The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-09-15
Fleet Manoeuvres Of the
North Atlantic Squadron.

tion of the North Atlantic squadron at
sea while uuder full feet maD@avres.
This is the first inspection made 10
recent years under such conditions, aod
the results we're highly satisfactory.
Under the eye Of the assistant secretary
an extensive programe of exercises was
successfully executed ic limited period
of time.
The Dolphin reached tie southern
drill grounds Tuesday forenoon. joining
the squadron while the ships were at
sub calibre practice. This was srs-
pended by Admiral Sicard opou bis
learning Of MIR. Roosevelt's desire to
witness heavy gun practice. aod the
batsleship Iowa vas designated to fire
her batteries in the presence of the as,
sistaos secretary, who was taken aboard
for the purpose The practice was ex-
cellent aud from the big l2-ioch guos
down to the little machine guns the
battery worked withous serious hitch
aud splendid target shots were made,
The cruiser Bfooklyu vas next put
through ber PAGES aud ran no ADD down
the firing line, making good practice at
the distant target. In the evening the
flagship New York repelied an imagi
nary attack By torpedo boats, using her
searchlights and her secondary battery
With great effect. Following came a
searchiighs drill by the entire squadron,
making most beautiful aud unique
spectacle. Night signalling with the
Ardois system of colored electric lights
closed the days work and the squadroa
passed the Dight at anchor on the drill
grounds. thirty miles east of the Vir-
ginia Cspes.
SQUADRON MANEUVRES.
Yesterdays programme included
squadron maneouvres The ships got
under way early, on signal from the
New York, forming in column sad
passing in review to aad fro before the
Dolphin, which remained at anchor
The beginning of the exercises sas
preceded by the release of flock Of
ten carrier pigeuons bearing messages
to the Norfolk navy yard. TIE
squadron made magnificent show as
it came past the Dolphio, with the great
ba,tlesbips clearing the long swells With
resistlsss power and showing the big
guns and men at qusrters on che side.
Single column, double column. forma
ton en- echelon, wheels to right and
many other combiRation movements
wereaattempted with splendid precision,
and the manHer in which the seveo big
ironclads maintained their positions in
line while unde cruising speed. going
through these complicated movements,
earned the uusinted praise of the assist
ant secretary.
A NOVEL FEATURE
OF the days manoeuvres was the use.
for tue first time in any navy. Of Japa
daylight fireworks as means of signal
ling, system which is being developed
to meet the emergency tha: nigh: fol-
low The loss in action Of the signal
mast or the hiding of q ship By smoke
Ia the afternoon the commanding
officers of the squadron we're eoter-
tanned at tea BY Mr.. Roosevels on the
Dolphin. and the gathering Of seven Of
the ables, officers of the navy aboard
ship at sea afforded an opportunity for
az exchange of valuable professional
views as to the qualities of the ships
they command. In the evening Admi-
raj Sicard entertained Mr.. Roosevelt at
dinner aboard the flagship and Wedoes-
day closed with another display of
night signalling and searcbligh. work.
The Dolphin left the squadron next
morning at sanrise. stopping off Cape
Henry to permit of au inspection of
the monitor Puritan. which was put
through great gun practice for The pur-
pose Of afordipg comparison of ber
hydraulic turret mechanism with the
electric system Of the Brooklyn and the
steam gear of the other ships.
10 cumming the results of bis iuspec-
tion Of the squadron, Mr. Roosevelt
said j: The trip has been 10 every way
more than satisfactory. The target
practice uuder service conditions, the
feet manoeuvres, the practice with the
searchlights at right 10 discovering and
sinking drifting targets. have each aud
ali been dooe 10 way which reflects
very high credit upon The admiral, his
captains aud their officers and crews.
The signalling 10th at night aud in the
day time. including the day signals
With the japanese fireworks, has been
excellent The rapity and precision of
the practice with the rapid-6re goos
and the extraordinary accuracy With
which the huge turret guns we're fred
we're equally noteworthy. There were
several matters of less importance, like