The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-09-10
DRILL: OF THE SHIPS
assistant Secretary RaossYelt's Inspection
In Every Respect Satisfactory.
SAW THE IoWA's BIG GUN FIRED
Brooklyn Put through Her PAGES
new York Repels n Torpedo At
faeIk-Squndron siadc u Beantirs,l
Display as It Went Through ITS
Evoiuttons.
Fort Monroe, Va, september Q. 1sg7

Fort Monroe, Va, September 8, 1897.
The Dolphin returned to-day to Hamp-
ton Roads with Assistant Secretary
roosevelt, who has just completed an
inspection of the North Atlantic squad
ron at sea while under full fleet maneou-
Vers. ihis Is the first inspection made
n recent years under such conditions
and the results were highly satisfactory
onusr the eye Of the Assistant Sec
Ietary an extensive programme Of ex-
eroses was successfully executed in u
limited period Of time
Inc Dolphin reached the Southern drill
Siounos tuesday forenoon, joining the
squadron while the ships were at sub
caiipre practice. This was suspended by
Aarniral Sicard upon his learning of Mr.
FooseVelt's desire to witness heavy gun
practice, and the battle-snip Iowa was
designated to fire her batteries In the
presence or the Assistant Secretary, who
was taken aboard for the purpose. The
practice was excellent and from the
pig 12-lnch gun down to the little ma
chlne guns the battery worked without
serious hitch and splendid targets were
made. The crack armored cruiser
BrooklyE was next put through her
PAGES and ran up and down the firing
line, making good practice at the dis.
Iant target. In the evening the flag shin
New York repelled an imaginary at
TACK by torpedo boats, using her search
lights and her secondary battery with
great effect
Following came q search light drill
oy the entire squadron. making a most
beautiful and unique marine Spectacle.
wight signalling with the Ardois sys-
tenn or colored electric lights closed the
days work and the squadron passed
the night at anchor on the drill grounds.
thirty miles cast Of the Virginia Capes.
Weanesda9ts programme included
squadron maneouvers. 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 remained an anchor.
The beginning of the exercises was PRO
ceeded by the release of a flock of ten
carrier pigeons bearing messages to the
Norfolk Navy-yard The squadron
made a magnificent show as it came
past the Dolphin with the great battle
ships clearing the lcug swells with re-
slstlcSs power and showing the big guns
ana men at quarters on the side. Sim
gle column, double column formation
enechelon. wheels to right and left and
many other combination movements
We're attempted with splendid precision
and the manner in which the seven big
iron-clads maintained their positions In
line while under cruising speed, going
through these complicated movements,
"a
slstant Secretary. A novel feature of
the days manoeurers was the use for
the first time in acy navy of Japanese
daylight fireworks as ~ means of sig
mailing, a system which Is being devel-
oped to meet the emergency that might
follow the loss In action OF the signal
mast or the hiding OF n ship by smoke
In the afternoon the commanding off,
GERS of the squadron We're entertained at
tea by Mr.. Roosevelt on the Dolphin,
and the gathering of sevecl of the ablest
officers of the navy aboard ship at ssu
afforded an opportunity for an exchange
OF valuable professional views as TO the
qualities OF the ships they command,
In the evening AdmiraI SIcard enter
tained Mr.. Roosevelt at dinner aboard
the flag ship, and Wednesday closed
with another display of night signalling
and search light work. The Dolphin
ieft the squadron next morning at sun
rise, stopping of Cape Henry to permit
OF an inspection Of the monitor Puritan,
which was put through great gun prac-
fice for the purpose OF affording a com
parison Of her hydraulic turret ma chan
Ism with the electric system Of the
Brooklyn and the steam gear Of the
other ships.
In summing the results of his inspec-
tion OF the squadron. Mr.. Roosevelt said:
The trip has been In every way more
than satisfactory. The target practice
under service conditions, the fleet man
oeuvers. the practice with the search
Nights at night In discovering and sink
Ing drifting targets. have each and all
been done In way which reflects very
high credit upon the Admiral, his cap
tnins and their officers and crews The
signalling. both at night and in the day
time. Including the day signals with the
Japanese fireworks, has been excellent.
The raridity and precision Of the prac-
tice with the rapid fre guns and the
extraordinary accuracy with which the
huge turret guns were fired were equally
noteworthy. There were several matters
Of less Importance, like the success
use OF carrier pigeons. which also de-
served comment In short, there Is
every reason to be satisfied with every
detail of the management Of the huge
war ships. from the coming towers to
the engine rooms and gun turrets. This
IS the first time that such squadron
OF modern iTon-clads has ever been un-
der command of am American Admiral: !:
indeed 1t is the first time in peace that
an American Admiral has even com
r1andod a squadron relatively so for
mid'able compared with the war ships
Of other powers. AT last we are be-
ginning to have navy ut to uphold the
interest of our people--a navy which,
though too small In size, need fear COM
parison with no other az regards the
quality Of Its ships and men,"