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17th Congress.]

No. 220.

[2d Session.

NUMBER AND GRADE OF OFFICERS NECESSARY TO COMMAND VESSELS BELONGING TO THE NAVY.

COMMUNICATED TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE, JANUARY 13, 1823.

Navy Department, January 10, 1823.

Sir:

In compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives, passed on the 30th ultimo, requiring a statement "containing the names and grade of the officers belonging to the naval establishment of the United States, and the duties each is performing, also the number of officers of each different grade necessary to command, in active service, the vessels of war at this time belonging to the navy," I have the honor to observe, that the Naval Register for the year 1823, transmitted to the House of Representatives on the 8th instant, will, it is presumed, be found to contain the information required, so far as relates to the names and grade of the officers, and the duties each is performing, as it shows to what navy yard, naval station, or cruising vessel, each officer is attached; and whether on furlough, or awaiting orders for active service.—[See No. 219.]

In reply to the second clause of the resolution, I have the honor to enclose a statement showing the number of commissioned and warrant officers, of each different grade, necessary to command, in active service, the vessels of war at this time belonging of the navy, including those afloat, and those on the stocks and building.

All which is respectfully submitted.

SMITH THOMPSON.

The Hon. the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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Exhibit showing the number of commission and warrant officers of each different grade, necessary to command, in active service, the vessels of war at this time belonging to the navy, including those afloat, and those on the. stocks and building, January, 1823.

Captains.

Masters commandant.

Lieutenants commanding.

Lieutenants.

Sailing-masters

Midshipmen.

Sailing-masters' mates.

Surgeons.

Surgeons' mates.

Pursers.

Chaplains

Schoolmasters.

Boatswains.

Gunners

Carpenters.

Sailmakers.

Twelve ships of the line,

12

108

24

288

36

12

36

12

12

12

12

12

12

12

Nine 44 gun ships,

9

54

9

180

9

18

9

9

9

9

9

9

Three 36 gun ships,

3

15

3

48

3

6

3

3

3

3

3

3

One steam frigate,

1

5

1

12

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

One 24 gun ship,

1

4

1

12

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Five sloops of war,

5

15

5

40

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

Two brigs,

2

4

2

12

2

2

Five schooners,

5

10

5

20

5

5

One gunboat,

1

1

2

1

1

If divided into three squadrons,

3

29

5

8

215

51

614

36

31

75

39

25

12

31

31

31

30

Required for the navy yards and shore stations, recruiting, ordnance, and hospitals,

7

12

11

7

14

11

11

7

7

7

7

Board of Navy Commissioners,

3

10

12

11

7

14

11

11

7

7

7

7

For steam-boat and small schooners now fitting out for special service,

1

10

23

11

23

11

1

Whole number,

39

18

18

249

69

651

36

42

97

47

25

12

38

38

38

30

The lieutenants commanding are taken from the corps of lieutenants, making the whole number of lieutenants required, 267

The masters' mates are taken from the corps of midshipmen, making the whole number of midshipmen required, 687

We have at present not a sufficient proportion of sloops of war, compared with larger vessels; hence, the number of masters commandant, as stated in the exhibit, is proportionately small.

The table makes no allowances for sickness and other casualties.

Note.—There are yet to be put on the stocks four large 44 gun frigates, and three steam batteries.