December 1, 1862: Welles Makes His Second Annual Report to Lincoln

DECEMBER 1ST, 1862:  In his second annual report , Secretary of the Navy Welles informed Abraham Lincoln:  "We have at this time afloat or progressing to rapid a naval force consisting of 427 vessels ... armed in aggregate with 1,577 guns, and of the capacity of 240,028 tons...

"The number of persons employed on board our naval vessels, including receiving ships and recruits, is about 28,000; and there are not less than 12,000 mechanics and laborers employed at the different navy yards and naval stations."

Getting Bigger Every Day.  --Old B-Runner