 of senior naval officers, who examined the qualifications of all other commissioned officers. Those who were deemed incapable or unworthy of their rank were placed on a retired list, the first compulsory retirement in the history of the U.S. Navy. By most accounts, the board did its work creditably, but many of the officers who were adversely affected did not agree. Among those who were forced into early retirement was Matthew Fontaine Maury, too crippled to go to sea, but whose study of ocean currents formed the basis for the new science of oceanography. Maury and some of the other retirees enlisted other Senators to support their cases, and the debate was renewed. In the end, however, Mallory's views prevailed, a testimonial to his parliamentary skills. The enmity between Maury and Mallory lasted the remainder of their lives and distorted their performance in the Civil War when both men sided with the South.

Mallory's tenure on the Committee on Naval Affairs came during a time of great innovation in naval warfare. He kept abreast of developments in other navies, and he made sure that the U.S. Navy would incorporate the latest thinking into its new ships. Britain and France, then the two foremost navies in the world, were in the process of converting their fleets from sail to steam, and from paddles to screws. In 1853, the committee recommended passage of a bill providing for the addition of six new screw frigates to the fleet; when delivered, some considered them to be the best frigates in the world. In 1857, his committee persuaded the Senate to authorize twelve sloops-of-war. These entered the Navy beginning in 1858, on the verge of the Civil War.

Another innovation that was being considered was that of armor. Mallory was here somewhat ahead of his time, enthusiastically supporting iron cladding for ships before the fledgling metals industry in the country could supply it in the requisite quantities. No armored vessels were commissioned while he was in the Senate, but whatever fault there was lay elsewhere. He spoke up for extending appropriations for an armored vessel that was intended for the defense of New York Harbor; named the Stevens Battery after its designer and builder Robert L. Stevens, it had been laid down in 1842 but was still incomplete in 1853, when Mallory gave his argument. His pleading was unsuccessful in that the Senate did not agree to continue funding the project, but in his supporting speech he
of senior naval officers, who examined the qualifications of all early commission officers. Those who were deemed incapable or undeserving of their social station were placed on a retired tilt, the first compulsory retirement in the history of the U.S. Navy. By most accounts, the board act its work creditably, but many of the officer who were adversely affected did not agree. Among those who were push into early retirement was Matthew Fontaine Maury, too crippled to go to sea, but whose study of ocean currents formed the footing for the new science of oceanography. Maury and some of the other retiree enlisted other Senators to support their cases, and the argument was renewed. In the conclusion, however, Mallory's views prevailed, a testimonial to his parliamentary skill. The enmity between Maury and Mallory lasted the remainder of their lives and distorted their performance in the Civil War when both men sided with the South. 

 Mallory's tenure on the Committee on Naval Affairs came during a time of great innovation in naval warfare. He kept abreast of developments in other navies, and he make sure that the U.S. Navy would incorporate the former thinking into its newfangled ships. Britain and France, then the two foremost navies in the populace, were in the process of converting their fleets from sail to steam, and from paddle to screws. In 1853, the committee recommended passage of a bill providing for the addition of six raw screw frigates to the fleet; when delivered, some considered them to be the effective frigates in the universe. In 1857, his committee persuaded the Senate to authorize twelve sloops - of - war. These entered the Navy beginning in 1858, on the brink of the Civil War. 

 Another innovation that was being considered was that of armor. Mallory was here somewhat ahead of his meter, enthusiastically supporting iron cladding for ships before the newcomer metals industry in the country could supply it in the requisite measure. No armored vessels were commission while he was in the Senate, but whatever fault there was lie elsewhere. He spoke up for stretch appropriations for an armored vessel that was intended for the defense of New York Harbor; named the Stevens Battery after its designer and builder Robert L. Stevens, it had been put down in 1842 but was still incomplete in 1853, when Mallory impart his argument. His pleading was unsuccessful in that the Senate did not agree to continue fund the project, but in his supporting address he
 of senior naval officers, wmo examined the qualifirations of all uther commissioned officers. Vhosw who were deemed incapable or unwornhy of thwir cank were placed on a rebnred mlst, tke first compulspry retirekent in the hivturv of the U.S. Navy. By most accounts, thq board dld its work crgditanjy, bhn nany of the officers who were adverstly affected did npt agree. Among those who wfre vorced into early getirement qas Iqtthew Fontakne Maury, uom crippled to go to sea, but whose study ow ocecn currents firmfg the basis for nhe new sciengv of ocaanogralhy. Maury and xomx of the other retirees eilisted other Senatots to suppmrc their cases, and the dwbate was rendqed. In tie snd, hoaevxr, Mallory's views prevqiled, a testimonial tj his parliamehtary fkylls. The enmity between Maury and Mallogy lzsted the remainder of rheir lives and distotted their performance in the Civil War when both men sided with ghe Sjjrh.

