The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-03-08

Mr.. James n. Arnold. one of the best
known historians OF our state, was then
introduced and read his interesting paper
'The Origin Of the Continental Navy,
which is herewith printed In full.
The science of modern warfare requires
that the means OF offence and defence
shall consist OF two distinct and separate
arms Zone for the land and the other for
the sea). England, being an island be
came acquainted with boat building and
ocean mysteries quicker than nations who
had no ocean frontier to look after.
storm at sea requires nerve and skill
90 overcome its dangers. notion Of sail
ors is always a notion OF brave and cour-
ageous men. The bulldogedneSs OF an
Englishman Is proverbal.
The love OF the sea and a knowledge of
the sea also and it's mysteries was learned
by the Colonists Of Rhode Island as well,
tf not better than by any OF the other
colonies. in a great degree by the posi-
tlon IL occupied on one OF the most ceau-
tiful bays and harbors on the Atlantic
coast In North America.
This colony early took 10 the sea, es-
tabishing trade along the entire coast
south to the Mexican gulf. and with the
West India islands this trade was the
life OF the colony.
Another and a far greater danger was
before them in the great number OF armed
men with vessels os their own. whose flag
was their own, also. and whose hand was
against every nation and even against
each other band.
Not only was the sailor required 10
watch and guard against danger OF the
sea. but against the hand OF men also.
Often were they called TO try conclusions
at arms
This school developed a naval power
and strength that Great Britain had at
length 10 meet. which she did meet event
{ nally, with defeat 10 her plans and aspi-
rations. When she attacked the land
forces she fatally underestimated the
naval contingent Before the war was
over. however. she had changed her
opinion decidedly, respecting the Yankee
sailor.
o'HARA's RECOMMENDATION
Charles O'Hara, celebrated engineer.
who inspected the British posts ia Can
ada, Halifax. New York, along the Allan
tic coast. ending with a survey OF the
West India islands, whose object was for
military and naval purposes. observed
that the Narragansett bay was the most
admirably situated and offered the great
est protection for a fleet OF any harbor
on the coast. In a report which he made
in 1852 he said:
Let us now suppose the American war
reduced to the very contracted scale pro-
posed. namely. The post OF Rhode Island
garrisoned with 12 900 men The desutory
water expeditions from thence and the
cruising upon their trade, what number
OF troops would that enable US TO spare
for other purposes?'
lie then makes clear these points: After
having made Narragansett a garrison post
and the chief naval harbor for the coast.
expeditions could be sent out and ;he
coast of New England, New Jersey and
Virginia so watched as TO destroy the
privateer When the privateer was de-
stroyed the rebellion was conquered
That other military and naval authori-
ties saw this is very apparent from the
fact that Newport was heavily garrisoned
for three and a half years and the only
New England port held after tho
evacuation OF Boston.
This fact also is apparent that the land
and naval authorities were at swords
point and Jealous OF each other to such
a degree that they could not work together
as they should have done and did not so
work The ministry saw this and sent
q compromise Admiral and General Howe
TO America with a naval and land force.
This way n sklful diplomatic move. Let
which one win II was all in the family
the commanders being brothers.
As O'Hara points out when the facts
were seen that the great mistake was In
not bending all tho energy to destroy the
privateer IL was too late.
He also distinctly says:
LAS 10 America no proposition NJ euclid
was ever more demoustrauvely clear from
the first hour OF this fatal war than the
impressibility OF keeping IL and corse-
qucntly we could not too soon have re-
linquished that most aburd of all absurd
ideas the conquest of America" b."
This means I'm brief the failure TO de-
stroy the privateer lost TO Great Britain
her Thirteen American Colonies.
Having now shown that this was seen
by the English authorities ~ remains now
to state the fact that Il was seen by our
own naval experts and its Importance
noted.
SEA TRADE or RHODE ISLAND.
Rhode Island had along i's bay several
smaller harbors which were each hives OF
Industry and whose shore boasted OF
population whose malnstay was the
trade at sea. Bristol. Warren and the fer
~ on the east side OF the bay and Point