Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-06-28
SHAM NAVAL BATTLES
To Be Carried Out by the Navy De-
partment on a Large Scale.
PROBLEMS OF ACTUAL WARFARE.
They Will Be Solved by Attacks on New
York and Boston, and
A STUBBORN DEFENSE OF THOSE PORTS

WASHINGTON, June N.-For the first
time in the history of this country we are to
have series of naval maneuvers, involving
the problems of actual warfare, as presented
in the attack ON one of our great maritime
ports by q foreign naval force and its de-
Tense by the American navy. For years
past Great Britain, France, Italy and other
Europeon powers have annually practiced
similar maneuvers, sometimes, as in the case
OF Great Britain, at heavy expense, but the
results have been so important as to justify
the expenditure.
In the case 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 sufficiently 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 re-
cent additions to the naval list, however,
this obstacle has disappeared, and Secretary
Tracy has prepared a scheme to carry out
his views, which will be given effect at once.
just Like Actual War.
mite cruiser Vesuvius and the torpedo boat
Gushing temporarily to the squadron of evo-
luton, and orders to that end have already
been made out. Admiral Walker has also
been directed to prepare Immediately a
programme of maneuvers for the summer
and early autumn, which will dispose of the
forces under his command to the best ad-
vantage, and confer practical training on
the officers and men, under conditions fol-
lowing as closely as possible those Of actual
warfare.
1t is intended that the maneuvers shall
follow as soon as may be upon the preliml-
nary operations at Boston and New York,
to take place in July, the practical object of
which is to examine the conditions of the
maritime defense of New York, Long Island
Sound and the coast of New England. 1t is
expected that the double-turreted Mianto-
nomah, now at New York, will be COM
pleted in time to take part in the
maneuvers.
Torpedoes Will Be Used.
gagged, so that a full demonstration of the
efficacy of this class of offensive vessels can
not 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, according to
Secretary fracy'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 demonstrated. There
will also be opportunities in plenty for the
display Of individual enterprise and tactical
skill on the part of the officers, and of dis
cipline and craftsmanship on the part of the
men.
Among the results of the English naval
maneuvers were the revelations of startling
effects in systems of coaling, engine con-
struction and marine designs by notable
changes in the English Navy, and it is pre-
sumed that valuable results will follow
Admiral Walkers maneuvers.