mediate object desired, but would be of great service in developing a branch of naval training now considered indispensable by all foreign Governments.

Attention is called to the steady reduction in recent years in the appropriations for the general purchase of navigation supplies, and to the consequent inability of the Bureau to meet in this respect the neces sary wants of the Naval Establishment. It seems to be beyond ques. tion that adequate provision should be made for keeping our cruising ships supplied with whatever is essential to the requirements of modern navigation.

The recommendation that provision be made for an additional clerical force to carry on the work of publication of the Naval War Records is renewed. The importance of this work has been fully pointed out in my previous report, and its needs are again commended to the attention of Congress.

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE.

The report submitted by the hydrographer, Commander John R. Bartlett, describes the operations of the Hydrographic Office during the past year, in continuation of its valuable work as an ally of the maritime community, and as a medium for the collection and dissemination of nautical information. Its influence has been largely extended by the high character of its publications, and especially through the agency of the branch offices. The extent and importance of their work may be gathered from the fact that during the past year 12,785 vessels were visited and information was given to 30,969 persons. By means of the voluntary assistance thus given to the maritime interests of the country, the latter are brought into closer relations and stronger sympathy with the navy.

The Office requires an increase of appropriation to complete the set of American charts covering the navigable waters of the globe. Its list embraces only 350 engraved charts, while that of the British Admiralty numbers 3,000. We are therefore mainly dependent for our supply upon foreign sources, which may at any time be cut off.

In view of the great number of floating wrecks menacing the safety of ships in all parts of the North Atlantic Ocean, and the inability of one nation to keep the ocean clear of these derelicts, the hydrographer recommends an international convention, which shall assign portions of the ocean for patrol to each maritime power. It is also recommended that provision should be made by law for the inspection of charts and navigating instruments of mercantile vessels, from the inadequacy of which marine disasters are liable to occur. The inspection, similar to that now required of hulls and machinery, could readily be conducted by the branch offices of the Hydrographic Office.

The most serious want of the Office at the present time is a new building. As was explained in the report of last year, the present ar

rangement is incompatible with the successful management of the Office, and another year's experience only furnishes additional proof of its inadequacy.

NAVAL OBSERVATORY.

The report of the Superintendent, Commander Allan D. Brown, presents a statement of the details of astronomical work performed with the various instruments during the year and of the present distribution of duties. The time service of the Observatory continues to prove its usefulness to the shipping and commercial interests of the country, and applications for the erection of time-balls at various points have been received. Hitherto time-balls have been dropped at New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Hampton Roads, Savannah, and New Orleans. As the ball service and the necessary telegraph service incident to the system are now largely voluntary, an estimate under the head of "maintenance of time service" has been submitted to provide for a proper remuneration for the work.

In accordance with authority contained in the act approved July 26, 1886, steps have been taken to commence the erection of the new Naval Observatory on the site purchased by the Government for that purpose.

MEDICINE AND SURGERY.

The report of the Surgeon-General of the Navy shows the satisfactory condition of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. The business of the office is conducted with exactness and efficiency under the reduced appropriations of the year. I commend the request for the restored amounts of estimates under heads of Medical Department, Repairs, and Contingent of Bureau.

The recommendation of the Fourth Auditor of the Treasury in his present report, "That some system of property accountability be insti tuted by which an audit of the accounts of officers in charge of public property may be had," has been anticipated by this office; and in the Instructions for Medical Officers of the Navy, issued by my order at the beginning of the present fiscal year, such a system of accountability as to the smallest details is effectually established.

The necessity for an additional clerk in the pension division of the office is repeated with increased urgency. It is not right that the appeals of the disabled sailors of the Navy or of their widows and orphans should be delayed by the failure of the Government to supply the clerical force required for the examination of their claims for pension. The medical records of the Navy are the careful work of its medical officers, and afford full evidence of the disabilities occuring in service, but there is only one clerk allowed for the work of searching them.

The temporary wooden building at the quarantine station in Penobscot Bay is sufficient for present uses, but it should be replaced by a permanent structure whenever Congress will grant the money.

The statement of the condition of the Medical Corps of the Navy, its reduced numbers, the frequent resignations of the younger medical officers, and the apparent inability to obtain desirable and competent men for that important service, is commended to the attention of Congress for such improvement in the advantages of that department as may be considered wise. It should not be less attractive and efficient than the corresponding department of the Army.

NAVAL WAR COLLEGE.

The second session of the Naval War College, now in charge of Captain A. T. Mahan, was attended with the most satisfactory results. It is to be noticed that the college represents the first systematic attempt that has been made in the Navy to give officers a higher training in the art of war, which is the end and aim of their profession. Formerly it was perhaps hardly required, but the increased complexity of naval science at the present day, and the great variety in the operations of naval war and in the mechanical instruments by which they are carried on, make this hitherto-neglected branch of professional education an indispensable element in naval efficiency, a fact which is now recog nized by nearly every Government in the world.

During the last session of the college courses of lectures were given upon naval evolutions, naval gunnery, the history of naval operations, international law, military strategy, naval hygiene, the preservation and care of iron ships, and the duties of the general staff. A striking feature of the programme consisted in parallel courses upon the science of coast defense, conducted by Commander Goodrich, of the Navy, and Captain Bixby, of the Engineer Corps of the Army, thus securing a presentation of the subject from its two essential standpoints. The object of the lectures, to present in a compact form the latest develop ments in modern war, was supplemented by practical exercises with guns and with boats.

