by the department, there being already a vessel of the same name in the service, and for other causes, and sometimes to avoid confusion, more than once; and the names of some of the smaller captured vessels were changed by the commanders of squadrons. It has required the most patient research, continuing often an entire day, to trace the history of a single vessel accurately. These facts are here alluded to in justice to the bureau and those who have faithfully and diligently entered on this work, for the reason that the mover of the resolu tion has upon several occasions, without inquiry, and without any knowledge of the facts, severely criticised the department for not making an earlier response to the resolution.

The vessels disposed of have been offered for sale at public auction, the department first establishing by appraisement a price below which they were not authorized to be sold. Some of the vessels have thus been exposed for sale several times, but after once being offered and withdrawn, because of insuffici ency of price, the department has authorized the commandants of navy yards to receive tenders and to sell them, without sacrifice, upon the most favorable terms. Such vessels are designated in the appropriate column with the remark, "tender after auction." In some few cases, generally because the vessels were unseaworthy or unfit for further use, the commanders of the squadrons, or stations, have been authorized to dispose of them to the best advantage. In the column headed "remarks" will be found, with other information, the answer to that part of the resolution requiring information as to how many vessels remain unsold, and where such unsold vessels now are and what is the use to which they have been put. Some of the unserviceable vessels remain on hand, as purchasers at their appraised value have not been found.

Very respectfully,

GIDEON WELLES,

Secretary of the Nary.

Hon. SCHUYLER COLFAX,

No. 10.]

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

NAVY DEPARTMENT,

Bureau of Construction and Repair, May 6, 1868. SIR: I herewith respectfully enclose the report called for by the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 6th January, 1868, embracing the number and names of all the vessels belonging to and connected with the Navy Department on the 1st day of April, 1861; the number of vessels built by and for the govern ment for the Navy Department since the 1st of April, 1861; the names, the tonnage, number of guns, of such vessels; when built, where built, by whom built; the cost of each vessel; the number and names of all vessels purchased by and for the Navy Department since the 1st of April, 1861; when purchased. where purchased, by whom purchased; the amount paid for such vessel; the amount of commission paid on such purchase; to whom paid; how many of such vessels have been lost or destroyed; how many have been sold; the names of those sold, when sold, to whom sold, where sold; whether at public or pri vate sale; for how much sold; the names of the parties selling them or in any way connected with such sale; how many of said vessels remain unsold; their names; their tonnage; where such vessels now are; and what is the use to which they have been put.

It will be perceived that these inquiries embrace nearly the entire history of the navy from the 1st of April, 1861, to the present time, which has made it necessary to search all the records of this bureau, as well as of the Navy Department and the other bureaus, all being more or less involved in the inquiry; and it was also necessary to obtain much information from the navy yards and stations. All the transactions of the purchase and sale of these ves

sels were carefully scrutinized as they occurred; but the purchase, the payment, and the sale were in many cases at remote periods from one another, and many of the points of inquiry could be ascertained only from incidental business letters, requiring a very great amount of labor and research. Not more than two persons could be engaged in collecting this information, and they have been diligently occupied in doing it.

The names of the vessels have been arranged alphabetically for more easy reference, and placed in tabular form, to exhibit more clearly the whole in one view.

The resolution is herewith returned.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Hon. GIDEON WELLES,

Secretary of the Navy.

JOHN LENTHALL,

Chief of Bureau.

TABLE NO. I.—Statement of the number, names, tonnage, guns, and location of vessels belonging to and connected with the Navy Department on the 1st day of April, 1861.

Statement of vessels belonging to the Navy Department, &c.—Continued.

Statement of vessels belonging to the Navy Department, &c.--Continued.

TABLE NO. II.-Statement of the number and names of all vessels built by and for the government for the Navy Department since

April 1, 1861, with their tonnage, number of guns, where, when, and by whom built, and the cost of each.

[NOTE.-The column when built in this statement is the date when each vessel named was launched, (if built by the United States,) and the date of the last regular payment, if built
by contract.]