effectually, the recommendation is renewed
that a portion of those most proficient and
most deserving shall receive appointments
to the Naval Academy. To carry thls re
eommendation into eneckthe plan proposed
in my last report,' that of conferring one
half of the yearly appointments upon the
naval apprentices Whe shall pass the best
examination, instead of appointing the
whole from congressional selection, is most
available.
SEAMEN.
On former occasions and in various
ways the attention of Congress has bean
invited to the condition of our seamen.
Some measures should be taken to ameli
orate and improve their condition and to
increase theirnumbers, for-neglect on the
part of the Government, Inattention to their
merits and their wants, and more remune
rative employment and greater considera
tion in other pursuits, are having their ekeot
in retarding tne increase of this useful and
‘ deserving class.' Without representation or
political influence, identified with no party,
though always true to their flag, the sailors
have received little attention from oar legis
lators. This is perhaps in part owing to the
fact that no one department of the Govern
ment is clothed with special authority in
regard to them. 'At an early day after the
adoption of the Constitution, general datirs
respecting Seamen were distributed among
several departmentsofthe Government. The
Treasury Department is entrusted with the
navigation intereat,and nominally with the
care and protection of our seafaring mem
The State Department, through our consuls
abroad, is charged with the duty of pro
viding for destitute American seamen in
foreign ports. The Navy Department,
which procures its - naval reoruits mainly
from the merchant marine, has the care of
enlisted seamen.
No one department is specially charged
with the duty of attending to a class whieh,
more than any other, needs the friendly and
protecting care of the government. Their
interest and welfare : are, consequently, al
most wholly neglected, and from their
roving life,liable to imposition when ashore,
they become the victims' of sharpers, who
soon rob them of. the. wages they have
earned while afloat.
' Elsewhere in this report- mention has
been made of the importance of aohool
ships at the principal sea-porti where boys
may .be reeeiv ed, educated ancklrained for:
aaval seamanship, and where their youth
ful ambition may be stimulated with the
hope that by their exertions, and by pro
priety of conduct, they may enter theaoa
demy and become officers ef the navy. This •
commencement will do much to elevate thn ■
character of the American sailor. While
some of the apprenticed boys wonld doubt
less .enter and obtain honorable position
m the merchant marine, most of them
wonld,with proper encouragement,continue •
through life in the public service, or until
age had incapacitated them for doty. A
small pension after not less than twenty
years’ service for such as preferred'it to sup
port in the asylnm already provided, wonld ■
attach.them to the government with which
they would feel themselves identified. In,
his roving and unsettled life the sailor sel
dom accumulates property, and a pension .
of half his monthly wages to comfort declin
ing age would be just after he has giyen his -
best years to his country.
Movements have been recently made
in behalf of their seamen by some of the ■
maritime countries, which have become
aware of the necessity of taking measures;
to retain the requisite complement of sea
men for naval an d com merolal purposes; l
In our own country our best naval officers
and’intelligent merchants are interesting -
themselves in this subject, and Congress ana
the government cannot remain indifferent:
to it without putting in jeopardy our com- ■
mercialand naval supremacy.- But in or- •
der that the whole subject may be duly con
sidered; and the best measures adopted for *
wise and intelligent legislation, there should .
be connected with the Navy Department a
properly organized bureau, which'shodld .
have in charge the whole Bubject relatihg
to seamen, not only the' ! man-of-wars—
men, but the shipped seamen of the mer
chant service. Such a bureau, with, an in
- telligent and practical seaman of either the >.
naval or merchant marine at its head, one--
who understands the existing evils, com
prehends the necessity of thorough and
radical action, appreciates the growing:
wants of the country, and has the energy, .
industry and zeal necessary for the work,.
could mature a system which wonld'con- -
stitute the basis of future legislative action
and be of benefit to both the seamen and
the country.
The division of this and other incidents of '
the naval and commercial marine of ihe ■
country among the aiffarent departments
tends to confusion, augmented expense,
and inefficiency. It is a departure from .■
the uniform practice and organization -
of other maritime governments,all of which, .
so far as known, place in the charge -
of their Marine Department all that belongs
to their navigating interests. The adoption
of each a plan here would secure that unity
of action and purpose which is indispensa
ble to the best and wisest administration, -
The duties of the Lighthouse Board, the
great and important operations of’ the coast
survey, and the revenue cutter service,.
which bring the naval power of the country
to the aid ui its financial and revenue sys
tem,are all legitimate branches of the ad
ministration of the Navy Degartment.
