Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-11-08
DRILLING A FLEET.
The Way In Which the English Navy IL
Trained and the Need of II.


The drilling Of q fleet is a fascinating
spectacle, suggesting as nothing else can
the subordination of great force to the
control Of q single will. A few gayly
colored flags futter to the main truck of
the flagship, remain for two or three
minutes and are suddenly hauled down.
Instantly the huge ships begin to turn,
to sweep around in great curves and to
rearrange themselves in new forma-
tion. Or scattered cruisers nearly hull
down on the horizon respond to a sum-
mons, and in half an hour come flying
back to the feet, take up their appoint
ed stations and conform to its move
ments. The ease with which the 1000
ton battleships swing round to their
helms, the speed with which they take
up their new stations, the quick re-
spouse and the regularity Of movement
are extraordinarily impressive.
For a shore going parallel to this feet
one must imagine 81 cavalry regiments
maneuvering at canter, each individ-
ually responsive to orders rapidly trans
Missile over long distances. But on
shore it would be impossible, except
from q balloon or a commanding hill,
to take in the movements at glance.
At sea one can follow the evolutions Of
each ship. A mistake, a loss or gain OF
distance, q superfuous or an inadequate
turn, is Immediately seen, and such sig
nails as retaliation badly executed"
quickly fly from the flagship to be read
by the whole feet.
Unquestionably an admiral Yields a
power for which a general cannot hope.
A public rebuke is thing to be avoid
ed, and even if this is not forthcoming
any small lapse will be noted by hun
dred pairs Of eager eyes. Moreover, a
comparatively small mistake may in
volve disaster. We may club our cavalry
without real harm, but the contact Of
two Of these great ships moving at ten
knots may mean the loss Of one or both.
The drill Of a fleet is an eminently seri-
Gus undertaking, and the accuracy Of this
drill is the measure Of the maneuyeriDg
power Of the whole assemblage Of ships.
All turns therefore upon the capacity Of
the captains and their training. Merely
to keep a station in cruising formation,
following in the wake Of a leader, is by
no means easy.
Attention never for a moment re-
Taxed and the judgment which comes
only with long experience are alike re-
quired. Helm and speed need perpetual
alterations, and the requisite changes
must be carefully estimated, or the ship
will continuously oscillate to starboard
or port in advance or astern of her sta
ton. In eyolutions, however, many
more qualities must be brought into
play. The theorist talks glibly Ct turn.
ing circles" and affects to believe that
the handling Of a ship can be reduced
to mere geometry. The turning circles
Of each ship are Of course recorded in
every charthouse, but variety Of other
conditions arise. The evolutionary quail
tiles Of other ships must be observed.
Wind, tide, speed CT even the crossing
Of the wake Of another vessel materially
affects the turning circle. Here is no
mere question Of referring to the signal
book and giving certain definite words
of command. All the conditions con-
stantly vary; judgment is needed at ey-
cry moment the education Of the eye
in estimating distances and exact knowl-
edge Of the capabilities Of the ship are
alike called for. The mere theorist will,
in fact, find himself hopelessly incom-
petent and the efficient handling Of a
ship implies qualities which it is not
given to every one to acquire. 1t is an
art rather than a science, and its posses
sion largely determines the fighting
capabilities Of a navy.-LondOn Times.