The New York Herald Newspaper, December 5, 1870, Page 3

} | ¥ if ) EBacouragement ~presence and by the want of ‘nen THE NAVY. Annual Report of Secretary Robeson. Work of Our Ships-of-War During the Past Year. \“\OHE INTEROCEANIC CANAL SURVEYS. \e e of Iron Ship Building. xpenses and Estimates of the Navat Serv: Navy Department, Dee, 1, 1870, Jast year:— At the date of my iast report the navy of the United States consisted of 188 ships of all classes, calculated to carry, wien in commis- slon, 1,822 guns, exclusive of howitzers, Since that tame four small gunboats—the Seminole and thé Clinton (tug) at home, the Maumee and the Unadtita in the Fast—have been condemned as un- seaworthy aud sold, Tne tug Rescue was also sold, ander an act of Congr Liberia, through the agency of the Presitent of that republic, who visited this country with authority to carry out the requirements of the law. On the dd of January last the tug Maria was run Into and sunk on Long Island Sound, with a loss of four méa, and on the bigat of the 2ith of the same Month the steam sloop Oneida, cut down by the English passenger steamer Bombay, sunk in the bay of Jeddo, with the loss of most of ber officers and crew, \ Thus reduced, the navy consists at this tlme of 181 vessels, calculated to carry 1,309 guns. Of these Oifty-two are of the tron-clad or monitor class; o! the remainder tility are sailing vessels without any steam power, and the balance steamers or sailing vessels with auxiliary steam power. Of these forty- ve vessels, including store and hospital ships, jounting 465 guns, are attached to the several and four others, mounting seven guns, are commission for special service. These, with six receiving ships at the various stations, and the tugs and small vessels on duty atthe navy yards and stations, make the naval force now in commission, Ten others, mounting 143 guns, are ready for sea, and will join the several fleets as seon as they re ceive their complement of men, These, however, Sannot be eniissed till the ee which ure returning to this country shall have discharged their crews. Of the remainder, whose names are borne on the Tegister, thirteen are en the stocks in various stages of forwardness, fifieen are under repair at the various yards, and the balance are laid up in ordinary, or as unfit ior service or repair. During the period which has passed since my last Teport tue United States of America have eeen at peace with all nations, aad the duues of her navy have been nowhere those of active hos- tility. But tne attitude of this branch of she public service must always be im some degree warilke, since it represents abread the military power of the vernmeni, and, displaying everywilere the flag of é country, is expected to protect the rights which ‘nat represents from the atiacks ef barbaric ignor- snce and the encroachments of civilized power. Our people, peacetul, prospereus and secure at home, and representing peculiarly the civilizauon of humanity aud peace, are slow te realize the trials which their gevernmental, commereiai and reli. ous representatives, scattered throughout the world, are so oiten subjected, and the sudden and sometimes appalling dangers which threaten so tre- quently their personal safety aud our natioual houor, But those who are charged with the duty of anticipating, as far as may be, such daugers, and of arding against them, are ever oppressed by their adequate power at command for protection or redress, Alwost every foreign mall during the past year nas brought, through the appropriate chaunels, to the Navy Department, from our citizens aud representa tives in every quarter of the glebe, requests, which Are someilmes appeals, for that assurance of satcty and protection abroad which is only afforded by the presence of am armed vessel ef the govern- ment, Wherever civilization is backward commerce and Christianity are only safe under ihe guardianship of power; wherever governments are unsettled or ar- bitrary the properly and ihe persons of strangers of every class are in continual danger, and all ever the world, wherever war infiames the passion< of civilized man, the authority or law is loosened, the securities ef gevernment unsettied and the influence of civilized society weakened, and there the rights of neutrals demand of their governments constant and careful protection. On our own continent war in the West indies and complications on the fishing banks have called s#immaltaneously for the presence of our cruisers at both extremities of the North Atianiie station. From the isolated groups of the Pacific and from every suruggling geverninent of the Sout we are called upon Lo pretect the persons and property oi our citi. zens. Kyergwhere on the shores of eivilized Uurepe, from the Baltic to the Bosphorus, the se- curily of American niterests and the rights of Ame- rican citizenship demand at this juncture the pres- ence of our flag; and in the hait-eivilized Bast our commerce is constantly startied by ontbreaks which defy the power of even friendly governments, At our jast advices Christian missionaries, fright- ened from their chapels aad scheoi houses, were being returned on beard a man-of-war, and on any day We may heur that some representative of our gov- ernment, more than ten thousand miles from our apital, bas found bis only safety under cover of our aval guns. in addition to the duties which these cireum- stances entail the Navy ig at this time prosecuting, under the authority of Congress, ‘wo surveys across the isthmus which con- uects the northern and southern portions of our continent, and making, under ike authority, sound- s aud surveys fer lines of telegraph and fer dging and improvement of harbers of refuge and fesert on our coast and in midecean; we are also About tocontribute, under special legislative direc- Vion, & vessel and its appliances te a scienittic expe. (tion toward the Nerth Pele. ‘Vo answer as lar as possible the requirements tm. posed by these conditions 1s the appropriate duty of our navy, bat the fuifliment of this duty must, of course, depend upon the propor- tion which the means av its command bear to the character aad frequency of the circumstances ailing lor attention, and the vast distances which must be traversed to apply thew, The uavisable waiers of the globe, embracing an area of over 140,000,000 square miles, are divided, for the purpese of our naval operations, into five distinct cruising stations, to cach of which 18 assigned such of our uaval force a8 the circumstances of cack may re- quire and the means at the command of the depart. ment permit, ‘rhe limits of these stations have not been changed since the date ef my last report, nor has the department been abie to increase, to any great extent, the force assigned to each of them. The North Atlantic station, extending northward from the mouth of the Amazen and westward from the forty-third degree of longitude west of Green- wich, embraces more than 8,000 miles of our own coast line on the Atlantic and the Gull, and inciudes within its limits all the West India islands ana the coasts of Mexico, the isthmus and the northern countries of South America, The force on tnis sta tion is under the commandof Rear Admiral 8. P. Lee- who relieved Rear Admiral 0. H. Foor on the 16th of August last, It consists of the Severn, tae Con- gress, the Tascarora, the Swatara, the Nantasket, tue Yantic, the Kangas and the Nipsic, with the tug Piigrim, and the tron-clads Dictator, Terror, Ajax end Saugus, and the Pawnee as hospital ship, making tn all fourteen snips, including che tag, and mounting seventy-nine guns, Of this feet all but four vessels—the Tuscarora, the Nantasket, the Dictater, and the Saugus-—have been refitted or repaired dur- ing the past yeer. aes Drincipal headquarters of this fleet