New-York tribune., 1900-01-14
RESERVE TORPEDO BOATS.
THE NEW PLAN TO KEEP THE CRAFT IN
READINESS FOR INSTANT SERVICE.
THEY WILL BE HOUSED AND CAREFULLY PRE-
SERVED FROM DAMAGE AT STATIONS
ALONG THE COAST.


ALONG THE COAST.
Washington, Jan. 13-The Navy Department
in undertaking the solution of the problem Of
economically maintaining the large and grow
ing torpedo boat 9otila in constant readiness
for hOstiities has gone about the matter with
characteristic Yankee disregard for Old World
precedents. It has adopted the American sys-
TEN Of fire department readiness for emergency
calls. The scheme involves the erection of spe-
ciaI buildings ana mechanical contrivances at
convenient intervals along the seaboard al
which these small but powerful engines Of de-
struction may be kept from deterioration on
dry land, always in perfect condition. ready at
danger summons TO glide into the water and
set out for the scene of trouble, just 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 requirements for
which they are designed. their hull structures
are lightened until they become prone to rapid
deterioration. which must be guarded against
by continuous inspection and protection. Their
Indispensable speed necessitates the installation
Of machinery of tremendous power. which must
be kept in perfect tune the strings of
harp.
They were never intended to be improvised
dispatch bearers, after the manner of their
misuse in the with Spain, which happened
TO result in placing them under repairs and
therefore out Of action, 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 Of
enemy, and perfect condition is requisite TO
enable them to escape destruction in their most
hazardous Of missions. But it is the idea, if
sacrifice is needed for success that the pre-
ponderance of loss shall fail on the enemy For
this duty their cleanness of hull and smOOthness
of engine function must approach as nearly per
fectiOn is possible to their complicated
mechanism. and it has become a naval maxim
that care cannot be wasted on a torpedo boat.
In times Of peace, according to the highest
authorities, such craft are valueless except for
such occasional drills as may familiarize their
crews with their capabilities In war their
utility. if they are effectively operated may be
ircalculable. if not by practical achievements.
a least by their moral effect upon the fears Of
opponent. The naval administration has
aN akened to these fundamental principles of
torpedo craft utility since the last war, and in
stead of assigning them TO damaging duty, in
separabIa from use in peace, it VIII hereafter
keep a few Of them in commission for a short
time as they are completed. in order to deter
mine their limitations Of speed, manUuvrinS
and endurance while the great part of the fleet
service.
The first Of the new torpedo boat rendezvous
viii be located at the Boston Navy Yard. Con
gress having provided S1J0D0 for the purpose
AS soon as similar appropriations become avail
able rendezvous Of like character are TO be es-
tablished at Norfolk, Pensacola and San Fran
cisco. and eventually at intermediate points OF
Importance on the Atlantic and Pacific. In the
mean time the boats already completed viii be
cared for in the manner partly shown in the /
accompanying illustration, from a photograph
taken recently at the New-York Navy Yard, /
exhibiting seven boats hauled out on temporary |
ways preparatory to being covered over by /.
rough sheds and tarpaulins for the current
winter Heretofore recourse has been necessary /
10 the big dryiocks when torpedo boats have
had their hulls exposed for repairs and pro-
tective painting. which was not only ex
pensive matter. but contributed to aggravate |