sion of the sea-wall and dredging the channel. It is recommended that, in view of the necessity of training apprentices for service on board steam vessels, two composite bark-rigged steamers of about 900 tons displacement should be built for the use of the training service.

In reference to enlisted men, attention is called to the recommenda tions of last year, advocating legislation for the improvement of the condition of seamen, by the establishment of savings banks and homes. on receiving ships, and by providing for retirement after thirty years' service. Bills looking to legislation on these subjects passed the Senate at the last session of Congress, but have thus far failed of action in the House. There is no doubt that the passage of these measures will do much to improve the morale of the enlisted men of the Navy. Other subjects are mentioned upon which legislation appears to be needed, especially the provision of an outfit for apprentices upon enlistment, the anthorization of the administration of oaths by commissioned officers of the Navy, the establishment of a uniform system of punishment for minor offenses committed on shipboard, and a specific provision for naval seamen employed at the Naval Academy, in the Coast Survey, and in the Fish Commission, in order that the limited complement now allowed for the cruising ships of the Navy may not be exhausted by the supply of men for these subsidiary purposes.

BUREAU OF YARDS AND DOCKS.

The report of the Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, Commodore D. B. Harmony, again presents a graphic description of the condition of decay into which our navy-yards, with their wharves and buildings, have fallen, and states that in the absence of an increased appropriation it becomes only a question of time when our yards will be unequal to the performance even of the ordinary current work of repairing and fitting out the few vessels that we now have. Attention is also called to the extreme inadequacy of the present facilities for docking naval vessels, there being only three dry docks belonging to the Government on the Atlantic coast. It is recommended that appropriation be made for the construction of dry-docks at New York, League Island, and Norfolk, to meet the growing demands of the service.

The works undertaken at the New York and Mare Island yards have been carried on during the past year with economy and success.

In reporting the generally satisfactory condition of the Naval Asylum, the Bureau renews its recommendation for the erection of a small detached building for a kitchen and laundry, the present arrangements for these purposes being productive of great inconvenience and discomfort.

BUREAU OF PROVISIONS AND CLOTHING.

The report of Paymaster E. N. Whitehouse, in charge of the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing, gives an account of the work of the Bureau during the past year, from which it appears that the introduction of

more careful business methods and the gradual diminution of the excessive amounts of provisions, clothing, and other stores heretofore kept on hand, have made a material reduction in expenditure. The covering into the Treasury of nearly one-third of a million dollars of surplus clothing and small-store funds will remedy abuses made possible heretofore by the existence of excessive balances on hand. In the purchase of supplies gratifying results have been obtained in the general reduction of prices and the improvement of the quality of the stores. The report also calls attention to the fact that the sales of exchange in the nego tiation of drafts on the Department and on its agent in London by pay officers have netted a considerable premium instead of the loss which has usually been consequent upon these transactions.

The operations of the clothing factory at the navy-yard, New York continue to show progressive results.

The report recommends that the duties of receiver and assistant receiver of public stores at the several yards and stations should be entrusted to junior disbursing officers of the Navy, in view of the fact that in order to secure proper accountability the position should be filled by a bonded officer, and that the pay of an assistant paymaster on such duty would be but little in excess of that of the present receiver. This will involve an increase of the existing number of assistant paymasters from seventeen to twenty-seven. It is further suggested that the new appointments might, with great advantage, be made from the gradu ates of the Naval Academy, the number of these latter being always in excess of the vacancies in other corps of the service.

It is also recommended that the laws in reference to bonds of disbursing officers should be so modified as to authorize the acceptance of corporate sureties of undoubted solvency, the conditions of an officer's life, with its frequent changes of duty and station, making it at times exceedingly difficult to secure private sureties in the periodical renewal of bonds.

BUREAU OF CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR.

The report of Naval Constructor Theodore D. Wilson describes the operations of the Bureau of Construction and Repair during the past year. The steel cruisers Atlanta and Boston are at the New York navyyard, where they have been docked, cleaned, and painted, and sundry alterations and additions have been made to them. The Chicago is still at Chester, and the work upon her is now being rapidly pushed towards completion. The amount appropriated by the act of July 26, 1886, will not be sufficient to finish these vessels, and an additional appropriation of $56,000 has been asked for, which it is expected will be adequate for the purpose, if no further alterations or additions are recommended by the Naval Advisory Board.

During the past year the second-rate paddle-wheel steamer Powhatan, the third-rate screw steamer Wachusett, and the tug Pilgrim

Lave been condemned. The Tennessee, the only first-rate vessel in active service, is so decayed that she can remain in use but a few months longer. The Lackawanna and Shenandoah are in such a condition that they cannot be repaired for service under the existing law, although the Lackawanna may be made a suitable receiving ship for the Mare Island navy-yard. Of the other second-rates now in the serv ice, it appears that three can probably be continued in use for ten years longer, two for six years, and three for five years. Of the sixteen wooden third-rates, one, the Mohican, will be available for ten years, seven for six years, and the remaining eight for only five years. The Board of Constructors convened in August last for the purpose of examining into the present condition of the four double-turreted monitors and preparing plans for their completion has not yet finished its labors. As soon as the plans are completed the new work will be begun. Attention is cailed to the necessity of putting the navy-yards in condition to meet any demands that may be made upon them in reference to the construction of ships of war in an emergency, and especially in the matter of improved docking facilities.

In view of the increased demands upon the Bureau in the preparation of designs for new ships, it is necessary that the force of draughtsmen at its disposal should be enlarged, and for this purpose it is recommended that provision be made for a chief draughtsman, and for four additional draughtsmen, estimates for which have been submitted.

