Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-10-02
THE COMING FLEET

"A DMlttAL OlGobEE. VINO, as capt.
u Sigsbee, commanded the Maine
"A in her historic loss in Hayane
hafbor, will lead the great passage of
the battleship fleet to Pacific waters,
blazing the way in command of four
first class protected cruisers. and test
ing the capacity of each stopping point
for coal and other supplies at which
the great feet must touch en- route
later,
This precautionary measure Is to be
commended. even from the landsman's
viewpoint, as unlooked-for contingent
cies may arise when too late to meet
them, necessitating undue expense or
its alternative humiliation for the fleet
and nation. The tricks of trade" OBJ
tain their fullest growth in all foreign
ports, especially when a good paymas-
ter, as Uncle Sam is known to be, foots
the bills, and the manner in which a
South American dealer can look one in
the eye and smile and lie concerning
ship supplies is something known at
dear cost to mariners.
The first stage of the journey from
Hampton Roads to the island of Trini-
dad, a British possession just off the
northern coast of South America and
close to Venezuela, distance of 1880
nautical miles, will develop perhaps the
greatest difficulties in the whole voy-
age. for the harbor of the Port of Spain
is noted for never having been supplied
with anything but nautical rascality,
and If Admiral Sigsbee can arrange to
have the fleet coal there without hitch
in the proceedings he should be pro-
NOTED at once. To Rio Janeiro, 1900
miles southwark, it will be plain sailing,
but at Punta Arenas or Sandy Point,
1880 miles south, near the eastern en-
trance to Magellan straits, an ArgenZ
tinan port, many difficulties may be
looked for chief of which is the peren-
nially bad weather and poor accommo-
dations. At Callao, a Peruvian port,
$3.50 miles north, conditions are ideal,
and the men of the fleets can have a
fine time on shore leave. Thence to
Magdalena bay in Lower or Mexican
California, 3012 miles farther north, the
fleet will have a real test of coal and
steaming capacity. From Magdelena
bay to San Francisco is 1000 miles, and
may be easily covered.
Admiral Sigsbee' will test all places
and Admiral Evans be benefited by the
experience. 1t will furnish a welcome
change to the officers and crews who
fy1 oil ~ 20
winter months off the bleak New Eng
land coast, and who but Monday last
real northeaster in
bay and had difficulties |
in combating it.
A battleship at anchor off a lee shore |
in a heavy gale is very different |
nautical proposition from a merchant |
steamship in a similar predicament, for |
the battleship has no rail or bulwarks |
and heavy seas have free wash over
her decks, making it dangerous to get
about to handle her ground tackle. |
The loss of men and injury to others
was solely on this account, and it is
likely the fleet will never again be
caught in such trap as that in Barn
stable bay. The experience at anchor
in gale, however, is good for the
fleet, and in the last analysis experience
under all possible contingencies is what
the fleet needs.
When the great ships shall cast
anchor in our several fine harbors on
this coast the real beauties and bless |
ings of our local climate will be well
come to them, who have come through |
all ATTITUDES to find the most favored |
climate under the sun.