The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-22
rrhird-CoaI endurance.

Third-Coal endurance
Observation-Disclosures
Fifth-size including Availability and
suitability.
six,h-Armament, including torpedoes
and guns.
mountaineering
The greatest advantage Of speed Is that
1t permits the boat to pass over in the
shortest time. and therefore With the grea-
er safey. the space between the point
where she first comes within effective
range Of the rapid firing guns of the at
tackled vessel and the point where she
can deliver her blow, and also because
she can retire beyond this dangerous
space in the shortest time This danger
space extends over some 90 oto 700 yards
i. e., from LOO yards distant from the ship
TO be attacked to 50 Oyards from the ship
where the torpedo must be launched to
be most effective
THE PORTER IN ACTION.
If the Porter were running at the rate OF
twentyfour knots 1t would take her GO
seconds to go over 80 Oyards of danger
space; SIS seconds to go over 700 yards,
and 81 seconds TO travel 500 yards.
Now 1llON44IS ti4D 1 S1tC VI - AA~A-A 49,
rapid fire and machine guns of warshp
to be 100 shots per minute. the Porter
would be exposed while passing over these
distances at twenty-four knots speed 10
the following number OF shots: Over the
900 yards danger space to 1,102 shots. over
700 yards TO $50 shots, and over 500 yards
to 61S shots.
As matter of fact, all these shots would
not hit the boat, but if we make an al
lowance of say 3 per cent doing so, it
will be found that while travelling over the
spaces the Porter would be struck in go
ing over 900 yards IS times, over 200 yards,
p times, and in going over 500 yards Is
times
However, the value of torpedo boats in
war time will be felt in two distinct ways
actively and potentially; actively in dam
age done TO men-of-war and merchant
vessels; potentially by their reputation
and menace. governing and checking dis
positions and plans and exercising an
unending nightly strain on the officers and
men Of the opposing fleet.
The ordinary range of torpedo boat
work is limited to the distance that can
be steamed during the hours Of darkness
to and from protected limits.
The effective distance for extraordinary
work depends on the nature OF the base.
From a short base. for an attack on
harbor, the distance IS the full speed of
the boat during the hours Of darkness to
the harbors. With a protecting cruiser as
escort the distance is the coal endurance
at the desired speed. For a blockade the
time of blockade is the coal capacity at
economical speed. les stwice the coal con-
sumption to and from the base.
In conclusion. the method Of attack by
a torpedo boat shuld be cnsdered
There are two ways, one is 70 steam up
to about 60 0yards bows on. stop. fire and
then back straight out. The other is 20
steam up. turn around. firing from the
deck tubes while turning and steam back
a fullest speed. By the first plan the boat
is under fire longer. for her backing speed
is considerably less than her going ahead
speed. The advantage is that the least
surfact OF the boat is offered as a target
TO the enemy.
IN the second case the objection is that
while turning the entire side OF the boat
is at the mercy Of the enemy's guns, and
the boats stern. with steering gear. etc,
is exposed TO damage while running away.
The advantages in this last method rests
in the opportunity Of firing the after tor
pedo tubes and IN the shorter time the
boat is under fire in he danger space.
These points, OF such vital importance,
have never been practically tested, and
until they have been settled the positive
value Of me torpedo boat and her weapon.
the torpedo. must rest or theoretical con-
illusions.