The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-31
THE GREAT NAVAL DRILL.
Preparations for the Great Event of the His
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. War Agitation
Parker's Naval Tactics''-Fleet Ma
nmuvring with an Iron-Clad Con-
tingent-Code Intruction-List
OF Vessels to Participate

VI vCoooAD w oA 0CAPot0s
KEY WEST, Jan. "a 1874.
There is now here one OF the largest and most
imposing looking neets ever gathered together in
American waters. To-day ride at anchor or this
harb0r, in the Gulf, twelve OF the best American
steam frigates and corvettes in our navy, ana
three iron-clad monitors-the wabash, the nag
snip OF Admiral Case, under the command Of Cap
tain Samuel X. Franklin; the Colorado, Captain
George M. Ransom; the Franklin Captain Edward
Simpson; the Congress, Captain A. @. Rhind; the
Ticonderoga, Captain D. G. Badger; the Canandai
qua, Commander r. b. Lowrie; the Powhatan,
Captain John G. Beaumont; the Shenandoah, Cap
tain G. II. Wells the Alaska, Captain Samuel P.
Carter; the Wachusett. Commander 7. Scott; the
Wyoming, Commander william b. Cushing, and
the Kansas, Commander A. v. Reed, all wooden
vessels, but as good as any of their class adoat;
and the monitors Saugus, Commander Z. K. Ben
nam; Manhattan, Lieutenant Commander Yates
and Mahopac, Lieutenant Commander James
OKane, are already here. To thesewill be added
the Brooklyn, Lancaster, Ossipee and Juniats and
the monitor Ajax.
The fleet lies about i've miles from the city, 80
that communication is very difficult. The Admiral
has exercised great wisdom in this, for too fire.
quenr communication with the snore is prevented
There have been SO very many conflicting rumors
regarding
THE FLEET DRILL,
now to be the sole result OF all these preparations
for war with Spain, that have avoided writing
or teegraphing much about it until something
definite could be given. The information that
such q spectacle was to be had was first impaired
to the officers OF the fleet from the HERALD Bureau
here. and it was not until the official orders had
hv ,oil Woo
than week later-that any Official confirmation
OF the HERALDs advance news was known here.
Now we are to have a naval drill after q new
code and upon the most approved principles OF
maritime warfare. Commodore Parker's code OF
fleet exercises has been adopted, all others have
been repudiated and now the author Of the exer-
cises is to superintend the entire signal manage
ment OF the fleet. All that will be learned BY this
great number Of officers and men will be from first
hands, The Commodore will, from the bridge of
the Wabash or the signal oficer's nagship to be
hereafter designated, direct the manGuvres, both
by day and night. There has consequently been
great deal OF ''cramming up" as college man
would say on the subject OF signals. Descend
into whatever wardroom you may in this large
neer, and from the mess at dinner you can readily
single out the signal officer by his haggard and
anxious lace. He knows that the day Is not very
far distant when his acuteness and his GOODNESS
are to be put to the severest test. Not only Will
the eyes or the marine glasses OF every Other off,
Ger in the feet be upon him, but an admiral and
commodore will be there to take his gauge In o
moment.
went or this morning to the Wabash and called
upon
COMMODORE PARKER.
He received me very c0urteously and express ed
the qualification which he lelt for the sentiments
hoA
possible future importance Of these exercises. In
the event of trouble, even at q remote day, every
ofcer IN this fleet at the present day. down to the
Youngest midshipman. would recall the manner in
which the evolutions were made. The value OF
such practical inlorma ton, az compared witch all
the theory imaginable, was dwelt on at some
length.
THE EXERCISES WILL CONSIST OF
sailing IN squadron, deploying in column for battle
and q hundred other minor exercises. The most
thorough and complete exercises IN landing In
surf boats, through breakers, will be carried on.
There will also be exercises on land, the marine
officers exhibiting all their knowledge OF Cup
toms Tactics" in battalion and company
drill The torpedo exercises will be under
the charge OF the most efficient 0ficers
who have had thorough experience at the station
at Newport. The MaynOwer is now on her way tc
Mobile to bring large hulk for the experiments
with these deadly weapons Of offensive as well al
defensive warfare. large schooner has just ar
rived from the North, bringing an assorted cargo
OF the very latest patterns OF torpedoes. Then
too there will be practical trials of boarding
sells In small boats. The ships sides will be fitted
with every appliance to keep or boarding parties
not so much to exhibit the actual necessity 1ol
such things to test the practical efficiency OF the
several devices The target practice will be Tea
| ture OF the exercise. Every vessel Is provided