ts at Key West, selected as the most con- venient station, within six hours’ sail of Havana, and in direcé communication by telegraph with yashinglop. Of thia fleet the four monitors, with the hospital uy and tag, cannot be considered as cruisers:—the latter is stationed permarentiy at headquarters, and the former, whese movements are slow and expensive, are kept ready for emer- yencies, and move only to points where a display of force 1a called for. The steamera Nipsic aud Kansas, of this squadren, are at present engaged en special service connected with the surveys of the Darien and Tehuantepec reuies. During the past year the head hai KA Ae nen largely engaged In cru 01 ‘est India raids, esuecially in the neighborhood. of : the L sah vl ¥ which republic we extend out protection under ibe terms nrthe pending treaties; and in the waters of Cuba, where a condition of etvil strife demanded the con- shunt presence of @ur sbips for the protection of ‘American interests. These waters embrace an area ‘of 600,000 square miles. The Island of St, Domingo iiself bas a coast line of over 1,100, mites, while thay of Quba exceeds 1,000 miles in extent. in these waters the force ef other aud distant nations [ar ex- ceeded ourewn. The French and English fects on that station are far jarger tha out own, Wille that of Spain ig made up of 25 ships, Including several powerful sea-going iren-clads, mounting in all 366 guns, besides 40 gunboats, mounted, each With one teavy rife gun. ‘The South Atlantic station, stretching from the Amazon across to Saint Paul de Loauds, and south. ward between the shores and beyond ihe capes of either Continent, covers an area of yast extent and importance, The feet assigned to this station con- sists a present of bus jour vessels, treo of which are ou Wye slabon pnd Lhe four auoys ia Jou ky Bin—I respectfully submit the foliowing report of the Navy Department and the navai service for the o38, to the government of ‘These, under the command of Rear Admiral Lan- man, ure the Lancaster (flagship), the Porismiouth, Mae Wasp and tie Narraganse!, numberiug iw all 41 guns. Of ‘his fleet the Narraga@uset has been com- pletely re(itted during the past year. ‘The Pacific station extends trem Benring Straits southward to Cape Hern and westward to the 170th degree we t longitude, and sonth of the Equator to Lhe 115th degree east, Including the Seuth Pacific groups, New Zealand, New Guinea and Au tratia, ‘The feet on the station Is divided into two snad- rons, called respectively the North and South Pacile squadrons. ‘ne North Pacific sqaadron, under the immediate command of Commodore William K, Taylor, consists at this time of seven ships, mounting in ail eighty- eight guns, six of which are on the station and tie seventh under orders to joim the squadron, vizZ.3-— The Pensaceia, the Saranac, the St. Mary’s, the Oyane, the syne and the Sagivaw, with the Califor. nia about to sail, ‘The South Pacific squadron, now ander the Imme- jaie command of Cummodore David McDougal, cousists of five ships, mounting to all forty guns, VIZ. The Jamestown, the Ossipee, the Kesaca, the On- ward, and the slohican. The whole feet thus con: elata of Lweive ships, Mounting in all 128 guns, aud 4g under the geueral cousmand of Kear Aduiral John A. Winsiow, who relieved Rear Admiral Turner on the ninth day of Sepvember last, O. vats Meet all but three yessels Nave Leen retitted or repaired since the date of my last report Our coast Id 18 station, includimg that of Alaska, 1s over 4,000 miles in extent, aud the duties Sud responsibihtics oi his Het are Of great variety and importance, Besides a general protectorate of the persons and property of our missionaries, repre. sentatives, citizens and tradera svatiered en the coasts and im the seaports of South Atnerica and the Istamus, and among the islands of the Pacitic, they imclude a supervision of the tute- rests of the gevernment and our people in the whal- ing and seal fisheries of tne norti, and of our coins mercial relations with the ixlauds aud with the east. In these interesis long stretches of coast most be surveyed, ports or Fenory aud harbors of refuge en the aig Wand and ia tid o’éan must be sounded and dredged, pointy of ditculty and of danger tested and marked oul, and at vast distances, with thou- sands of miles between; the tag of the republic must be displayed wherever barbari.m ig ighoraat or cu- pidity untuindful ef our rights and p. Wer, The reports of (ne operations of the ships on thia station, wuten, togetuer tbe those of the other fleets, will be \Ound detailed in brief In the state- ment annexed, enutled “Operations of Fleets,” ana more at large in the reports the appendix, will be found bota mteresting and instructive, especial! those relating tu the cruises of the Jamesiuwn an Kearsage among the islands of tac Paciic, The £uropean siation, embracing all the waters of the Atlantic, and its comuunicating seas norta of tae Eyuator, and including the whole Eu- ropean coast aud that of Norta Africa, 1s always a station of great consequence, in view of the intl macy 0! our relation» with the peoples amd gevern- ments ef Western Gurepe, and the number and tn- portance of our personal and commercal relations in that quarter of the worid, In the present condition of Europe the feelings and pride of our people, a8 well as their interests aud safety, demaud that we shall ve represented there by all the force available rer tnat purp.se; and the departineat has endeavored to increase tue feet in that quarter as far as was possibie, im View of Lao requirements ner stations, Our European fleet ts now under the command of Rear Admiral Glisson, who relieved Rear Admiral Radford on the lvth of Augusi last, 1t consisis of the Franklin (Qagship),fthe Brooklyn, the Ricumend, the Plymouih, the Shenandeah, the Juniata, tie Saco aud the Guerriere, eight ships, mounting in all 129 guns. Of these seven are new on the station, and the eighth, the Guerriere, is under sailing orders to join the fleet. Of this feet all but the Franklin, the Ricamond and the Juniata have been refitted and repaired during the past year. ‘rhe tic siation embraces all the waterg of AB: and of Eastern and Northeastern Africa, and the islands of the Eastern Ocean, retenng eastward Ull it meets the limita of the Pacific station exteud- ing Irom the west. The fleet on this station is now under command of Rear Admiral John xogers, who relieved Rear Admiral Rowan on the wih day of August last, It comsisis of the Ovlorado (fagsiip), the beetle Alaska, the Ashuelot, the Me. nocacy, the Palos aud the Idaho (storeship), seven Vessels In all, mounting eighty-elght guus. Of this feet all but (mree have been prepared for sea, and have salied from the United States since the date of my last report. The Palos, a small steamer of 393 tons, fitted and armed for cruising la the rivers of Ohina, was sent to Join this fleet by the route of the Suez Canal. She miade the pene from Boston to Singapore in seventy-turec sailing days, The history of her voy- age and ber of the canal, detailed in the Appenals, Will be {ouna of much interest. ‘he importance of our interests on this station can hardly be over: estimaied, and the constant necessity for an increase of our force there oppresses the de« pariment. The uncertain tenure by which all the interests of commerce, civilization and religies are held in the East; the Ignovance which clogs aud the superaiitions which thwart all plain dealing with barbaric and semi-barbaric power; and the vast distances which separate the peiuts of in- terest or danger—all these combipe to demand an bese ag ef force which the department is unable te a ‘The feeling of uncertainty and alarm which at this time pervades ail the European se.wements in China extends to our own commercial