Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-24

penditure had no reason " idNoi 'ieSS
refinements of the superdreadnought
school.
Have Redeemed Regulations.
To prove that the battle cruiser has
redeemed its unfortunate early reputa-
ton. it is only necessary to point to the
activities of this type of fighting craft
since the war began. Battle cruisers
brought Won SPECS career to a full stop,
and they were the only big ships which
succeeded in getting into the North sea
engagements.
So it is not surprising that these mon
sters. the biggest fighting machines
afioat, are idolized by the officers and
men who fight them. squadron at the
opening of the war. the battle cruisers
now form the nucleus of Great Britain 8
first line fleet of naval offense. There
are many new ships among the light
cruisers attached to this squadron. but
virtually every battle cruiser in it had
been ''blooded," to use the navy's equiv.
alent for the army's baptism of fire,
and the sailors manning them show the
pride and poise of veterans.
When the mist lifted for a few min
utes as the correspondent stood on the
control bridge of one of the battle
cruisers, the fastest fleet capable of
actual offensive operations ever gath
cred together under one flag appeared
in view. There were more than one
hundred war vessels in the fleet, ar
ers. surrounded by their screen OF
faithful destroyers, occupying the place
of honor. but with every section, down
to the humble, rusty, but vitality neces-
Sary Golfers, on the mark for a flying
start If the eagerly awaited coming
out Of the German feet is signaled.
One Lonesome Dreadnaught.
One lone dreadnaught, powerful
enough to meet almost any foe. but
painfully slow in comparison with the
other units of the fleet. swung at an
Choir. The officers on the bridge jok-
ingly explained that she formed the
third line. to come on and pick up the
pieces, or, If necessary, to be sent out
as bait for the wary German fleet
The mobility of this fleet has thrown
North sea, and it is accepted as a mat
ter Of course that should the German
warships come out. IT will be the first
unit of the British navy to feel the
shock of battle, as it will. on account
of its speed. be able TO get into action
before the superdreadnaught battle
ships reach the scene. Hence its claim
to be the first line of offense, with the
battleships of the peterborough
period forming powerful third-line
reserve. No land force ever has been
so well protected against unforeseen
disaster as the British navy.
Increase in the size of the big guns
does not worry the officers of the bat
tie cruisers, who say that. since their
13.5-fnch guns can sink batt1eship as
far as the range can be found. any
bigger guns would add to the weight
of the ship and reduce the available
space for turrets, without sufficient
corresponding advantage. These officers
talked about the much -heralded Ger
man 1I-inch gun In a speculative way,
but. even admitting the possibility of
mounting it on a warship, they did not
show any great concern.
Confidence in Their Ships.
This feeling of confidence in their
shpis is not matter of theory. for the
battle cruisers are the veterans of this
war. In destructive power they have
done only what was expected of them,
but in their powers of resistance they
have more than surprised their Of
fcers
The battle cruiser Lion. which fought
the greater part of the Dogger bank
action as Vice Admiral Sir David Beat
tvs flagship. is the most worthy ex-
ample of this unexpected power of re-
sistance. High explosive shells rained
on this ship from stem to stern and
Blucher's eight-inch to the Derrflinger's
twelve. only one of them reached a
spot vital enough to interfere with the
snip hShting power. This shell struck
the engine room and by letting salt
water into the steam prpes of the port
turbine reduced the Lions speed from
twenty-seven to eighteen knots. but
left her still powerful in defense, as
only one of her big guns was out of
action at any time during the fight
This gun. one of the forward turret
pair. was jammed for a time in it's case
nent by an eight-Incn she'll which
struck the top of the turret's armoS
and bent it down against the gun.
Big Shells Not Awesome.
An officer of the Lion who went
through the Dogger bank battle said
he expected that the bursting of big
shells on and about his ship would be
an awsome sight. but he did not find II
so. The Lions roar was great from
her own guns that even twelve-inch
shells exploded ON her without attract
ing. any attention. This officer also
declared that the casualty list of the
Lion was remarkably small, in contrast
with the material havoc. because few
of the shells reached any part of the
vessel where the fighting men are sta
toned during action. With the ex-
ception of the forward, none of the
turrets was hit.
The officers and crews Of the feet
look surprisingly unworn, and If they
are bored by the monotony OF the long
wait between actions they do not show
H. