The sun., 1895-05-26
Possible Work for the American Fleet

The problem prepared for the approaching
session of the Naval War College on Coast
ers' Harbor Island is, like last years.,
noteworthy for It's intrinsic interest and
its practical utility. The problem of 1894
concerned the naval defence of New York
against an attack by British forces, operat-
ing mainly through Long Island Sound.
Nc moro Important hypothesis could have
been chosen, and it may be recalled
that substantially the same problem
had been assigned for examination at
an English institution. This year We find
the scene Of operations shifted further East.
1t includes the New England coast north
ward from Nantucket Sound and Cape Cod,
thus supplementing and completing the sea-
board studies Of this part of our Atlantic
coast which were begun last summer. The
cities especially exposed to attack are Port
land and Boston, and Great Britain is again
the assailant.
Following the method of presenting ths
annual problem hitherto pursued, we find
It's elements grouped under the three heads
OF strategy, tactics. and coast defence, these
being the conditions supposed:
"May lo--war Is imminent Tho enemy Is asssm-
bling at Halifax. He 10 expected to descend uron
the New England coast His probable plan is TO oc-
cupy the coast and chief cities from Portland Bos
ton thereby seconding certain movements OF his
forces His success depends upon his this
occupation before June TO- and maintaining II until
July H. The force destined for this purpose or
more fleets, whose total strength Is three times that
OF our fleet and go, 900 men in nifty transportA Our
available force ordered TO assemble for the present
In Nantucket Sound.
MAY 20.-War is declared. neet leaves Halifax,
occupies PROVING and block AIDES Boston May ca
Is composed OF battle ships, armored cruisers Is
cruisers. l2 gunboats. 10 torpedo boats Gains ana
keeps touch with our neet wherever It may bs. by
means OF scouts.
"our force 10 battle ships, srmored cruisers is
cruisers. 10 Gunboats 10 torpedo boats. l ram. A
heavy monitor at Boston. a light At Portsmouth th
and another at Portland be retained at those
pointA We learn that q much larger force OF the
enemy about 70 leave Halifax. 1t sails thence May
25 blockade4 Portland occupies Casco Bay, and gains
touch with Its Provincetowu Meet May "a. Is COM
posed OF 10 baltic ships. Is armored cruisers 90
cruisers 20 gunboas 20 torpedo boats and so trans
ports, carrying 10000 troops OF all arms.
Design plan for meeting this demonstration. Show
best disposition OF forces and describe In detail
our preparations for tho campaign"
Upon this statement of facts the first
questions to suggest themselves are as to
what will be the enemy's line of investment,
what his naval bases, and what the lines of
communication for supplying them. Then
arises the question where our fleet shall
take station, within or without this line of
investment, and at what point. This re-
quires discussion OF the relative advan-
tages and drawbacks of suggested stations
and the methods of supply to bs adopted In
each case.
With the arrival of the first feet from
Halifax, on May e3, comes the question
wh.ther there shall be any modification in
the strategic plan. and whether the enemy's