Ocean transportation for military purposes
should be a naval duty, and the same may
be said of the co-operation of oar consols in
the protection of .oar seamen abroad,,
and providing for the return to bar shores
of those who are wrecked and found desti
tute. All these matters can be best regu
lated and most easily attended to by being'
placed under the supervision of officers fa
miliar with all the exigencies and opera
tions of the naval service, and who in the
performance of their duties will act under
the control of the department to which they
belong.
OUTFIT FOB SEAMEN.
Complaint is made that at present prices,
and with an inflated and fluctuating cur
rency, the seamen find it difficult to procare -
their outfit on the wages they receive. It is -
a question whether the seamen, who, when
on seryice, are confined to no particular lo- -
cality, bnt are constantly changing from
port to port, and from one country to* an
other, ought not always be paid in coin; It
is important to them beyond any other'
class that they should receive their wages
in money of true standard value, which they
can use abroad as well as at home,and-thatr
they should not be paid in a fluctuating pa
per currency.
It has been suggested that were an outfit of
clothing to a specified amount, in the nature
of a bounty, furnished each recruit on his
enlistment,it wonldremedy to a considerable
extent the difficulties which are experiened.
There are many reasons in favor of this’pro
position. In the naval service of most,
countries, and in the arm of onr own; the.
enlisted man receives his clothing in addi
tiontd hiswages. If compelled; as he is at.
present, to furnish an outfit |for himself, by
an advance of wages, the sailor commences
his services in debt, becomes dissatisfied,and
not unfrequently deserts. It is therefore re
commended that clothing to a specific
amount be furnished by the government to
each sailor on his enlistments
TIMBER LANDS.
Many years since the government adopted
the policy of reserving from sale certain,
timber lands for “the sole purpose of
plying ihe timber for the navy of the United
States.” The lands thus reserved were
placed under the control of this department,
and are scattered through the 'States of
Florida, Georgia,Mississippi and Louisiana,,.
Agents were appointed, with salaries rang
ing from five hundred dollars to two thou
sand dollars per annum, with allowances
for boat hire, horses, wagons, and other
alleged expenses, to protect these lands.
from depredation. The agencies were con
tinued at considerable annual cost to the
government, until the beginning of the re
bellion, when they were discontinued; and
they have not been revived since the in
surrection was suppressed.
Measures for the preservation of the live
oak were commenced as early as 1817, : and
it was represented at that time that many of "
the trees had obtained their foil growth..
Tetit is not known any timber has ever
been procured-from these lands for the gov
ernment, but so for as ascertained,' every
stick of live oak which has been used by
the navy has been purchased, and there is
little doubt that much of ; it was cut and ta—
■ ken from the timber reservations whioh had.-
for years-been protected by government
agents, at great annual expense to the srov
erament. ,
Since the restoration of peace, ineffectual ,
search has been made ior the maps and pa
pers relating to these lands, hut -they
have not yet been found. Whether
they haye been misplaced or were abstracted
by those who bad access to and change of"
them, but who fled south at the commence
ment or the rebellion, cannot be stated.
Some difficulty may be experienced in as
certaining the quantity and preoise locality
of these reservations, but from what has
taken place, it .is evident that the policy of
timber reservations with salaried agents to
protect them, is a costly failure, and should,
be abandoned. The government has expe
rienced no inconvenience in procuring sbip -
timber from private parties, nor is it appre
hended that and embarrassment will odour
from that source in the immediate future.
Under these circumstances It is aqueStioa.
whetheffihelgovernment should not,through*
the Lana Office, resume possession of these
reserved lands, and put them in market to
be sold for general purposes.
NAVAL PENSION FUND, - :
At the date of the last annnal report; the
naval pension fund amounted to nine mil,
lion dollars. There has been added- during
the year Ihe sum of two million seven hun
dred and fifty thousand dollars, making the
aggregate at the present time eleven mClion
seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars
By law one-halt of the net proceeds of all
prizes, when the captured vessel is of Infe
rior force, is decreed to the United States,
and it is enacted that ail money thus acorn
ing to the United States from the sale of
prizes shall be and remain a fond
ior the payment of pensions to the officers
seamen and marines, who may be entitled
to receive the same, and if the said fund
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