The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-03
DESCRIPTION OF THE FLEET.
A Deadly FlOtilla Whose Where
nhouts Is Not Definitely Known.

NEW YORK, April 2-The mysterious
movements of SPANS torepdo fotilla are
characteristic of the dread messengers of
war Ever since the fleet has set out from
Cadiz there has been feeling of uncer-
tainty as to it's whereabouts and destina-
ton. 1t has been scudding through the
waters of the Atlantic to a destination that
is absolutely known only to the Spanish
authorities. 1t was reported recently that
the fotlla consisted of only six boats and
collier, but this story may have had
Spanish origin. When the start was made
from Cadiz it announced the fleet COM
prised thirteen torpedo boats and torpedo
boat destroyers with two transports. This
would constitute one of the most deadly
collections of war vessels now afoat. While
in midocean they are harmless, but their
awful destructiveness is realized once they
reach still waters There their speed Ca
pacity is increased and they are enabled
to dart back and forth like the fy-by-
nights that they are.
The names they bear are exceedingly
well applied. In the first division, which
set out from Cadiz the night of March Is
under the guardianship of the City of Ca
az, are the Terror, the Furor and the
Fulton, frst-class torpedo boat destroyers,
and the frst-class torpedo boats Azor.
49, UAAO AAlSlt. these were followed
three days later by the second division.
winch LETT the Bay of Cad1z the night OF
M &c th ~; ON On the same day the command
from the Canaries fer Havana until further
notice.
=. The latest information of the relative posi-
IONS OF the little ships was cabIed from
Cadlz the night the fleet set out. That was
Wnen the hrSt division left the harbor If
Mas MAS DUSK DUSK when the convoy steamed out.
Inc three torpedo boat destroyers were
close by her SIDE to larboard while the tor
peoo vessels Were smuggling up to her star
board side. The boats of the second division
must have taken position relatiyeIv the
same until they joined the FIRST division
AT the Canaries rev days after March IL.
Marcn "a the entire fleet set out from the
Canaries for their journey to the west, pre-
sumably to Porto Rico. From the nature
OF thelr construction the fleet is compelled
70 repienlsh Its coal supply every few hours
so that its rate of speed, which is Calculated
10 be something like thirty knots an hour
is materially, lessened in the average dis
lance they can cover in prescribed time
In the nigh seas this rate is far under the
average attributed to them, and under the
most favorable conditions the feet was
not expected to cover the distance Of 640
mics between the Canaries and Porto REQ
IA less than ten or twelve days at the best.
Inc difference between the torpedo boats
ana the torpedo boat destroyers is marked
both by their varying equipment and the
uses Tor which they are intended. The tor
pedo beats are light, swift-sailing vessels
Tor projecting or placing torpedoes They
are unarmored ard carry guns The de-
S.AOySiS, WIlle equally llgnt and speedy and
also unarmored, are armed with rapid-ire
guns. In their construction everything is
sacrificed to speed. The mission of the de-
StroyerS is to prevent the torpedo boats
Oh an enemy from approaching or iniuring
battle ships. BY quick movements and by
rapid dashes on torpedo boats together with
the use of rapid-tire guns, they are calcu-
lated to be of great service to fleets of
heavier battle ships.
In the Spanish hotilla the Juror and the
Terror are sisters. They are built with steel
bulls, twin screws, displacement go tons
and with capacity of one hundred tons.
Each carries two fOurteen-pounder quick
f1re rifles, two six-pounder rifles, two one
FOUNDER Maxim machines and two fourteen
inch torpedo tubes These two vessels, as
Well as the Pluton, are manned by seventy
two men and four officers, all under the
command of q lieutenant The Rage Azor
tons, having on board twenty-six men and
two officers each. The Pluton is a sister
of the Audaz, Osada and Prosperina. The
latter two are supposed to be in the second
division that left Cadiz, while the former
is the vessel that is laid up for repairs at
an Irish port having suffered an injury
to her PROV either in a storm or a collision.
These ships are guaranteed a speed of thir-
ty knots an hour, with an armament similar
of the torpedo boat destroyers have been
built by Spain within the last two years,
when to the Spaniards the Cuban difficult
ties demanded all of their attention. Every
one is of the latest pattern, positively sea-
worthy and destined to prove its efficacy in
any and all engagements.
boats. They were built in 1880 and have
suffered from time. They are not so speedy
as is claimed, although capable OF giving a
good account of themselves when called
upon.
This is the nature of the individual men,
beers of the fleet Spain has sent to do her
bidding on this side of the Atlantic. 1t is not
at al likely that the vessels have met with
misfortune on their journey. The fleet has
te.a scudding along under the protecting
wing of two strong and sturdy vessels, the
armored cruiser City of Cadiz and a steamer
converted into a fighting ship. Before they
reached the still waters of a quiet harbor
nothing was to be feared from them. A de-
tiAchment of our American liners could have
met them in midocean, and, without the
slightest inconvenience, have sawed the tiny
ships in two. In even water, however, the
sneak up to our big battle ships under cover
of darkness and to sting and sink the yes-
sells which could with safety meet them in
the torpedo boat destroyers are expected to
harry and wipe out of existence the torpedo
boats and torpedo-boat destroyers upon
Tense of our battle ships.
Spain is proud of the fleet she has dis
patched in advance of other vessels. She has
confidence in the commanders who are to
direct them against US when the emergency
arrives.
ern naval battle these little death dealers
will prove to be the most effective inStru-
ments of war. The fleet has made its way
to what may have been the intended des-
tination presumably without mishap That
part of the expedition. most fraught with
danger has been completed. The ammuni-
ton, the guns, the forpedoes, the armor
and the men on board are supposed to be
in the best of condition. Whether they will
be able to fulfill the mission of destruction
upon which they have doubtless been dis
patched remains for the Spaniards to dem
onstrate when the time comes for the first
engagement, if there is TO be first.
While the conveys are most serviceable
in the deep waters they become clumsy
and unmanageabl BILE Immediately they are re-
n
duty of the guardians is practically per-
formed when they have escorted the SMALL
err ships to the quiet harbor. While there
they must content themselves to act as
supply boats, feeding the torpedo craft with
fuel and ammunition while at the same
time resisting attacks upon themselves by
their guns and heavy arEored huiks
SpAIN,s NAVAr ruH.HlsTu