1. we have seen that the secretary of the navy has several different bureaus, having each its separate part of naval interests and stores to care for. the material for the equipment of the army is, in large part, stored in arsenals and armories; in the navy in or near navy yards. here are gathered such stores and materials as are required for the construction or repairs of vessels, and hundreds of skilled workmen, constantly employed in rendering the navy effective; replacing vessels that have become unseaworthy, repairing damages, or building such vessels of special construction as the varying demands of the service may require.

2. these are established at different places along the coast, most convenient for the purpose. there is one at philadelphia, pa., at brooklyn, n. y., at portsmouth, va., at pensacola, fla. here vessels are laid up when not in “commission” or active service, or are sent for repairs, or to obtain their stores before departing to their distant stations. all the officers necessary for keeping all these matters in order are stationed at these yards; and the navy department, by these means, preserves the same perfect system of organization and efficiency as we have seen to characterize other branches of the executive administration.