Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1897-08-21
The TORPEDO FLoTILLA

To be Commanded by Lieut.. W. W. KIM
ball-An Order from the Navy DEPART
ment Containing Instructions for the
Guidance of the Onicer In the Movements
and Management of His Little Fleet.
WASHINGTON, Aug. T.-Acting Secre-
tary Roosevelt yesterday issued the fol-
loving order to Lieut.. W. W. Kimball,
who will be the commander of the tor
pedo boat flotilla:
NAVY DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON, Aug. IA. 1897.
SIR: AS the designated commanding officer
of the fotilla of torpedo boats about to be or
ganized on the Atlantic coast, you will be
guided by the following instructions, and by
the information herein contained as to the in
tentions and wishes of the department:
o 1t is the intention OF the department that
the Atlantic iotila shall first consist OF six
boats. The Rodgers, Porter, Ericsson, Cush-
ing Foote AMI Dupont, and that these boats
shall be fittel out ready for cruising in fotilla
and rendezvous at New York by the first OF
October next.
3. As soon as the fotllla Is organized you
will move south along the coast, looking in at
such ports as may be designated BY the de-
partmant, or may be selected by yourself for
visit. and will work around into the Gulf of
|
You will be ready to ascend the Mississippi
above New Orleans, on good stage OF water,
as early as possible in March or April, 1893, and
without undue delay, and upon leaving the
Mississippi river proceed TO Hampton RoaiS,
Va.
5. Within the above limits Of time and place,
you are given discretion as to the employment
of the fotila and will be strictly responsible
for the value of the results OF the cruise.
g. You are informed that the cruise OF the
fotilla, as outlined above, is considered neces-
sary in order to determine, or to aid In deter
mining, the practical valu. Of torpedo boats in
| extended operations along our coasts; the
types OF torpedo boats best fitted for the needs
Of this country; the most effective way to work
different types OF boats together; the quickest
way to make the personnel effective and the
value Of torpedo boat service for training in
plotting and scouting
Z 10 accomplish these results, you will use
due diligence in drilling the fiotlla in such for
nations as service conditions would require;
| in maintaining the individual boats in the best
| possible state Of efficiency; in maintaining
| among men and officers lively interest in
| their work. in devising and carrying out such
| maneuverS as will best demonstrate prob
lematc matters upon which information is
needed, and in keeping the department fully
|
yers and exercises of the fotilla, with the rca-
sons for and the results Of them, upon both
men and material.
Lieut.. Kimball, besides being in ac-
tive command of the fotilla, will also
be in command of the Rogers, which
is not yet in commission. The Dupont
is not yet in commission, but it is be.
lieved that Lieut.. Wood will command
her. To each of the commanders Of
the Ericsson, Porter, Cushing and
Foote, Secretary Roosevelt has issued
an order directing that each boat be
gotten ready for cruising in hotilla,
and from now until joining the tlotila
to devote as much time as possible to
exercising and training their respec'
tive commands in maneuverng the
vessel and toDedO nractice