The importance of the work to be done by the college can hardly be overestimated. Additional courses of lectures are now in preparation for the coming year, upon other subjects bearing directly upon the art of war, and embodying those results of recent investigation which are inaccessible to the service in general.

As opportunity offers, applications from officers for permission to attend the college course will be granted, and it is hoped that in time its scope may be gradually enlarged in the direction of practical training with modern ships and modern guns, as far as the resources of the service will permit.

WAR VESSELS IN COMMISSION.

The North Atlantic Squadron remained under the command of Acting Rear-Admiral James E. Jouett until June 15, 1886. Rear-Admiral Stephen B. Luce assumed the command on the 24th of that month.

The vessels composing this squadron are at present the Tennessee (flag. ship), Galena, and Yantic. The Swatara has been put out of commission at the navy-yard, Portsmouth, N. H. The Brooklyn has been ordered to the Asiatic Station, and will be the flag-ship of the commander-in-chief. The Alliance has also been detached from the squadron and is now on her way to the South Atlantic Station.

During the past year the vessels of this squadron have cruised through the West India Islands; along the northern coast of South America, and the coast of North America as far as the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. In February last the Galena seized, at St. Andrew's Island, the Amer ican steamer City of Mexico, for violation of the laws of neutrality, having on board a party of filibusters, whose intention it was to land on the coast of Honduras. A prize crew from the Galena was put on board the City of Mexico and that vessel taken to Key West and turned over to the United States marshal.

In March the squadron, which then consisted of the U. S. S. Tennessee, Galena, Swatara, Brooklyn, Yantic, and Despatch, proceeded in squadron from Key West to Pensacola, Fla., for fleet exercises, squadron drills, target practice (ashore and afloat), and landing parties. A brigade was landed and remained on shore in camp several days, during which time the officers and men were instructed in the various duties attending the landing and encampment of a naval force. Both officers and men gained much valuable experience during these exercises.

On the 28th of October the following vessels, viz, Tennessee, Alliance, Yantic, Minnesota, Portsmouth, Saratoga, Jamestown, and Despatch, under the command of Rear-Admiral S. B. Luce, participated in the ceremonies attending the inauguration at New York of the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World.

The South Atlantic Squadron is now under the command of Acting Rear-Admiral Daniel L. Braine. This officer assumed command of the squadron on the 6th of October last, taking the place of Rear-Admiral Earl English, who was detached November 27, 1885. The squadron consists at present of the Lancaster (flag-ship) and Tallapoosa. The Alliance is now en route to re-enforce this squadron. The Lancaster during the past year has visited the Comoro Islands, Zanzibar, Madagascar, and Mozambique. She was ordered on this duty with a view of investigating complaints made to the Department of State by American citizens residing in the localities mentioned. Having completed this service she returned to Rio de Janeiro. The Nipsic has been detached from the squadron and put out of commission at the navy-yard, New York.

The Asiatic Squadron is still under the command of Rear-Admiral John Lee Davis. This squadron is now composed of the Marion (flagship), Omaha, Monocacy, and Palos. The Trenton and Alert have been ordered home and put out of commission; the former at the navy-yard,

Norfolk, Va., and the latter at the navy-yard, Mare Island, California. The Ossipee is now on her return home after a three years' cruise. The squadron will be re-enforced by the Brooklyn and Essex, now en route to Hong-Kong. The vessels during the past year have cruised in the waters of China, Japan, Corea, and to the Caroline Islands, affording protection to our citizens in these localities.

The Pacific Squadron remains under the command of Rear-Admiral E. Y. McCauley. It consists of the Hartford (flag-ship), Mohican, Iroquois, Adams, and Pinta. The Vandalia and Juniata are now en route to Valparaiso to join this squadron. The Shenandoah has returned to the United States and been put out of commission at the navyyard, Mare Island, California.

The vessels during the past year have cruised along the west coast of Mexico, and Central and South America. The Pinta has been occupied exclusively in cruising in Alaskan waters. The Mohican sailed from Callao in March last for a cruise to the islands of the South Pacific. She has been detained for some time past in the Samoan group, at the request of the Department of State, for the protection of American interests, owing to the disturbed condition of affairs in Samoa.

The European Squadron remains under the command of Rear-Admiral Samuel R. Franklin, and consists of the Pensacola (flag-ship) and Quinnebaug. The Kearsarge is now on her return to the United States, and will probably be put out of commission.

During the past year the vessels of this squadron have cruised in the Mediterranean, and along the coasts of France, England, Holland, and Belgium.

The training squadron consists of the New Hampshire (receivingship), stationed at Newport, R. I., Minnesota, stationed at New York, and the cruising ships Portsmouth, Saratoga, and Jamestown. During the past year the Portsmouth, Saratoga, and Jamestown have made a cruise to the West India Islands, and the two former also to Lisbon and Madeira. In May last the Jamestown was temporarily detached from this squadron, and used for a practice ship for the summer cruise of the Naval Cadets in place of the Dale, condemned.

The vessels of the Navy on detached service are the Despatch and Dolphin, on the Atlantic coast; the Ranger, on the Pacific, now engaged in surveying and sounding on the coast of Lower California, and the Michigan, on the Northwestern Lakes. The Powhatan has been put out of commission at the navy-yard, New York. This vessel has been on special service for many years. During the past winter she made a cruise to the West India Islands, and rendered valuable assistance to the inhabitants of Key West during a disastrous fire at that place in March last.

WM. C. WHITNEY,
Secretary of the Navy.