The Hawaiian gazette., 1891-08-11
SHAM NAVAL BATTLES.
To Be Carried Ont by the Navy
Department on a Large Scale.

Department on a Large Scale.
For the first time in the history
of this country we are TO have
series of naval maneuvers, involv-
ing the problems of actual warfare,
as presented IN the attack on one
of our great maritime ports by a
foreign naval force and its defense
by the American navy. For years
past Great Britain, France, Italy
and other European powers have
annually practiced similar maneu-
vers, sometimes, as in the case of
Great Britain, at heavy expense,
but the results have been so impor-
tant as to justify the expenditure.
In the ease of the United States
there has been since the war no
naval force adequate to carry out
maneuvers of any value. The
squadron of evolution was formed
with such purpose in view, but
until recently it was not sufficient
ly numerous to undertake the
solution of the larger naval war
problems, and its operations were
limited to great gun practice and
fleet evolutions. With the recent
additions to the naval list. how
ever, this obstacle has disappeared,
and Secretary Tracy has prepared
scheme to carry out his views,
which will be gwen effect at once.
JUST LIKE ACTUAL WAR.
The first move will be to attach
the dynamite cruiser Vesuvius and
the torpedo, boat Cushing temper
arily to the squadron of evolution,
and orders to that end have already
been made out. Admiral Walker
has also been directed to prepare
Immediately programme of man
euvres for the summer and early
autumn, which Will dispose of the
forces under his command to the
best advantage, and confer prac-
tical training on the officers and
men, under conditions following as
closely as possible those of actual
warfare.
1t is intended that the maneu-
vers shall follow as soon as may DO
upon the preliminary operations at
Boston and New York, to take
place in July, the practical object
of which is to examine the cOndi-
tions of the maratime defense of
New York, Long Island Sound and
the coast of New England. 1t is
expected that the double-turreted
Miantonomah, now at New York,
will be completed in time to take
part in the maneuvers.
ToRPEDoEs WILL BE USED.
There will be but one torpedo
boat engaged, so that full demon
stration of the efficacy of this class
of offensive vessels cannot be
thoroughly demonstrated, but ar
rangements have been made to
supply her with Fisk torpedoes,
which will thus be given their first
trial in American naval operations,
under conditions approaching those
of actual warfare.
The proposed evolutions, accor-
ding to Secretary Tracy's view,
will be of large practical results
The defects of the new ships, if they
have any, will be fully revealed and
their actual capacity as offensive
and defensive forces will be demon
strated. There will also be oppor-
tunities in plenty for the display Of
enterprise and tactical
skill on the part of the officers, and
of discipline and craftsmanship on
the part of the men.
Among the results of the English
naval maneuvers were the revela-
tons of startling effects in systems
of coaling, engine construction and
marine designs by notable changes
in the English navy, and it is pre-
sumed that valuable results will
follow Admiral Walkers maneu-
vers.-T Pittsburg Dispatch