The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-15
RESERVE TORPEDO BOATS
The Plan to Keep the Craft Ready
for Instant Service.
The Vessels TO he Housed and Care
fully Preserved From Damage mt
stations Along the Coast - To BE
Always Prepared for UneN-
pcctcd Emergency summons.

The Navy Department, in undertaking
the solution of the problem Of economi-
cally maintaining the large and growing
torpedo boat fiotilla in constant readiness
for hostilities has gone about the matter
with characteristic Yankee disregard for
Old World precedents. 1t has adopted the
American system of FIRE department readi-
ness for emergency calls.
The scheme involves the erection of spe-
cial buildings and mechanical contrivances
at convenient intervals along the seaboard,
at which these small but powerful engines
of destruction may be kept from deteriO
ration on dry land, always in perfect con
dition, ready al danger summons TO glide
into the water and set out for the scene
OF trouble, just as a fire engine is started
at the tap of gong on its mission of
salvage.
Torpedo craft are particularly delicate
affairs. To meet the extraordinary re-
uurements for which they are designed.
their hun structures are lightenec until
they become prone to rapid deterioration.
which must be guarded against by con
tinuous inspection and protection. Their
indispensable speed necessitates the in
power which must he kept in as perfect
tune as the strings of harp.
They we're never intended to be impro
vised as despatch bearers after the man
ner of their misuse In the war 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 de-
signed exclusively, for sharp, stealthy
dash upon the most powerful armored
units of an enemy. and perfect condition
is requisite to enable them 10 escape
destruction in their most hazardous OF
missions. But IL Is the idea, If sacrifice
is needed for success. that the preponder-
ance of loss shall fall on the enemy. For
this duty their clcanness of hull and
sinoothness Of engine function must ap-
proach as nearly perfection as is possible
to their complicated mechanism. and it has
become & naval maxim that care cannot
be wasted on a torpedo boat
In times Of peace, according 10 the high
est authorities such craft are valueless.
except for such occasional drills as may
familiariZe their crews with their capa-
bilities. In war their utility. il they are
effectively operated. may be incalculable
if not by practical achievements. at least
by their moral effect upon the fears of an
opponent. The naval administration has
awakened to these fundamental principles
Of torpedo craft utility since the last war.
and instead Of assigning them TO damag-
ing duty, inseparable 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 determine their
limitations of speed msneugring and en-
durance, while the great part OF the feet
ha In,
slant service
The arst Of the new torpedo boat rem
devious will be located at the Boston navy
yaru. Congress having provided $3.50 600
TOT the purpose. AS soon as similar an
preparations become available rendezvous
OF like character are to be established AT
Norfolk, Pensacola. and San Francisco.
ana eventually at intermediate points of
importance on the Atlantic and Pacific.
The fact that in the near future the num-
Der Of battleships in commission will be
more than doubled, and that other battle
ships and cruisers, as in the cases OF the
Olympia and the Indiana, will require ex-
tensive repairs, has forced the naval adj
ministrators 10 devise other methods for
caring for the smaller vessels.
Rear Admiral Hichborn. the Chief Com
structor. and Rear Admiral Endcott. Chief
Of Yards and Docks. have put their heads
tORClutT anu agreed upon the Dian re-
ferred TO in the opening OF this article
which appears not only to solve the dry
dock embarrassment. but to fulfill every
requirement OF torpedo boat preparedness
for war.
e At Boston n huge iireproof building will
be erected, with a capacity for ten tor
pedo boats or destroyers. IL will contain
railway slips. after the manner OF loco
motive roundhouse. but parallel instead OF
radial, In front OF this building. running
It's entire length, transfer table will OPP
crate to carry cradles containing torpedo
craft opposite each slip.
These cradles will be Of an exaggerated
gondola railway car type, each capable of
holding torpedo boat The cradles will
run upon a powerful and quick-action by
draulic lift, or elevator, at the waters edge
which will be immersed TO the proper
depth. in order that the torpedo boat may
be foated ipto position on the cradle and
made fast
The operation will be simple and expe-
ditious. The boat. resting securely in the
cradle Will be lifted vertically from the
water TO the proper level. the cradle car
will be run upon the rails, as at ordinary
railways ferry landings, and after reaching
the transfer table will be shifted opposite
the empty slip in the building reserved
for the boat, and pushed under cover.