Page:The Development of Navies During the Last Half-Century.djvu/321

 condition no longer exists. Stirring appeals by successive Secretaries of the Navy have at last roused the nation to action. With a marvellous energy, of which an example was afforded in the last Civil War, America has developed during the last few years everything necessary for the construction and equipment of a modern fleet.

There was no seeking abroad for those appliances which their own country had not hitherto, from want of a demand, produced. The latest ordnance, the best steel armour plates, and marine engines of the most recent design, each requiring special plant for its manufacture were produced on the spot, and warships built which will bear comparison with those of any European state. When we recall the period that has elapsed since we passed from wood to iron in naval construction, and from smooth bore to rifled guns, with the successive phases of improvement in each, none can withhold a tribute of admiration at the manner in which all difficulties in the United States have been surmounted. Defects here and there must occur, but the nation has just cause for pride in the vessels which the Government and private shipbuilding yards have turned out without any abnormal delay in completion.

But brief space need be accorded to a description of the navy previous to and during the Civil War. At the commencement of that struggle America possessed several fine wooden steam frigates of about 3000 tons, and a number of smaller vessels, but the sinking of the Cumberland' by the 'Merrimac' showed that such craft