Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-10
ROOSEVELT AGAIN At OLD POINT.
His Inspection of the North Atlantic
Squadron Highly Satisfactory

FORT MONROE, VA, September o.
| The Dolphin returned to-day to Hampton
Roads with misunderstanding Roose-
welt who has just completed an inspec-
ton of the North Atlantic squadron at
sea while under full fleet manoeuvres.
rms is the first inspection made in re-
cent years under such conditions, and the
results were highly satisfactory.
Under the eye Of the Assistant Secre-
tary, an exhibition of exercises was sue
cessfully executed in a limited period OF
lime. The Dolphin reached the southern
drill-grounds Tuesday forenoon. joining
the squadron while the ships were at sub
caiibre practice. This was suspended by
Admlral SiCard upon his learning of Mr.
Roosevelts desire to witness heavy gun
practice, and the battleship Iowa was
designated to fire her batteries In the
presence of the Assistant Secretary. who
was taken aboard for the purpose. rms
practice was excellent, and from the big
Finch guns down to the little machine
guns the battery worked without serious
hitch and splendid targets were made.
The crack armored cruiser Brooklyn was
next put through her PAGES, and ran up
ana down the firing line making good
practice at the distant target In the
evening the flagship New York repealed
an imaginary attack by torpedo-boats
using her searchlighss and her second bat
terry with great effect. Following came
searchlight drill by the entire squadron,
making a most beautiful and unique ma
rine spectacle. Night signalling with the
Ardoir system of colored electric lights
closed the days work, and the squadron
passed the night at anchor on the drill
grounds, thirty miles east Of the Virginia
Capes.
ROOSEVELT AT OLD POINT.
Wednesdays exercises included squa-
dron manoeuvres. The shfpe got under
way early. on signal from the New York.
IN nd
view to and fro before the Dolphin,
which remained at anchor The begin
mng or the exercises was preceded by the
release of a flock of ten carrler-pigeons,
bearing messages to the Norfolk navy
yard. The squadron made a magnificent |
showing as IL came past the Dolphin |
with the great battleships clearing the |
long swells with resstiess power and |
showing the big guns and the men at |
quarters on the side. Single column, dou- |
bic column, formation en- echelon wheels |
20 right and left, ana many other com
bnation movements were executed with |
splendid precision. and the manner In !
which the seven big ironclads maintain
ed their positions in line while under
cruising speed, going through compli-
Gated movements earned the unstinted
praise Of the Assistant Secretary.
DAY FIREWORKS
A novel feature of the days manoeu-
vres was the use for the first time in any
navy of Japanese daylight fireworks a
means of signalling, a system which is
being developed 10 meet the emergency
hat might follow the loss in action Of
the signalmast or the hiding of ship
by smoke.
In the afternoon the commanding OFF,
ers Of the squadron were entertained
Il tea by Mr.. Roosevelt on the Dolphin,
which afforded an opportunity for an ex-
qualities of the ships. In the evening
ADMIRAL Sicard entertained Mr.. Roose-
cit at dinner on board the flagship, |
md Wednesday closed with another dis
lay of night-signalling and searchlight
york.
The Dolphin left the squadron next
lorning at sunrise, stopping off Cape
Henry 10 permit of an inspection of the |
lonitor Puritan. which was put through |
reat-gu practice for the purpose or |
fordng a comparison of her hydraulic
Irret mechanism with the electric sys-
I'm of the Brooklyn and the steam-gear
the other ships
In summing up the results OF his inspec-
on of the squadron. Mr. Roosevelt said:
phe trip has been in every way more
IAN satisfactory. The target practice | 1
lder service conditions. the fleet ma |
,ueyres. the practice with the searcn-
,hts in discovering and SINKING drhthig ,
rrets have each and all been done
way which reflects very high credit
ION the Admiral, his captains. and their C
icers and crews. The signalling. both
night and IN the uaytilhe, ihciuuihS a
q day signals with the japanese nre- O
,rks have been excellent. The rapidity a
d precision of the practice with the +
pid-fire guns. and the extraordinary ac- =
racv with which the huge turret-guns
ire fired were equally noteworthy. u
USE or PIGEONS.
There were several matters Of less i'm :,
Rance. like the successful use OF car -
r-njgeons. which also deserve comment.
short there is every reason TO be sat II
ed with every detail in the manage r
nt of the huge warships, from the con- OF
,g sowers to the engine-rooms and gun
.rets. This is the first time that such ID
,o,ladron of modern ironclads has ever ~
~ ,inoer command of an American ad- T.
raj; indeed. IT is the first time In peace ~
- an American admiral has ever COM &C
nded a squadron relatively so formid- al
. compared with the warships OF III
er Powers At last. we are beginning
nave navy ft TO uphold the interests be
our neople--a navy which. though 100 N
MI in size need fear comparison with
other as regards the quality OF its hl