exhibited great energy, and, for the first time in its history, the United States had a Navy commensurate with its importance as a maritime power.
The following table exhibits the progress made in increasing the Navy since December, 1862, and shows what the country was capable of achieving under a pressure that would have almost crushed any other nation:
Comparative exhibit of the Navy, Dec., 1862, and 1863.
No.
of Vessels. No.
of Guns. Tons.
Navy at date of present Report--Dec., 1863. 588 4,443 467,967
Navy at date of last Report--Dec., 1862. 427 3,268 340,036
Total increase 161 1,175 127,931
Vessels of the Navy lost since Dec., 1862.
In What Manner Lost. No.
of Vessels. No.
of Guns. Tons.
Captured 12 48 5,947
Destroyed to prevent falling into hands of Confederates 3 29 2,983
Sunk in battle or by torpedoes 4 28 2,201
Shipwreck, fire and collision 13 61 4,854
Total 32 166 15,985
Vessels placed under construction since Dec., 1862.
Des
&c., fitted for naval purposes 921 78,762
112 Sailing vessels of all classes 850 69,549
671 Total 4,610 510,396
Comparative statement of the Navy, December, 1863 and 1864.
No.
of vessels. Description. No.
of guns. No.
of tons.
671 Total navy, December, 1864 4,610 510,396
588 Total navy, December, 1863 4,443 December, 1863 4,443 467,967
83 Actual increase for the year 167 42,429
26 Total losses by shipwreck, in battle, capture, &c., during the year 146 13,084
109 Actual addition to the navy from December, 1863, to December, 1864 313 55,513
Vessels constructed for the Navy since March 4, 1861.
No. Description. Guns. Tonnage
7 Screw slooDecember, 1863, to December, 1864 313 55,513
Vessels constructed for the Navy since March 4, 1861.
No. Description. Guns. Tonnage
7 Screw sloops, Ammonoosuc class, 17 to 19 guns, 3,213 to 3,713 tons each 121 23,637
1 Screw sloop Idaho, 8 guns, 2,638 tons 8 2,638
8 Screw sloops, spar deck, Java class, 25 guns and 3,177 tons each 200 25,416
2 Screw sloops, spar deck, Hassalo class, 25 guns and 3,365 tons each 50 6,730
10 Screw sloops, clippers, single deck, Co