Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1900-10-25
Admiral Reports on
the Mimic War

Washington, Oct. 1.-THE Navy De
partment has received Admiral Far.
quahar's report OF the recent maneuv.
ers of the North Atlantic squadron of
Newport, X. |. The Admiral comments
primarily on the zeal and enthusiasm
the mimic naval warfare awakened
among the officers and men. The ex.
ercises proper began on September "a
when the red squadron, consisting OF
the Kearsarge, Indiana, Texas, Scor-
pion and Eagle accompanied by six
torpedo boats, put to sea to effect a
blockade of Newport. The remaining
vessels, the New York, Massachusetts.
Leyden and Vicksburg, we're stationed
as defenders Of the harbor and consti-
tuted the Blue Squadron. The general
plan Of defense followed by the inside
squadron was to place 4 battleship on
each side of and just inside the mouth
Of the harbor, so as to be concealed
from incoming vessels. Here. with
decks cleared for action, batteries
trained forward and full steam up. the
New York and vicksbury lay in wait to
fire into and ram any venturesome
member of the Red Squadron. Picket
boats armed with rapid fire guns and
sharpshooters were provided with a
system OF signals to warn all hands of
the approach of the enemy and power
full searchlights at Fort Greble and
other points insured protection at
night. The general plan followed by
all vessels was not to turn on search
lights until the approach of torpedo
boat was reported by a picket boat.
The plan Of placing picket boats was
very successful and not a single tor
pedo boat got beyond them without be-
ing reported. With a sufficient number
of searchlights on shore 1t is doubtful
II vessels could be piloted at night into
a harbor which is at all difficult of en-
trance.
The bow wave and wake OF torpedo
boats was the first object that aided in
picking them up in the darkness.
I'm this connection" saws the Admir-
al Il would suggest the advisabllity of
the departments keeping as many tor
pedo boats or destroyers as practicable
with the squadron at all times to ac-
custom both officers and men with their
general characteristics. movements.
ETC., and in order to carry on exercises
with them in all the various ports
The Holland, unfortunately. in her
attack upon the Kearsarge the second
night did not reach her objective point
until after several torpedo boats had
arrived.
The second nights operations con-
sisted OF an attack upon the outside or
Red Squadron, by five torpedo boats
md the Holland. AS a rule the tor
Dedo boats were successful although
his would scarcely have been the case
with an efficient boat service.
Every condition OF battle was simu-
ated as nearly as was POSSIBLE. al
hough blank charges from the small
'apid-fire guns constituted all the fir
ng. While much was wanting. SAYS |
ADMIRAL Farquahar, both in time and
Material to carry out Tho maneuvers
IN a large scale, still number OF pro-
essional points were brought out |
which will be OF great value in the flu
ure. The value OF searchlights was
impressive, as was also the
work done by the Holland, OF which
'aptain Folger says in an additional
eport:
THE Holland type will play very
erious part in future naval warfare"