The evening times., 1896-08-19
WHITE FLEET ET0LUTIONs
Naval Maneuvers Extensively
Carried on.
ADMIRAL BUNcE's CRUISE
Taking a Powerful Squadron from
Hampton Roads to Staten island.
Indiana. Massachusetts, New York,
Columbia, Newark, Cincinnati and
Raleigh Among the Vessels.

never I'D the history OF our modem navy
have the naval maneurers been carried on
80 extensively as during the present year
one advantage IN the squadron eyolu-
tons which haze been going on upon the
Pacific and Asiatic coasts, as well as on
the Atlantic. and which include target
practice. is that they disclose and make en-
phatic all service needs. thereby assuring
the efficiency of the fleet.
Admiral BuDceds taking with him for the
second week OF the August maneuvers
far more powerful squadron than he
brought with him from Hampton Roads to
staten Island.
With The two firstelass battleships In
diana and Mass sachusetts, the armured
cruiser New York, the protected cruisers
Columbia. Newark. Cincinnati an RaIei2h
the Monitor Amphitrite and the tug Fern,
he will be able TO make the second week
OF the August maneuvers still more cx-
tensive than the first.
The work done on the cruise to Hampton
Roads was. however, very faithful, begin
ming betirnesin the morning ans lasting well
toward evening, with instruction at night
tice in turn. while simultaneously with the
on its individual drills.
The squadron in each of its formations
was exercised in changing direction or
front and in changing Course simultaneously
or in succession. 1t was exercised in eche-
Ion formations, single and do1ble and in
u uScoIql 5uIuinl W .sGoilcuioy uorloss
quarter circle, "A half circle, and a full
circle. the object being to effect these
changes OF course for all vessels within
the same time.
TARGET PRACTICE ABROAD.
They were also exercised in stea ming in
column ut half distance, aud also in line
and column at different standard speeds.
the speed being regulated by that Of the
flagship. The movements at half distance
and those in echeion were the most diff
cult. and required the most wateiifuln,.ss.
in order TO avoid collisions or other mis-
haps. and u keep position accurately, IL
was necessary To observe constantly the
movement ot the guide
Target practice with the sman AIMS re-
guns. this latter Icing conducted with sub
caiiber ammunition, in order 10 diminish
the cost. Interesting practice was also
earned OH in signalling, 10 determine the
distances at which Eigiit signals could he
transmitted. with and without search lights
These various exercises will give an inti-
cation or the general character II the work
presumably laid out for the second half of
The cruise.
Besides the good results expected from
the training OF officers and men in thu evo-
lntioDs. much is Il oksd for from the cIiti-
cisIn or expert Observers On each trip
board OF three line Officers is required
TO note carefully all difficulties or defects
encountered in the eyolutions
Tho time for each is to lie Bcted. with the
helm angle and other points. 50 that accu-
rate statistics may be furnished as to
which cf TWO methods of doing the same
thing is better, ard what movements should
be discarded. The final result is likely to
take the shape OF a sinplificd and improv-
ell drill book
FLEET TO BE ENLARGED.
With tLc exception of the Amphitrite
and the Fern, all the vessels in the squadron
have from gucd to excellent speed, and,
more than sufficient for any that is adopt
ed as the standard for evclutions The
Ampnitr,e and the Fern Were. after a
tiiue, during The soutliward cruise. allow
ed to so through their exercises together.
thus allowing 10 tie ether vessels higher
rate OF speed.
When THE Maine and Texas Join, these yes
sells VIII I've found no drag o the maneuvers,
while greatly increasing the power OF the
fleet. There are To be autumn maneuvers
this year, and FOR these II Is likely to reach
in numbers and in fighting strength its
maximum.
WhI.e, also, tire board of which Admiral
Walker is president is TO inquire into the
adv:sab;li,y OF establishing : reserve fleet
on the European system, it IS likely that our
ships ia commission viii see an Increase
before they suffer any decrease throlsh
such pIan. Two powerful armorcla.ls, the
Puritan and the Brook yn. are likely TO be
added tn the active feet during the coming
autumn.
The former is surpassed in battery power
and in protective arinor only by our first
class battlcshps. and is most powerful
factor for coast defense. The Brooklyn.