--198--

11th Congress.]

No. 76.

[1st Session.

GUNBOATS.

COMMUNICATED TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, JUNE 8, 1809.

Navy Department, June 7. 1809.

Sir:

In obedience to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 26th ultimo, I have the honor herewith to transmit to you, to be laid before the House, the accompanying papers, marked A and B, which contain information upon the points embraced by the resolution, as far as it can at this time be given from official documents in the possession of the Navy Department.

To the item of "cost and equipment of the gunboats" an addition to an amount, yet unascertained, must be made. This arises from various supplies, procured and intended at first for the repair of frigates' and other vessels, which having been found most of them better adapted to the building and equipment of gunboats, were used for those purposes. The sum thus to be added to the cost and equipment of those boats will be considerable, as timber, canvass, cordage, copper, iron, kentledge, sheathing paper, junk, &c. to a considerable amount, have been thus applied.

The actual expense of the gunboats, while in service, cannot, it will be readily admitted, be ascertained until the accounts shall be exhibited and finally settled; and since the order for dismantling and laying them up, a sufficient time has not elapsed for such accounts to have been transmitted and settled by the accountant of the navy.

A desire to furnish the most extensive information which circumstances would admit, has been the principal cause why I have not done myself the honor of replying, at an earlier moment, to your communication.

Respectfully submitted.

PAUL HAMILTON.

The Honorable Joseph B. Varnum,

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Navy Department, Accountant's Office, June 6th, 1809.

Sir:

I now hand you enclosed an abstract of the aggregate amount of expenditures on account of gunboats, including the advances which remain unaccounted for on the books of this office, and for which no accounts have been exhibited: a considerable proportion of the advances unaccounted for stands to the debit of the pursers that are and have been stationed at New Orleans, Norfolk, and New York, and it is presumed have been applied principally to the pay of the officers and crews, and will be accounted for as soon as the boats are laid up, and the crews finally paid off and discharged, when pay rolls will, of course, be made up and exhibited.

With the highest respect, I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,

THOMAS TURNER.

A.

Abstract of the aggregate amount of expenditures for, and on account of, Gunboats and Ketches, viz:

FOR GUNBOATS.

Taken from accounts actually adjusted and settled in this office.

For cost and equipment,

$664,306 37

Repairs and other contingencies,

102,243 31

Pay

60,567 30

Subsistence,

75,911 54

Ordnance,

18,277 59

Hospital,

3,598 30

Taken from accounts exhibited, but not settled.

$924,904 41

For cost and equipment,

$57,402 19

Repairs and other contingencies,

15,772 32

Pay,

57,801 58

Subsistence,

22,888 61

Ordnance,

3,023 08

Hospital,

3,898 27

160,786 05

In addition, the following appears to be the amount advanced,
for which accounts have not been exhibited, viz.

To contractors for building gunboats,

$157,443 32

To pursers and other persons for pay and subsistence,
and other disbursements and expenditures,
on account of the gunboats in service,

315,276 22

472,719 54

FOR KETCHES.

$1,558,410 00

AEtna, For cost and equipment,

$24,063 11 1/2

Repairs and other contingencies,

2,044 63

Pay,

6,308 52

Subsistence,

2,512 98

Ordnance,

1,194 10

Hospital,

278 14

Recruiting,

50 00

$36,451 48 1/2

--199--

A--continued.

Spitfire,

For Cost and equipment,

$17,559 89 1/2

Repairs and other contingencies,

1,930 87 1/2

Pay,

4,516 71

Subsistence,

3,078 88

Ordnance,

1,170 69

Hospital,

69 37

28,326 42

Vesuvius,

Cost and equipment,

$29,659 74

Repairs and other contingencies,

3,333 77

Pay,

8,097 62

Subsistence,

3,682 89

Ordnance,

2,003 68

Hospital,

387 77

Recruiting,

124 00

47,289 47

Vengeance.

Cost and equipment,

$18,389 99 1/2

Repairs and other contingencies,

3,134 5 1 3/4

Pay,

5,370 85 1/2

Subsistence,

3,569 17

Ordnance,

3,178 22 3/4

Hospital,

101 90 1/2

33,744 67 1/4

145,812 04 3/4

$1,704,222 04 3/4

RECAPITULATION.

Gunboats,

For cost and equipment,

 $879,151 88

Repairs and other contingencies,

118,015 63

Pay,

118,368 88

Subsistence and provisions,

98,800 15

Ordnance,

21,300 67

Hospital,

7,496 57

General advances,

315,276 22

$1,558,410 00

Ketches,

Cost and equipment,

$89,672 74 1/4

Repairs and other contingencies,

10,443 79 1/4

Pay,

4,293 70

Subsistence,

12,843 92 3/4

Ordnance,

7,546 69 3/4

Hospital,

837 18 1/2

Recruiting,

174 00

145,812 04 3/4

1,704,222 04 3/4

Navy Department, Accountant's Office, June 6, 1809.

THOMAS TURNER, Accountant.

B.

Exhibit of the number of Gunboats which have been built, the number employed in actual service, and the time they

have been employed.

Number.

Number built

Number employed.

Time employed in actual service.

176

55

1

From July, 1804, to August, 1806, and from July, 1807, to March, 1808.

4

From May, 1805, to July, 1806, and from August, 1807, to June, 1809.

2

From May, 1805, to July, 1806, and from July, 1807, to May, 1809.

2

From May, 1805, to July, 1806, and from July, 1807, to March, 1808.

2

From August; 1805, to June, 1809.

1

From July, 1806, to November, 1808.

1

From July, 1806, to June, 1809.

2

From February, 1807, to June, 1809.

2

From May, 1807, to June, 1809.

2

From June, 1807, to June, 1809.

2

From March, 1808, to June, 1809.

21

From July, 1807, to June, 1809.

1

From February, 1808, to June, 1809.

7

In actual service during April and May, 1809.

1

Foundered at sea on her passage to the Mediterranean.

2

From August, 1805, to August, 1807.

1

From April, 1805, to August, 1806, and from July, 1807, to March, 1808.

1

From April, 1805, to August, 1806.

55

176

55