The Wilmingtonian., 1885-10-31
Warfare at Sea.

NdfldFe dI sea-
A report of a most important character
has been sent IN to Secretary Whitney by
Naval Constructor Philip Hichborn, Uni
ted States Navy, who was sent last year 10
visit the principal dockyards of Europe.
He paid special attention to what was to be
seen in Great Britain, France, Germany and
Russia. The report is very exact and TECH
nical and is looked upon by naval authori-
ties as a work of great practical value.
Some of the main points mentioned ars
that Eugland's naval expenditure for the
last fifteen years, which includes only the
sum spent upon repair construction and in.
cdentals of the royal navy, is $217, 319,275
Germany which now ranks as the fourth
European naval power expended $140, 000,-
900 since 1867. As regards Russia, the
sr=isis. Is 81 vTsssTs
and men and it ranks third. She owns $40
naval vessels of all descriptions, but the re,
port credits her with only 100 vessels that
can be properly classed as fit for offensive
and defensive warfare.
France has nine hundred acres Of dock
yards. The quays, basins and slips are OF
the most substantial character, which If dG.
picated in the United States would require
decades Of time to build, and hundIeds OF
millions of dollars to pay for their construc.
tion.
As to the tori edo service Mr.. Hichbo.n
says: that no European navy of note has a
flotilla of less than fifty, while the stronger
Powers have fleets of hundred or more
Coasts have been divided into torpedo dis
tricts of a hundred or more, each with its
complement of boats, and the crews, thor
oughly organized, are kept continually @ :
ercised in the management of the vessels
Of the seaworthiness of such boats he say,
there can no longer be any doubt, their long
voyages-.n some cases under steam and in
Others under sail-to Rio Janeiro, Buenos
Ayres and the Black Sea having conclsusYe,
ly demonstrated their ability to survive very
severe weather. Lately, during an evolu
tionary cruise of the French Mediterranean
squadron, the torpedo boats were able to
keep to sea, while the Tonnerre and Ven.
geur, large ships, were compelled to seek
shelter from the violence IF tile gale. The
defensive value Of a fleet of cruising torpedo
boats, he says, can hardly be overrated. NJ
blockade can be maintained in their pres
ence, yet, il properly supported by tenders
with coal and supplies, they form of them.
selves an efficient blockading force. The
cost Of one such boat completely equipped
is from $50, GOO to 1000, and they requira
from ten to fifteen men. To operate to
greatest advantage they must attack in
numbers it is not sufficient to supply each
port with one or two. 1t is probable thai
in the future no ronclad will venture to .Gt-
tack port without the assistance ne tor
redo flotilla equal or superio' to that pos
sessed by the enemy"
In addition TO the aI 20 facts it is stated
that G3 ton Wcsiwich gun will throw a
cannon bali ZEN and a half miles! A fleet
Of hea !, ships armed with guns of half that
eal Jre and protected by an aggressive to-
pedU fleet whose duties are the disabling
and neutralzng any sunken torpedoes in a
riverway, would be rather unpleasant
neighbo rs in our numerous unprotected
waterways. For instance. an enemy's fleet
which would have not much trouble in pass
ing Fort Delaware might anchor off the
Jersey shore and leisureIy shell Wilmington,
reduce it, and then proceed up the river to
Philadelphia One hundred ton guns, it is
stated, cost $l0O, 900, the price of the larger
caunUns at $1,000 for each additional
ton.
In regard to the much vaunted Esmera!dl
Of the Chilian navy, Mr.. Hichborn says for
offensive warfare she is powerfully equip.
ped, but she is Vulnerable throughout, and
there is no doubt that even lightly armed
antagonist could play havoc in the machi-
merry spaces and destroy Or dislocate the de-
icale hydraulic mechanism by which the
heavy guns are worked; ON account of her
small coal supply, vulnerability, unsheathed
bottom, and insignificant spread of sail the
propriety is not seeu of building similar ves-
sells for the American navy,