The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1889-12-25

clear SKY, an ear ellillutSs Dicdtu eiio'S'
ing nerve paralyzing boom broke forth
1t was broad side from the Chicago to
warn smaller craft that Uncle Sans
Squadron of Evolution was moving. and
the example was taken up by the other
three vessels. until far and wide the echoes
and reverberations rolled like cyclone.
The Squadron was safe from all harm, but
other vessels in giving it wide way, en-
countered each other 10 their own detri-
ment. After an hour and thirty minutes,
we landed on the Jersey shore, perform
ance that is ordinarily accomplished in ten
minutes.
The Squadron Of Evolution has not
gone abroad for mere pleasure and parade,
but for study and practice. The new
vessels and their ornaments are SO totally
unlike the old ones that an old marine
must needs practice before he is perfect in
their management. The cruise will be
long and interesting.
The itinerary Of the cruise has been in
formally announced, but there is, of course,
no reason why it should not be changed at
any time if circumstances should make
change important. As at present sketch
ed the cruise is first to Lisbon, with pos
sible stop for few days at the Azores.
About two days will be spent in Lisbon,
and then will come somewhat shorter
stay at Gibraltar. Instead of going north
from Gibraltar to Malaga and other Span
ish ports, as was at one time intended, the
admiral will next run over to Tangiers.and
thence along the northern coast Of Africa,
touching at Alglers, Tunis and Tripoi.
At all these ports except Algiers, which
is not Moorish, but French, a certain
amount of display will be made FOR the
purpose Of impressing the Moorish Off
Gals, who, knowing nothing of the dignity
and power of any. government except Of
the material display they see, have not Of
late years felt any very exalted respect for
the United States of America. From
Tripoli the squadron will cross to Palermo,
and from there continue northward to
Genoa, Nice and MarseilIes. From a week
to ten days will be spent at Palermo and
Genoa, and a somewhat longer time at
Nice, formerly the headquarters of our
Mediterranean squadron and the favOrite
resort of naval officers. Unfortunately the
harbor of VHlefranche, which is the port
of Nice, is not well adapted 20 drills, and
if it were there is reason to fear that the
charms of Nice on one side and of Monte
Carlo on the other might have damPen-
ing effect upon the zeal of the officers. So
the squadron will not linger long, but con-
tinue onward to Marseilles, the great COM
mercial centre of the Mediterranean.
Here are immense docks and other works
Of professional interest well worthy the
attention of our officers. Here, too, the
great ship-yards and arsenal Of Toulon
are within easy reach, and in this neigh
! borhood there are usually during the win
ter months important maneuvers in pro
gress by the Mediterranean squadron OF
the French navy. Last January, for ex-
ample, the squadron made day and night
attack on the defense of Toulon, with a
view to determining the most favorable
method of firing on ships from fort and
batteries. As result Of this attack it was
decided to supplement the land defenses OF
all important French ports with sub-ma-
rine mine and torpedo boats. If the Off
GERS from squadron should have an oPpor-
tunity to be present at -maneuvers of this
kind, conducted on the large scale that is
permitted by the size and character Of the
French fleet, it would give them an expe-
rience which our own service will not Of
fer them for many years to come.
From Marseilles the squadron will sail
for the East, where the admiral, on the
Yorktown, will make a visit to Constan-
tinople. The other vessels of the squad
ron would not be allowed to pass the Oar
danells, which. under treaty stipulations
between the great powers, are closed tc
men-of-war carrying more than six guns
The squadron will then spend some time
at Smyrna, and will probably visit Athens
and Alexandra. Returning eastward ii
the late spring, they will run up the Adri-
attic to Venice and Trieste, after which
they will leave the Mediterranean for the
English channel, going first to SOuthamP.
ton, the centre, during July and August O
all the naval yachting and social Interest
of England. Here our ships always re
ceive royal welcome. and it may be taker
for granted that the present squadron vii
not be made an exception to the rule.
1t is not now the intention to go up tn,
Baltic, but the programme may be changed
and the cruise prolonged. At present thu
plan is to return to the United States II
August for the purpose Of repeating on :
larger scale the maneuvres carried out tS,
years ago at Newport. For these man
euvres 1t is probable that several of tn,
new ships, which will be ready by tina
time, will be ordered to join Admira
Walkers flag. The classes at the torpedo
station and the War College will co-ope
rate with the fleet, and the exercises
which will last from six to eight weeks
will be of the greatest possible value t.
the officers who either take part in or wit
ness them.
Comm odore Wilson says that the UniteC
States has at present four steel cruiser
and a steel dispatch vessel in commission
The Baltimore, Vesuvius, Petrol an,
Charleston have had their initial trips
and may be expected soon to take thei
places in the cruising fleet. There are 2
wooden steamers and iron steamers still
useful and serviceable. With the compile
ton of the vessels now building and ap
propriated for, the United States will pos
sess 10 armored vessels, - singIe-turrete,
monitors, Il steel cruisers or gun boats, f,
dynamite cruisers, a practice cruiser 70
cadets, an armored ram, frst-class tor
pedo boat and iron steamers. The worl
of rebuilding the navy il progressing yer.
satisfactorily, and the results accomplish
ed during the past six months are suficien
guaranty ofthe purpose of the department
to advance the work with the utmost "a
pidity, and Of its energy and success i
the performance Of the task. The vessel
already nader contract add building a
navy-Yards are progressing favorably. an
some are rapidly nearing completion.