The New Hampshire Gazette

STEAM VESSELS OF WAR.—We observe with pleasure that the Secretary of the Navy has called the attention of Congress to this important subject. Since the destruction of the Fulton, we have not, so far as we are aware, had a single steam vessel in our navy, of any description whatever.— When it is considered that naval warfare will in future be carried on in a great measure by steam-vessels, and that our commercial rivals, England and France, have each constructed about 20 such vessels already, and are every year adding to the number, it seems surprising that the American government has as yet done nothing in this essential branch of our maritime defence.

As a nation we have nothing to fear from the approaching change, provided we bestir ourselves in season, and make use of the extraordinary advantages within our reach for maintaining our position as a naval power. There is not in the wide world a fleet of merchant steam boats either so numerous or splendid as our own. England is here thrown into the back ground: so is France and every other nation. But not one of all these steam-boats is fit for war service. All that can be said for us on this head is, that we have the means of creating a fleet of steam-vessels of war to any extent, and when created, the means of manning and working them equal to any other nation. If we neglect the opportunities afforded us, and for that neglect reap a harvest of shame, whose fault will it be?

As a means of defence, properly speaking, such a change in naval warfare will be highly in our favor. Our own steam-boats can be replenished with fuel as often as we please, while those of foreign nations which approach our shores, will be put to great and continual inconvenience in maintaining a supply.— Not that we suppose there is hereafter to be no use for ships of the line and heavy frigates; they will still be important in their place; but steam-vessels will form the elite of Navies—the flying artillery, from which nothing can escape. With the former we are tolerably well provided; with the latter we shall be, and that speedily, if we are wise for ourselves —Jour. Com.