a ship of the line. But in every class you cannot but admire the superiority of the models and workmanship. The dock-yards in America are small, and not equal at present to what may eventually be required, but they have land to add to is 18,341, and for bags, hammocks, boat-sails, awnings, &c., 14,624;-total 32,965 yards. The Americans considered that in the Pennsylvania they possessed the largest vessel in the world, but this is a great mistake; one of the Sultan's three-deckers is larger. Below are the dimensions of the Queen, lately launched at Portsmouth : them if necessary. There certainly is no necessity for such establishments or such storehouses as we have, as their timber and hemp are at hand when required; but they are very deficient both in dry and wet docks. Properly speaking, they have no great naval depôt. This arises from the jealous feeling existing between the several States. A bill brought into Congress to expend so many thousand dollars upon the dock-yard at Boston, in Massachusetts, would be immediately opposed by the State of New York, and an amendment proposed to transfer the works intended to their dock-yard at Brooklyn. The other States which possess dock-yards would also assert their right, and thus they will all fight for their respective establishments until the bill is lost, and the bone of contention falls to the ground.* * There are seven navy yards belonging to, and occupied for the use of, the United States, viz. The navy yard at Portsmouth, N.H., is situated on an island, contains fifty-eight acres, cost 5,500 dollars. The navy yard at Charlston, near Boston, is situated on It is remarkable that along the whole of the eastern coast of America, from Halifax in Nova Scotia down to Pensacola in the Gulf of Mexico, there is not one good open harbour. The majority of the American harbours are barred at the entrance, so as to preclude a fleet running out and in to manoeuvre at pleasure; indeed, if on the north side of Charles river, contains thirty-four acres, and cost 32,214 dollars. The navy yard at New York is situated on Long Island, opposite New York, contains forty acres, and cost 40,000 dollars. The navy yard at Philadelphia is situated on the Delaware river, in the district of Southwark, contains eleven acres to low-water mark, and cost 37,000 dollars. The navy yard at Washington, in the district of Columbia, is situated on the eastern branch of the river Potomac, contains thirty-seven acres, and cost 4,000 dollars. In this yard are made all the anchors, cables, blocks, and almost all things requisite for the use of the navy of the United States. The navy yard at Portsmouth, near Norfolk in Virginia, is situated on the south branch of Elizabeth river, contains sixteen acres, and cost 13,000 dollars. There is also a navy yard at Pensacola, in Florida, which is merely used for repairing ships on the WestIndia station. of the tide does not serve, there are few of them in which a line-of-battle ship, hard pressed, could take refuge. A good spacious harbour, easy access, like that of Halifax in Nova Scotia, is one of the few advantages, perhaps the only natuI advantage, wanting in the United States. The American navy list is as follows: The pay of these officers is on the following scale. It must be observed, that they do not use the term "half-pay;" but when unemployed the officers are either attached to the various dockyards or on leave. I have reduced the sums paid into English money, that they may be better understood by the reader: Navy-yard and other duty (half-pay).... 730 525 525 Navy-yard and other duty (half-pay) 440 Lieutenants commanding 380 380 Navy-yard and other duty (half-pay).. 315 ... 250 Surgeons, according to their length of servitude, from 210 Navy-yard and other duty (half-pay)!!! 72 500 200 250 250 170 156 125 33 |