The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-08-21
OUR TALkED-ABOUT NAVY.
Admiral Bunce Criticised and Defended
on Common cnse PrIncipies.


Admiral ounces latest and some
what disastrous cruise with the North
Atlantic squadron has stirred up a
great deal Of quiet but earnest crltl-
cism among naval officers stationed
here in Washington, says the Star or
that city. Some Of the admirals crit
les are incensed at what they consider
his foolhardiness and talk of the neces-
sity of court Of inquiry if not court
martial Their position is that Bunce
is trying to attract the attention or
the country by posing in the character
of rough old sea dog-to make II ap-
pear he is sort OF modern Jack Buns
by, 50 far as sea- going qualities 60
These critics maintain that it was lit
tie less than criminal for the com
mander 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 Tor the
rash movement. They point out that
this is the second time Admiral Bunce
has put to sea in the face Of storm
signals. In the first instance, which
Indiana Jared badly and one of her
junior officers lost leg in the unfortu-
nate result. IN the latest instance the
fleet Jared worse, both in the loss OF
men and damage to vessels. But the
hardy admiral is not without admirers
who justify his course in the face OF
these criticisms. One Of the latter
hn
ships for if not to go to sea at any and
all times? There has been no little
criticism INDUCED in of late from with
In and without the navy, both as to
the character of the modern vessels OF
our navy and the ability of their COM
manders. 1t has been intimated that
II was a serious question whether many
VI Cur SHIPS were SeaWOrJny III Jn3
fullest sense and a few unfortunate
mlshaps have furnished subjects for
CRITICISM or the sea-going accomplish
ments OF officers of rank. Admiral
Bunce has demonstrated that both crit
lclsms are unfounded. He has demon
strated the seaworthiness Of his feet
and the ability of his commanding Of
hcerS to successfully weather the Sc
verest gales. 1t is true the demon
station 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
with the sacrifice. Officers, men and
their countrymen will feel greater con-
hdence IN each other from the result
IL our navy was of such a character
that 1t was available only during the
calm of midsummer the peoDle who
pay for its maintenance would feel
that they had been making investments
In nautical gold bricks" Another mat
ter which the result of the cruise has
brought prominently forward is the
utlllty or the vessels of the monitor
type. The reports all indicate that the
Amphitrite weathered 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
di6prove the claim that the monitor
class is not available in a heavy sea-
way. When this claim is successfully
dlsproYed by a few more similar tests
they argue that it is only a question OF
time till the adoption of the monitor
type as the most desirable warship for
the defense Of our coast, as well as the
protection OF our flag on the high seas.
"hile their original cost and regular
maintenance are only about one-halt
OF mat OF the battleship type, such a.
me lnulana and her class, the smaIIe,
craft Is really most available for our
defenses. 1t is claimed that she can
not only go into our shallow harbors
where her consorts Of deeper draft dare
not venture. but can confidently face
storms from which the more formid
able type turns back in precaution.