The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-11-08
DRILLING A FLEET.
The Way In Which the English Navy In
Trained and the Need Of It.

FRAMED anu bu6 Nccu Va A~
The drilling of fleet is fascinating
spectacle, suggesting as nothing else can
the subordination Of great force to the
control of a single will. A few gayly
colored flags flutter 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-
ton. Or scattered cruisers nearly hull
down on the horizon respond to 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 $4,000
ton battleships swing round to their
helms, the speed with which they take
up their new stations, the quick re-
Spouse and the gularity of movement
are extraordinarily impressive.
For shore going parallel to this fleet
one must imagine 81 cavalry regiments
maneuvering at a canter, each individ-
ually responsive to orders rapidly trans
missible over long distances. But on
shore it would be impossible, except
from balloon or a commanding hill,
to take in the movements at glance.
At sea one can follow the evolutions OF
each ship. A mistake, loss or gain OF
distance, a 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 fleet
Internationally an admiral yields q
power for which q general cannot hope.
A public rebuke is a thing to be avoid
ed, and even if this ia 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 feet is IN sminently seri-
ons undertaking, and the accuracy OF this
drill Ia the measure Of the mnneuvering
power Of the whole assemblase Of ships.
All turns therefore upon the capacity Of
tho captains and their training. Merely
to keep station In cruising formation,
following in the wake Of leader, Is by
no means easy. ..o... ...
Attention never for moment re-
lnxed 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 evolutions, 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 ship can be reduced
to mere geometry. The turning circles
of each ship are Of course recorded In
every oharthouse, but a variety Of other
conditions arise. The evolutionary quail
tiles Of other ships must be observed
| Wind, tide, speed or even the crossing
of the wake of another vessel materially
affects the turning circla Here Is NO
mere question Of referring to the Ggnai
book and giving certain definite words
Of command All the conditions con-
stantly vary Judgment is needed at ev-
cry moment; the educatiop Of the eys
IN estimating distances and exAct knOwS
edge Of the capabilities of The shtp ans
alike called for. The mms thsp9ist viii
in fact, find himself hopelea)y inoun-
petent, and the efficient handling Cd .
ship implies qualities which IL Ii not
given to every one TO acquire 10 is an
art rather than science, and It's posses
sion largely determines ths lighting
capabilities Of a navy.-Londnn TimesL