Omaha daily bee., 1906-05-13

should be fitted with powerful outriggers,
with which, with reduced speed. they could
drive ahead a sweep or drag capable OF
clearing a channel through which the mid
ship section of the vessel could pass.
Each battle ship should also carry
small submarine, specially equipped for
clearing the waters and channels of har-
bors of mines and toTpedoes- In addition
the wing and bottom structure of battle
ships should be more developed, with ad-
ditional inner bottoms and wing bullNheads
to cushion and localize better a torpedo
blow.
The war brought out another line of
weakness in sinking battle ships, the want
of stability under damaged conditions.
The remedy would lie not only in further
development of subdivision and improve
ment of watertight work on bulkheads
and around the armor shelf but also in
arrangements for quickly flooding com
partments on the opposite sides and op-
posite end of the ship. together with i'm
proved arrangements for quickly drawing
swash water from decks into the bilge,
where II could be reached by bilge and
wreclting pumps. In the case of large
wing compartments the flooding of coun-
terbalancing Compartments on the opposite
side should be made automatic.
With careful and adequate preparation
and with proper handling the battle ship
can be made proof against sudden disaster
at the hands of inferior foes, and must be
iOoAou Upon as the type 10 pound ana en-
dure pounding, the type upon which 10
hang the issue OF battle and the fate of
nation. the type 70 which a nation Is TO
look II IT is TO be great upon the sea.
While the battle ship is thus the main.
stay or all maritime nations, II is especially
the type for America, as our operations
must be positive and aggressive, and ex-
tend far away beyond the reach Of home
support. While the battle ship is thus
the king, the armored cruiser Is the queen
OF the sea With power inferior 10 that of
contemporary battle ship, the armorsd
cruiser can nevertheless carry its power
further and faster. It's services are indls-
penSable for those swift aggressive opera
lions 30 advantageous In the early stages
OF q war For the United States. where
the zone OF operations must extend so far
away from base, this type Is especially
valuable. believe that We should build
one cruiser for every three new battle
ships.
While the burden OF the fighting rested
upoD the big ships, u cannot be denled that
the torpedo boat and the DESTROYER PLAYED
conspicuous and useful parts. They are
not only an inexpensive vehicle for a now
erfIfi weapon, but they serve a useful mart
as orderlies and bodyguards to large YES
sells. Torpedo vessels can only be regarded
az auxlliaries, but they are very yalua he
al SiHaries- The japanese were well pro
vided. the Russians we're wofully lacking
Until We can build our meets Of large YES
sells, that require long time, We should
build large numbers OF torpedo vessels,
Quickly constructed, as a second line OF de-
Nnce for our vast coast line. Including The
casts OF outlying possessions. and should
develop the navigation OF our remarl<a HE
inland waters and canals 70 permit the
passage OF these small vessels up AMI
down the coast Nor should we lose sight
OF the submarine vessel and the mine ana
floating torpedOes for harbor Operations
Offensive and defensive. Each yearly an
prc priation bill should provide for fifteen