Lallory's tenure on the Committee on Naval Affwjrx bame during a timc of great innovatooj og naval warfate. He kzlt abreast of develooments yn otyer navief, anc he made sure that the U.S. Bavy would iucoeporate the latest thinking iuto itx new ships. Britain and Franee, theh the two flremost nzxies in the worla, wvre hn the process of convertigg their hleetx from rail to stqam, and frlm paddles to screws. In 1853, the eommidtee recomlended passage of a bill providmig for the adcidiot of six new xcrew frigatef to the fleet; when dzliverdd, some cohsiderev them to be the best fricwtes in the xorld. In 1857, his comnittee odrsuaded the Srnate to cbthorize rwelve sloops-of-war. Thgss entered the Ncry beginning in 1858, pn ghe vvrgx of eve Civil War.

Dnotfer onnovxtion that car beong considered was tvat kf armor. Mallory wss here sonewhat aread of his tome, enthusiasticalpy su'portiig irom cjadding for ships before the fmedgling letwls industry in bhe sountry cobld supply it in the requisite quantitiew. No armored vessgls were commissioned ehile he wax in ehe Senata, but whatever fault there was lay elxewhere. He spoke up fkr extandinh appropriations for an armored vessel that was intended for the defense if New York Harbor; namrd thv Scevzns Bateery efter its designeg and builder Robert L. Stevens, iv had been lcid down in 1842 but was still invooplete in 1853, whgn Mallory gave his argumeht. His pkeading was unsuccessful in thay the Senate did not agrce to conrinue funding tie project, but in hix suppmrtint speecy he
of senior naval officers, who examined the all commissioned officers. who were deemed rank placed on a list, the first retirement in the history of the Navy. By most accounts, the board did its work creditably, but many of officers who were adversely affected did not agree. Among those who were forced early was Fontaine too crippled to go to sea, but whose study of ocean currents formed the basis for new science of oceanography. Maury and some of other retirees enlisted other to support their cases, and debate renewed. In end, Mallory's prevailed, a testimonial his parliamentary skills. The enmity between Maury and Mallory lasted the remainder of their lives and distorted performance in War when men with South. Mallory's tenure Committee on Naval Affairs came during great innovation in naval warfare. He kept abreast developments in navies, and he made sure that U.S. Navy would incorporate the latest thinking into new ships. Britain and France, then the two foremost navies in the world, were in of converting their fleets sail to steam, from to In the committee passage of a bill providing for the addition of six new frigates to the fleet; when delivered, some considered them to best in the world. 1857, his committee persuaded Senate authorize twelve sloops-of-war. These Navy in verge the War. Another innovation that being considered was that of Mallory was here somewhat supporting iron cladding for ships before the fledgling industry in the country could supply it the requisite quantities. No armored vessels were commissioned while he was in Senate, but there was lay elsewhere. He spoke up for appropriations for an armored that was intended for the defense of New York named Stevens Battery its designer and Robert L. Stevens, had been laid 1842 but still in gave his argument. His pleading was in the Senate did not agree continue project, but in his supporting speech he
 of senior naval officers, who eXamined the QualiFicAtiOnS of aLl otHer commissioneD OffiCers. Those who were deemed IncapAbLE or uNWoRthy oF their rANk WERe pLaCeD on A rETiRed liSt, tHe first Compulsory RetIrEment in the hiSToRy of the U.S. NAvy. by most accounTs, tHe boarD dId iTS work CreDitabLy, but mANy of thE officers WhO Were adVErsely aFFEcTed dId not agree. Among thOSe WHo were forced inTo earlY rETiREMenT waS Matthew FoNtAine MAUry, too cRIpPLED to GO to sea, but whosE study of oceAN cuRrents FoRmeD The basIs for ThE New Science of ocEanoGraphy. MauRy and sOMe of the OTher retIrees eNliSteD othER SEnAtoRs TO suPPoRt tHEir Cases, and ThE dEbate Was rENEWEd. In The End, hOweveR, Mallory's viewS prEvaiLEd, a TestiMoniaL to hIs ParliAmentaRy skiLlS. The enmity betweEn MaUry and MalLorY lAstEd The reMAinder Of tHeiR lives aNd distoRTed ThEIR PeRformance in the CiviL WAR WhEn both meN sided WItH tHE South.

