considerable force, in addition to that previously sent there, it was evident that the requisite number of seamen for this expedition could not be recruited without extraordinary exertions. Measures were therefore taken to recruit men for this particular service, under the direction and superintendence of Captain Jones; and Lieutenants Tattnall, R. R. Pinckham, Purviance, and H. W. Morris were ordered to report to him for service in recruiting for this expedition; and others were subsequently ordered for the same service. It is believed that due diligence has been exercised by the officers on this service to recruit the requisite number of men, but without the success that had been anticipated. This is partly owing to the necessity of recruiting at the same time for the Pacific, Brazilian, and West India stations; and of the five hundred and eighteen seamen, ordinary seamen, landsmen, and boys, required for the several vessels of the exploring squadron, no more than two hundred and forty-eight have been yet recruited, as by the last returns. The difficulties, however, which have retarded the recruiting for this expedition are nearly obviated; and it is confidently hoped that in a short time there will be sufficient numbers recruited to complete the crews of all the vessels of the squadron. The paper annexed, marked C, contains a list of the officers, petty officers, seanien, ordinary seamen, boys, and marines required by Captain Jones for his squadron. As many instruments, books, maps, and charts, were wanted for the purposes of this expedition, not to be procured in the United States, it was found necessary to send for them to Europe. Lieutenant Wilkes was selected for this purpose, and embarked at New York for Liverpool on the 8th of August last, with ample means for making the necessary purchases. He returned on the 23d of last month, having performed the duty assigned to him in the most successful manner. His report is hereunto annexed, marked D, with catalogues of the instruments and books purchased. Several learned and philosophical societies in different parts of the United States were solicited by this department to communicate such information as might be deemed important in promoting the great scientific objects of the expedition. These societies have, with great promptitude and liberality, given elaborate and most satisfactory answers to the subjects referred to them, affording, in well arranged forms, sufficient instructions for the scientific corps to be attached to this expedition upon all subjects to which their researches will be directed. The appointment of a scientific corps for this expedition has been a subject of much solicitude and careful inquiry. Fourteen gentlemen have been appointed members of this corps, eminent for their proficiency in those sciences which are connected with natural history, or eminent as artists devoted to subjects of natural history. No one has yet been assigned to the departments of astronomy, geography, and hydrography. With this exception, the corps is nearly complete. Soon after the different vessels of this expedition were launched, proper commanding officers for the same were appointed. The paper marked E is a list of the officers appointed to these vessels. J. N. Reynolds, Esq., appointed corresponding secretary to the commander of the exploring expedition, was, on the 17th day of November last, instructed to report to Commodore Jones for duty. The above statements, with the papers annexed, it is believed, contain the information asked for by the resolution. All which is respectfully submitted. I have the honor to be, Your obedient, humble servant, To the PRESIDENT of the United States. MAHLON DICKERSON. A NAVY COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE, SIR: In compliance with your instructions of this date, in reference to the resolution of the House of Representatives, the Board of Navy Commissioners have the honor to report, that the sizes and names of the vessels designated by the department for the surveying and exploring expedition, are as follows: The Macedonian, second class frigate; The store ship Relief, of 463 tons; As respects the progress which has been made in their equipment, they further report that, on the receipt of your orders of the 6th July last, an order of the same date was given by the board to complete the Macedonian without delay; and upon your several directions of the 7th, 11th, and 20th July last, orders were also given to prepare for building the Pioneer, Consort, and Pilot, with the least practicable delay. The completion of the Relief had been previously directed on the 20th June, and she was launched 14th September last. The Macedonian was launched on the 1st of November last, and is now supposed to be nearly ready for sea. The Pioneer was launched on the 25th October, and the Consort on the 29th of the same month, and the Pilot about the same time. All these vessels have been equipped, sailed from the ports where they were built, and have arrived at Norfolk. It is not in the power of the board to state accurately the expense already incurred for building and equipping all of these vessels, as the final reports have not all been received from the different navy yards. From the latest reports which have been received, their cost, exclusive of provisions, has been as follows, viz: The Relief about $93,500, of which there was paid, or is payable from the appropriation for the surveying and exploring expedition about $53,500 The Pioneer about The Consort The Pilot 40,000 40,000 35,000 The Macedonian was rebuilt under a special appropriation by Congress of $208,000, in addition to materials which were on hand and applicable to that special object; of this sum, but $3,500 remains in the treasury. The whole cost of this ship, including the materials provided previously to the appropriation, up to the present time, may be estimated at about $270,000. To complete the equipment of these vessels, exclusively of provisions, instruments, and other contingencies, with the preparation of which the board are not charged, it is estimated that about $70,000 may be required. The total annual expense for each of these vessels, with the complements of officers and others, as furnished by the department for the estimates of the present year, are, by estimate, as follows: For the Macedonian For the Relief For the Pioneer For the Consort For the Pilot Pay and