The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-04-07
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officers hero besieged the president ana
members of his cabinet, begging permits
sion to send Captain Schloy S fiyin squad
ron out after tho fiotilla. They were in
dignant when refused, and some bitter
words were spoken which were afterward
regretted. The feeling over this matter
was really intense.
In the public mind there appears to be q
good deal of misapprehension as to the
danger presented by the torpedo flotilla.
Many people imagine that SPANS little
squadron of ships could blow up the great
fleet which we have assembled at Key West
and the Tortugas They fear that If the
flotilla is ever permitted to come this side
of Puerto Rico Spain will be able to win
the first naval batJle. But level headed
naval officers tell me there is not SO much
danger from the mosquito fleet as has been
imagined.
Effectiveness of Torpedo Boats
In the first place, they say, torpedo boats
are effective only under favorable condi-
tions. They must have comparatively
smooth water If they are to be handled
advantageously. In a rolling or rough sea
they cannot discharge their torpedoes with
accuracy and are not likely to do much
harm. The torpedo boat Is essentially
smooth water craft. 1t is designed for &C
tive operations in harbors and roadsteads.
In Havana harbor or In New York bay or
Hampton Roads they would give good
account of themselves, but out upon the
high seas they are not formidable.
Again, they need the cover Of darkness.
In open daylight or even on bright moon
light nights they are of small value. In
order to discharge their torpedoes effect
lively they must get close to the ships OF
tho enemy and II darkness or fog does not
cover them they are In great danger OF be-
ing blown out Of water by the big guns OF
a cruiser or battleship. The range OF these
guns, with accuracy, too, Is much greater
than the distance at which torpedo can
be properly discharged. Therefore the ad-
vantage is all with the battleship or cruiser
as long as there Is light enough to enable
the Iookouts upon the latter to detect the
little craft at distance of two or three
miles.
1t is still believed by our naval experts
that in case Of necessity we shall be able
to destroy or capture the Spanish torpedo
notilla out upon the high seas. There the
little boats are at n disadvantage. In the
first place, they are not ready for offensive
operations. Their torpedo tubes are not
| likely to be I'm order, and even II they
were it is improbable they could be dis
| charged it'll effective accuracy. If at
tackled by cruisers, their only safety would
| be in flight. But here again they would
| be at n disadvantages. Though 1t Is true
| the modern first class torpedo boat has "a
speed of from 20 to 81 knots an hour,
| while the fast cruisers can make only 81
| and battleships from IA to III, the small
boats are not able to carry much coal.
| They have no room in their bunkers for
more than few hours supply,
Needless Excitement.
| II kept at the most economical speed,
say six or eight knots an hour, these boats
| can carry enough coal to run them cou
| pie of days. In crossing the ocean IL ID
necessary to have them accompanied by q
convoy ship, from which they can get new
supplies Of coal every day orso- II the