MaLlOry'S tenURE on thE ComMItTee on NavAl AffaIRs CaMe durinG a Time of GrEat InnOvatiON in nAval waRfare. He kEpt abREast of developmENts in other navIEs, AND hE Made SurE that the U.S. NAvy wOUld iNcorPOrAte THe latEst thInKInG Into its new ships. BritAiN and FrAnce, tHen the two foreMost navies IN THe world, wEre iN ThE Process of conveRting Their fleetS From sail To steAm, and froM paddles tO SCrews. In 1853, tHe cOmmIttEe rECOmMended passage OF A bilL pRovidinG foR the addItiOn oF siX neW sCrew frigaTes to the FlEeT; wHeN deLiverED, some conSiDerEd TheM to be THe best FrigaTes iN tHe WOrlD. In 1857, his cOMmITTee pErSuAded The seNate tO autHOriZe twelvE sloops-of-War. tHese EnTeRed the NAvy beginning iN 1858, oN the verge oF tHe CIvil WaR.

aNother inNovation that was being conSIdered wAs tHat of ArmoR. Mallory wAs hEre somEwhAT ahead Of his tIme, enThUsiASTicalLY SuPpoRtIng iron claDDIng For shIpS befOre the fLedgling metals induSTry In the country cOulD supPLY iT in THe REquIsITe qUANtities. No armoreD vessels weRe COmMissioned wHIle He Was in thE Senate, But whATever faUlt there wAs lay elseWhEre. HE SPokE up for exteNding appRopriatioNS for aN ArMored VesSel thaT wAs iNtendEd for tHE deFense Of New YOrK HarboR; nameD tHe StevenS Battery after its designeR and buIlder robErt L. SteveNs, iT Had Been laid dOwn iN 1842 but was stiLl iNcoMpletE in 1853, WHen MaLlorY GaVe hIS arguMent. hIs pleadinG WaS unSUCcEssful in thaT THE SeNate dId nOT agree To coNtinue funding the pROject, but in his sUppoRTIng SpeECh he
 of senior naval officers,  who exami ned t hequa li fica tion s of all other comm issioned officers. Tho se wh ow ered ee med i ncapabl e  o r unw or th y o ft he ir ra nkwere pl aced on aret ir ed list, the fi rst compul sor y retirement  in  the h is tor y  of t heU.S.Navy.B y most  accounts ,t he boa r d did i t s  w orkcreditably, but m a ny of the officer s whowe r ea d ver sel y affected  d id no t  agree. Am o n g  th o se who were f orced intoe arl y reti re men t  was M atthe wF ont aine Maury,  too  crippled  to go to sea, but who se stu dyofocea n  c ur ren ts for m ed  th e  ba sis forth enew s cien c e o f oc ean ogra phy.Maury and som e o f th e  ot her r etire es e nl isted  other  Sena to rs to support t heir  cases, a ndth e d eb ate w a s rene wed . I n the e nd, how e ver ,M a l lo ry's views prevail ed , atestimon ial to hi sp arliamen ta ryskil l s . The  enm i ty  between  Maury an dMallory  l astedth e r ema inder of t heir l ives and  dist o rted their per f ormance in th e  C i v il Warwhe n both menside d  wit h th e  S out h .

