--822--
No. 215. [2d Session.
17th Congress.]
ADDITIONAL FORCE FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF PIRACY.
COMMUNICATED TO THE SENATE BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS, DECEMBER 12, 1822.
Navy Department, December 11, 1822.
Sir:
In answer to your letter of the 10th instant I have to state, that, on consultation with the Commissioners of the Navy, it is thought the force hereafter mentioned, in addition to the vessels already employed in the West Indies and Gulf of Mexico, would be best adapted to the object contemplated by the message of the President.
One steam-boat, of ninety to one hundred and twenty tons, to carry two eighteen pounders and two twelve pounders, upon travelling carriages so as to fire from any part of the vessel;
Ten fast sailing schooners, of forty-five to sixty tons burthen, to draw not more than five to seven feet water; each to be armed with one long twelve or eighteen pounder, mounted on a circle, with two twelve pound carronades, with the necessary number of small arms, to row from twenty to twenty-four sweeps, and
Five light double bank cutters, each to row twenty oars, and adapted to carry forty men, well armed with muskets, pistols, boarding pikes, cutlasses, &c.
The cost of procuring these additional vessels, and of equipping and fitting them for service, is estimated as follows:
One steam-boat, |
$12,000 00 |
Ten schooners, at $3,000 each, |
30,000 00 |
Five double bank cutters, at $400 |
2,000 00 |
$44,000 00 |
The annual expense of this additional force would not, as will be seen on reference to the estimates herewith submitted, exceed $115,308 50.
With such a force, judiciously disposed and divided, yet the whole acting under the command of one officer, it is believed, with great confidence, that our commerce, in the Gulf of Mexico and West India seas, might not only be effectually protected, but an end put to piracy in less than twelve months.
From among the craft of the Chesapeake the steam-boat and the schooners might readily be purchased; and the cutters might be built, and the whole in readiness for service in the course of six weeks from the date of orders to equip and prepare them; and when they shall have performed the service required of them the schooners might probably be sold for nearly their original cost; and the steam-boat would be very useful in surveying our southern coast. The cutters would answer for the general service as appendages to our larger vessels and navy yards.
The estimates will show how it is proposed to officer and man these vessels. The cutters to be manned occasionally from the sloops of war and other larger vessels, as circumstances may, from time to time, render necessary.
You will perceive that the proposed force is adapted to every description of service, and provides against every contingency that can possibly arise: for while the larger vessels, singly, will be more than a match for any force that the pirates can unite against them; the light schooners, or the steam-boat and cutters when united will not only be superior to any number of piratical vessels which it will be in the power of those lawless wretches to assemble at any one point, but, at the same time, from their light draught of water and peculiar construction, have it in their power to pursue them, without risk, in the most advantageous manner, into every creek and inlet, where they might attempt to seek refuge.
It is respectfully submitted to the consideration of the committee whether it would not be most advisable to appropriate a certain sum of money to be applied by the President of the United States to the object in view, without defining any particular force to be employed;
I have the honor to be, with great respect, sir, your most obedient servant,
SMITH THOMPSON.
Hon. James Pleasants, Jun., Chairman of the Naval Committee of the Senate.
Exhibit showing the number of officers and men required to man one steam-boat of ninety to one hundred and twenty tons, and ten schooners of forty-five to sixty tons each.
For |
Masters commandant |
Lieutenants commandant. |
Lieutenants. |
Passed midshipmen, as masters. |
Midshipmen. |
Surgeon's mates. |
Boatswain's mates. |
Gunner's mates. |
Carpenter's mates. |
Engineers |
Seamen. |
Ordinary seamen. |
Boys |
Marines |
Steam boat, |
1 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
10 |
10 |
4 |
8 |
|
One schooner, |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
9 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
||
Nine schooners, |
9 |
18 |
9 |
18 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
81 |
45 |
18 |
45 |
||
Total, |
1 |
10 |
23 |
11 |
23 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
2 |
100 |
60 |
24 |
58 |
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No. 1.
Estimate of the annual expense of the above officers and men.
Officers and men. |
PAY. |
RATIONS. |
Amount of pay and rations . |
|||||
Per month. |
Per annum. |
No. pr. day. |
Number per annum. |
Price. |
Amount of rations . |
|||
1 master commandant, |
$60 |
720. |
4 |
1,460 |
25 cts. |
365 00 |
1,085 00 |
|
10 lieutenants commandant, |
50 |
6,000 |
3 |
10,950 |
" |
2,737 50 |
8,737 50 |
|
23 lieutenants, |
40 |
11,040 |
2 |
16,760 |
" |
4,190 00 |
15,230 00 |
|
11 passed midshipmen, as masters, |
40 |
5,280 |
1 |
4,015 |
" |
1,003 75 |
6,283 75 |
|
23 midshipmen, |
19 |
5,244 |
5,244 00 |
|||||
11 surgeon's mates, |
30 |
3,960 |
1 |
4,015 |
" |
1,003 75 |
4,963 75 |
|
11 boatswain's mates, |
33 |
|||||||
11 gunner's mates, |
19 |
7,524 |
" |
7,524 00 |
||||
11 carpenter's mates, |
||||||||
2 engineers, |
30 |
720 |
720 00 |
|||||
100 able seamen, |
12 |
14,400 |
14,400 00 |
|||||
60 ordinary seamen, |
10 |
7,200 |
7,200 00 |
|||||
24 boys, |
6 |
1,728 |
1,728 00 |
|||||
298 |
$63,816 |
$9,300 00 |
$73,116 00 |
No. 2.
Estimate of provisions for the above. |
|
298 officers, seamen, and othen, each at one ration per day, make 108,770 at 25 cents, |
$27,192 50 |
Estimate of fuel for the engine of steam-boat. |
|
365 cords of wood, at $2 50 per cord, |
$912 50 |
General estimate of the annual expense of maintaining in commission one steam-boat of 90 to 120 tons, |
|
For pay and subsistence, No. 1, |
73,116 00 |
provisions, No. 2, |
27,192 50 |
repairs, including fuel, |
12,500 00 |
hospital stores and medicine, |
2,500 00 |
$115,308 50 |