BUREAU OF STEAM-ENGINEERING.

The report of Engineer-in-Chief Charles H. Loring, Chief of the Bureau of Steam-Engineering, describes in detail the operations of his Bureau and the condition of the machinery of all the vessels in the service. Designs and specifications have been prepared for the machinery of the ships appropriated for by the act approved March 3, 1885. It is the opinion of the Bureau that in order to obtain maximum results with the new machinery it will be necessary to organize a special fire-room force, drilled and disciplined for the purpose, to be employed on the trials of the several ships for record of speed and horse-power.

Attention is called to the necessity for a new boiler-shop, supplied with the requisite tools and appliances, at the New York navy-yard.

BUREAU OF ORDNANCE.

The report of Commodore Montgomery Sicard, Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance, shows a steady progress in the work of the Bureau. The satisfactory character of the results accomplished, in the multifarious details of this branch of naval supply, requiring care, accuracy, and mechanical ingenuity in the highest degree, appear to call for special commendation.

The development of powder, projectiles, and of the fittings and mechanism of heavy guns and carriages, has been continued, and its labors in this field have enabled the Bureau to satisfy itself and the Department in meeting the latest requirements of modern weapons as rapidly as provision is made for their construction. The two 10-inch guns referred to in the last report of the Bureau are in a forward state, and a 10-inch carriage, adapted for use in the monitors, will be ready by the time the guns are finished. All the Whitworth forgings ordered for the 10-inch type gun have been received.

The armament for the new steel vessels just completed or approaching completion consists of eight 8-inch, twenty-one 6-inch, and two 5-inch guns. Of these the Bureau reports three 8-inch, eighteen 6-inch, and two 5-inch guns as finished, and the eight remaining guns as well advanced. All the carriages are finished, except those for the 8-inch guns of the Chicago. The secondary batteries, nearly all the small-arms, and the electric search-lights have been provided. The tests of the high-power guns that have been finished show the most gratifying results.

The designs for the guns to be placed in the seven vessels authorized at the last two sessions of Congress, as well as for the double-turreted monitors, are virtually finished, and also those for all but the heaviest of the carriages. Preparations are being made for receiving bids on the gun-forgings.

The recommendation is renewed that new batteries should be provided for six of the third-rates now in the service, estimates for which were presented last year. As these vessels can only be made serviceable during the remaining years of their life by a modern armament, and as the guns will answer for new vessels when the old vessels are worn out, the recommendation should be carried out.

The test of Clark's deflective turret is only waiting for the completion of a 10-inch gun, which it is thought will shortly be available for the purpose.

The Naval Ordnance Proving Ground, in charge of Lieut. Austin M. Knight, has continued to do excellent and necessary work. The new guns have been proved as completed, their range-tables made, equipments tested, and powder proved and graded. It is hoped that the Bureau will not be prevented, as heretofore, by lack of funds, from continuing its important work in the development of armor-piercing projectiles and shells intended for use with high explosives. The importance of a new site for the proving ground cannot be too strongly urged. As will be seen by reference to the Bureau report, the defects of the present site, with its overwater range, result in inconvenience and expense to the Government, inadequate facilities for investigation, and detriment to various interests in the neighborhood.

The trials of the Howell torpedo were continued at Michigan City, Ind. Though favorable, they were not conclusive, and the Department

has directed the Bureau, through a proper board, to make continned investigations regarding such torpedoes as appear adapted to naval use.

During the greater part of the year, the Torpedo Station at Newport was in charge of Commander W. T. Sampson, who was recently relieved by Commander C. F. Goodrich. The issue of torpedoes and torpedofittings to ships has been continued, and the regular courses of instruction have been successfully pursued. In view of the special course now provided for officers who are qualified to take it, it is not deemed advantageous to increase the length of the general course. The report points out certain wants of the institution, in reference to the sea-wall, ferrylandings, and steam launches, which require a small outlay of money. The great increase in the work of the Bureau absolutely requires that additions should be made to its clerical force, for which provision has been asked in the estimates.

BUREAU OF NAVIGATION.

The Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, Commodore John G. Walker, describes the operations of his Bureau and of the offices connected therewith, including the Naval Observatory, Hydrographic Office, Nautical Almanac Office, Naval War College, and Department Library. Careful observations and experiments have been made during the year with compasses, especially in reference to the magnetic condition of the new steel cruisers. The compass testing-houses will shortly be completed and ready for use. Competitive trials of American chronometers have been made, which form the basis of selection in procuring those needed for the Navy. Incandescent electric-light plants have been placed in the Atlanta and Boston, and bids have been invited for installing a double plant in the Chicago. Deep-sea sounding-machines have been supplied to the Juniata and Essex, the usual additions have been made to ships' libraries, and two valuable professional papers have been issued.

It is recommended that the appropriation for the purchase of books for the Department library be restored to its original figure, the amount now allowed being insufficient for the purpose.

The surveys of the coast of Lower California have been continued by the Ranger, and valuable charts embodying the results are now in course of preparation. Upon the completion of this work the Ranger will be employed in the examination of reported dangers to navigation in the Pacific Ocean. It is proposed that the Thetis, now fitting out as a surveying ship, shall be occupied with similar duties.

The revision of the general signal book has been completed, and only awaits a practical trial. As this requires that a number of vessels shall exercise at sea in company for a certain length of time, it is recommended that four of the larger tugs be fitted out, officered and manned as a squadron of evolutions, which would not only accomplish the im