The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-15
THE GREAT NAVAL REVIEW
The Herald Correspondent on
(. Board the Wabash.
PREPARATORY TO THE EvOLUTIONs

room mess as we SAT On the gun deck, enjoying
our afterdinner cigar
''That Is part OF your professional duties which
I could never clearly comprehend never could
write when there was nothing to say,n he replied.
"But" said l, "the readers Of the HERALD de-
mand to have their thirst for knowledge of naval
tactics satisfied from day to day. and If you have
ever catered to the demands OF q cIamor0us public
you will appreciate the deicacy of my situation.
Come, now, give me the nautical cue and can 90
ahead easily enough. little OF the technicalities
wouldn't be bad."s
swell if were to describe II would say that at
daylight on Tuesday February 8, the Meet sup
anchOr' The vessels were then ordered to sail in
column at six knots; but. as the Shenandoah
couldn't make that time. she fell out Of the line
until the flremen had been wakened and the steam
raised so that she could retake her position.
], Thus they proceeded all day; with the Congress
leading and the Franklin bringing up the rear. Oc-
casionay there would he every indication OF COLI
sion between two OF the vessels but the speed BALI
at the head OF the mlzzenmast would indicate q
slowing down. along the line, and all fears would
soon be dissipated Late In the afternoon the
walls Of Fort JEFFERSON came in sight. The vessels
were then signalied, Forward, into line, left
Oblique.' They all started to execute the move
ment but lew busted in it. Then we an.
ch0red over night At o reasonable hour
yesterday morning We got under way, and
having passed inside the line of Keys terminated
By Garden Key, on which stands TOrtugas Light
house, the signal BY vessel right was given,
when all the ships turned towards the eastward
and headed for Florida Bay, where, alter an I'M
eventful voyage, we arrived saiey.n fCries OF
"Burke burke ~ from dozen throats conveying
to the most casual listener the insinuatiOn that
this expression had been generally heard by the
mess on some previous occaslon.) "And here we
are" concluded the maker OF history with the
utmost eQuantmity, after the interruption had
ceased.
THE SCENE OF THE SPECTACLE
We are now upon the bay in which all the exer-
cises will be conducted. Florida Bay is formed by
the long line of reefs ana sandbars running out
from Cape Florida. It Is very sheltered piece OF
water, protected by the mainland on the north
and the ledge OF coral rock the south and east.
From Cape Roman on the north to the keys on
the south is about seventy-hve miles, while the
whole OF the Gulf Mexico opens up before US to
the westward. This bay as thus considered, in
cludes Ponce de Leon Bay, and is much larger than
Indicated on the maps under that name. AS
write the gradual swell OF the great Gulf comes
sweeping In upon US like that from the ocean. The
Wabash rides the pillows as firmly as a church
stands and we 40 not feel any motion worth men
tioning.
THE DREARY WASTE OF WATER.
Aside from the weekly trip Of despaEc9 boat lo
Kes est md M saTTfyai iioi The sae yoFt u the
semi-weekly market boat we have no communities
tt0n whatever with the outside world The weeks
news Is unsealed book to until Saturday brings
us our files Of the HERALD A naval mind will grasp
the situation without q moments rejection. In
daylight not cocoanut tree in sight; at night not
light above the horizon, We are IN that great
III Sr,lo
sailors lost and the lead and line is the best
pilot Water everywhere, put not . drop to drink!
What is more tantaizinR yet. the growth OF sharks
is most 1Ourshing, and to take advantage of the
warm temperature OF the Gulf water to battle
would be to cancel your claim to payment on your
insurance policy. A Key West jury even would
call 1t suicide.
WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH TIP
This vast tract OF water scenery without any
thing, save the manGuvres Of the vessels upon its
surface to break its monotony, is what we are to
enjoy for several weeks to come. Every one who
reads this will realize what delightfully."- easy ~
time everybody Is to have. We will all be forced
to learn the principles OF naval warfare, whether
desirable not for study IF any kind Is certainly
more interesting than doing or seeing nothing.
Every degree Of interest and Importance that can
possibly attach to man9uvres OF this kind will de-
tclOp ttStH III ShAS SICOs d4uatS sPcCtdClos IL
those Of US who have never seen fourteen men-0f-
war In battle array where there is no enemy, this
will be an occasion long to be remembered. If
were to say this at the wardroom table fear that
the general expression OF opinion would not coin
eide with the enthusiasm which have so boldly
expressed.
WHAT YOUR CORRESPONDENT WILL DO.
How five weeks can be occupied in fleet drill
cannot comprehend; but It is one OF those
things which, doubtless, will become more familiar
as l grow older. / shall let events take their
course. 1t is principle in naval discipline that
when the ofricer Of the deck cannot decide what
to do in moment OF vital Importance, he should
let things take their course rather than make
fatally wrong move. l have this great drill tdo
hear cries OF burke YD on my hands, and must
stake 1t all ill.," l have begun faithful study Of
the text books on neet evolutions and, by the end
of the spectacle, will be IN a condition to write
interigently regarding this bugbear Of "the
Western membersu-the naval movements in the
Gulf.
THE BALL OPENED.
The first days regular evolutions will take place
to-day. / regret exceedingly that the maiboat
goes early this morning that cannot include
an account OF this days manGuvres. The general
plan which ske etched out some days ago will &c
adhered to closely. A general drill to test the
speed and capabilities OF the vessels OF each
division will follow for a few days. Then the
divisions will be exercised separately, after which
will follow the great variety OF entertainments be-
fore spoken Of In the shape Of target practice tor
pedO firing, &c.
Before dsmissing this subject desire to refer to
the sailing under steam which has taken place dur
ing the last two Gays and TO remark that the Wa
bash, an auxiliary steam vessel, was the only one
which was able to maintain the old rate OF speed.
FOUR NESS"
The wardroom mess on the Wabash has one
charming popularity which l wish to embam
along with the history OF this great naval review.
Neither collectively nor slngly viii It's members
tolerate an old joke. The summary way which
they have Of disp0sing OF all such infections de-
serves careful study by the outside world. Whether
the reference to "Burke" applies to "Father Tom."
who outwitted the Pope, or to some lesser light,
have not dared to inquire for fear Of having his
name hurled at my poor inquisitive head. be-
vtx,yo ha nvnn fol S.,f