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

| Every one is of the latest pattern, pos
itively seawortf1y and destined to prove
its efficacy in any and all Engagements.
So much cannot be said of the torpedo
| boats. They were built in $780, 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.
THE TORPEDO BOATS USE.
This is the nature of the individual mem
bers of the fleet Spain has sent to do her
bidding on this side Of the Atlantic. I.
is not at all likely that the vessels have
met with misfortune ON their journey.
The feet has been scuddllg along under
the protecting wing of two strong and
sturdy vessels, the armored cruiser City
of Cadiz and steamer converted into a
fighting ship. Before they reached the
still waters of a quiet hArbor nothing
was to be feared from them. A detach-
ment Of our American liners could have
met them in midocean, and, without the
slightest inconv enience, have sawed the
tiny ships in two. In even water, how
ever the advantage is theirs. Tt is their
province to sneak up to our big battle
ships under cover of darkness and to sting
ard sink the vessels which could with
safety meet them in deep water. BY
virtue of superior numbers the torpedo
boat destroyers are expected to harry
pnd wipe out of existence the torpedo
toats and torpedo-boat destrOyers upon
which we are forced to depend for the
defense of our battleships.
Spain is proud of the fleet she has dis
has confidence in the commanders who are
TO direct them against US when the emer-
gency arrives.
II is not too much to say that in a mod
ern naval battle these little death dealers
will prove to be the most effective instru-
ments Of war
While the conveys are most serviceablc
in the deep waters they become clumsy
and unmanageable Immediately they are
required to maneUver in close quarters.
The duty of the guardians is practically
performed when they have escorted the
smaller ships to the quiet harbor. While
there they must cmcent themselves to
act as supply boats, feeding the torpedo
craft with fuel and ammunition while at
the same time resisting attacks upCn
themselves by their guns and heavy ar
mored hulks.
CHANCES FOR A FIGHT.
It is believed by naval men that he
flotina would be an easy prey for any Of
the United States battlesh.ps tnae might
arrive at Porto Rico within day or two
after the little fleet reached that STAND, |
for the reasons given.
Should the Vizcaya and the Oquendo !
reach Porto Rico in advance of the United |
tSates vessels, the situation would be
very materially changed and a fight might
take place. Without the protection of
these two vessels, however, the fotiUa |
would be at the mercy of an enemy.
Once located in daylight. there would be !
no escaping from a harbor commanded |
by the heavy guns of rne United States /
war vessels. Any attempt to run out and !
give battle after the methoas Of tor |
pedo warfare would be bound 10 result !
disastrously unless the boats thus en- |
pIoyed should be in first-class condition !
and the weather conditions favorable. |
Night is the chosen time for a torpedo I
boat to show her effectiveness. and rough /
water has to be avoided except az the /
risk Of inaccuracy Of aim IN launching !
torpedoes. Taking it is probable that the /
flotiIa viii have to lie at Porto Rico /
for a few days before attempting t. cover
the remaining SEQ miles 10 Havana, and /
that the United States vessels viii have +
at least attempted to intercept the fleet. /
the danger is not regarded as so great as /
might be imagined.