The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-09-06

caused students to hesitate about draw
ing many interferences from 1t. 1t Is true
we have only emphasized the Yalu lessons
in many respects, but l think we can go
ahead with the two together one check
ing the other, to say positively that we
have learned something.
To go back a bit, the ineffectiveness OF
a fleet against land batteries is demon
strated, 1 think, by our bombardment OF
San Juan and Santiago. We failed to re-
duce their works. We silenced them all
right enough. As we gained in skill we
were able to drive the gunners away very
quickly. But their silence was only tenn
proray, even when the batteries were
weak and the conditions all favorable to
our ships; when our guns numbered
twenty to one.
Everybody knows by this time that the
batteries guarding Santiago harbor are
on the bluffs, some of them 200 feet above
the water line. This unquestionably
makes them harder to hit, but 1t like
wise increases the difficulty of their aim.
We found out the difference in the latter
respect when the same gunners (probably
came out in the ships. The first broad
side from Cervera's squadron was much
batteries. and this despite the fact that
the range during the bombardment was
often less than at the opening OF the sea
fight, when the Spaniards fired so well
The ability of a watchful and efficient
fleet to ward off hostile torpedo boats has
been fully brought out. Here we have
remained for months blockading port
i'm which there were always two torpedo
in as a mile off the entrance. And several
attempts We're made by the destroyers to
attack us. None of them got out without
being seen and always they We're driven
back. Our readiness was the thing. In
South American wars torpedo attacks
have been successful several times and
swift and powerful as the Spanish de-
stroyers Furor and Pluton. 1t Is safe to
say that we have shown that If "A man
of-war Is ready at all times to open up
instantly an efficient rapid fire that ship
has little or nothing to fear from torpedo
boats.
With the rapid-fire guns a modern vessel
can throw a storm of shell into an enemy.
A torpedo boat, with her paper sides,
might as well sink herself before starting.
so certain is she of destruction. There
must be swarms of these boats to have
any prospect OF success against a modern
ship of any size, even when the circum-
stances are most favorable for the attack.
Searchlight tactics were well brought out
that they can do. Without the search
lights our fleet could not have kept the
Spaniards penned up. Illuminating as we
did. night after night, the entrance OF the
harbor by swinging the light slowly from
side to side over all the water, nothing
could have escaped unseen by the picket
boats. Then. too, the light was of great
service In indicating to the crews man
ming the guns just where to direct the
fire. Since II was an invariable rule never
to throw the beam of a searchlight on
one OF our own vessels, there could be no
doubt left In the mind of the gun pointer
as to the hostile character OF the APP
preaching vessel. 1t eliminated all the
delay and liability of error to which any
verbal orders are so liable.
The necessity of secondary fleet, as 1t
might be called was also shown The
number OF important and hazardous mis-
sions was so great for these smaller YES
sells that they were more constantly on
the go than the proverbial fashion hut
terfy IN the height OF the season. The
work OF these despatch boats was most
eNhaustins, and care should be taken that
they be given great credit for their eff
cleht ana valuable services, Indeed, these
smaller craft are noted for the lack of
space aboard for "idlers"
IL N obvious, OF course that "A large sup
ply Meet Is Indispensable. ship can't
run without fuel, and In war times the
hoilers seem 10 eat up coal Nor can a
crew, no matter how brave, fight as well
hungry as they can on full stomach
so let There be ,plenty OF supply ships
our repair ship Vulcan was an indispen.
sable adjunct, and so, OF course Was the
ammunition supply ship, After each en-,
pagement every shin, no matter how lit,
tie she used, brought her Ammunition
supply up 20 the limit. The hospital shiI
has To q fleet not only the Obvious uss
'hat makes u necessity; Il gets out OF