The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1897-08-17
TO KEEP A WATCH On SPAIN
A FIOtiIIa of Torpedo Boats TO
Go TO Southern Waters.
ORDER ISSUED BIZ ROOSEVELT
Under the Command of LieHt. KIM
hall the Flotilla, Consisting OF
Six Vessels, VIII Leave New York
About Get. i and Proceed Down
the Coast 60 the Gulf.

An ORDER was issued by Acting Secretary
Roosevelt Yesterday that seems 10 have
for ole OF its objects plan for keeping
SIX torpedo boats in close touch with
Cuba. These vessels are TO sail from
New York about October L aud make their
way 10 the Gulf OF Mexico and ultimately
20 Galveston, where they will remain Until
spring.
L. is expected that about October /
President McKinley's instructions 10 Min
inter wopdford viii be by him presented
10 the Spanish government, and If they
should bring forth an angry retort ON the
part OF Spain. the six torpedo boats,
thoroughly armed and equipped, and
almost in Cg5an waters, might have
decided effect an quieting the Spanish ire
Acting Secretary Roosevelt does Z OF
altee such reasons for dispasching the
flot ia, bUt Others in the department, when
spoken TO, look wise and say: Just walt
a While and see for yourself" The orders
are sent 20 Lieut. w W Kimbali, who
is 20 command the fIotilia, and read as
lows:
sir As the designated commanding
officer OF the rlotina of .iorpeco hoats
about 20 be Organized on the Atlantic
Coast. you viii I've guided by the following
Instructions, and 10y the information herein
contained az to the intentions and wishes
OF the department:
1T il the intention of the department
that the Atlantic flotiIla shall at first
consist OF six boats, viz, the Rodgers,
Porter, Ericsson, Gushing, Foote and Du
pont, and that these boats shall be fitted
out ready for cruising in flotiIla and
-endezvoused at New York by the LIST OF
October next.
As soon as the rctilla is organized
you viii move soutb along the coast, look
ing "a At such ports as may be designated
by the department. or may be selected by
yourself fo- visit, and viii work around into
the Gulf OF Mexico and se far vest as
Galveston, Tex.
- You will be ready to ascend the Missis-
sjppi above New Orleans, on good stage
OF wafer, as early as possible in March
or April, 1898, and without undue delay,
and upon leaving the Mississippi River
proceed to Hampton Roads, Va.
within the above limits OF time and
place, you are given full discretion Us
to the employment of the flotila and viii
be held strictly responsible for the value
OF the results OF the cruise.
You are informed that the cruise of
the flotilla, as outlined above is consid.
cred necessary, in order 10 determine, OF
TO aid In determining, the practical value
OF torpedo. boats in extended operations
olong our coasts: the types of torpedo
boats best fitted for the needs OF this
country; the most effective way to work
diff erent types OF boats toEet her; the
quickest way TO make the personnel ef
fectivc. ana the value Of torpedo hoat ser
vice for training in plotting and scout
Ing.
TO accomplish these results, you will
use dGe diligence in drilling the fIotiIla
In such formations as service conditions
would require; in keeping the individual
boats in the best possible state OF efficiency;
in maintaining among men and officers a
lively interest in their work; in devising and
carrying out such maneuvers as viii best
demonstrate probiematic matters upon
which information Is needed: and in keep
ing the department fully Informed as to
all movements, drills, maneuvers and ex
ercIses of the flOtllls, with the reasons for
and the results OF them upon both men and
material"
To the commanding officer of the Cush
ing thefolowing was sent by Acting Secre-
tary Roosevelt:
sir In order that the torpedo boat
Gushing, under You command, may be
gotten ready for cruising in fotilIa you
are directed that from this date until join-
ing the flotilla, probably some time III
October, TO devote as much time as possible
to exercising and training your command in
first the maHeuverng the vessel ana second
in torpedo practice
Similar orders were also sent to the com
manders Of the Ericsson, Porter and Foote.
which are in commission. The Rodgers ana
Dupont viii soon go into commission, and
the former win be commanded by Lieut..
Kimban. Lieut.. Spencer Wood VIII com
msnd the Dupont.