and religious repre- sentatives, and the bulk of our Asiatic fleet te now cruising in that portion of the siaiion for the pro- tection of amy miterests which may be threatened, and the display, as far a3 may be, of that armed force which makes the strongest appeal to static respect, MIDWAY ISLANDS. The act making appropriations for the naval ser- vice, approved March 1, 1569, appropriated $50,000 Yor deepening the entrance to the harbor of Midway Isiands, In the Pacitic Ocean, to afford a safe rendezvous and port of refuge and resort jor the naval and merchant vessels cf tie Untied States. In pursuanes of the provisions of this act a contract was entered into with Mr. George W Townsend, of Boston, September 39, 1869, to execute the work, and one ef the vessels of the Pacific fleet, the naw, under Lieutenant Commander Sicard, was tailed to aid the contractor by making the necessary surveys and to afferd such other facilities as were reasonable and best calculated to forware the enter- prise. The commanding officer of tis ship was charged with the immediate supervision of the work and with the insyectiun of tt as contemplated by the act. ‘The Saginaw reached the Midway Islands March 24, and a8 soon as possibie thereafter the deepening of the channel was commenced, and has been continued with fidelity. More diflicuity has been experienced and greater obstacies encoun- tered than were anticipated, but at the date of the latest report froin the oMicer in charge he was able to torm a tolerably fair estimate of the time and cost of completing the work, His estimate of time is fifty-two months from April 23, the date of its commencement, and of the cost, abeut $214,000— which sui he considers to be (he least that can be allowed, It is agreed im the coutract that the United States shall have the option of te uoting the work whenever the appropriation spectally mado for tt by Congress shatt be insuilicient for its further coutmuance, and as the department given positive instructions tuat the ap- prepriation be not exceeded, there will be no means for prosecuting Ue work louger than full October, ab which ume the party proposes re- turning to San Francisco. Lieuicnant Commander Sicard gives in his report full aud infdresting details of the manuer in which the work has been execuied, its progress from ime to time aud te prospects of its successful termina- tion, INTEROCRANIC CANAL. Inexecation of the plan stated in my last annual report lor surveying the Isthmus of Darien, with a View vo ascertain by what route, if any, @ ship canal might be construcied between the two oceans, Uiree small vessels, the Nipsic, Guard and Nyack, were, in January, 1870, placed under the command of Cominander Th O, Seit- ridge, with instructions to explore and survey suca portions of the pone of Darien ag migitt be sup- posed suitable for tho location and construction of such & canal. Besides the officers and crews of these vessels, the exploring party consisted of a guard of marines, under the command of Captain Houston, and twelve civilians, employed as en gineers, draughtsmen, telegraphers, mineralogtsts aud puotographers. ‘Iwo Of the vessels (the Guard and Nipsie) were ordered to rendezvous in Cai donia Bay. The Guard arrived taere en the ica of February and the Nipsio two days later, by the way of Aspinwall, where she touched to procure laborers and guides. The President ot Panama — exhibited x friendly Interest, and sent ap OMcial represeutative to join the exploring party. The Nyack, Wich Was attacied to the Pactilc meet, was ordered to St. Tuigues Bay, but, not reaching ber destiaation until the Lith of April, her officers amd crew took no part in the explorations on shore, but were advantage- ously employed in harbor and coast survey. Taree routes were explored aud suiveyed, viv. :—~ Firsi.—The Darien reate, whion, siarting from Culedonia Bay, procecds to the headwaters of the Sucubitl river, following that river to ite jonction with the Chucunagui, thence goes westwardly across the “divide” to the confuence of the Lara and Savanna rivers and down ihe savanna,to the Secona,—The Sassardi rouse, which, tealing from BSassardt river, at the nortierly extremity of Vale donia Bay, up tne Sassardl ry (0 the dividing ridge, moves thence to vie river Mord, @ tributary of the Chucunaqul, and theuce, by the Morti, Uhu- cnuaqui aud Savanny, to tie Pacific. Third.—The route of San Blas, which, starting from the guif of that name, passes through the val- leys of the Maudinga aud Marmoni rivers, te the junction of ihe latter with the river Bayamo, or ‘Unepo, and thence twelve miles by that river vo the Pacific. Bach of uicse three routes was ascertained to be impracticabie for a ship canal, tu the first aneleva- oa of 568 feet, I the second ef 244 feel, and in tho thint of 1,142 teet must be’ over- come by tunuels, varying im ieagth from six to ten willes, and invol¥.ng aa expense too mon- strous for any hope of profit or advantage. ‘khe advent of the rainy season readered the further sur- vey of ether voutes impossible, and the expedition retarned to report resulis aad awalt further erders, The report of Commander Selfridge seews to fur- Dish abundant proot that the expedition was con- ducted with great mdustry, zeat and skill; and, although no feasivie reute has yet been discovered, the field of tuture exploration has been materially dimioisued. The imporiance of this work cannot ‘be overestimated, and itt 18 the purpose of the De- partment to prosecute the plan of exploration and complete the survey during the present seasen in saci a manner as to settle defintely the question of a ship canal by any of the Darten routes. The expedition, organized under the pro whe age of Coumruss. lox ue supvey of Uy — tons of ewan tepec route for a ehip cana), consisting of the Kansas and Mayflower (iug), sasled from Hampton Roads, under the command ef Captain K. W. Shuteldt, on the idth of Octoper, arviving at Key West on the 24h of that menth, “When lost heard from they had left Key West, in good condition, for the place ot the rendezvous, 11s expected that (he survey will be completed during the present season, and a lavor- able resuit is hoped for, Such are some of the duties required of our naval force im time of peace, and such is ine force which We are how able to put upon the seas jor the per- formance of these duties, I 18 true that, with all the department has been able vo de during the las year, it hast net been possivle {o increase materially our cruising force on foreign stations. Put this force ty, 1 think, Ina stale of much greater eMctouey than formerly, aud there are, In addition, severai ships ready tor sea, Which can pall sitengtien our squadrons ag soon as Crews ean he Ghiistéa v6 vlad thea, tan ppy, moreever, to be abie to report that the past year shows a marked improvement im the character and the conduct o the men eplistiug in the service and the general diselpline and eliciency of the crews of our men-of-war, Many regulations have been made and orders issued during the last year looky to then comfort and heaith aud a system of rewards and prometions for good conduct estab> Ushed, This has already produced a noticeable ec Jor good, and tt needs only to be pursued and a sailoré in {is country, this subject unite in recommendy, gs an lnpfove- ment now most urgent. the allowance of anoutilt Of cloth ny Lo eacu satlor on cplistiment, alter the Manher of Uke ailuwances of a stmilar characver made iD the army, and the department concur in this recommendation as an uct of justice and a means of relieving tae men frou the necessity of entering the service in debi te the government, and noving Unis inducement to discontent and geseriion, | beg also, in this coanection, to refer to and repeat the recoinmendations—made at length