Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1896-04-16

RlSl une udmSS,
thus diminishing the efficiency of
the battery and causing demorali-
zation generally. This fact has
1t will be remembered that in the
battles with the Japanese the Chinese
ships were on fire almost continuously
from the effect of bursting shells The
men were called from the guns to eX-
tinguish the flames, thus diminishing
the efficiency of the battery and causing
decentralization generally This fact has
led to the movement to reduce the wood
work in en-of-war to minimum. 1t
is matter of vital Importance. All
ships in our navy need thorough over
hauling in this respect. Before war
comes they should all be sent to thenavy
yards and the woodwork should be re-
moved A process of treating wood
chemically to make it fireproof has been
successfully tried in this country and
this wood will be used in ships now
building. But even this wood will fur
nish splinters, and ought not to be used
in parts of the ship where men are ex-
posed. In all such places the bulkheads
should be of light corrugated iron, as in
the Texas, covered with asbestos and
painted. This would prevent splinters
as well as fire.
Many of the pretty mahogany sky
lights, ornamental brass hatch cano-
pies and pieces of bright work that now
add to the beauty of our men-ofwar
must be sent ashore in time of war.
The preparations in the engineer de-
partment should be as thorough as on
deck Ships designed for great speed
must be ready to make this speed in
case it is needed in battle, and the ma
chinery must not be exposed to shot or
she'll or to the debris falling from above.
The battle matches in the protective
deck over the boiler and engines
should therefvre be closed down, all
fires should be started, the blowers put
in operation, and it should be deter
mined whether the ventilation is such
that the men can live and perform the
duties that would fall to them during an
engagement.
1t is safe to say that few ships in the
new navy" of the United States have
ever been subjected to full-speed trial
under battle conditions. 1t would seem
that the inspection report" should in
clude such test-it is one of the most
important of all practical requirements
in a man-ofwar.
A squadron routine is Incomplete in
the most vital of all points If 1t does not
provide for maneuvering occasionally
under the conditions that would prob
ably obtain in battle. 1t should be as
certained whether or not the armored
coming towers are to be used, and the
stations of the captain, the executive
and the navigator should be definitely
decided upon.
A great deal of arbitrariness, COM
mendable thoroughness and zeal, are
displayed in many of the comparatively
trivial matters in naval routine. It
would be well II the same arbitrariness
the same thoroughness and zeal were
always shown In the vitality important
matters that affect the efficiency of
ship for battle. And this rule applies
uOI OhiJ " thC Ah1lCAAui1 Dul " luc per-
sonnet of a man-of-war-to its compo-
sition, organization and disposition for
battle. 1t is in this latter respect more
than in all other points combined that
there is crying need for reform in the
new navy.
A close inspection of the personnel
Of our ships, when all are at their sta
tons for battle. will uncover many
glazing and absurd defects, Individ-
uals will be found at important posts
who are totally unfit for the work, and
whose failure in action would cripple
the battery. There are too few men at
many important stations, while at other
points men are uselessly employed
There are men and officers whose train
Ing and habitual duty in time of peace
render them quite unavailable for gen
eral duties in battle, and who could be
replaced by others whose training
would contribute greatly to fighting
efficiency. Conservatism and singular
and inexplicable tendency, developed
I