cannot be ascertained By some, it is at this time thought, that neither the New York nor the Boston are worthy of being repaired; but I hope that, on opening them, we shall find them otherwise: and under this impression I have returned them in this exhibit Should they be found too rotten to repair, I shall consider it as a serious misfortune for they have been constructed upon the most approved models for vessels of their rates. In the estimate of the expense of the navy for the year 1812, the employment of all our frigates, excepting thoseabove stated, and of all our other vessels of war, and sixty two gun-boats, is contemplated: these objects, together with the corps of marines, navy-yards, ordnance, &c. are estimated to cost 2,502,003 dollars and 90 cents, which is the aggregate amount of the estimate for the year 1812. Of this sum, The expense of the corps of marines is estimated at The expense of navy-yards, &c. The expense of ordnance, &c. The expense of vessels of war in commission, Dolls. 228,905 90 60,000 60,000 and of those and the gun-boats in ordinary 1,403,098 The expense of the 62 gun-boats in commis sion Whole amount of the navy estimate, year 1812, 750,000 2,502,003 90 If, then, the frigates now in ordinary, were put in commission, "their aggregate annual expense in service, with that of those now employed," and including every other object of navy expense, upon the scale contemplated in the estimate for the year 1812, would be the sum stated under the head "annual expense," in this exhibit, viz. Dol. 469,973 Added to the whole amount of the navy esti mate, as stated above, Which makes 2,502,003 90 2,971,976 90 But, excluding the expense of the corps of marines, navy-yards, and ordnance, above stated, the annual expense in service of the frigates now in ordinary, with that of those now employed, and of sixty two gun-boats now in commission, and of all the other gun-boats in ordinary, would be 2,623,071 dollars. The aggregate annual expense, if the frigates now in ordinary were put in commission, and added to the expense of the vessels of war now in commission and of the ordinary; but excluding the expense of the cops of marines, navy-yards, ordnance, and of the sixty-two gunboats in commission; that is, the annual expense of all our vessels of war, and the expense of gun-boats in ordinary, would be 1,873,071 dollars. But, as stated in this paper, it would probably take six months to repair the frigates in ordinary: hence, their expense, ᎥᏝ put in commission, would, for the year 1812, not exceed half their annual expense, viz. 469,973 dollars -half of which is 234,986 dollars 50 cents, say 235,000 dollars. If, then, the frigates in ordinary were put in commission, the whole expense of the navy, for the year 1812, including every expense whatsoever, [excepting the sum stated as necessary to put the frigates in ordinary in repair] would be 2,737,003 dollars and 90 cents. And, excluding the expense of the marine corps, navy yards, and ordnance, it would be 2,388,098 dollars. And, excluding the expense of the marine corps, navyyards, ordnance, and the sixty-two gun-boats in commission, the expense for the year 1812 would be 1 638,098 dollars. If, then, we had all our vessels of war in commission, their annual expense would be 1,873,071 dollars; but, for the year 1812, as five of them could not be brought into actual service for six months, their expense would be 1,638,098. The estimate for the repair of the frigates in ordinary, is a distinct consideration, and is not comprehended in any of the views taken of the subject. That estimate, as will be seen by reference to the table, amounts to 480 000 dollars. If, then, it should be determined to put the frigates now in ordinary in commission, an appropriation of 480,000 dollars for their repair and equipment, and of 235,000 dollars for their support in actual service during the year 1812, would be necessary. These items, added to the aggregate of the navy estimate for the year 1812, would make the whole expense for that year 3,217,003 dollars and 90 cents. C. ESTIMATE of the expense of building and completely equipping for actual service, vessels of war of various rates; and the annual expense of each. Note. An estimate of the annual expense of a 74, in detail, is subjoined for the satisfaction of the committee. The annual expense of all rates under 60 guns is given from past experience: and in neither case, it is believed, does this statement vary materially from what would be the actual annual expense. The estimate of the expense of building ships of war of different rates, is believed to be ample. The cases referred to under 60 guns are considered as appropriate; they show the actual cost of vessels of war some years since and it has been attempted to fix the expense per gun by this standard of experience. It is stated that a 50 gun ship may be built and equipped for 225,000 dollars, because the frigate President cost only 220,910 dollars 8 cents; and this is believed to be correct; for the frigate President, although she rates less than a 50 gun ship, yet she is so nearly equal in her hull, armament, sails, rigging, &c. that such a frigate would certainly cost within 5000 dollars as much as a 50 gun ship would cost. To invalidate the effect of this reference in this case, it might be said, that although the frigate President cost only 220,000 dollars, yet that other frigates, for instance, the United States, the Constitution, and the Constellation, the two first equal, the last inferior in rate to her, cost considerably more; the fact indeed is so, for the United States cost 299,336 dollars 56 cents; the Constitution cost 302,718 dollars 84 cents; and the Constellation, of inferior rate to either, cost 314,000 dollars and upwards. But it must be remembered that these vessels were built at a time when we had but very little experience on the subject of building and equipping vessels of war; and the fact, that the frigate Constellation, a 36, did cost nearly 100,000 more than the frigate President, 44, is evidence of the disadvantages of inexperience in the one case, and of the advantages of experience in the other; advantages which, it is to be hoped, would be rather improved in any future attempts to build and equip vessels of war. The number of men required for the frigate President, or for either of our largest 44's, would be sufficient to man a 50 gun ship; hence the annual expense of a 50 gun ship would be about the same as the annual expense of the President, viz. 115,214 dollars, and it is so stated accordingly in the appropriate column. It may not be amiss to state for the information of the committee, that cannon, and a considerable proportion of the requisite timber for six 74 gun ships, are at this time provided and deposited in the different navy yards. |