The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-09-10
AFTER BATTLE THEY ALL TAKE
TEA ON THE DOLPHIN.
FOLLOWED BY DINNER WITH ADMIRAL
After Dinner Mr.. Roosevelt Summed Up Re-
sulis as More Than Satisfactory from the
Coming Towers to the Engine Rooms
and the Gun Turess.


Roads with Assistant Secretary Roose-
velt who has just completed an inspec-
ton of the North Atlantic squadron at
sea while under full fleet manoeuvers.
This is the first inspection made in re-
cent years under such conditions and the
results were highly satisfactory. Under
the eye of the assistant secretary an ex-
tensive program of exercises was sue
oessfully executed in a limited period of
time.
The Dolphin reached the southern drill
grounds Tuesday forenoon, joining the
squadron while the ships were at sub
calibre practice. This was suspended by
Admiral Sicard upon his learning of Mr..
Ro< sevelts desire to witness heavy gun
practice and the battleship Iowa was des-
ignated to fire her batteries in the pres
ence of the assistant secretary, who was
taken aboard for the purpose. The prac-
tice was excellent, and from the big 12-
inch machine guns the battery worked
without serious hitch and splendid tar
gets were made. The crack armoreu
cruiser Brooklyn was next put through
her PAGES and ran up and down the fir
ing line, making good practice at the dis
tant target. In the evening the flagship
New York repelled an imaginary attack
by torpedo boats, using her search lights
and her secondary battery with great eff
feet. Following came n search light drill
by the entire squadron, making a most
beautiful and unique marine spectacle.
Night signalling with the ArdoiS system
of colored lights closed the days work
and the squadron passed the night at
anchor on the drill grounds, thirty miles
east of the Virginia capes.
Wednesdays program included squa
dron manoeuvers. The ships got under
way early, on signal from the New
York, forming in column and passing in
review to and fro before the Dolphin,
which remained at anchor. The begin
ming of the exercises was preceded by the
release of flock of ten carrier pigeons
bearing messages to the Norfolk navy
yard. The squadron made magnificent
show as it came past the Dolphin, with
the great battle ships clearing the long
swells with resiStless power and showing
the big guns and men at quarters on the
side. Single column, double column, for
nation en- echelon, wheels to right and
left and many other combination move
ments were attempted with splendid pre-
cision, and the manner in which the
seven big iron-clads maintained their po
sitions in line while under cruising speed
going through these complicated move
ments, earned the unstinted praise of the
assistant secretary. A novel feature of
the days manoeuvers was the use for the
first time in any navy Of Japanese day
light fireworks as a means of signalling,
a system which is being developed to
meet the emergency that might follow
the loss in action of the signal mast
or the hiding of ship by smoke.
In the afternoon the commanding Of
ficers of the squadron were entertained
at tea by Mr.. Roosevelt ON the Dolphin
and the gathering of seven of the ablest
officers of the Navy aboard ship at sea
afforded an opportunity for am exchange
Of valuable professional views as to the
qualities Of the ships they command.
In the evening Admiral Sicard enter
tanned Mr.. Roosevelt at dinner aboard
the flagship and Wednesday closed with
another display of night signalling and
search light work. The Dolphin left the
squadron next morning at sunrise stop
ping off Cape Henry to permit of an in
spection of the monitor Puritan, which
was put through great gun practice for
the purpose of affording a comparison of
her hydraulic turret mechanism with the
electric system of the Brooklyn and the
steam gear of the other ships.
In summing up the results of his inspec-
tion of the squadron Mr. Roosevelt said:
"The trip has been in every way more
than satisfactory. The target practice
under service conditions, the fleet man
ouevres, the practice with the search
light at night in discovering and sinking
drifting targets, have each and all been
done in way which reflects very high
credit upon the admiral, his captains
and their officers, and crews. The sig
Mailing both at night and in the day
time including the day signals with the
Japanese fire works has been excellent.
The rapidity and precision of the prac-
tice with the rapid fire guns and the ex-
traordinary accuracy with which the |
huge turret guns were fired were equally |
noteworthy. There were several mat |
ters of less Importance like the success
full use of carrier pigeons, which also |
deserved comment. In short there is ev-
cry reaon to be satisfied with every de- |
tail of the management of the huge 1Cr |
ships from the coming towers to the |
engine rooms and gun turrets. This is |
the FIRST time that such squadron of
modern irohclads has ever been under
command of an American admiral, IN
deed it is the first time in peace that |
an American admiral has ever command |