The gold leaf., 1898-05-05
(The Province Journal.)

Than a Man of War.
CThe Province Journal.)
Now, more than ever before, the
question presents itself to the Ameri-
can mind, "What positions in a great
war offer the greatest dangers?"
True it would be cowardly to select
branch Of the service or function
in battle such as would guarantee
immunity, yet it is important to
know what men must be selected to
hold those important posts which ap-
pear to promise certain death.
The most dangerous positions in a
naval battle will probly be those oc-
cupied by the gunners occupying the
circular galleries arranged upon the
military masts. Their function will
be to man rapidtire guns pouring
hailstorms of bullets upon the decks
and ports Of hostile ships with sutfi-
cient severity to make the handling of
their largest guns impossible. 1t
vii therefore be the first duty of a
great warship to raze to the decks
the military masts of its adversaries.
1t is not expected that any ship will
come out Of a hot engagement with
military masts standing. One we'll
directed shot would be sufficient to
trim off each mast. The great tower
of steel would fall with a crash, the
gunners Of the superstructures DIVING
deaths OF agony worse than any pro-
jectile could intlict. The battleship
Indiana has twenty rapid-iire guns
mounted in these armored galleries.
The decks being cleared for action,
their gunners will mount their lad
ders with almost certain death star
ing them in the face-a glorious mar
tyrdom, but one disagreeable to
anticipate. They will have but one
duty before them-to kill as many
of the enemy as they possibly can
before the trembling of the great
mass beneath them announces their
summons to another world.
Torpedo boats are in greater dan
ger OF destruction than any craft on
the sea, and their crews will embark
in open battle almost certain of death.
During night attacks there will be
less danger than in the day, but
during all of their hostile movements
their only hope will be the avoid
ance of the rapid-iring guns of
the battleships selected as their
prey, and such a hope will be at all
events forlong. A tiny torpedo boat
may wipe a tive-million-dollar war
ship off the sea and send 500 men to
the bottom. but the likelihood that
any one on board the former will
live to brag of the destruction is
very scant. In day attacks flotillas
OF torpedo boats will distribute them
selves and hide behind the great |
hulls Of the giant warriors as the
young chicks hover beneath the |
wings of the mother hen. TO make |
Il bold dart beneath the sun would |
be done at a sacrifice, and every one
on board would expect death. Their
most valuable work, of course, will
be done at night. With all lights
out or below deck, with noiseless
with smokeless fuel and
with bodies painted the color of the
sea, they will venture closer and
closer to their giant prey, continu-
ing to launch automobiles until as
sured that at least one has taken
effect. The giant searchlights of
the adversaries would discover one
IF these little sneaks mile away.
should she be discovered at this dis
lance she would have about a minute
and a half to do her deadly work;
within that space of time she would
De in sure reach of a rapid-tirer, and
4 1-pOunder could send her to the
bottom. With the knowledge that
she was wounded and done for, she
would probably continue under a
'ainstorm of projectiles, hoping to
'emain above water until assured
hat her adversary would follow her
o destruction. 1t is estimated that
rom go to 80 per cent. of the torpedo
,oats attacking cruisers and battle
'hips in the next great naval war
will 90 to the bottom.
The great ram katahdin has been
compared to bee, for it is said that
he will Immediately lose her own
ife after inserting her sting. She
las been the subject or more adverse
Comment, doubtless. than has been
lurled against any other ship in the
navy. and many officers prophesy
hat she will surely 90 down with
Ter prey. This is expected to occur
fter inserting her ram, or of mash
ne her own bow. Furthermore. she
ould readily be torpedoed by her
.dversary within distance of 600
ards. After one bold stroke her
areer would probably be ended, and
IL board would 90 to the bottom.
The full complement. except the cap
ain. would be sheltered inside
Turing an assault. and there would
re little chance of escape. They .
would have less to do in fight than
ny crew in our navy. yet they |
would be faced with the most ter
ible death which might be pictured {
n the imagination, imprisoned as
hev would be beneath the surface of
he water. The katahdin has prac-
icallv no defense whatever, only {
our little 6-pounders of the rapid
re type. effective only again st ]
orpedo boats.
In actual battle the crew of the =
ynamite cruiser Nesuvius would {
mbark on their hostile errand with
lany chances to one against safe
eturn. She carries an enormous {
upply of dynamite, and a Spanish {
'rojectile correctly aimed would eX- |
lode this, leaving no trace of the {
eSsel or its crew above water. She ,
,; hu,l droalf,,l