The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-07-10
WAR on THE WATER.
Prophecies as to How Naval Engage
ments VIII BE Conducted in the
Future.

On the outbreak of naval war.
writes Lieut.. b. a. Eiske in the Forum,
on the subject of Naval Battles of the
Future" the first duty of a nation is
the defense OF its own coasts. This
being provided for, offensive opera
tions are in order. But to provide for
the coast defense is not so simple a
matter as shown by Admiral Fitzrov.
who demonstrated the possibility of
devastating seaboard cities almost in
the presence of the hostile fleet from
which he had just escaped. The amount
of attention to be required from the
fleet depends on what is to be expected
from the enemy. and even more on
the condition of the land defenses. If
the principal ports are we'll command
ed by modern forts, having thick iron
easements, heavy guns, sunken bat
teries, position finders, search lights;
if the harbors themselves are well
sown with submarine mines, connected
with protected operating-rooms by an
efficient system of cables; if the land
works, as whole, are manned by
large and competent garrisons, thor
oughly drilled in the use of The guns
and apparatus; if there is an efficient
system of coast signal and of tele-
graph communication With the interior,
then we can use the fleets for their
proper work of offensive operations on
the high seas, and in assisting the land
defenses of any port actually attacked.
In the event OF a war between this
country and any great commercial
power prominent feature would be
the dispatch of swift, unarmored, but
well-armed cruisers to pray upon the
commerce upon which the enemy's
greatness rests. Many of the mer-
chant steamers of the enemy would
be armed with a few rapid-fring guns,
but their engines and boilers being
above water line they could defend
themselves against similar merchant
steamers only. A cruiser meeting one
of these craft would have an easy vic
tory if she could catch her or hit her
with a shot from one of the six-inch or
eight-inch rifles. But suppose she
meet similar cruiser of the enemy
bound on similar errand; Il struggle
to the death is the only possible result.
Each will clear for action as soon as
the other is discerued-perhaps five
miles away, Each will probably slow
down at first, in order to gain time for
preparation, and especially for get
ting the steam pressure up to the high
est point Forced draught will at once
be started, and the subdued roar of the
air driven through the furnaces, to ac-
celerate combustion. and the whirr of
the dynamos, will be added to the
ciang Of tue gun breech blocks as they
are swung open TO admit the proiectle
to the breech, the hum of the ammuni-
tion hoists raising powder and she'll to
the decks, and the quiet, firm order of
authority. On deck, the Gatling guns
and revolving cannon, and the rapid
fire guns III the tops, are got nolselcss-
ly into readiness; the captain takes his
place in the armored coming tower.
with the chief quartermaster and his
aid; the executive officer assumes
charge of the battery, and remains
near at hand to take the captains
place in case Of his death or disability;
the range-finders are got into position
and the officer in charge begins to re-
port from time to time, the distance of
the enemy now drawing closer.
Probably not a shot will be fired un-
til this distance is reduced to 1000
yards, and probably both ships will
keep pointed toward each other until
that time. But now what will the con-
testants do? 1t has been held that
both will advance steadily toward each
other-each commander hoping that
some false move on the part of his adj
versary will enable him to rush for
ward, discharge his bow torpedo at 500
yards, and perhaps follow it up with
his ram and end the fight at once-un-
til they have approached so close, say
500 yards. that neither dares to swerve
lest he himself be rammed; so that the
ships will at length collide end on,
and may both sinki
The various inventions of the last
few years-rapid-iire guns, high ex-
plosiyes, torpedoes. submarine boats,
dynamite guns and range-fnders; the
increased power-!inders; the increased
power and perfection of steam and
electric machinery; the improvements
in powder and III steel for armCr-have
much as they have broadened it. The
principles OF strategy remain the same.
and SO does the necessity for the sea-
mans skill. Engineers construct, in
ventors invent, experiments are tried,
sham battles are fought. and heated
discussions agitate the naval mind, but
the only thing that can determine the
real condition of modern naval war
fare is Il modern naval war.