The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-11
New Plan to Hold Them
Available For Instant
Action.
WILL ALWAYS BE IN TRIM.
They viii Be Slowed Away in Naval Round
Houses at Stations Along the Coast,
and Carefully Preserved.

~HE navy department, I'm undertaking
the solution OF the problem OF eco
nomicaily maintaining the large and
growing torpedo boat fiotilia In con-
slant readiness for hostiliues. mas gone
about the matter with characteristics
Yankee disregard for old world prece-
dents. II has adopted the American sys-
tenn OF ere department readiness FOR
emergency calls The scheme involves
the erection Of special buildings and me-
ohanical eontrivances al convenient inter
walls along the seahdnrd ut which these
small but powerful engines of destruction
may be kept from deterioration on dry
land always ia perfect condition. ready
at "A dangerous summons TO glide into the
water and set out for the scene of trouble,
just as fire engine is started at the tap
OF a gong on its mission OF salvage.
Torpedo craft are particularly delicate
affairs To meet the extraordinary re-
uuirements for which they are designed,
their hull structures are lightened until
they become prone to rapid deterioration,
which must be sguaTdea Asstnst by con-
sinuons ,insps tan aaaa isrrtection. Their
Indispensable speed necessitates the In
stallation OF machinery Of tremendous
power, which must be kept IN perfect
tune as the strings Of harp.
They we're never intended to he impro-
vised as dispatch bearers. after the man
ner OF their misuse in the war With Spain.
them under repairs. and therefore out OF
actlon. when every engagement occurred.
As factors In the naval service they are
designed exclusively for a sharp, stealthy
dash upon the most powerful armored
units ~ an enemy, and perfect condition
II requisite 60 enable them 10 escape de-
rtruction IN their most hazardous Of mis-
sions But II IS the idea. II sacrifice is
needed for success, that the pfsponder-
ance of loss shall fail upon the enemy.
For this duty their cleanncss Of hull and
smo0thuess Of engine function must APP
preach as nearly perfection as n possible
20 their complicated mechanism. and u
has become naval maxim that care can
not be wasted on torpedo boat
In times % peace, according 20 the aiEh-
est authorities. stFch craft are valusiesA.
except for sarh occasional drills as may
famillarire their ereNs with their capaNu-
iiies Ia war their utility, it they are e.
fectlvely operated. may - incalcgiah.e, 4;
not Us practical achievements. az least by
their moral eject upon the fears 81 an o.,-
ponent The naval administration las
awakened 90 these fundamental principles
% torpedo craft utility since IRE last war.
and instead % assigning them % damaging
duty, iuseparsahle from use ia peace. f. wlll
hereafter keep a few Il them IN commission
f3- a short tine as they are completed. IN
order TO determine their limitations o,
speed. nooneuF eftnE ana enduring, while
ne great part ~ the feet VII Be held IN
reserve, prepared for instant service.
The frs; OF the new torpedo boat rcudeA-
voas viii =. located al the B1ston navy
yard. congress having provided $4,000 for
the purpose As soon rs similar appropria-
tions become available rendezvous 81 Ike
| character are % ne established az Nlrfolk
PensacoiS and san Francisco. snd eventual
ly AZ intermediate points OF Importance on
the Atlantic and Pacific. IN yhe mean time
the boats already completed VIII be cared