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No. 74. [1st Session.
11th Congress.]
CONDITION AND DISPOSITION OF THE NAVAL FORCE.
COMMUNICATED TO THE SENATE, MAY 25, 1809.
Navy Department, 24th May, 1809.
Sir:
I have the honor of transmitting to you, herewith, to be laid before the Senate, the enclosed paper, marked A, which will afford a general view of the state and disposition, at this time, of the vessels belonging to the Navy of the United States, and of the gunboats.
It appears proper here to observe, for the information of the Senate, that the frigates Constitution and Chesapeake, the ship Wasp, the brigs Hornet and Argus, and the schooners Revenge and Enterprise, were in commission prior to the passage of the act, entitled "An act authorising the employment of an additional naval force," passed 31st January, 1809; and that the frigates President, United States, and Essex, the corvette John Adams, the brigs Syren, Vixen, and Nautilus, and the cutter Ferret, have been put in commission, since the passing of that law, agreeably to its provisions; that the frigates United States and Essex, and the corvette John Adams, have had such thorough repair and improvement that practical gentlemen pronounce them to be, at this time, better and more efficient vessels than they were when originally launched; and that the frigate President is now undergoing a thorough repair, which is nearly completed, and being repaired, under the advantages afforded by extensive experience, she will be, in all respects, greatly superior to what she was when first launched.
Respectfully submitted.
PAUL HAMILTON.
The Hon. George Clinton, Vice President of the United States, and President of the Senate.
A. |
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Exhibit showing the state and disposition at this time of the Vessels belonging to the Navy of the United States, |
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VESSELS' NAMES. |
WHERE STATIONED. |
REMARKS. |
Frigate Constitution, |
New York, |
Officered,
manned, victualled, and, |
United States, |
Norfolk, |
|
Chesapeake, |
Boston, |
|
Essex, |
Norfolk, |
|
Corvette John Adams, |
Baltimore, |
Officered, and nearly manned and prepared. |
Frigate President |
Washington, |
Officered, and nearly manned—will be ready for |
Ship Wasp, |
Philadelphia, |
In all respects prepared for service. |
Brig Hornet, |
Norfolk, |
Do. do. do. |
Argus, |
New York, |
Do. do. do. |
Syren, |
Gone to France, |
Do. do. do. |
Vixen, |
Charleston, |
Do. do. do. |
Schooner Revenge, |
New York, |
Do. do. do. |
Enterprise, |
Norfolk, |
Officered, victualled, and completely repaired, and nearly manned. |
Brig Nautilus, |
Washington, |
Preparing for service, but recruiting orders not issued. |
Cutter Ferret, |
Washington, |
|
Frigate Congress, |
At the Navy
Yard, |
Require repairs. |
Constellation, |
||
New York, |
||
Adams, |
||
Boston, |
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Gunboats. |
||
24 Gunboats, |
At New Orleans, |
Orders
given to reduce their crews to the |
13 |
Charleston, |
In ordinary.
|
21 |
Norfolk, |
|
10 |
Baltimore, |
|
20 |
Philadelphia, |
|
52 |
New York, |
|
2 |
Westerly, R. I. |
|
2 |
Norwich, Con. |
|
4 |
Wilmington, N. C. |
|
1 |
Boston, |
|
9 |
Portland, Maine, |
|
1 |
Lake Ontario, |
|
2 |
Lake Champlain |
|
9 |
Washington, |
In the yard, without expense. |