New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-26
TVOLUTIONs OF TIE FLEET.

ENOLU1lONS OF HE fLEEI.
THE VESSELS ARE BROUGHT UP TO THEIR WORK
The wYoMING's BOILERS GIVE OUT, AND SILK Is
UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE FLEET-GENERAL
EXERCISE Al QUARTERS-IMAGINARY FIRES AND
BOARDERs.
lFRoM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT or THE TRIBUNE.l
USS COLORADO, BAY OF FLORIDA, Feb. 1.-THE
fleet has got into well-organized condition,
and moves with something like the precision which
characterzes the Navy. The "norther" which pre-
vailed here during the earlier part of the week,
making very heavy sea, prevented any operations
by the fleet until Wednesday, Admiral Case and
Commodore Parker believing that it would be
inudicious to do anything like fleet evOlu-
tions while such weather lasted, an opinion in
which all the officers conceded. On Wednesday
morning, however, the signal to weigh anchor was
made and al a III. the fleet was in motion and the
evolutiOns began. The first signal of importance
was to move by the right flank. This maneuver
was executed by the vessels coming eight points 90
starboard-that is, eight points TO the rieht-and
continuing onward The order was repeated, and
brought the feet eight points further TO the right.
BY the left flank was the next movement. This was
the same as before, except that the vessels moved
similar distance to the port slde or left.
Form in close order was the next feature, the
vessels moving into position little slowly. The
maueuver having been completed. the next order
was again to move by the left flank The next
maneuver was q pretty one and consequent
upon the order Forward into line-left obliquew
The vessels turned obliquely to the left preserving
fairly accurate line Prom the right of divisions
form columns of vessels; feet right oblique.
right vessels forward" This order being executed
satisfactorily the vessels again moved forward into
line in a left oblique.
These maneuvers. oft repeated, were the features
of the day. They were well executed toward the
close; and the Second Division doing particularly
well. the flagship complimentcd the commander,
Capt. Ransom bylteegTaphing to him, "Excelently
executed" At about o'clock the vessels were
ordered to anchor at discretion. The WyomiDgs
boilers were in bad condition, and before the close
of the day gave out that she is unable to keep mp
| with the feet.
Thursday, the 18th inst exercises were resumed
at 10 upon the signal from the flagship TO Get
under way" The first maneuver was to form in
close order. Following it came the order TO For
ward into line--left oblque." Then. From the
left--form echelon of divisions" Changing the
movement again, the order given, Prom the
left OF dvisions-form echelon of vessels" Then,
Form on the right and left of the center vessels"
| Then, PORN double echelon inverted" Them
| 81 Form at half distance At about o'clock the
welcome order to anchor" was given.
Friday, the 18th, was largely devoted to practice
and drill at the guns The first feet maneuver was
to form in double echeon. After accomplishing this
satisfactorily the order given 10 move forward
into line This was succeeded by an order TO form
at half distance.n The feature of the day, how
ever was the general exercise at quarters. This be-
gan at 10 a. IN. In accordance with the orders from
the flagship decks were cleared for action, the guns
were cast loose ready for use, and at given sign
Il artr lao
all the vessels For time it looked if there
mimic battle in progress The Colorado has the
heaviest battery in the service and the conclusion
from the discharge of her broadside was such as to
tear away the side of boat which was hang
ing on the davits over the quarterback.
After the discharge from the guns, fire
quarters were sounded and the performance
required in putting out fire took place Hatchets
and buckets were brought into requisltion, men
sprang aloft TO extinguish imaginary flames IN the
rigging matches were battencd down and covered
with tarpaulin. Boarding parties were next called
away and the men with muskets, cutlasses, pixies,
and hatchets clustered at the sides of the vessels
and upon the order being given sprang up the sides
to jump on board the ship of an imaginary enemy.
| "Stand by to repel boarders! the next order.
| The seamen, armed with cutlasses and revolvers,
crouched beneath the sides, while those armed with
| Inaskets stood over them At the moment
when the imaginary "boarders" were com
ing over the sides, the order was gwen,
| "Repel boarders," and they were met with
| AN imaginary volley from the musketry and innn-
merable cutlass hrsts from the sailors who sprang
| from cover On the Colorado the events of the day
| came near involving fatal accident. sailor who
was aloft at one of the dizzicst points when the
yards were under movement fell and would, doubt
less have been crushed to death were it not for the
! fact that his providentially caught in rope
! Just as he was about TO strike the deck HIS fall
| sent thrill through all on board and sense OF
relief was experienced when he was discovered to be
| unhurt.
| DEFICIENCIES AND NEEDS OF THE NAVY.
| IyppoyyuFsr IN THE RyoLUTIONs OPINION OF
nLp DIR