The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-10
BIG WAR SHIPS TESTED
FLEET MANEUvERs OF THE NORTH
ATLANTIC SQUADRON.
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Rooae-
welt Lavish In Praise of work OF
the Vessels and Their Guns.

FORT MONROE. Va, Sept 9.--The Doll
phin returned to Hampton Roads to-day
with Assistant Secretary Roosevelt who
has just completed an inspection of the
North Atlantic squadron at sea and while
under full feet maneuvers. This is the first
inspection made In recent years under such
conditions and the results were highly sat
isfactory. Under the eye of the assistant
secretary an extensive programme Of ex-
ercises was successfully executed in a linn
tied period Of time.
The Dolphin reached the southern drili
grounds Tuesday forenoon, joining the
squadron while the ships were at subcaiiber
practice. This was suspended by Admiral
Sicard on his learning of Mr.. Roosevelts
desire TO witness heavy gun practice, ard
the battle ship Iowa was designated to fra
her batteries in the presence of the assist
ant secretary, who was taken aboard for
the purpose. The practice was excellent and
from the big twelve-nch guns down to the
little machine guns the battery worked
without serious hitch and splendid sea tar
get scores were made. The crack armored
cruiser Brooklyn was next put through her
PAGES and ran up and down the firing line
making good practice at the distant target.
In the evening the flagship New York re-
PEELED an imaginary attack by torpedo
boats, using search lights and her Sec
ondary battery with great effect Follow.
ing came search light drill by the entire
squadron, making most beautiful and
unique marine spectacle. Night signaling
with the Ardois system OF colored electric
lights closed the days work and the squad
ron passed the night at anchor on drill
grounds, thirty miles east OF the Virginia.
capes.
Wednesdays programme included squads
ron maneuvers and the. ships got under
way early. on signal from the New York,
forming in column and passing in review
to and fro before the Dolphin, which re-
manned at anchor. The beginning of the
exercises was preceded by the release of
flock of ten carrier pigeons bearing mes
sages to the Norfolk navy yard. The SQUAD
ron made magnificent show as it came
past the Dolphin, with the great battle
ship clearing the long swells with resist
less power and showing the big guns and
men at quarters on the side. Single column,
double column, formation en- echelon,
wheels to the right and left and many
other combination movements were at
tempted with splendid precision and tho
manner in which the seven big ironclads
maintained their positions in line while
under cruising speed, going through these
complicated movements, earned the un-
stinting praise of the assistant secretary.
A novel feature of the days maneuVerS was
the use for the first time in any navy of
Japanese daylight fireworks as a means OF
signaling, system which is being devel-
oped to meet the emergency that might fol-
! low the loss in action of the signal mast or
the hiding of a ship by smoke.
In the afternoon the commanding officers
of the squadron were entertained at tea by
Mr.. Roosevelt on the Dolphin, and the gath
ering of seven of the ablest officers of the
navy aboard ship at sea afforded an oppOr-
tunity for an exchange of valuable prOfes.
sional views as to the qualities of the ships
they commanded In the evening Admiral
Sicard entertained Mr. Roosevelt at dinner
aboard the flagship, and Wednesday closed
with another display of night signaling ana
searchlight work. The Dolphin left the
squadron next morning at sunrise, stepping
off Cape Henry TO permit of inspection
of the Monitor Puritan which was put
through great gun practice for the purpose
of affording a comparison Of her hydraulic
turret mechanism with the electric system
other ships.
In summing up the results of his inspeo,
ton Of the squadron, Mr.. Roosevelt said4
1.-THE trip has been in every way more than
satisfactory. The target practice under
service conditions, the fleet maneuvers, the
practice with the searchlightS at night in
discovering and sinking drifting targets,
have each and all been done in way which
reflects very high credit on the admiral his
captains and their officers and crews. The
signaling both at night and in daytime, in
Guiding the day signals with the Japanese
fireworks, has been excellent. the rapldity
and precision OF the practice with the rapids
fire guns and the extraordinary accuracy
with which the huge turret guns were fired
were equally noteworthy. There were sew
eral matters of less Importance, like the sue
cessful use OF carrier pigeons, which also
deserved comment. In short there is every
reason to be satisfied with every detail or
the management of the huge war Ship from
coming towers to the engine rooms and gun
turrets. This is the first time that such a
squadron of modern ironclads have ever
been under command of an American adj
miral; indeed it is the first time in peace
that an American admiral has ever COM
manded a squadron relatively so formidable
compared with the war ships of other pow-
ers. At last we are beginning to have q
navy fit to uphold the interests of our peo4
pie, a navy which, though too small in size.
need fear comparison with other as re-
CARDS the quality of it's ships and men,"