Evening star., 1897-02-11
ADMIRAL BUNCE'S CRUISE
Some Criticisms Made Upsn It by Naval
Officers.
Others Defend His Judgment and
Point Out Vnluabl Results
Accomplished.

Admiral Bunce's latest and somewhat
disastrous cruise with the North Atlantic
squadron has stirred up great deal OF
quiet but earnest criticism among naval
officers stationed here in Washington.
Some Of the admraIs critics are incensed
at what they consider his foohardiness
and talk of the necessity of a court of in
quiry, if not court-martial. Their posi-
tion is that Bunce is trying to attract the
attention of the country by posing in the
character of rough old sea dog; to make
it appear he is a sort of modern Jack
Bunsby. far as sea-going qualities go.
These critics maintain that 1t 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 Ad-
miral Bunce has put to sea in the face of
storm signals. In the first instance. which
occurred last summer, the battle ship In
diana Jared badly. and one of her junior
officers lost a leg in the unfortunate result.
In the latest instance the fleet Jared worse
both in the loss of men and damage to
vessels.
The Admiral Defended.
But the hardy old admiral is not without
admirers who justify his course in the face
of these criticisms. One of the latter SAID
OF the matter: What are warships for if
not to go to sea at any and all times
There has been no little criticism INDUCED
in of late from within and without the
navy both as to the character of the mod
ern vessels of our navy and the ability of
tne1r commanders 1t has been intimated
that II was a serious question whether
many OF our ships We're Seaworthy in the
fullest sense, and a few unfortunate mis-
haps have furnished subjects for criticism
OF the going accomplishments of Off
GERS of rank
Admiral Bunce has demonstrated that
both criticisms are unfounded He has
demonstrated the seaworthiness of his fleet
and the ability of his commanding officers
10 successfully weather the severest gales.
IL IS true the demonstration has cost life
and some minor damage to one or two of
his vessels, but in the opinion of MANY of
us the good accomplished is commensurate
win the sacrifice. Officers. men and their
countrymen will feel greater confidence in
each other from the result.
II our navy was of such a character
that 1t was only available during the calm
or midsummer the people who pay for
It's maintenance would feel that they had
been making investments in nautical gold
bricks ~
Utility of the Monitors.
Another matter which the result of the
cruise has brought prominently forward is
.ne utinty or the vessels Of the monitor
type. The reports all indicate that the
"eathereu the gale as well as
the stanchest ships Of the fleet Friends
OF this type of vessel claim that this latest
severe test goes far to disprove the claim
mat the monitor class is not available in a
heavy seaway. When this claim is sue
cessfuily disproved by few more similar
tests, they argue that II is only a question
or 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 and regular maintenance
are only about one-half of that of the ba tile
snip type, such as the Indiana and her
class, the smaller craft is really most
available for our defenses. 1t is claimed
tnat she cannot only go into our shallow
harbors, where her consorts of deeper drafr
dare not venture. but confidently face
storms from which the more formidable
type turns back in precaution.