| C. S. Navy Department, Richmond, November 16, 1863 |
| |
| Hon. S. R. Mallory |
| Secretary of Navy, Richmond |
| |
| Sir, |
| In obedience to your instructions of the
5th ultimo I have the honor to submit the following report, together
with the accompanying estimates, for all objects coming under the
cognizance of this office for six months from the 1st of January
next. |
| The general supply of coal for the Navy
for the past year has been inadequate to its wants, both production
and transportation being deficient.
|
| The occupation of Chattanooga by the
enemy in August last has effectually cut off the supply from the
mines in that region, upon which the public works in Georgia and
South Carolina and the naval vessels in the waters of those States
were dependent. Meager supplies have since been sent to Charleston
from this place and from the Egypt mines in North Carolina.
|
| The product of the latter mines appears
to have been greatly stimulated recently under the direction of the
niter and mining bureau.
|
| The portion allotted to the Navy, 290
tons monthly {about 2 1/2 trains of 15 cars
each}, to be delivered at Fayetteville {via
the Western RR}, will probably be sufficient for its pressing
wants, within the limits of that State, for steamers and for
workshops, and also for Charleston, but the difficulty in obtaining
transportation by the river to Wilmington, thence by railroad to
Charleston and Charlotte is so great at present as to render
uncertain an adequate supply for those points.
|
| The production of coal from the mines in
Alabama has been insufficient until recently; it is now represented
that the quantity available for the Navy is adequate to its wants
for naval vessels in the waters of, and for naval workshops located
within that State, as well as for the demands at Columbus, Ga., but
the transportation between Selma and Columbus is at present
deficient.
|
| The coal mines in the vicinity of this
city have met the general immediate wants of the Navy at this point,
and no apprehensions are now felt of a scarcity.
|
| Limited supplies from these mines have
been sent to the naval workshops in Charlotte and a small quantity
to Charleston, but for the difficulty in the way of transportation
the supplies would be ample.
|
| Contract, made March 29, 1863, with Mr.
James Brown for the delivery of coal at Savannah and Columbus, Ga.;
Charleston, S. C.; and Wilmington, N. C.; and one with Mr. W. P.
Browne for the delivery of coal at Mobile, Ala., have not been
executed. Various excuses have been assigned by them for their
failure; in the present condition of the country it has been deemed
expedient to avoid litigation or attempts to coerce the fulfillment
of the contracts.
|
| No deliveries have been made on the
contract of the War and Navy Departments with the Alabama Arms
Manufacturing Co.; they should have commenced in June last, and
there is yet no certainty as to the time when they will begin.
|
| Wood has been successfully substituted,
in part, as fuel for the war steamers; a matter of great moment,
when coal is not to be had in sufficient quantities, as is now
especially the case at Charleston and Savannah.
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| *****
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| I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your
obedient servant,
|
| Jno. K. Mitchell
|
| Commander in Charge
|