The sun., 1893-06-14
USES OF TORPEDO BoATs.
Our Meagre Supply OF Thcm-Lessons from
British Mnnuuvres.

| WASHINGTON, Juno 13.-It is feared thai
various difficulties, notably the novelty OF the
| work demanded and the necessity OF procur'
ing much Of the material from distance. VIII
delay beyond the present season tho compile
tion OF the Ericsson. now under construction
| at Dubuque. She Ia already over her time. and
Secretary Tracy had originally counted on
having her ready for the naval review. and as
late as last autumn had expected her trial trip
by the first OF the present month.
Reviewing our slow progress and backward
status In this department OF naval construc-
tion. It is found that we havo ready for service
one frst-class steel torpedo boat. the Gushing.
OF 116 tons displacement and 1.720 indicated
horse power, which made 22h knots on trial.
and has three torpedo tubes: the Ericsson. OF
12O tons, 1900 horse powor. and % 2-5 knots.
with three 1S-inch tubes. now buidinG; the
second class wooden torpedo boat Stiletto. OF
81 tons. $50 horse power. and lS22 knots.
Then We have the pneumatic cruiser Nesu-
vus. which is OF tho aerial torpedo class. with
800 tons displacement. 3.705 horse power.
and 22h knots speed. carrying three 15-inch
gun-cotton torpedo tubes. whose efficiency
for sea service has yet to be finally reported
upon. A second torpedo vessel Of this type
has been provided for by Congress-. subject
to the conclusions OF tho Department on tho
struction. third possible vessel. which may
be grouped with these. is the torpedo cruiser
authorized by the act OF June 80. 1880. This
has never been built. because the limit of cost
set BY Congress proved too small to attract
any bids under the high speed REQUIRED to
last Congress ought to have added small
sum, which would have been sum silent to give
scrpedo S Fn ds n aaSS Ss h. ass Dn
gress. which may or may not be built.
Az this makes rather sorry array compared
last year had 24s torpedo boats England, BUS:
at s o isf 81 McHoH Ho9
r.; %; Japan: 70; Brazil and Spain; ls each:
SnconpToted Ericsson ''A As to larger torpede T s
alone. for example has planned twenty new
torpedo gunboats OF which six are under G on
whe the b either have
that the torpedo boat 10 essentially the
reliance OF tho defence. since we havo so
enormous coast line to protect it woul Id APP
ias to rely on. In last Year British man maD@H @
the value Of torpedo boats q: aux iiaries Of bat:
to the west coast Of Great Britain and the west
BOTH in tho humber var and the eicionsy ycf'i Of it's
sea.going ships to the Blue squadron. which
held the remainder Of tho Irish coast. north.
twonty one first-cass torpedo boats. The Red
squadron had two divisions on the west coast
5as at hs rsgn Has sns % Mel He
The former two divisions. which were alone OF |
Sheet uneen IL IN The Es ps6 ss" vG
.hsy accomplished punctually and decisiveiy |
4 might therefore appear that the torpedo
only. this spring, indicates that the menace
the did bdSis the
'aused each division to take longer course
o the rendezvous. using more coal in the ope-
BOAT factor had been removed BY the de-
'truction OF the shelter for those boats
md the capture Of their G;9yerinS SQUAD
,lete freedom Of action. The vast sune-
iority OF the Red to the Blue force seems
he foE a
md the torpedo boat division was also eliml-
,ated with great ease. SO that It had the worst
ring that 1t was operating during tho short
Nights OF the year and in the season Of the full
noon. and that the main fleet with which it was
!l!ied was markedly inferior 10 the adversary.
ts value as n menace and a source OF delay in
operations was considered to be worthy Of
mention. or course there is also the ability of
lined attack of u fiotlla Of such boats bent on
nluring and checking tho big ships OF the
nemy. whatever their own fate.
It Is matter OF regret that. with SO many
hpyards that might be employed on the con-
eHboard or In interior waters. we should have
My one the Ericsson. now building. and no
Tiers thsd except the suoinarne craft really pro,
asily be carried on as additions to the general
programme OF new battle ships and cruisers