No. 216 ] 673 



Navy is made; it is capable of making a great deal more, but as so 

 few ships are held in commission, the machinery is not always in 

 operation. The commerce of the country requires for its protection 

 a navy, constantly in commission, full as our country now possesses, 

 they are interested in commerce, and consequently in a navy for its 

 protection; the more commerce we have, the more hemp is wanted, 

 and it is believed that American hemp can be prepared as good as 

 that of any quarter of the globe, and to any extent. 



The dry dock at this yard is built of stone, (as all dry docks 

 should be, both on the score of economy and usefulness,) it is large 

 enough to receive a vessel 250 feet long; the water is pumped out 

 of the dock by a steam engine, which also works the machinery for 

 the gun carriage, and for a block shop. These shops make about 

 one half the gun carriages which are used; the rest are made at 

 Washington. There are four ship houses, under each of which a 

 ship of the line can be built; under two of them ships have been 

 built, and are now in a situation to launch, whenever Congress shall 

 direct. 



Capacious sheds have been erected, to preserve timber, spars and 

 boats. 



Store-houses, (more, however, are wanted) for the preservation and 

 storage of all things necessary to equip vessels of war; a smithery 

 and Plumber's shop, in which a great deal of work is done; in the 

 Plumber's shop, men are employed in making and repairing machi- 

 nery, working copper and tin, coating and finishing composition 

 work; the machinery worked by steam; boat builders', spar makers' 

 and coopers' shops; sail loft, in which sails for any sized vessels are 

 made; rigging loft, paint shop, where a great quantity of the paint 

 for the navy is prepared. 



In the parks are collected a great many guns of different calibres, 

 shot and anchors. 



Everything in the yard is well taken care of, and the utmost econo- 

 my is practiced. 



From 450 to 500 workmen are daily employed in the yard. The 

 waste steam as far as possible, is used for warming the buildings in 

 winter. 



Tho. above was furnished by the chief clerk of the Navy Yard. 

 [Am. Inst.] SS 



