The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-02-01
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WASHINGTON. Jan. 31.-1n the recent mobil-
fzine Of our navy for use in Chilan waters one
Of its most striking lacks was that Of torpedo
GRAFT and torpedoes. Indeed. In that one re-
spect the little South American republic was
FAR ahead OF us. We had. at the outset, not q
single automobile torpedo. Two companies or
firms were undertaking to supply our navy
with these devices. both OF the Whitehead and
the Howell type. but not one Of them had been
delivered. The Vesuvius and the Alarm
were our only torpedo cruisers: and while the
former was fitted for aerial instead OF subma-
rlne missiles. and had mono of her proiectiles
manufactured for her. the latter. known as q
torpedo ram. was slow. and In fact without the
essential characteristics OF q modern torpedo
cruiser. Our solitary torpedo boat proper was
the Cushing. as Torpedo Boat No. had only
been begun at Dubuque.
Chill. on the other hand. had all her later
vessels not only fitted for Witch cad torpedoes.
but supplied with them. She had two fne
modern torpedo cruisers In the Lynch and the
Condell. She had also flotilla OF torpedo
boats. and had recently taken the lead among
nations In the practical use OF torpedoes in
actual warfare by the blowing up OF the Blanco
Encalada.
1t is now very manifest that one OF tho du-
ties OF Congress should be to provide large
number Of torpedo boats. SO that our recent
experience Of almost total lack in this respect
will not be repeated. Official statistics show
that in 1901 Russia had built or projected no
fewer than 152 torpedo boats: Italy. 1855; Cor
many. 1870: England. 1863: France 215: while
the United States had Just two. Even
the second-rate maritime powers are far
ahead OF us In this respect. Turkey has
81 torpedo boats: Sweden and Denmark. "a
each: Holland. 80: Greece. 81: Austria. IS:
China. 60 And those that have them in,large
numbers are adding still more. Italy increased
her number by 13 last, year. England hers by
has is ee yGs
making the aggregate two. e wa VI oA'
York harbor had possessed not ono only but a
Gozen Cnshings. ready to dart out from their
n hiding place. in concerted action. under the
deemed practically. secure. especially with its
ss isse
S9nd be built for thS sSst q bSt ship
de by
the Cushing The MercsSoiis Of Bristol had
S4s eRSs! 'eR'" ~0 ,sfs
require but e little more than q million dol
ss as The
boats: and thus Increase cur total outfit II this
almost one:flith that q China Sin.'A - '"e'e' ''
There are, reasons. It should be said. indie:
aeisnee during the last twenty Years al Why SO
little has boon done In torpedo boat construc-
1Sn Il fsaeo Snd hs n nsS
taken up had been tempsred 3 the possibility
Soly;aips cannon and rapid:drs guns which
Ct Rs Hs
that It's hisS speed Would enabIe It. nn aes
ssis1 sheF asn! 70 ssss ss
for letting 20 its missile that It could
and IF s Gw s
rapidly moving craft. But when electric search
lights were r invented and when tho thinly con-
5eean%e donsa %u ms'n ne
Re hf s1nsd9 ser
up. and i was Determined to soc what # would
Pedees dded sSl
the delay in developing the various American
build many BOATS Without having tho t torpedoes
But now. the problem has become somewhat
to manufacture in this country the whitehead
torpedo. which is in approved use all over the
world. but tho Howell torpedo. an American
device. has also been so far perfected as to be
Likewise adopted IN our navy. Thus we haye
the boats could be built for them there would
be more than enough Of these missiles ready.
1t is also evident that In spite OF the risks Of
destruction which torpedo boats run. especially
now that electric search lights aid in the dis
covery OF their approach W night. an attack By
directions is not to be despised. At all events
a harbor would certainly be safer for the
presence OF fotilla OF this sort. The rapidity
also with which such craft can be moved to any
threatened point on the coast is an important
element in their favor on an extended seaboard
like ours. Congress should learn rs ono a it's
lessons from the Gillian experience the need
OF supplying more torpedo boats forthwith.