New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-20
NAVAL TACTICS.
TIRE FLEET AT KEY WEST.

LIFE ON THE FLEET-INsPECTIoN OF THE FLAG
sBIP-GREAT GUN EXERCISE AND BOAT DRILL
sKIlIFUL MANEUvRRs-AN IMPORTANT SCIENTIFIC
woRK-MEAsURING LONGITUDEs BY TELEGRAPH.
tyRou AsPECIAL CORRESPONDENT THE TRIDUSE.I
KEY WEST Jan. 1.-The regulations Of the navy
Department require a semi annual inspection OF YES
sells Of war. aud Admiral Scott is now making snch
an inspection of the feet in the harbor OF Key west.
The Wyoming, Commander Gushing, passed az most
creditable inspection before she sailed for Aspin-
wall and few days ago the flag ship Worcester
Cant w. ID. Whiting, went through the ordeal.
The exercises on the flag ship began at about "
o'clock, when the call for general quarters was
sounded and the ship cleared for action. Inc snip
was then thoroughly inspected to see II all Things
were in readiness for battle. The result was en-
tirely satisfactory. Then followed exercises with
the guns and in remedying the casualties
of battle. The inspecting officer incidentally ques-
toned the captain of every gun and nearly every
man as to his particular duties and III almost every
case the answer Was all that could be dedred Guns
and pun-carriages were disabled and the disabled
pieces hauled out of the way and replaced with re-
markable expedition. 9-inch gun on the starboard
aide being disabled was removed and port gun was
shifted substituted for the disabled one and made
ready for action in 20 seconds although the piece
removed weighed about 1900 pounds. This was
done under the direction of Lieut.. q. A. Bicknell
In Lieut. c. s. Sperry's division carriage was dis
abied The carriage was at once removed, the gun
placed on deck and lifted up; new carriage was
then substituted and the newly mounted gun fired,
and the whole proceeding consumed only four min
utes.
board and in response to the call all hands to
mel boarders ~ all were up and fully armed in one
minute and ten seconds. The enemy being supposed
70 he on the quarterback all hands rallied forward
in the twinkling Of an eve Two howitzers and a
Calling gun pointed aft the plkenen with their
pixies knelt down around the hOwIzers the boarders
with their swords cTouched down, the marines
knelt with bavonets i'll position, and behind ALL the
musketeers stood with their pieces aimed; and all
were thus in readiness to repulse an attack within 50
seconds after the call sounded. The Powder
Division under Lieut. A. Dunlap were well versed
in the use of prOectilcs and passed most credta-
bic inspection.
Another interesting feature of the exercises was
the division dri with small arms, pistols and mus
kets. Lieut. w. T. Burwel's division showed great
proficiency in fencing and the marines under Capt.
Norval L. Nokes and Lieut.. S. W. Quackenbush gave
evidence of careful training and discipline, and
were prompt an soldierlike in all their movements.
After the division drill. the call sounded.
Away all boats armed and equippedW and III an
incredibly short time all the boats, seven in number
fully manned and armed, were III the water, await
ing signals from the inspecting officer. Inc time
made was noted by Ensign Reamy, the Adnirals
Aid as follows: Third cutter Lieut.. WoodBanl, z
minutes and 80 seconds; second cutter 5 minutes;
fourth cutter minutes and 80 seconds first cutter
minutes and 80 seconds sail-lauuch, minutes and
30 seconds The steam-launch was already IN the
water but was quickly armed and manned.
la accordance with the regulations every boat
of a
OF to make a landing. In the steam-launch were
Lieut. Commander George T. DAVIS, Major 5. Il.
Nokes and her quota of musketeers and marines,
ready Tor fight at short notice. The sail-launch,
differed by Lieut. G. $ Sperry and Ensign Jacoby,
| carried a howit2er and ammunition therefor; and
| the first cutter differed by Lieut. W. I. Bnrwell
| and Ensign Wood. was also thus armed The Off
Ger of the second cutter Lieut.. G. A. Bcknel
of the third Lieut. Woodman. and OF the fourth,
Leut. A. u. Dunlap. The gig as surgeons boat,
with Surgeon Bertolette and Ensign Wright, and
flying the hospital flag, brought up the rear. At
given signal tne steamlaunch took all the boats in
tow and made wide circuit under the eye of the
inspecting officers Every movement was executed
with wonderful CELEBRITY.
Finally ali the boats were called in, and were
orally inspected. The amount and variety OF sup
plies brought to light by the questions propounded
10 the leutenants by Flag Lieutenant Mark, under
snperyisiop of the Admiral seemed astonishing but
served to show how eiectualy every contingency OF
battle OF disaster is provided against, and how well
the officers and men understand their duties. Stand
inpon the bridge with the Admiral looking on, and
Can't Whiting, commandment of the vessel, at hand,
Lieut. Mark asked of each officer as his boat came
mn: Are your men armedi" yes Sir" with
whatp The men held up their muskcts or small
arms as the case might be. Have you ammuni-
tion ~ IL WAS produced. "Sail and extra boat
hook and oarsY" There they were. "Waterp A
tank was shown. PLENTY of provisionsW Enough
to last for DAYS a. stove TO cook the provisions !"
To my surprise a box was opened and stove dis
PLAYED "Wood7 finder lantern candles 7"
Yes1 to each question: and the articles shown
AZ their names were called And so the flag lieuten-
ant went over long list of articles which cannot
here enumerate but which all found slowed
away somewhere, and the utility of which was APP
parent at mention of the name. i remember In
addition to what / have catalogued above, compass
and headlines shing lines and hooks, sheet-lead for
repairing shot holes an AK, hammer, nails ana
tacks-all these in small boat containing oihcers,
sailors musketeers. and marines, and all the ordi-
nary furniture | was not surprised after this
exhibit to hear the venerable Admiral remark that
he had once been at sea for weeks in such a boat,
thus provisiOned and equipped
The inspection over, the boats were quickly and
almost noiselessly hoisted and the officers and men
repaired to their usual places on board ship Whlle
the boat-dri and inspection were gong on, Lieut.
Commander Merrill Miller, the efficient executive
officer. took charge of the deck, and Ensign Oster-
house had the forecastle, while the officers not with
the boats remained at their respective stations with
sufficient number of men, to man the ship IN case OF
emergency, at command
ba LENT Commander r.. NJ,