The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-20
THE EVOLUTIONs OF THE FLEET.
Admiral Bunee's Programme to Include
DrilIs and Aiding the MIMI Miliiia.


Admiral Bunee's Programme to Include
Drills and Aiding the Naval Militia.
WASHINGTON, May IS.-As Secretary
Herbert has now formally authorized Ad-
miral Bunce to use his discretion III tax
ing the North Atlantic squadron 10 sea
Tor snort periods, 1t may be expected that
= series Ot exercises Will begin before
long. The base VIII presumably be. as
now, at rompkinsyille. where coal and
other supplies will be taken aboard as
needed for the brief cruises.
In last years exercises OF the British
home feet, . battle squadron OF armored
vessels moving together and ready TO 80
into action was supported by swift
cruisers. which served as scouts in hunt
ing out the supposed enemy. Indeed,
there were two such fleets. When the
Massachusetts and Texas join Admiral
Bunce, he viii have four battieshlp5 ana
a fifth armored vessel, the New YORK
which might form and manoeuyre with
them, although reaiiy of the fast cruiser
class. lie Will also have, Independently
Of the New York, five modern steel cruis-
ers, with the Dolphin, perhaps, accom-
panying the fleet as a sixth. Then there
is still another force of armored vessels,
led by the ram katahdin and the mOni-
tor Terror, and possibly 10 be joined either
by the Amphltrite from Key West or by
the Miantonomah. Finally, there are
available the torpedo boats Cushing and
Stiletto, while the Erisccon ought 10 be
ready 10 join them.
Last year one OF the most useful func-
tons of the North Atlantic squadron was
that Of practicing the various eyolutionS
OF the fleet drill-boOk. with a view to
determining what formations and move
ments were really desirable and what
were superiuous or worse. In addition,
there was a careful testing OF signal prac-
tiCe. Changes were suggested both IN
tactics and in signalling. but now It IS
proposed TO effect a complete revision Ia
bjth subjec., with the leading ideas
those OF simplicity and lack of liability
TO error under the circumstances of ac-
tual battle.
\ second useful function Of the fleet will
be that of serving for the instruction of
the naval militia, or at least of that por-
ton Of it which desires instruction. Last
year only limited opportunities. as Sec
rotary Herbert has said. could b6-afforded
10 the naval militia 10 drill on men-of-
war, owing to the eXigencies of the ser
vice. The forces Of Georgia and North
| and South Carolina, however, had in
struction on the Amplitude FOR few
days each; those Of Michigan on the
| Michigan; those Of California on the
| Olympia, those Of Massachusetts, on the
| Raleigh. The forces OF New York. Penn
! sylyania. and Connecticut engaged In boat
! and shOre-llne reconnaissance work. the
torpedo boat Cushing attending tho New
| York encampment at shelter Island. Sec
rotary Herbert last autumn promised to
| take steps 10 send ships during the COM
| ing summer TO certain selected regions OF
| the coast, where several organizations
| might be concentrated in camp with a
| view to Joint reconnaissance work as well
| as 20 drlll on board ship. Such Il pro-
| gramme has been arranged.
Still another possible use Of the fleet
may be that Of helping 70 solve some
| problem on which the War College is en-
| gagged, or 10 throw light on matters which
| It is discussing. The work OF the college
| will begin June 1st and u classl has been
assigned to IT, consisting OF Commanders
| Barclay Bicknen. BurWell, Elmer, I'M
| pey. Mackenzie. Merry. and Todd: Lieu
| Commanders Everett. Richards,
| and Selfridge; Lieutenants Amy Buck
! ingham, Bull, Collins. Cutler, Dillingham;,
| F'iske. Quinby. ana Sawyer; Enslgns Edie
| Harrison, Mofett. SignOr, and Nogelge-
| sang. The course of Instruction Will be
on lines similar to those OF the past two
| years.
1t has well been said by the Secretary
! THAT the lack IN modern days OF a mari
| time war of the first order like that for
| example which occurred during the
| French Revolution, when Engiands navy
| fought the allied fleets of France and
| Spain. has had an unfavorable influence
| on the study OF the art OF naval war
| fare. But perhaps the recent war between
| Japan and China may have contributed a
| little TO public recognition Of its import
! ance. The course at the Naval War Col
| lege includes a study of naval and mill
| tary history and lectures upon various
! branches Of warfare and upon interna-
| tional law. Another important branch of
| the work, and the one which, II appears.
| arouses the greatest earnestness, Is the
solution OF the war problems in strategy
and tactics. These are made very prac-
| teal, and thus far have delt with situa-
lions along our coast or near it, There
are also tactical problems sufficiently re-
stricted TO allow more rapid Judgment
I upon them, their purpose being 10 culti-
vate quiclness OF discernment and de-
cision. Another appliance OF instruction
is that OF playing war games or exercises
| OF various kinds, IN which sometimes the
opposing forces are single ships some
times fleets, while occasionally general
plans OF campaign are involved. The
players are changed about so that the
total result -ill be 10 show what the best
methods really are, independently Of per-
sonal skill.
The use Of steam launches has been
great aid I'm this work. but II in any way
the North Atlantic squadron would also
help that would be an additional gain
New York Sun.