New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-27
PRAISE FROM WAR BOARD.
IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS TO
FOLLOW SHIPS SdANGUvREs-
FLEET TO LEAVE NEW
PORT
IBr rr1ronArH TO rHr rnrBuSr.l

Newport, r. J., Sept. 2e.-The War Board IN
charge Of the Navy and Army manBuvres which
began here on Monday night decided this afternoon
that II would not be advisable continue them at
this time After rendering decisions on the diff
ferent points IN last nights attack the life of the
Board was officially ended. The battleships OF
both the red and blue fleets sail tomorrow OF
them going to New-York. Newport will be de-
serted except for the torpedo hotilla which has
been the life Of the maneuvres. On Friday the
officers at the War College will discuss the points
brought out in the maneuvres
Captain c. H. Stockton. speaking for the War
Board. said this afternoon that the maneuvres had
been most beneficial and satisfactory Many points
have been brought out Of which the public will
know nothing. The Board Will make strong recon-
mendations 10 the Navy Department that the New
port manHuvres be repeated next year a larger
scale. and will favor continuing them every
autumn The Board will ask that approprta-
ton be made sufficient cover firing expenses.
and that available vessel of be sent here
There many problems which best be
solved IN this way that the programme could be
monotonous.
The handling of the submarine boat Holland
ceives special mention in to-days report. The
courage Of her commanding officer, Lieutenant H.
H Caldwell, who fought with Admiral Dewey at
Manila, is commended highly. The Holland, in the
opinion OF the Board terrible risks in going out
to sea last night She in danger of being
down by the FIVE swift torpedo boats which were
cruising about, well by the larger ships. The
report states that the Holland did have a fair
test Her coming tower was almost level
with the water, and she had no way of finding the
big ships IN the darkness. The conditions were I'M
favorable owing TO the snoothness OF the water
Regarding the plan Of blockade adopted by the
red feet last night, the reports state there
much TO be said both sides Of the question as
10 whether blockadng fleets should be dark
searchlights freely. It is possible that the Navy
blOckadtEg will be STlf of he
test The Board commends the plan of stationing
the big vessels Of the blockadng feet well out at
sea- with the smaller ones inside 10 pick up block
ade runners. The big ships always within
signalling distance and escape the constant danger
Of being torpedoed.
The War Board again decided unfavorably on
most OF the claims made by torpedo boat com
manders The torpedo station tug Leyden, sent out
as & decoy, was quickly picked up and put out by
the Scorpion and the Eagle. In doing this they be-
trayed their position. and both were successfully
torpedoed by the Gwin.
The attack Of the Dahlgren the batteship
Indiana is decided in favor Of the Indiana, on the
ground that the torpedo boat was under fire long
before she within striking distance. The
umpire on the Dahlgren did not know this, and
permitted the boat to attack the Kearsarge. This
attack, although successful, cannot be allowed Off
cially.
The Gwin, the Morris and the Porter are de-
cided 10 have been sunk in attacking the Kear-
pedoed by the Dahlgren, started back TO harbor
with her running light burning. She was picked up
by the Holland five miles below Brenton Reef
Aghtship, but the attack is not allowed, owing to
the fact that the officers Of the Kearsarge sup
posed her TO be out Of the game, and were not
looking for further attacks.
The Board also decided the disputed points left
over from Monday nights manoeuvres The Massa-
chuserts is officially declared TO be lying at the bot
tom Of NarTagansett Bay, the victim OF the little
wooden torpedo boat Stiletto The Stiletto was
within torpedong range when she ran aground.
and had been under fire only one-third Of the time
deemed necessary TO put her out. The Leydens
claim Of having rammed the Kearsarge IS not
allowed. as the battleship of the field Of
action at the time.
The Army and Navy officers sent here to watch
the manguvres are very much pleased with the
results. Captain Whistler who was at Fort Adams
and witnessed Monday nights attempt TO take
Newport Harbor, said to-day:
The work Of the torpedo and battleship fleet on
Monday night, superb as il undoubtedly was dem
run past UP TO date harbor Notifications such as
are TO be found on Fort Adams. Newport would
New-York been in the attacking fleet. Not a tor
peoo BOAT passed out its searchlights. and the
midday sun had been shining down upon them In
real war our big guns would have torn them 70
pieces. The attempted attack has also demon
Strated, IN my opinion. that the searchlight used
Army searchIights send out a narrower raw Of
light but the concentration of effect is greater
me Navy night spreads over more ground but
does not furnish as good light for aiming big guns
with telescope sights.
one OF the batteships demonstrated to the Off
GERS At Fort Adams method Of DESTROYING
the effect OF searchlights. They their light
full upon ours and blinded il out. We could see
the ray Of bright light streaking out but could
dlStlnguisn nothing beyond. This means that forts
VIII have TO be well equipped with searchlighfs
I,hey must have more than it is possible for
takes a light TO snun out q light "
All Of the battleships sail early tomorrow for
Iompknsvihe and the Brooklyn Navy Yard ex-
cept the Texas, which goes to Norfolk The
Nicksburg goes to Boston fit out for a trip IN
Mania The torpedo fotilIa, including the Hol-
lsnd remains at the Goat Island Station The
craven, from Boston, is expected to Join them
there tomorrow. jim ''eiii