Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-03-15
OUR TALkED-ABOuT NAVY.
Admiral Bunce Criticised and Defend
ed on Common sense
II the Washington Star.

From the Washington Star.
Admiral Bunces latest and somewhat
disastrous cruise with the North Atlantic
squadron has stirred up great deal of
quiet but earnest criticism among naval
Some of the admiral's critics are incensed
at what they consider his foohardiness
and talk of the necessity of court of in
Guiry. If not Il court-martial. Their posi-
tion is that Bunce is trying TO attract the
attention of the country by posing in the
character of Il rough old sea dog: to make
it appear he is a sort of modern Jack Buns
by so far as Seagoing qualities go. These
critics maintain that il Was little less than
criminal for the commander of the North
Atlantic squadron to take his ships out in
this season in the face of storm signals.
particularly when there was no necessity
for the rash movement They point out
that this is the second time Admiral Bunce
has put TO sea in the face of storm signals.
In the first instance which occurred last
ly. and one of the Junior officers lost leg
in the unfortunate result In the latest in
stance the fleet Jared worse. both in the
loss of men and damage to vessels.
But the hardy admiral is not without aj-
mirers who justify his course in the face of
these criticisms. One of the latter said of
TO go to sea at any and all times? There
has been nc little criticism indulged in of
late from within and without the navy.
both to the character of the modern
vessels of our navy AID the ability of their
commanders. 1t has been intimated that
it was a serious question whether many of
our ships We're seaworthy in the fullest
sense and a few unfortunate mishaps have
furnished subjects for criticisms of the
seagoing accomplishments of officers of
rank
Admiral Bunce mas demonstrated that
both criticisms are unfounded. He has
demonstrated the SeaworthineSS of his fleet
and the ability of his commanding officers
TO successfully weather the severesttgales.
1t il true the demonstration has cost life
and some miner damage to one or two of
his vessels. but in the opinion of many of
us the good accomplished is commensurate
with the sacrifice. Officers, men and their
countrymen will feel greater confidence .in
each other from the result.
IF our navy was of such a character
that it was only available during the calm
of midsummer the people who pay for
its maintenance would feel that they had
been making investments in nautical gold
bricks
Another matter which the result of the
cruise has brought prominently forward
is the utility of the vessels of the monitor
type. The reports all Indicate that the
Amphitrite weathered the gale as well
the stanchest ships of the fleet. Friends
of this type of vessel claim that this latest
severe test goes far to diSprove the claim
that the monitor class is not available in a
heavy seaway- When this claim is sue
cussfully disproved by a few more similar
tests. they argue that it is only question
of time till the adoption of the monitor
type as the most desirable warship for the
defense of our coast, as well as the protec-
ton of our flag on the high seas. While
their original cost ard regular maintenance
are only about one-half of that of the bat
tleship type. such the Indiana and her
class, the smaller craft is really most avail
able for our GefenseS. 1t is claimed that
bors, where her consorts of deeper draft
dare not venture. but can confidently face
storms from which the more formidable
type turns back in precaution.