Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-23

globe. Great Britain maintains ten large
and distinct squadrons OF stations. Inc
number OF her ships on each station is'
Of course, much larger than our own. anu
with the exception of the Mediterranean,
where she IS outnumbered by France
alone, larger than any other nation
IL may not come amiss here TO remark
that neither ships. dock-yards. nor oro-
nance can be brought into existence OF
tho moment when needed by the simple
process OF legislative enactment. Tney
are the product of long-continued skill
and industry. A ship OF war armea'
equipped. manned, and differed for EN-
Client service IS the combined result OF
much labor, science. training, olSciphHe
and experience, evolved by SLOW processes
and organized with careful intelligence
IL at this time we happen to possess a
navy which, ~ small in numbers. Is
highly efficient and inestimably valuable,
we owe Il to the fact that Its oitcers
have considered 1t a part OF their outy
10 apply themselves with assiduous per
severance under discouraging obstacles
10 the pursuit OF those studies ana the
requirements oe that experience whlch
sbsI make the service they delight In
the pride Of their country and q credit 10
themselves a day spent aboard any YES
sci OF the navy will disclose 10 the Visi-
tor an active round Of drills ana eNer-
cises. which occupies hours Of time ana
has necessitated years OF study. DAY
SO spent Will convince the most sKeptical
critic that the life OF the officers and men
Of n man-of-war Is not one Of incident
ease. tempered by interesting social
functions Of an enlivening character.
Unremitting hard work, constant study
the faithful performance Of small duties
81 the rule with ambitious officers. 1hey
who lack ambition are few In NUMBER
and soon find themselves RELOCATED to the
Notifying obscurity Of the retired hst'
The Raleigh is still at the naVy-yaru'
moored to the coal wharf She is tidy
vessel. and pushes closely TO her sister,
the Cincinnati as a fayorite among Visi-
tors TO the yard. Captain Miller hopes 10
80 into the stream on the 18th instant
and will join the feet at sea soon there
after.
The Katahdin Is having built upon her
deck a sort OF breakwater 20 extend rom
the forward TO the after barbette II VIII
make the ship much more comfortable IN
q moderate seaway During the not
weather Of last week the vessel was
frightfuly uncomfortable. but the mem
hers of her crew. with that obstinate ar
lection which every sailor feels for his
own ship, declined 10 seek more haoItaole
quarters aboard the receiving ship Yer
mont.
The absurd court OF inquiry upon the
conduct Of certain officers OF the katah-
din has sent the record OF its proceedings
on to Washington. 1t is TO be hoped that
the full history of this case. secret as
we'll as public, may be fully published. 1t
IS claimed that 1t win exhibit curious
instances OF pernicious Interference by
onicious busybodies 10 discredit capaDie
and upright officers in order to grauiy
personal malice on the part Of an enlisted
man.
Inc mounting Of the folh R-inch
guns aboard the Puritan marks another
step toward the fitting out Of this power
ful vessel II IS 10 be hoped that she
viii fly the pennant By the middle OF &c
tober.
4 gentleman who was formerly an off,
Ger of the navy tells story TO Illustrate
anew the obstacles 70 an easy acquire
ment OF a knowledge OF the English
language A foreigner who was in this
country for the purpose OF investigating
our lighthouse system was taken down
the bay not long ago in one OF the light
house tenders. Observing a number OF
boxes slowed on the forward deck, he
asked the lieutenant who accompanied
him what might be the contents OF them.
When told that they contained supplies
ne falleQ 10 grasp Nhdl WIS 'iN"4iN -
that term, and wanted 10 know IL It
was food The lieutenant explained that
IN the navy provisions" meant food, and
supplies" meant oil, paint, tools, &c AN
I see," said the foreigner. supplies Il
keep tho lighthouse alive, provisions TO
keep the light-keeper alive"
A gentleman who was a passenger in a
steamer which passed Admiral Bunce' 5
squadron one day last week declares that
the evolution5 Of the fleet as he saw them
proved a very interesting spectacle The
Amphitrite seemed to be, as was TO have
been expected, the lame duck Of the
feet. She showed some difficulty in ma
noeuvring, and failed TO preserve her pro-
per interval This fact proves the alb
surdity Of placing vessels Of limited speed
I'm squadron formation with fast cruisers.
Vessels Of tho monitor type would reach
q condition Of greater efficiency II kept
in some large sheet Of water, Ike the
lower bay or GARDENERS Bay, where her
captain could devote his time TO drills In
harbor protection. With tender Of the
Fern class and two torpedo-boats, profit
able lessons might be learned In the ca
pacity of these vessels to meet the ex-
pectations entertained by them.