In by last report, upon the subject of improving the Character of our seamen, aud of thelr bralning, reg- istry aod organizauon us a part of the avaliable force of the Gist NAVY YARDS. vd to make the navy attractive to the best f 2 ollcers in char ‘The condition of our navy yards in various parts of tne country demands attention. Very ititie has been done toward their Inprovement at any the since the commencement of tae war, and Jase year nothing was appropriated for tliat purpose exoupt a small amount or the Mare Island yard, ‘the late Secretary, hr. Welles, frequently Called the attention of Congress 1 te ¢on- aicon to which our building and repairmy yards) were coming under’ wis policy; and in ce last report I felt cuited ~ upon to speak at Kome length on the subject, Waeh year that they are pestpoved the necessity tur improve- ments grows more imperative, and ue cost of making them iarger, Wile the want of them 1s each year more and more severely felt 1 the mereased Cost to the government ot the work wuich we are obliged to do, entated by the want of the ordinary a@ppances jor rapid and economical iabor. ‘nis Want 19 most severely teit at Mare Isiand, where is situated our only naval cstablishinent op the i'scuie coast. Our vessols for the Pacitle fleet should be be built, as faras may be, and all oi them, as well as those of tie Asiatic feet, shonid be repulred at this yard. The passage round Cape Horn 4s tuo dificult and dangerous and consumes too much dime to be thought of when other means of refiting and repair are possible to the governmeut; yet, for the want of appropriations for the proper pulldiogs. vols and machinery fer this yard on the ‘acific, our ships are obliged to make long and dan- gerous passages to the Atlantic coast wilh great de- triment to the service aud loss to the government, and expensive and cumbersome machinery built at the East must be travsported across the Conunent, at an expense often equul to its original cost. { woulu aiso again press the suggestions made last Pied im regard to the importance of removing our large werk.ng yards from their present stwuation in the midst of populous and growing cities, and cat attention again to the necessities of the service an the Sine {the government in regard to the League island portion of the Philadelphia station and to that at New London. THK SUBMARINE TORPEDO, The impertance of the submarine torpeao as a Weapom Of naval Warfare is every day more appa- Tent. As our experiments and improvemonts pro- gress the terrible power of this engine and the cer- laity and ease with which it may be appiied are more clearly demonstrated, and tt promises to be the most eflicient, as well a5 the least expensive, meaus ef defence and attack known to the service. Recent events in Europe nave shown tts value as an important part of the system of coast defence. Wo are progressiag im this direct.on as fast as the ap- prepriation will permit, and If the sugyestions of che Oflicers in charge of this brauch are carried out we shall, I think, be as well arimed In tus respect as any ether Power in the world. The reports of the several bureaus of the depart- ment, and that of the Admiral upon the condition of the service, will be found im the appendix to this report. They contain much thats instructive and vaiuadle. Ishall not pause to repcat them in de- tau, but, recommending them for the study of al) who, from auty or inclination, are interested in the service, shail refer specially Lo a few things which {impress me as of the most urgent importance. HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICER. The necessity ef an American hydrographic estan- Mshment, furnishing its ewn charts, books and sail- tug directions, at least to our own commerce, if not the work of surveys and discovery, must be appa- rent to uny one even slightly acqualnted with the nation, note such establishments have long b tion, furnishing their quota for ine general advance of science and the greater security of navigation. In this the aydregrapbic office of England takes the lead; and, furmishing its cl. @ great part of the commercial world, exacts tribute Which pays almost the whole expense, not only ol the office and iis publications, but ef the surveys constantly carried on in every quarter of the giove, Our country, with perhaps greater advan- tages, has done, and 1s doing, but iitie ip compar son, Aithough @ nydrographi been es- tablished by Congress, under the Kurean of Naviga- tion, no steps have been taken toward its advance- ment and gradual increase, and i 1s as present scarcely more than a depot of charts, the great part of which, with the sailing directions, &e., used by our naval and commercial marine, are pur- chased from abroad; and, in the eveut of arupiure of our relations witt Great Brita, our supply would be, In a great measure, cutoff. There 1s not in this country @ private ilrm of uydrography. The goverament, by establishing i's own office, hua de Bu “i private enterprise in this direction and taken upen itself the supplying of ull the needed in formation: and most propeily se, for private firms can neither find this bravch suiicteatly remuseraitve to insure accuracy, bor can they readily obtain the ne- cessary Information, which comes Jargely from the oltices of foreign goverimenis and trow original surveys entirely beyond their province. To place our ofice on a proper hasia and make w@ gradual advancemené from year to year a fair ap- propriation {3 required to procure and arrange & proper buildiag for the prosecution and exieusion of the work, and @ yearly allowamce to enable ihe olfice to merease graduuliy it8 engraved chart plates, &¢., unt) such @ time as, by the sale of their work, With am inerease ef commerce, the ofice would pay itself. A atl yearly appropriation should aiso be made ir prosecuung abroad in such unsurveyed fletés as inc it, and Which jay most Linuediately beet commerce, MAGAZINE AT NORFOL. I beg leave, aiso, to call your a!cention to the nn- safe Gondition of the magazine at Norfolk, Va., aud to ask that a suficient appropriation be made for the parchase of anew stile in 4 safer position, and for the erection of the necessary buildings. A Binelting furnace has been erected and ts to fuil operation, within 200 feet of tie present site of the magazine buildings, some of which are of wood, and the town fs fast extending to direct contact with their walls, NITRE DEPOT. The subject of a nitre depot, for the storage of nitre at some inland point, near railroad or canal communication With the sea coast, aiso presses for action. This subject was fully presented by the Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance, in 4 note to the esuimates for the Burean for 1889-70. This is be- lieved to be very important, and it is hoped that Congress will see the propriety of acting im the aaatter, ORDNANCE. In ordnance there is no reason to bellove we are yet belund other nations, bat large sums are now being expended by them fn experiments with can- non and guns of all calibres, and as the inventive genius of our country is much engaged tn the improvement of arms, and new suggestions, ome of much apparent merit, are con. anily offered, it ix hoped that a suitapie sum may be allowed Jor testing them, particularly deing this themseives. IKON SH!PRUILMING, Among the many enterprises ou foot for restoring our commerce and affording greater facilities to tae navy in time of war, Which ask for governmental assistance, thoge which present themscives most favorably tethe department are such as propose to erect bnilding yards for iron ships and decks of large capacity, suMlciemt for chs building or the largest class of cantie and war purposes, aud offer to the government prefereuce for thelr work in time of ence and abselute