Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-12-13

that the Macedonian, hen she attacked the United
States, was also to AWKWARD, but crippled be- |
fore getting into close action and that il admitted
on all hands that the Gueniere lost the advantage
she might have Obtained from being to ccw;rd, when
attackedby the Consultation, from unskilful mano,,-
verine and ndecision ON the part OF her commander
IL must also he rccolectcd that the Chesapeake had
the weather gage when she ran down on the Shan
non, commanded 10y the only oiiiccrwe know of in |
the British navy who advocate for Ike Ice gage
advantages, and who, by Col. Douglass acknowledge
mcni, aided in le preparation of this part of the
work. Courage and skill are Indispensable to OBJ
tain these advantages and in all eases where our
ships have been to lccward, and the enemy attacked,
the author has proved that officers possessed both
10 an eminent degree.
We entered" says he, " with great confidence
on war with marine much more expert than that of
any OF our European enemies
" II may at first sight appear objectionable to pre-
lace n work oil tins nature with such an admission.
Ii d"i 50 ut first TO myself but little reflection will
convince IT'S all that this is in policy as in fact the
livery hest and most satisfactory apology we can
make Tor any disappoinments we have met with.
There is spirit of candour in this ACKNOWLEDGE
nnent, which, must command respect for the
thor and II we fail To feel sarprizcd that IL is
made by IN officer of the army, We cannot restrain
u, when we reflect that it has gone forth with The
| knowledge, consent, aud full appreciation of the
Lords of the Admiralty
| Tho treatise of Col. Sir Howard Douglass goes on
10 recommend to the officers OF the British navy
cultivation oil the science of Gnnnery together with
the necessary improvements therein, and close
tcniion to every subject connected with nautical in
,orna'ion, IN order that they may he prepared for
thc contest winch seems To him inevitable
In the course of the work he annlyses every action
OF note, giving 10 each side lis need of praise and in
every case successful To us, hey ond doubt the
superior skill of our officers and pcn. both in Tao
tics and Gunncry, 10 those of the British navy, he
had before acknowledged they were TO those of any
| other nation.
lie supposes in all cases the courage and physical
iorce oi tue individuals OF the nations the same
that equal numbers constitute cqua strength and
'ne superiority IN either case, when equal numbers
IRE engaged, IS obtained by greater perfection in tue
arr war thus, when every thing else is equal in
naval warfare, the ship whose properties for sailing
manuHverng, carrying her guns well, resisting the
'''ls VI inc enemy are superior TO those OF the
10 "icn she Is cnS;rgcd, certainly she has the advan-
age admitting that the ships, the crews, and all
cSe mi the guns are equal, certainly the whose
guns are SO constructed To produce the greatest
precision IN hiring. whose balls strike with the great
vs. ciIeri, can reach approaching enemy ut the
gre"eHt Distance, -and he fired with the greatest IA
p"t; no one can doubt but that this ship in the end
mast t'inmpn over Der adversary Admitting in fact
mat Tie two ships equal in then properties the
armament, and The physical strength Of tcir crews
I'e one managed with tie greatest skill must obtain
| the victory.
The Shannon. commanded by Captain Sir Philip
nroKe, is held up rs Il model of perfection 10 the
Ilsn navy. lhc Commander is represented us the
pr''est ana most skhiul the ship OF the hest
adapted Tor warfare; her guns fitted OH the most an
PROVED principles and her crew regulated Ly the
most exact discipline.
lie rapidly and precision of the Shannon's fire
admirably managed, and her guns well directed
iherc was no unnecessary nno,uvcrimg for prelini-
nhIy advantage, as in forming actions. But in this
act,on the Chesapeake, confident of success came
aiy and simply the point, Ii she had not done so
cip'"n broke would have oui-numcr uycrcd llet and
Srccetts'. al long shot well rs he did nj close
quarters Tor that officer knew well the value both
oil gunney and tactics and every quality that should
cl"iaclerize an accomplished officer, and perfect
man of war; belonged that distinguished ncrsop
10 .'i" sup, and TO her gallant Had we a
1 lion frcf MI,
Suers 10 such practice, under HuIsi officers SHOULD
We hnd any difficulty in fitting out such a ship ? But
co'uIns To the present ystcu, only he where
captain Is highly accomplished in war!ike science
interchangeable IN teaching ii, and acting in :: long
course oi war practice that shall find the elc-
| mems 10 III out another Shannon"
should indulge in furnishing many extracts from
uis work, but were To- do So | should swell this
communication beyond The bounds of =; newspaper:
peSies, The work. To be read 10 advantage, must he
read throughout. And would recommend il 10 the
perusai Of every American naval officer; he will
ma HERE much thai is familiar 10 him he will per
cc'e INT many oil the Improvements now i'm orr SER
wee are attempted To he Introduced into the British
nay, ana ne VIII be confirmed in The opinion oil their
e'ii! iy the manner IN which ibis scientific author
ica'S .le''' ca'iut but express what have be-
'o,e hn'ed that II argues great lack of professional
'''cn' III the British navy, that in instance sur
seor, md III another officer of tlc land service
| should come iorward-thc first as an advocate the
o'ner rs an instructor thereof and Ilri in both ca
Sos; me respective works should have gone forth
stamped with the app Obation and aided Inv The mi,
ionase, o! the admiralty. There are admissions in
me one under considerations That must have escaped
thcir LordshiPs and, II no., can only account for
ther consent 10 the publication by their conviction of
me truth OF ms statements aud AN earnest desire
on Their part, to place their navy in state TO meet
any emergency even iii is done ri the expense of
'iIeIr pride for there some things particularly
as regards errors The ordnance and lis management
winch was their province correct that have be-
long neglected by them. | must doubt however
whether their Lortships gave it al attentive ne
Ttisiil, SINCE The author himself doubts h. Dytur;e
o putting TO pressalthoug he holds the following
letter from the Secretary The Board which he of.
tiers as an apology for doing
=, = ftmiTaity Office 2th Non. 1919
ciE,-My Lords Commissioners Of the admiralty |
having had Under their consideration your Essay upon
The Theory and Practice oil Naval Gunnery submit
ted to them Ia your letters OF the 18Th and l;d Oc,o
Der, iGif, command me to express you their Lord
sliS tIHnkS Tor the communication, aud for the a- |
cntIon you have paid TO this important subject: and
IN reference 10 your inlinaon Of causing il 10 be
published, their Lordslps further command me to
acquat you, that tlicy have objection to your do
llS So YOU should think proper and will, this
view, ANA directed to return 10 you Tie orioinnI |
manuscript, and TO add, that COPY of it, tore,ler
with your letters addressed To the members Of thc
bnniduP the subject, have been retained in this
Office.
! am, sir, your most obcdicni humble servant,
j.. w. CROKER |
Col Sir Howard Douglass"
wlli ciosc Tins communication by urging an aticn-
i've PcruS!i {" Ihs work 10y which every navy officer
VIII not only hud himself greatly improved in urores-
'ional knOwlcdgc, but be convinced of the cnuyts
nlakin5 ior tic Improvement of naval science in |
England, aud thereby he induced to make corrcspon
ueni eh0ts himself, tat his Couniry may not be dis,
appointed whenever she may require his services
OCEANS.
ANU SEMENTS
From the Delotrfr, P.frio,1
ENlract from the journal of the Senate Of Della