Evening journal., 1897-09-10
THE AMERICAN NAVY
3ood Maneuvering by the North
Atlantic Squadron.
ROOSEVELT REVIEWS BATTLESHIPS.
The Assistant Secretary Very FavOrabIy
Impressed by the Efficiency and
High Quality of Our Float
ing Fortresses.

Il Fortress Monroe. Va. Sept. 10.-The
q Dolphin has returned to Hampton Roads
with Assistant Secretary Roosevelt, who
has Just completed an inspection of the
north Atlantic squadron at sea and
while under full fleet maneuvers. This
IS the first inspection made in recent
years under such conditions and the
results were highly satisfactory. I'm
der the eye of the assistant secretary an
Extensive programme of exercises was
successfully executed in limited period
of time.
The Dolphin reached the southern
drill grounds Tuesday forenoon, join
ing the squadron while the ships were |
at subcaliber practice. This was sus-
pended by Admiral Sicard upon his |
learning Of Mr.. Roosevelt's desire to |
witness heavy gun practice. and the |
battleship Iowa was designated to fire |
her batteries in the presence of the as
sistant secretary, who was taken aboard |
for the purpose The practice was eN-
cellent, and from the big 12-inch 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
and down the firing line. making good
practice at the distant target In the
evening the flagship New York repelled
aa imaginary attack by torpedo boats,
using searchlights and her secondary
battery with great effect. Following
came a searchlight drill by the entire
squadron, making a most beautiful ana
unique marine spectacle. Night sig
mailing with the ATdois system Of color
ed electric lights closed the days work,
and the squadron passed the night at
anchor on the drill grounds 80 miles
east Of the Virginia capes.
Wednesdays programme included
squadron maneuvers. The ships got
under way early. on signal from the
New York, forming in column and pass
ing in review to and fro before the Dol
phin. which remained at anchor. The
beginning Of the exercises was preceded
+ by the release of flock of ten carrier
pigeons bearing messages to the Nor
folk navy yard. The squadron made
magnificent show as It came past the
Dolphin, with the great battleship
clearing the long swells with resist
less power and showing the big guns
and men at quarters on the side. Sim
gle column double column, formation
on echelOn, wheels to right and left and
many other combination movements
were attempted with splendid precision.
and the manner in which the seven big
itonclads maintained their positions in
limo while under cruising speed, going
through these complicated movements,
4 earned the unstinted praise Of the as
sistant secretary. A novel feature Of
the days maneuvers was the use for
the first time ia any navy of japanese
he a- of GiH-
mailing, a system which is being devel-
oped to meet the emergency that might
follow the loss in action Of the signal
mast OF the hiding of a ship by smoke.
Mr.. Roosevelt Entertains Onleers.
In the afternoon the commanding otfi-
GERS OF the squadron were entertained
At tea by Mr.. Roosevelt on the Dol
phin. and the gathering of seven Of the
ablest officers OF the navy aboard ship
at sea afforded an opportunity for an
exchange Of valuable professional views
as to the qualities Of the ships they
command. In the evening Admiral ST.
card entertained Mr.. Roosevelt at din
ner aboard the flagship. and Wednesday
closed with another display of night
signaling and searchllght work. The
Dolphin left the squadron next morn
ing at sunrise, stopping off Cape Henry
to permit OF an inspection Of the moni-
tor Puritan, which was put through
great gun practice for the purpose OF
affording a comparison of her hydraulic
turret mechanism with the electric sys-
TEN of the Brooklyn and the steam gear
of the other ships.
In summing up the results Of his in
spection OF the squadron Mr.. Roosevelt
said:
THE trip has been in every way more
than satisfactory. The target practice
under service conditions the fleet ma
neuvers and the practice with the
searuhlights at night in discovering and
sinking drifting targets have each and
all been done in a way which reflects
very high credit upon the admiral, hi
captains and their officers and crews
The signaling beth at night and in thu
daytime, including the day signals will
the Japanese fireworks, has been ex
cellent. The rapidity and precision o
the practice with the rapid fire guns AM
the extraordinary accuracy with whicl
the huge turret guns were fired wer
equally noteworthy. There were sew
eral matters of less Importance, like tn
successful use of carrier pigeons, whlcl
also deserved comment In short, ther
Is reason to be satisfied with ever.
detail Of the management of the hug
warships, from the coming towers t
the engine rooms and gun turrets. Thi
Is the first time that such a squadroi
of modern ironclads as ever been un
der command OF an American admira
Indeed. it is the first time in peace tina
an American admiral has ever com
manded a squadron relatively so forml
dable. compared with the warships q
other powers. At lastwea are beginning
have a navy fit to uphold the interest
of our people, a navy which, thong
too small in SIZE need fear compariso
with no other as regards the quality G
its ships and men,"