cenirol in lime ef war. We ave Not at this time the requisite docks, tools avd Duschinery for the censtruction of these great irom vessels, and the establishment and coutrolef such Works us these would, of course, b8 of great advan- tage ve the government, TRE NAVAL ACADEMY at Annapolis continues to be @ subject of great in- terest and satisfaction to ail who are interested In the service, The mental and physical develop- meut produced under the system there pur+ sued 18 of great value, and its benefits are felt in every departusent of tne service, Xue Board of Visitors, whose report is nunexed (ta the appendix), have made recomumondaiions, ta which tbe department concurs, la regard to ine increase of age at the time of admission; ibe purchase of a sirip Of iand lying Lontignous w tie academy, and between two portions of the government property, and the establishment ef a swimming school. Tc should not be forgotten by those interested in this lostitution that itis intended as @ schoul of disci- pline lor an exact and dificult service, as well as of Jaental instraction and improvement. In this view the enforcement of reguiatiens, wich to the unin. | formed may seem strict, becomes necessury to main- tain the standard of the sehool and accouipiish the ens for which it was established, THY DEALH OF ADMIRAL PARR. ce the adjournment of Congress the nation har hi calied to mourn the death of the great Dayal hero, Admirai David G, Farragat, who was alike Gustinguished for dus service Lo ola gouutry, for ols to the outside world, and performing its portion of wants of Commerce and the duues of # commercial Jnaer al Juropean gevarnwents of any | gen in opera. | SAry lor pe ty and publications to | as most of the Inventors are without the means for | iteamers for mer. } moral worth ond for the simplicity of his personal character, ie has passed Lo lis rest while tis deeds are yet fvesh in the memory of his countrymen, Entering ihe naval service aban carly age, he gave evidence, as « boy, on hoard the historic Essex, of uhat brave id selt-reliance which (lsatinguished Bim tn afrer-tife, During the years ot peace waich succeeded tis professional Couduet and his personal bearing, as ie advanced trom grade vo grade in th Service placed him among the foremost of his prd fessien in tue esumauion Of the department ‘and or the country, ve Un the breaking oat of the rebellion Admural (then Dtain) Farragut, though a citizen of a se. ceding State, knew no other allegiance than that pinged © the government and May of hts county, Te Waa early ssiected by the Navy Depurtinent as the commaner-in-clief of the blockading squadron Operating on (ue Southera coast, where, by the bril- Mant expisits of the fleet under fis command at New Orieaas, in tie Mississippi and at Moolie, he conquered the admtranon of the world and wen the gratitude of Nis country, Honored both @ hone and abroad, and beloved by all who know him, he las descended to the grave, yn 8 country mourns the hero and the Man, Since lis deach Che very distinguished ocer who had occupied Lue position of Vice-Adiiral has | Succeeded to his place as Admiral, and Rear-Admi- ral Kowan, who lias rece ved the thanks of Congress for Fal! Dt services to the country hae been ap- pointed Vice: Adiniral, om THK LOs¢ OF THE ONEIDA, On the afiernoon or the 2itn of January jast the steam sloop-ol-war Oneida, carrying six Zons and & crew of 17S oXicers and men, steamed out of the | harbor of Yokohama on her return to this country, after a cruise of three years on the Asiaiié stulion, At seven ociock on the same | evening, in the Bay of Yedo, about fifteen miles from Yokohama, sho was ran into by we Enghsh steamer Bombay, carrying the muis and passengers for the last-named port. Alier culling Gown the Oneida, and carrying away entirciy a large portion of her stern, the bay proceeded on her way, leaving behind her, in th rkness, the wafortwnate ship and her gallant crew. In less than fifteen minntes h nad from the tae she Was first sunk beneath the ¥ And 152 men, out two ef the tormerand dity-seven of the latte ped a watery grave. Ihave aireauy liad the honor, i response to reso- lutions of Congress, to communicate all tie Infor- mation on this subject which was in the possession of the department, and to express my epinion of the causes of the Wisaster and (he conduct or the ac- not since thal timme seen reason to | views, aud, still Lelleving that our Lose | by tho recklessness and bad wavigation Of the persons fa charge of the Bombay, | rect meod (hat Lie depariment be anche: AK such means as may he avaiiahie to obiam redress from ber owners for our pecuniary loss. The live: @f those wWiio perished eaniior be re Joss repaid to (heir families or their cousiry, NAVAL PENSION } UND. ‘The pension roli on the 1st of November, 1870, was as folloWs:— 1,368 Invatids, annually 1,042 widows and eniidre 8 mused elving, , Anudally re $123,014 ve 66, 8,010 persons, reveiving o total Of.....0..,..$389,088 3 AND ESTIMATES. ‘The whole acvual exponditare of the department and the service chargeuble to the navy appropria- tions, since the st report and up tothe Ist of Deceinder, 13 the sum Of $1,045,100. ‘This amount will be siigitly, Gul only apparentiy, im- creased by (le payments of adjudicated prize money and the bounties given by Cepyress to une heirs of thode lost in the Oneida, which sums, though charge- able to other fuads, will appear in the geaeral sum of naval expenditure, The actual expenditure of the year ending Decem- ber 1, 1869, Was $20,031,285, This shows a decrease im the expenditure of the last year from that of the previous year of $1,090,119 The appropriations for the current Osen) year, end- Ing On the sth day of June nexi, amount in ine aggregate to $19,094,037, ‘The expendiwre suco the commencement of the fiscal year is within that proportion Of the appro- priations applicable to the five months which have passed, aid slows a decrease duriug that period of $2,488,586 from the expenditure of the correspond- Ing five months of the last year. | statement showing the amounts 4: funded aud expeuded ior ¢acu montu year 18 hereto saanexea, ‘The estimates for the gencral expenses of the ser- vice tor the fiscal yeur ending June 80, 1872, amount © $20,683,317 aud are as follow: Pay of officers ana seamen of the navy. ....$6,500,000 Current repairs ef buildings, docks and in- besides ten etior vessels of smaller tonnage. { List OP VSSELS IN THE SrANISH NAVY, THEIR STATIONS. pred, nor their | NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1870.—TRIPLE SHEET. LIST OF VESSFES IN TH BRITISH NAVY THAT CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE IN A BifORe TIME, Thingy-six broadside vessels, carrying 656. uns of | large edlibre, divided as Tellow 1 Pirst class—Herenies, € to 14 inch armor, 14) knots; Sultan, 6 bo td4inch arm: Second class—Audacions, Invineibie, Vanguard, Iron Duke, Mwittsure, Trigmph, $ to 16 Inch armor, it ls's knots, t2-tou guaad, yird class—Bolierophen, Lord Warden, tora | Clyde, Minotaur, Agincour ‘and, Royal | Allred, Repulee, Penelope, 6 to 6 inch avi ld Kuets, 12-ton gaps. Fourth ¢lasié— Achilles sort, Caledon. | mon armor, spe Ola, Ubon guns, Fitth class—Warrior, buick Prince, Defence, Re sistance, 4).