The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-08
ROOSEVELT In THE NAVY.
His Vigorous Policy Bore Fruit in
the War.

Washington Correspondence New York
Mail and Express.
During the autumn of 1897 when the Cab
met officers were on their summer vaca-
tons. and Colonel Roosevelt was acting
secretary of the navy. the North Atlantic
squadron was on its annual practice cruise,
| Colonel Roosevelt determined to inspect the
ships and watch the maneuvers and the
target practice for himself. So he started
off on the Dolphin and joined Admiral
S1cards fleet. then in the southern drill
grounds, off the Chesapeake capes
Colonel Roosevelt was much pleased by
the drill of the vessels and the gunnery of
the sailors, but he was not satisfied that
enough gun practice was being done He
gave orders for increased target practice
and Tor days he kept the fleet busy One
day he decided to see exactly how the yes
| sells would act in case of actual warfare
and desiring to see Admiral Sicard, he sig
| nailed for the admiral to come on board
| the Dolphin. The commanding officer re-
| sponded promptly and the meeting took
| place in the cabin of the acting secretary's
ship. Colonel Roosevelt informed Admiral
Sicard that he was highly pleased by the
maneuvers and the gunnery of his sailors
But, he said, Il want you to order an
attack just as If battle was to take place.
l want you to try tonight, a torpedo at
| tack upon the Iowa. Do not let the cap
tain OF the vessel know which one is Sc
lected for the attack, but proceed exactly
| as if war were on. want to see how the
ships and the men would act if they were
called upon at any moment to enter into a
naval battle"
Admiral Sicard seemed to acquiesce in the
proposition, but hesitating, finally said:
|
| 2o2, prescribe that certain amount of am
munItlon snail be allowed each ship for tar
get practice and drill for each month"; am
sorry to say that / have almost exhausted
on each snip, the amount appropriated for
TINS month, and cannot disoDey the regu-
latlOns and carry out your DESIRES
| Coionel Roosevelt did not reply, but, turn.
| ing TO the captain of the Dolphin, said:
where is your stenographer?" The boy
was Iound, and Colonei Roosevelt. ordered
MN TO take out his book and take down
what he dictated
The colonel then dictated the following
addressing 1t to Admiral Sicard, commando
| ing the North Atlantic squadron:
| - Disregard naval regulation 252 until Dec
| 81, 1897, and proceed with target practice
| OF your fleet at your discretion" Alter the
| stenographer had written it out Colonel
| Roosevelt sat down and signed the ORDER
Iheodore Roosevelt, Acting Secretary Of
| the Navy
Handing this to Admiral sicard, he asked
him II that was authority enough. The adj
| miral smiled and replica: Certainly. Any
| orders Of the acting secretary of the navy
| will be obeyed.
| The admiral returned to his flagship and
| gave orders for action of his fleet as if a
| battle was to take place, and also ordered
| an attack OF the torpedo boat on the Iowa
| That night the ATTACK took place. The
| torpedo was launched against the Iowa. and
| IN an instant signals were flashed from the
New York TO the Iowa to look out for a
! torpedo attack. In less time than 1t takes
| to write 1t the Iowa signaled back that she
| was prepared. Immediately the entire fleet
| was one mass of light. guns were booming
| directed IN nv
| every vessel in the fleet, the rapid-fire guns
We're sending shells faster than they could
pc counted, and the object approached
the Iowa she doomed forth with her big
guns and one Of the shells struck the float
distance. 1t exploded with tremendous de-
tonatiol. and instantly a wild, hilarious
| snout OF exultation came from the sailors
| on every ship in the fleet at the grand
craftsmanship of the gunners on the Iowa.
thousands OF dollars worth of shot and
| shell as well as powder were used that
! night. but it was the first real action of war
| the JackieS had had.
The next night an attack was made on the
! New York, and the grand spectacle was re-
| peated. During the following days target
practice was resumed by the fleet. and for
| the first time the sailors had chance to
! use their guns again at objects at uncer-
| tain distance. IT was just this that our
men needed: Casks were thrown overheard
and other floating objects took the part of
| targets. The ships were Unanswered in
twos and fours, passing by floating targets
| and gun after gun was unloaded at them.
/ Thus the sailors had practice in ranging,
| sighting and firing at objects at undeter-
mined distance and in rapid motion Those
| who were fortunate enough to see this drill
and maneuver as ordered by Colonel Roose-
welt will never forget 1t. nor will the sailors
who participated in 1t. IL was just this
/ sort of practice that Colonel Roosevelt or
dered that made the sailors on these same
vessels so proficient in .gunnery and marks
mansbip at Santiago when Admiral Cervera
| and his fleet tried to escape.
| / do not know the exact amount OF
money IL cost for that practice, but Il was
| way up in the thousands, and Congress
I wanted to know something about it before
| ii ordered the bill paid. / remember the
| sequel TO Colonel Roosevelt's orders for
when the deficiency bill came before the ap-
preparations committee in the House. and
| the big items for ammunition were reached
| the naval officers were asked 10 explain It,
| They replied: ASK Assistant Secretary
| Roosevelt"
The assistant secretary OF the navy weus
| before the committee. and the members
| asked him what he had done with ali tha-
| ammunition
"How?'' asked tho committee
Target lracticc.' was ROosevelt's reply.
| Theu he explained now X was done. and the
| committee reported tho bill favorably, anu
finally nassed IT, Vow tho members of Con-
..res. in looking back over the great work
| ponded ana Colonel Roosevelts orders, not
| only 20 Admiral Sicard. bat to Admirais
| Dewey, Sampson and Schley 10 let their men
| have frequent target practice and real war
action. and do II wcll and often. were orders
| we'll made.
unr~EMH1.ussA.e..1s. zz-z1....---
To c1]nE a COLD N ONE DAY