The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-17
OUR TORPEDO FLOTILLA.
Acting Secretary Roosevelt Orders II
II 10 Gather.
1T WILL Be HANDY FOR USE IN CUBA.
The Little Boats Are Ordered to Cruise
Along the Atlantic Coast aud Into
the Gulf aud Up tho Mississippi
River in the Spring.

WASHINGTON. August l6.-Orders as
sembling the torpedo boat fiotilla ostensi-
bly, to ascend the Mississippi river, but
really to spend next winter within easy
striking distance Of Cuba, have been COM
pleted by Acting Secretary Roosevelt or
the navy, who proposes TO organize six
vessels-the Porter, Dupont. Rodgers,
Foote, Cushing and Ericsson-into a fly
ing squadron under the command IL Lieu
tenant kimball. who Will drill them In
offensive manOeuvres after the manner
OF similar European feets.
The following are the orders issued to-
day TO Lieutenant himnaH. who will bee
the commanding officer ot the torpedo
boat flotilla:
Navy Department. Washington. Au-
gust i6.-Sir: As the designated com-
manding officer OF the fOtila of torpedo
boats about to be organized ON the At
lantic coast, you Will be guided by tho
following instructions and by the infOr-
nation herein contained as Co the nten.
tons and wishes OF the department:
SIX BOATS
TT is the intention of the department
that the Atlantic h0tila shall az nrst con-
sist of six boats. yiz.-rhf Rodgers. Por.
ter. Ericsson. Cushing. FOOte and Dupont
and that these boats shall bo fitted out
ready for cruising I'm nOdlla and rem
dezvoused at New York by the Isl OF DC.
tOber next.
AS soon as the notlla is orgaulzeo
you VIII move south along the coast,
locking i'm at such ports as may bo desig.
mated by the department or may be- se.
lectcd by yourself Tor rest. and will worn
around into the Gulf of Mexico and as fHi
west as Galveston Texas
UP THE RIVER
You will be ready 10 ascend tho Ala
sd 81 Mn II
good stage OF water as early as possible
I'm March or April lS'N. and without undue
delay. and YOU in leaving the Mississippi
proceed To Hampton Roads. Va.
Within tho above limits of time and
place you are given fun discretion as 10
the employment OF tho notill3. and VIII
Do held strictly responsible for tho value
of the results of the cruise. iou are in-
formed that the cruise of the nOtlla
as outlined above Is considered necessary
IN order to determine or in order to Iif
ln determining the practical benefit ~
the boats I'm extended operations along
our coasts. the kind off torpedo boats best
fitted for the needs of the country. tho
most effective way 90 work different types
OF boats together the quickest way 90
make the personnel effective and tho
'alue Of tOrpedO-h0Ht service for training
IN plotting and scouting.
HIS TNSTRr CTfONS
ITO accomplish these results YOU will
use due diligence in drilling the fotula
In such formations as such conditions
would require. IN Keeping the individual
boats I'm the best possible state of effi-
cheney I'm maintaining among men and
officers a lively interest in their work.
In devising and carrying out such ma
n0euvres as will best demonstrate pro-
blematic matters upon which iuf0rma-
zion n needed. and Boa Keeping be dep8rt-
ment fully Informed as 90 AN movements.
drills manOeuVrcs and exercises OF tho
hotilla with the reasons f0r and The re-
suits Of them upon both men and matte
rial"
Lieutenant Kimhall. besides being I'm ac-
tive command of tho flOtilla. will bee I'm
command Of the Rodgers.
To each OF the commanders ~ the
Erisccon. Cushing and Porter orders will
be at once issued tO get his boat ready
for immediate service and devote "a
much time I'm practicing and training
their respective crews and manoouvros
the vessels