-uch armor, speed Ls knots, 9-tou euns, Sixth class. speed 13 knots, 2ton \. beventh clas4—Keniorprike, Research, 4}4-tneb ax- mor, speed 10 knots, 64-ton yans, ‘Three gauboats—Vixen, V Waterwiteh, 434- Inch ari@or, spoed 9 knots, O)4-ton guns, Kleven turret ships new on hand. dass 1 (turret ships) will inchide, finally, 20 vea- | sels of ® new design, provecsed bY 10 to Tt ineh | armor, With wspecd el Ls Knots, 2-ton guas, 6v0- pound alot, Class 2 wail stb Of the Monarch, carrying Sinch armor, speed of 14 kKuots, carrying 2-ton uns. Class 3 will consist of the armor, speed 9 knots, 2o-1on guns. Class 4, Hotapur, 10 to i inch speert, 18 to 2 ton guns. Class 5, Royal Sovereign aud Prince Albert, 434 inch to 53, ineb armor hae 12 Kaols, iuvou wanes, Class Gi, Scorpion and Wyveru, 445 inch armer, speed 19 knots, 12-ton guns. VESSELS PIMTING AND BUCLDING IN DOCK YAKDS, TO BH READY ABOUT Dx Devastation, 4 guns (turret); Glatu (turret); Thunderer, 4 eas (cai heavy combination); Kupert, & @ sure, 14 guas (roadeide); Iron uke, 44 gaus (brow side); Audue.ous, Md puns (broadside); Invmclbte, Fums (broadside); Vauguard, 14 guhs (broadside) lotspur, 2 guns (lurrety; Pury, 4 gis (turrel cules, 12 guas (heavy combinaiton). Poilas, Favorite, 43¢-inch armor, latton, 10 wo 12 ineh ar r, 12 knots H NAVAL 1870. 2 guns , 1 gana rel): SWHIL+ AVAILBALE WOODEN STRAMSHIPS FOR IMMEDIATE SERVICE, BRUSH NAVY, ‘Twelve line of Vaitle ships; Tnconstant, frigate, speed 15 knots; Active and Volage, frig Lo knots; Lwelve corveties of Blane! knots; two Druld class, speed 1 Vessels (new), specd is knots speed 13 knots; First class vessels (1roa-clad), irom 15 to 2 Victoria, Havana; Numanvia, Carthagena; Mediterrancan squadron; Sagunlo, Verrol’ arsenals Arapilis, Ferro! arsenal; Saragossa, Havana; Reso. | Jucton, Carivagena; Castilia, Arvegon and Navarra, rection at the wrsenal af San Fernaudo, uudron; Almansa, Mayan rona, Havin; squadron; Carmen, ception, Ferrol; Htat West Indies; Marie vas de Colosa, a- Austurtas, Mediterranean Leuitad, Havana; Con- 4, South America; Barenueia, | d6 Molina, ©: ernando Havan Blasco Ge Garay, Havana; Pizarro, lico, Havanu; laabel i Catolico, Cad: Cortez, Havana; Diioa, Havana; Vasco Mavana; Chincurra, Havana; Lapanto, Barcelona; Limers,’ Catabina;’ V ite, Valencia; Aleria, Mnlaga; Venadito, Havana; Neuturno, Havana; } Quande Austria, Havana; Peles, Sun Lucas; Bazan, avai. Screw corvettes (wo Cadiz; Vencedora, Mav eZ, Manila; Circe, Manila; Santa Lucia, Oad: na, Cadiz; Africa, Havena; Vadras, Mania; Andaiusa, Havana; Gnodiaua, Havana; Huelos, Havana; Serruia, Ha- Vana; Logira, Cadiz; Favorita, Havana; Filemela, Havana; Constencis, Manila; Animesa, Mantl Vahente, Grospendad, Coast of Calabria; Cando’ Havana; Santa Cermso, Cadiz; Buenaventura, Vizo; Careiad, Oxnary Islands; Concordia. Fernando #0; Euitana, Baleares; Ceres, south America, ; Screw transports, 6 yuns—Borgia, Havana; Mar- quis de la Victor, Manila; Eseaus, Manta; Patino, Manila; Ferrot, liz; San Antonia, Cadiz, Sotling vessels, 54 guns-—Ksperanza, Cadiz; Santa guns—Consuelo, | trophe, 1 re 5 ectmginy, which is netonly a disgrace to a great marines pauon like Engiand, bat af once clearly proves ina? the Hew purchase and styre systems are a failure, Forteaugtely it has becone patent when England is at peace, Wutl 1 have the domred eifect? f much question if it wl nave any meducnee or make the least Lupression upon fhe authoriues te induce thom to pat from them suell petty, minerabie econo- my. ‘The dockyard» were, shortly afer the present MInISLLY's Accession to oNice, copie ely denued of stores, and, instead of going to the best amd proper Murkel, 1D SOme—iN MaADy—lnstanoes tLe urgency of the article required compelled (he dockyal oftictals to make purebases ty the neignvorhoed of the dockyaras of articles, nes only very inferior, but the demand was gre r than could ve be locally Supplied. Consequent upon this cane chaos and hindranee, which at vider Tunes Weuls lave been of Vast moment, One triding instanes Money (0 called by U Whitehall) ;— as t pre: TIONS OF IRON, all the dock yards were res old and unserviceable stores surveys were day drawn up aud oMoce—and the Fiaanctal Seccetury, Know. lng more of other trades than the Ira trade, oF dered ali or nearly ail old irou bullae! and old iron to be sold, evidently forgetting for tue unoment that iron Wimalieable and night Dave becu turned to some service for Lue beaed! of the eouutry, and nob Of favortie rag merchants. Tae resuit iis beem toast in the receut triais testing the staulily of some of onr channel ships, more ivon ballase las been Te quired; a case in Dotnet ts Lac Inconstant, & Rew Cer Velle; It was found (hat she required en audinenal quanuty of ballast w steady her, io cone ef the dock yards at home was there any iron Hallast to be had; ‘wil had n soi, ANd he Pequisile &MOUNs had to be taken out of one OF the shee” auld. Again, would it not have beea uselal now with the ex-Cutef Constructor’s slips—tne Vauguard, Audacious and Lnyiscible—to have vaiasted them with proper iron ballast, insted 0. ‘he sbull—cee Inent aud scrap-lrou baliast—they ad put wte them? the saving public t sigwucial rulers ty Qu A short time ‘sine ported upon as lo the they had. 1" peat in British Prosessional Opia on. To THe Eprvor oF TUB LONDON TIMES: — Sin—-The oficial commanication witch has been made pablo th netally « the superior stavilly of hier Maesty’s slup Moaare nder canvas over that of the lost Coplain oblige me to break a silence Which | otherwise would Rave plain until the Kirst Lord of tae ‘aily’s promised minute bad been published. If ever the tru lot the oid Bagisa proverb “dur. der will out,” was proved, lt 1s in the figares pro- cltimed from the Shipootidiag Department of the Aduuiralty, aud it only strengthens sui, move the case agalust that department, walen, pub in the miidest terms, [ maimtain, amounts oy. Kor L would Irrespective of any to a charge of gross incomper ask you or any rational person, kuowledge, Whetier two slips of such dispro- ale KuibILty should have been sent Ww sea to comp snle against Le other under canvas, wath~ out tats melancholy fact being made kuown to Hes gallant officers who commanded taem or to the ad mirals Who were responsible tor tie valuable ships aud lives uuder thelr charge. If the deparcuent, Lo avoid the charge of mansicughter, now pieads thas this information was only Known a ter the cays ly that this 18 un acknowiedyment of the negiigeace and mcompeteacy winch Le Wl be Mr. Cluiders’ duty to bring Lome to his suvordtaa’ and to punish the offend -rs, Land uavil of general are waiting in persect relunce on Mr. 0 ders’ courage and good faith in deaing with & important question. No one, Lain sure, can feel more deevly than he does the serious charge Which nOW lies ab tue dour of the Board of Admiralty, One of 13 departments has indicted on the Britisi navy a loss ouly equal Le that which we have previously suiteved when cacry lng off some great Victory like Trataigar or tue Nile. In this case 600 itves have been disdsvrousiy sacti- ficed and a disgrace lies at the door of Wiiteuall, 1s is for Mr. Childers to say who isin fault and what his punishment shailbe. if apointswaa or signal wan on urailway had occasioned the joss of 590 fouls from even wnimtectional neglect of duty, ail Eugiand would have rung with ic and the weeich been certaluly senienced to a period of servitude. Are We going to gliow those who ought to have cau- tioned our oiticers of the danger they were incurring in wailing the Captain in equimectial gules to escape With greater impunity, When by the iigures wey Maria, Cadiz, These two vessels form the school sguadron with tne frinidad, Pouwon vessels~iberin, Havana; Algerias, Al- gerias. Monitors or gunboats, | gun (109-pounder), in Cuban waters—Activo, Kapido, Argos, cidental expenses Ib navy Sarda, &c., $33,850 | pela, Quien Vieve, Visa, asiuto, Almendares, Ei Pay of clytl establishment in navy yards, Dist is Mareuero, Soldado, Ertesson, Librel,” Gazae hospitals, Ke. . 