The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-23

the provision in the House bill for four
more torpedo boats. show that the views Of
our naval authorities coincide with those
held by foreign Governments.
The mistake. however, TO which 4 too
hasty glance at the matter may lead, is
that Of supposing that the introduction OF
the torpedo boat and the torpedo has made
heavy and costly battle ships useless. 1t is
sometimes argued that II these huge and
expensive vessels can be sunk by a single
blow from a little torpedo boat, it is not
worth while to build them. The error here
is in forgetting that battle ships. when prop
erly fitted up. have appliances specially de-
signed for protection against torpedo boats,
and that these little craft on their part are
peculiarly vulnerable and exposed to de-
struction. So true is the latter fact that,
In recent discussion by British naval off,
GERS, one Of the statements was that tor
pedo-boat service should be regarded as
especially hazardous. and that those who
entered upon It should feel that great au-
dacity was required for success.
One OF the earliest appliances invented
for battling the torpedo was the steel net,
or crinoline. which is furnished by some
nations to their battle ships. This can be
quickly raised and lowered. and. when not
used. can be rolled and slowed in water
tight castings on deck or brailed up out
side. At anchor, these nets, when down,
are very little incumbrance. and ship can
also go several knots an hour with her net
down. Secretary WHITNEY declared that
such nets, carried at distance OF from
twenty-five to thirty feet. or even less.
from ships side. furnish an effective pro-
lection" against torpedo attacks. The
wel-known BuLLIvANT net, the most
familiar in foreign navles; the WILSON.
which is another English net, applied to
the battle ship Nile; the French SoLMIAc,
and the American MIDGLEY net. may be
mentioned as examples of such devices.
Il does not appear that the Aquidaban was
supplied with them: it is quite certain that
the Blanco Encalada was not.
Again, all torpedo boats are unarmored
their small size and the speed required OF
them making such protection out OF the
question. For this reason they are pecu-
liarly liable to destruction by rapid-fire and
machine guns. As Is well known. the range
even Of the WHITEHEAD torpedo is very
much less than that Of rapid-fire guns and
revolving cannon. Hence the latter have
u great advantage in pouring n concen-
trated fire upon the torpedo boat. pro-
vided there is proper supply OF them
on the ironclad. Our three battle ships OF
the Indiana class may certainly be said
to have such q protection against torpe-
do craft. The secondary battery Of each
consists OF sixteen 6-pounder rapid-fre
guns. four 1-pounders, and four Gatlings.
80 disposed. as Secretary TRACY once said.
" that a rain OF projectlles. can be thrown
upon every point Of approach sufficient to
destroy any light boat that may venture
within range" Independently of the big
guns OF the main battery. the secondary
battery Of each ship discharges $50 proiec-
tiles minute. Each vessel also carries
six 1S-inch WHITEHEAD torpedoes, 30 that
she has the same appliances Of attack as
the torpedo boat, and has In addition her ire
mendous armament. as well as the protcc-
tive net that will be supplied to her.
Itshould also be recognized that. when an
attack from torpedo boats is feared. picket
boats can be employed by squadron to
give warning Of their approach. Thelength
of time during which torpedo boat is ex-
posed to the fire of a properly armed and
manned battle ship before getting up to It's
torpedo attacks should be made. as far as
possible. under the cover Of darkness; but
to meet this difficulty the electric search
light has been introduced. and is found on
all well-equipped war ships.
Such are some OF the reasons why torpedo
boats will not make battle ships obsolete.
But another very practical reason Is that
the former. no matter how dangerous. can
not do the work Of battle ships. They can-
not. for example. bonn bard and reduce forts;
In short they can do nothing except In their
limited sphere OF submarine attack. and in
that. as has been seen. they may be bafiied
They are useful. but the point to observe Is
that no nation is 80 foolish as to give up
building battle ships merely because it
builds torpedo boats. Each appliance has
its appropriate sphere.
When the Blanco Encalada was sunk by
torpedoes. an outcry was raised against |
what was called the uselessness OF iron
clads; but 1t turned out that she was sur
prised. and was the victim OF gross negll- |
gence. She was moored, could not get up |
steam, and was helpless. Secretary WHIT |
NEY was so convinced of the possibilities OF |
protection against torpedo boats. that he |
declared them to be of value only upon |
rare and accidental occasions" Perhaps |
that is an extreme view. especially where |
an attack is made upon a single opponent |
by a whole fiotilla OF such craft. But GER |
tainly 1t may be said that nothing has yet |
In torpedo warfare to diminish |
the value and necessity OF the armored |
battle ship.
The Great New Map OF This State.
All who know how meaRre has been the |