provisions of scientific corps Estimated expense for one year $153,599 25 41.790 75 37,191 25 37,191 25 32,816 00 43,842 50 $346,431 00 And estimated expense for three years will be - $1,039,293 00 JOHN RODGERS. To the Hon. MAHLON DICKERSON, Secretary of the Navy. B. NEAR PROSPECT HILL, VIRGINIA, January 31, 1837. SIR: It will doubtless be recollected by you, that, in November last, I made an authorized visit to the naval stations north of Washington, where the store-ship and smaller vessels destined for the exploring expedition were then preparing. It will also recur to you, that on my return to Washington, (about the 5th of December,) I was by you directed to suspend, for a while, my personal attention to the outfits of the expedition, and repair to Old Point, in company with Commodore Morris, for the purpose of testing the cannon of the navy, in connexion with the board of officers detailed for that duty. The execution of this last order prevented my making the report of my northern tour to the department at the time I intended; and a multitude of circumstances which I could not control have since interposed to prevent the execution of my first design. I, therefore, now proceed to say what I was prepared to state on my return to Washington, on or about the 5th of December, 1836. That the store-ship Relief, of 450 tons, had been launched from the navy yard at Philadelphia; had been rigged, equipped, and furnished in the best manner, with such stores as are in common use in the navy; and that, with the exception of lieutenants and midshipmen, she was ready to proceed to Norfolk, the appointed rendezvous. That the schooner Pilot, of 120 tons, had been built, launched, and equipped in like manner at the navy yard, Brooklyn, New York; and was waiting only for officers to take her to Norfolk. That the barques Pioneer and Consort, of 230 tons each, had both been built, launched, and equipped in the best possible manner at the navy yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts; and although they were not completely officered, they would in a few days take their departure for Norfolk, the place of general rendezvous. And that up to that time, about 200 choice men had been entered for the expedition, and were in readiness to go on board the aforesaid vessels. Recruiting for this expedition has not been so successful as was first anticipated. The rivalry which was subsequently called into being by the opening of separate rendezvous for particular ships destined on general service, at one and the same time, added to the actual scarcity of seamen in the coun try, and the very high wages afforded by our active and growing commercial enterprise, are believed to be among the best reasons why so few mariners offer for the naval service. It may not be improper for me here to say, that the commanders of the above navy yards seem to vie with each other in zeal and exertions to prepare the vessels under their respective superintendence, in the best possible manner; and in this they were generally ably seconded by those under their command, and especially by Master Commandant John Percival, of the Charlestown navy yard. Much having been said in the New York public prints condemnatory the class and models of the foregoing vessels, it may be proper for me here to state, that the two barques and the schooner are the models of that highly gifted officer, Colonel Samuel Humphreys, the naval constructor; and that they were draughted more in view of surveying among the South Sea islands, than for exploring in the antarctic seas alone. Surveying, as I interpret the act of Congress of May 10th, 1836, authorizing the expedition, and in which interpretation, I believe you and myself perfectly agree, being the primary object; and exploring, according to the general acceptation of the term, altogether secondary. But, be that as it may, it is believed that these vessels are well calculated for either or for both services combined. "During my two visits to the northern cities and naval stations, in August and November last, I left no means within my reach unemployed to obtain the best information in reference to the following subjects, viz: What the best mode of preparing, packing, and preserving provisions in a sound and wholesome state for the longest voyages? What the best antiscorbu tics? What the means to be employed for warming ships in case of being obliged to winter in the polar seas? What kind and what quantity of extra warm clothing ought to be laid in for the use of the officers and men ? To what useful purpose could the Indian rubber fabric be applied? What the best apparatus to be employed for baking kiln-dried flour into bread on board ship, and whether the same heat could not be applied to the distillation of fresh, from sea water? How far the newly invented life-spar and the gum-elastic balser may be relied on as a means for communicating with land through high surf, where no open boat could live; or even of landing a whole crew in the event of shipwreck, or like disaster? And, lastly, the practicability and cost of applying a small steam engine of about six horse power to the frigate's launch, for the purpose of navigating within the coral belts which encircle almost all the islands within the great equatorial sea, lying between the continents of Asia and America. These and many other minor objects, having occupied much thought and much inquiry, it only remains for me to be clothed with authority to make purchases, and aided by proper officers, (among whom the fleet surgeon, and the second purser and purchasing agent are highly necessary,) to complete the outfits for the undertaking." THOMAS AP CATESBY JONES, P. S.-The Macedonian was launched from the navy yard at Gosport, in October; but according to my latest information, she is not yet ready to receive a crew, though she probably will be by the time the scientific corps. can be ready to embark, and a sufficient number of men obtained, for which the prospects are becoming more favorable. T. AP C. J. C. EXHIBIT of officers, petty officers, seamen, ordinary seamen, boys, and marines, required for the South sea surveying and exploring expediton. Boatswains' mates Gunners' mates es abe Sailmakers' mates or Armorers' mates em Quarter gunners Coxswains 554 2 Stewards nodod Coopers - globdit ad now o refazol 34779 63 63 51 603 AUGUST 29, 1836. THOS. AP CATESBY JONES, Commander of the expedition. |