817.544 | dor, Canio, Gaceta, Teiegrauia, Creolo, Ardid, Indio, Ordnance and Torsede corp: 987,000 | Caribe, Alarms, Diseu Coal, Metp aud equipment 1,700,000 | and Prucba. Navigaiion, nayigallon suppile +» 187,500 ‘he following are at Manila:—Mindoro, Paraguay, Hydrographic work 40,008 | Catamidaits, mindanas, Panay, Lamar, Felipino} 200,340 | Laiuscar, lol, Marielies, Arayak, Pampauga, Goqueudor, Altay, Manticuo, Canteao, Balanquin- &e.... uy 3 9,000 | ur Repairs ana prenecy anon s vesseis. acres st me omnes arene Steain machinery, teois, dc. cae: 4,715,900 4 "4 evisions.... too0vo0 | = THE BRITISH NAVY. Clothing. 250,000 Repairs of hospltais and laboratories, 40,000 be ‘Surgeous’ necessaries. 60,000 3 Contingen expenses of variol ments and bureaus. t- 1,892,000 1,046,083 re $20,058,017 added the sum of $900,400 as neves- nauent Linprovements a6 the several { navy yards wud stations, |. These estimates approach very nearly to the ap- | propriations for the current year, though including some new expenditures deemed absolutely neces- | sary, aud their excess over the current appropi tons ts less tan tie amount of Lie deticicnctes In the departments of provisions and elothing, occa | sloned by the revaru to Lhe Treasury, under the pro- visions of the laW upon that sulject, of moneys appropriated 1o discharge the reytilar’and autho- rized expense those departments, ‘These esti- mates are made closely, however, lor (ue mere maine Wiauce of the navy as'1i now ts, and they meluue but little in the of permanent improvement ‘This seems to be the policy iadieated by the recent | legislation on the subject, and though L am of | opinion that itis meilber the wisest nor the inost by, Yel itis the piain duty or the de- partment to accominodate the service as far as may be Wo the Views Of the representatives of the peopie. J have bot repeated at iengtlt many of the tmpor- tant suggestions und recommendations for the improvement of tne navy which I felt ib my duty to make last year; but those recommendations stil remain, and I be; to rerer to and again press them, as eaggestive of much thatis needed not only (or the eit y of the naval service, ont for ihe honor, safety aud wel- fare of the country, | Should Congress at any time think fit to adopt any | measures lookin Wo permanent improvement iv tie ; Buber and character of cur naval force, the di } partment willbe ready (9 furnish tae proper tafor- ination and estimates, in this connecuon I will repeat what I have had occasion belore to remurk, tat neither ships, dock- yards nor oranance can be legislated Inte existence at She moment when needed, but are the products of long-coutinued industry and skill. A ship of war, armed, equipped, manued and officered for eMcieut service, cannot be extemporized, but is the combined result oF much laber, skill, science, training, discl- pine, and experience, produced by sow process and organized wita great care. Merchant vessels, whether of wood er iron, though | Of great value as an anaitiary lorce of privateer despatch beats and cruisers, vould not in Wme War be relied on a3 a main DoO!y of the Navy. Not built to carry heavy batteries or to resist cM of heavy shot or sheil, they could net encoun war ships of any enemy. Daring the just session of Congress the following resolution Was sudiuitied So tne House of Kepre sentaiives by tts Committee ou Foreign Aifairs Honolved, That it is cloarly the duty of our naval oilers on foreien stations to render all reasonabie ass! to the dipiomatio officers of the United States in tas diacharge of their duties; avd that # refusal or ne render sich aa: fistance when required, or av by auch waval oflicera towacd auch diplo 78, shouid be the aub- Ject of inquiry and punisliment by the Navy Deparunens. On this subject it 1a proper to remark taat we De- partinent fuiiy concurs in the general views here | expressed, and has enforced then in its regulations, | snd orders to the cormmundants of the natioual yes- | beis and feet, vhis report 1 have enacavored to contine myself to those questions with which the naval service is di- Tectly connected, leaving it to the representatives of the people to say how far their solution must affect tne generai policy of our government, and the afirwative characier and dignity of eur relauons at home and avroad. 1 have feit it my duty, however, to speak piginly in this, as in my last report, of the needs Of our navy, for its present amd possible | duties, that Congress, fully iniermed upon the sub- ject, May assume My share of the responsibility belore the country. in concivsioa, J would express my renewed ebil- [ene © the chiefs and oiticers ef the several pureaus for their skill and aitentien. and to the ac- complished chief clerk of the department, who has discharged his onerous dutles with great Industr; | and ability. GEORGE M. ROBESON, Secretary of the Navy. The PRustounr, | Supplement. EXDIGIT OF MXPENDITURE CHARGYSSL8 TO NAVY APPROPRIATIONS. Month, Amount Amount ‘Lae, Refunded Expended, } Decernier... 91,017,029 81,764,714 | =a | ine K 494,068, | 4,041,803 361,166 1ATU,635 ATLAS October. 82.08 705; Nowembper. (W803, t87,N3 581,319 Tota $207, $5,749,068 416,985,105 YONGE OF YORRIGN NAVIES IN VESSAL®, GUNS AND HORSE rowgR, Horse Anunirion Stam. Sail. Tota Pour at Britain. . — = 634 106,898 1 ati eI ~ 3 By | Spat “18 (12 } Italy. sw Auntria ies 17 | Turkey st 1s ! tN. Pr a Cc Sweden ca ae | Deomar . aL ‘ we 405 “Soturslaus steam puabeaia in the various suggestions which [have made in | WAR ALARMS AND COAST DEFENCES, Rassia’s Movement and the Streng h of the Eng- lish Nation at Sen—Detects and Power of the Groat Iron Clads—Professional Opinion of the Admiralty | Managemeat. By special correspondence and eur mat! flies frow Europe we 0 the following exhibit of the condt- tion of the Britiso uavy—the iron-clad flee par- tcularly—a subject which becomes of great im- portance lo view of tussian alarm tor war, The British Novy as lt Isler Majesty’? Navy aud tho Coa Defences, LONDON, Nov, 19, 1A Wars sud rumors ot wars crowd into ti departments daily-—nay houriy—but for the prese: they will not be dwelt upon by me, VACTS AND HOME WORKS. Apropos of the Admiralty getting their hoase In order, or rather looklug after their ships, to be ready for any eventaalities, { think I have already \ inferred that the step the Emperor Alexander in the North of Kurope was about to take with regard io We Treaty of 1556 Was Known in the English Cabi- net iast week, { am told and assured it was knowa to some of the Ministers before. This may be 80, aud may in some measure uccount for the late visit--which, by the way, was not an officiel one—of the Adri } ralty Board to the Sout of Engiand navat port, Singular enoogl, it is just twelve months since the First Lord tried fits hand at this very dockyard tin clinching the first rivet in a new tron ocean-oruising monitor, the Devastation. This vessel, J need sarcely tell you, Was the object of special interest ‘Ohilders’ colleagues on thelr visit last and tho progress made tu the building of this vessel is somewhat remarkable. By the middio of the ensuing year she Will be completed and ready for launching. ‘The vessel is on the turret principle, construc an crulsiug, aud ja @ moniter of the veries over 900 men working on board or engines are to be 800 horse power nomi- naiand abic of working up %o three times this, She is a vessel of about 4.000 tons, and Lt is expected will, when ready for the pennant, be witnout & rival. Most certainly she is a formidable joking craft, and, altnough im the minds of some the turret vessels are not now looked upon in anyibing but a very sanguine light, yet in this instance the dock- yard officials and, fact, all in the coustrnctor’s department at Whitehall make sure of “great ex- pectations” from her. “WASP” VEESELS. Alter inspecting this vessel the new gunboats, ready and in course of construction, claimed some notice on the part of their lordships. Among these the Plucky, Comet ond Blazer appeared to attract the most attention, All these are on the “Wasp” prin- ciple, Uf tt may be so termed, a feet of which was originally intendea tw be built, The first one, which 13 10 COMMISSION, 18 MOUNted With s twelve ton gin, and her eaduring powers and hitting would render herable to give a very good account of herself should itbe necessary. She te quite a mioature in her way, has avery light draugat of water and is very short in the beam. The two others are vessels of u similar class, and ere being pushed forward in their Duilding with al! hasie. 