Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-07
FLEET EVOLUTIONS
Projected Maneuvers Of the North
Atlantic Naval Squadron.
REAR ADMIRAL MEADE IN COMMAND
Value of Such Exercise Of War
Ships Demonstrated.
CRUISERS TO PARTICLE ATE

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To the naval enthusiast the projected
fleet evolutions of the North Atlantic
squadron are Of an Importance second only
to an actual naval engagement. AS prac-
teal object lesson the present war be-
tween China and Japan is Of great value.
Expert officers of the army and navy have
been specially detailed to watch carefully
the military operations Of the contending
forces, on sea as well as on land, with the
prime object of obtaining information that
will be of value to the army and navy of
the United States in the defense Of the flag
and the maintenance of the national
honor. 1t is military axiom that the best
way to avert a war is to be fully prepared
for it. No nation can be considered In a
proper state of readiness unless its capa-
bilities for offensive and defensive opera
lions have been at least tentatively de-
monstrated to the satisfaction of the men
upon whom their conduct and management
will devolve in the event of actual hostil-
tiles.
Tactical Mnncuvers.
In modern warfare a fleet of vessels Is
controlled by the same general principles
as is a division of soldiers and perfect
system of tactical maneuvers is as neces-
sary to one as to the other. Annual fleet
maneuvers have now become a familiar
part of the naval training of the leading
nations. They rest upon the same foun1a-
ton the division corps and army ma
neuvers of the land forces. Their first ad-
vantage is in the mobilization or many YES
sells, thus giving the line and staff branches
an experience of their requirements In case
of actual war.
In addition, feet commanders get practice
in movements similar to those that might
be required of them in actual hostilities.
and the naval authorities can observe the
conduct of its officers and men under such
circumstances. The merits and drawbacks
of particular ships or classes of ships can
also be noted. In countries where strategy
cal maneuvers are carried on upon large
scale, useful knowledge is derived as TO
the legislation needed to increase naval
strength. In this way practical lessons are
learned problems are solved, experiments
are tried and all sorts of propositions are
tested, which would otherwise remain mat
ters of mere speculation. Great Britain
and France carry on these maneuvers on
scale utterly beyond the power of the
United States, with its comparatively in
significant navy. In the British navy 1t
has frequently happened that over hum
dred vessels have been put through series
Of evolutions. In last years maneuvers
n;nety-six vessels took part. France some
times has two sets of summer maneuvers,
one in the British channel and the other in
the Mediterranean. Extensive mobiliza-
tons are also common to the navies of
Italy, Germany and Russia.
ARRANGEMENTS for the EvolutiOns.
Maneuvers on so large a scale are not
possible in our navy, the greater part of
which is scattered in different foreign
waters. They will be conducted, however,
on a modest scale by the few vessels on
the Atlantic or home station during the
coming spring and summer, under the
Admiral
Meade, an officers specially fitted for the
duty.
Arrangements for the evolutions are well
under way and bid fair to progress to a
satisfactory conclusion. The squadron of
maneuver includes the flagship New York,
Capt r. D. Evans commanding; the pro-
tected cruiser Cincinnati, Capt. Glass COM
handing; her sister ship. the Raleigh, Capt
Merrill Miller commanding; the triple screw
cruiser Columbia, Capt Sumner command
ing, and her sister ship, the Minneapolis,
Capt Wadleigh commanding. The pre-
liminary cruising ground is the Caribbean
sea, in the vicinity Of st. Thomas, w. L.,
which was selected because of it's many adj
vantages for the purpose. 1t is convenient
and affords plenty of sea room. The New
York, Cincinnati and Raleigh are already
on the ground. The Raleigh Is at ST.
Thomas, with Admiral Meade on board,
and the other two vessels elsa. are IN s san ana
lumbia will join them in a few weeks. The
former is taking on coal at New York She
will go to Newport in q day or two to be
inspected and to receive her torpedo outfit,
after which she will proceed south to the
rendezvous of the fleet. The Columbia is
at the navy yard, Norfolk, undergoing re-
pairs, which will be completed in a short
time. There are two other vessels belong
ing to the North Atlantic squadron which
will undoubtedly be added to the evolution
fleet later in the spring. These are the
cruisers Atlanta, Capt. Cromwell, and
Montgomery, Capt. Davis. The latter is
visiting Gulf ports, testing southern coal
for naval use.
The Atlanta, which has just completed a
cruise to Bluefeids and Honduran ports,
ragua and awaiting developments in the
Colombian revolution. These two vessels
are under orders to participate In the
Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans,
after which they will probably be ordered
to report to Admiral Meade at the chosen
rendezvous. Their arrival will give him an
opportunity of exercising seven of the fin
est ships in the navy.
A Preliminary Cruise.
Prior to the assembling of the entire
fleet the New York. Cincinnati and Ra
leigh will have a preliminary cruise in the
Caribbean. Their itinerary includes st.
Lucia, Port of Spain, La Guayra, Curacao,
Port au Prince, Kingston, Colon, Havana
and Key West, the last-named port being
reached about the end of April. The pres
ent plan contemplates practice in evolu-
lions as far north Newport, where the
final exercises of the fleet may be had, in
conjunction with the Naval War College.