San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-01-23
Modern Naval Warfare.


the time-when peace policy fs fes
sible. But q contingency may arise
at any time when determined defense
or offense will be actually incum bent
upon the nation. In view of this, the
government is justified in making
ample preparations for the protection
OF its rights and its people while the
international sky is serene, and in
continuing to study the intricate and
interesting science of war, which is
as important today as in the times of
Alexander the Grea +, or Nelson, De.
catur and Hull. The progress which
the science has made, especially with
in the last few years, has added ma
terially to its importance and interest.
Naval warfare, in particular, has
undergone an evolution that 1t re-
quires years of astute endsavOr to
master. The invention of many pow
erful rapid fire guns, Of smokeless
powders, of strange and wonderful
torpedoes and destructive explosives
of all kind, has practically revolution.
lied the science Of war on the seas.
Were Lord Nelson TO come to life
aud assume command of modern
war ship, equipped with all the late
appliances for destroying foe, he
would be considerably at a loss 1t is
reasonable to suppose, as to the prop
or method eff action in hot engage
ment. His old tactics would be rather
rusty and antiquainted.
The naval battle of the future will
be more desperate affair than ever
1t was i'm the past, and the tactics
employed will be of q very different
character. The battery of @ war ship
is of supreme Importance, and will be
the greatest factor in determining the
issue OF conflict. The RAM Is of no
consequence unless the enemy,s ship
has first become incapacitated dor
mapeuvering; for, unless this is the
case, the chances are that he will not
only avoid the assault by timely
movement, but will project his dead
Iy torpedoes with most unfortunate
surety of aim. The opportunity thus
afforded is of q very character best
suited to the torpedous; otherwise,
they may be avoided, ordinarily, by
vigilance and proper precaution. The
battery of man.Of war is, as is al
ways has been, OF transcendent ina.
portsnce in naval fight; but its eff.
cancy depends very greatly upon the
modern method of management. In
the first place, the so-called second
batteries" are highly valuable, and
should be the first called into play.
the light rapid fire and machine guns
are capable of covering the enemy
with 9 Variable hail. of prof ectiles,
and If properly directed on the decks,
tops, ports, tunnels and other unar-
mored parts of the vessel with pro-
ducs tremendous damage and confu-
sion. 1t is by the expert handling
of these guns that "first blood" may
be obtained and half the battle won.
On closing to within 1000 yards the
medium guns Including six 6.inch
gnns) should come into action, anu
their target should include the tur-
rets and the installations protecting
the steering gear. At the same time
the fire guns should continue so long
as q single human adversary remains
visible on the enemy's decks. When
within 200 yards the firing of the
heavy guns should be begun, aud In
order to keep clear of torpedoes, the
range should not be diminished to
less than 600 yards. AS to the size
of these heavy guns the modern sixty
tonner Is quiet powerful enough.
The projectiles from this gun will
pierce twenty-three inch armor at
a thousand yards, while but few
vessels carry armor eighteen inches
thick. and that over limited portions
of their structure.
In the naval warfare of the future
the deliberate, accurate markham
ship for which the American sailor
is famous would be of the highest
moment. and in the matter of equip
ment the cruisers and armor clads of
out new navy will much excel TO reign
vessels of The same class. Aside
from their ample armament of the