1 believe all three of these vessels are copies of @ gunboas purchased Ly the Admiralty from Sir Wiliam Armstrong. ‘The inspection of these vesseis being over some trausactions iu the Aduutal Superimtendeut's de- partment al others were gone Inte when the Ad. mralty returned to London. ‘foe vilicial visit vo the dockyarda will take piace next ropth without auythiug very striking intervenes, PORTSMOUTH AND THY STORES, A most remarkable fact iu vonnection with this dockyard which L have been reierring to ts that when the House of Commons voted in the army ava navy catinates @ large sum of money for it, Lf pretty sure the honovable members, not only on the opposition benches, but also on Ue government side, did not think they would be colled upon for a further sam this month. Such, however, 1s the case, and I hear ttis ne less than £47,900. required to replenish stores ab Porismouth Dock yurd, although it does not agree with che ass tion tnade by the First Lord of the Aduilraity when Parliament was sitting, that the stores were m satisfactory condition and aimpie for all parposes-— peace or War, ‘The consequence is Utat an order pen issued to ali deckysrds that the supplies in re wre never to be les$ than required for one year’s consumption. ‘This Oag wl been hrought abent by a pety dor, Jnmari, Flecha, Dardo | ter one than the French feet; , ais sim iB | furnish you to-day they ucknowledge that it was within their power to give the luoruation which would have saved her Majesty's slip Captain’ Passing from this to auotuer subjeci, | think the time as come when & royal commission Ought to Lince, untae | be a&seuibled to consider the lamentable position iato whieh tbe Comptrolier’s Departiucat of tie navy la dying us. dhe mest that can ve sald of our iron-clad feet at this moment is that itis a bet but when you ask ms what that is worth | reply, “It's value in old iron |”? After spending So many millions im Uryiug (0 make iron-clad ships resemble jn form anu appearance the obsolete type of wooden mea-ol-war, after pulling one after another the various irun productions | of our late Constructor’s geatus, anu slowing awuy tn Bermuda and | ar coastguard his mauy failures, | Wwe have to-day a feet of which one of our ablest captains, and one who bas coustautly up to to-day been afoat in the feet and seen all its crussing pacities, writes as follows: 1 do not beileve that we have t x vesnsle that Keep the sem aud together tn @ very ordinary winter's gais. 1s this, | would ask you, the positieu in win ought to be after ten years’ lavish ex pendivu iron-cladst Look at the Frenci feet, able to strike one blow for France a tured a single German iren-clad, fortress, town ar vulage ? Has not France in} blunder with iron s years ago im the ba! Za, SHINE Vessels to do Work for which they were utterly unit, ‘Their iron clads, like ours, are hampered With & iiss Of masts, yards and sails, Which necessitates thelr being Vessels of great draught of water. wWtectly war Was proclaimed ail tis top hamper aad eitner to be lanued or piled on the decks, and eagme power alone trusted (0; but they could uot yes rid of the ty their wiuty by their ied to the sails aud } very 4 masis $0 Usel numbered six to oue of the Gerimau squadron hes been unable lo even @liacs it, thous lying vempl- ) ingly before them off Jahde Bay. Theu tofty sides int 1 Lo give stably under sai, lave been source of weakness lot known oly te tue Prenoe ofiicera, OUL equally So Lo the Gernaas. I knew as aiact that ou board tie German flees every ofticer tu charge of a gan has a aiagram sup- pied him from berila showing the tWicKuESS OF plaung on the side ol every Preach broadstle irons { clad, #0 that directly ihe officer commanding Kaew wittch suitp of the trench ticet he was coping Wite, oe direct bis dire on the porous where plaung exist thes of Now, th vofau our ou-ciads, mckiding the Monuves, ‘they are fail of soft spots, and my inforiant assures Me tat dia. grams showing tue thick aud thin acm: OUP Ships are beter Known a Bevin oiicers of our own fleet; and no F oulicer would | igiorant Of libs Work as lo nase himself by the solltary imick belt of the Hercules or arch when he kuows that be could penetrate their sides Wiki Is guns in almost ane uon. Li Well pianted in the ty 4 ol our broadside tron ciads will send eliny Out of Our Bord of Aduirally has been so engaged in veform@s cohuected Wilh expenditure of slor dockyard Gconotues aud the SUL more serious ques: Lion of the personnel of We navy that the Coatroller and Vonstructor have had it ail they ewn way, ar brough? us to a lameniable posiuol. M has done much im uie direction to whic clyuian, has maiuly tarned pis ateeniton, one, feel gravel to bisa for it; but it ib jooked Lo (ie condition of ike Heet, aud Liat he Loox into his counsels inen of less plastic teaperament than those ssary for tim to in Ty Oub the reforms he 1d Lt, for ume he a. motion some years since in the } Bouse of Commons for an Loquiry ito the stracture ec Ween supported a8 It onght vo y the Liberal parties, bWo years’ wastefus would have beea save. 1: must now, ind since tie state of warm in ok for tiiteeu years we have been kept by the val armaments of France 1s disposed of, the mo- Cis most opportune for am inquiry, and Ww reya! commission was appointed to ariive at fa irrespective of all party consideranons, i have very Jittle doasl the result would be the adopuon of prin. pies for which my iamented friend Cowper Coles struggled so long, aad perished at jast tn tue une qual condict between an tadividual aud # depart inent—-viz., lew ireevoards and heavy armor plating DO masts or sails, Motive power to be depence: steam engines; moderate draugot aud size, so as to enabie ioa-clads fo deieud our ewn sho: break into aa enemy's port whenever a | armada might threaten our Uberties or commerce; Aud these are tle eicinents which have been pore | Jost sight Of in the present British armored feet. am, sir, yours faicurwlly, SHARAD OSbORN, Captain Royal Navy. ToNpen, Nov. 1% ANOURS AVD ARSOX. A Pestive Eight Warder in a Bad Phe, Joln Muldooa, on Saturday wight, was carousing around the Mivhth ward in company with a couple of friends and brouzat up a uw actortous house, No, a3 Ureene atvest, all AS DRONK AS LORDS. Muldoon bem toe drunk to go home conc ndea w remain ail night, aad als frends lett him go me tender meroies of the yuitures, Officer Finiey, of the Eighth precinet, algo eccupted ® Moom on ths fourth foor of the oeuse. being OD official business by orders of Oaptatu. . | Finley states that about naif. o'clock in the Inorulng he BAW Lue prisober Cee out of a room ad- Joining the one Ae occupied, and exclaim i that 4f he did let Si the room there went be @ Gre there.” ‘Sac oftice’ went to Muldoon and toid nim to ite down, wrich he did, but only re- named # few woments Wien he in Went Into the hall and old Uiv oteg “he had better get out of tere, for \ | 7HE BLACK AAS ON FIRE.” | Upoa opening Sae debr of the room, from which Was Issunag, the oflicer found @ dress, we nd some undergething in the middie of the | Qoor, on tite, & dose of water soon extinguished | the flames and Muloon was taken ito custody. He arraigned béore Justice Suandley at Jefer sop alarket yesterd@iy imorniug aud pieaded not | guilty Lo the charg, but wae comuntied withew bail Jor CSauination