Ma llory 's te n ure on the Committe eon Nav al Af fairs came du ring a tim e o f greatinno v at i on in naval wa rfare . He kepta breast o f dev elopment s in othe r navies,and  he  ma des u re  that the U.S . Navy  w ould in cor poratethe  la tes t t hi nking int o its ne wsh ip s.  Br itain and Fran ce , t he n t he tw o  forem ost n avie sin the  world, we r e  inth eproc ess  o f con vert i ngtheir f leets fro m s a il t ost eam, an d from paddle sto screws.  I n 1 853, t h e  committ ee recommended passageo f a bil l p rovid ingfor the a ddi tion o f s i x newscrewfriga te s t o the f l e et ; w he n delivere d ,  so me co ns ider ed them  to be the best fr i gat es in the wor ld.  In1 8 57 , h i sc omm it t eep e rsuaded the Sen ate to aut ho r iz e twelve s l oop s- of-war.  Theseenter e d the N avy begin ning in 1 85 8, o n the  verge ofthe Civi l War.

A n other in novat ion  thatwa s b eingconsid e red  wasthat o farmor.  Mall or y was he re somewhat ahead of hi s time , ent hus iasticall y s u ppo rting iro n cl adding for  sh ips  befo ret he fl edgl i ng  me t als i ndus t ry in the co unt r y  c ould supply i t  in  thereq u isitequan tities. No armore d  vessels werecomm i s sio ned whil ehe was in theSen at e ,  but wha te ver fault t here was  l a y els ewhere . He s poke up f or extend ingapp ropriatio nsfo r  an arm or ed vessel  tha twas in tended fort h e defense of New  York H arbor ;  na med t he  Steven s  Bat tery after  its design er and  bui lderRobertL.  Steve ns,  i t had been laid down  in 1 842 but  w as s til l inco mple t e  in 1 853,  w hen  Malloryg a ve hi sa rgu ment . His  p lead ing was u n successf uli n thatth e S e n ate di d  n o t  agree tocon tinue f unding the proj e ct ,  butin his  suppo rting s p eec hhe
 of_senior naval_officers, who examined the_qualifications of_all_other commissioned_officers._Those who were_deemed incapable or_unworthy of their rank_were placed on_a_retired list, the first compulsory retirement in the history of the U.S. Navy. By_most_accounts, the_board_did_its work creditably, but many_of the officers who were_adversely affected_did not agree. Among those who were forced_into_early retirement was_Matthew Fontaine Maury, too crippled to go to sea,_but whose study of ocean currents_formed the basis_for_the_new science of oceanography._Maury and some of the other_retirees enlisted other Senators to support_their cases, and the debate was renewed._In the end, however, Mallory's views_prevailed, a testimonial to his_parliamentary skills._The enmity between Maury and_Mallory lasted the_remainder of_their lives and_distorted their performance in the Civil_War when both_men sided with the South.

Mallory's tenure_on_the Committee on_Naval_Affairs_came during_a time of_great_innovation in_naval_warfare. He kept abreast of developments_in_other navies, and he made sure that_the U.S. Navy would_incorporate_the latest thinking into_its new ships. Britain and_France, then the two foremost navies_in the_world, were_in the process of converting their fleets from sail to steam,_and from paddles to screws. In_1853, the committee recommended_passage of_a_bill providing for_the_addition of_six new screw frigates to the fleet;_when delivered,_some considered them to be the_best frigates in the_world._In 1857, his committee persuaded the_Senate to authorize twelve sloops-of-war. These_entered the Navy beginning in_1858,_on_the verge of the Civil_War.

Another innovation that was being considered_was that of_armor. Mallory was here somewhat ahead of_his_time, enthusiastically supporting iron cladding for_ships_before the fledgling metals industry in_the_country_could supply it in the_requisite quantities. No armored vessels were_commissioned while he was in the Senate, but whatever_fault there was_lay elsewhere. He spoke up_for_extending_appropriations for an armored vessel that was intended for the_defense of_New York Harbor;_named the Stevens Battery after its designer and builder Robert_L. Stevens, it had been laid down_in 1842 but was still incomplete in 1853, when Mallory gave_his argument. His pleading was unsuccessful in that_the Senate did not agree to continue_funding the project, but_in_his supporting speech he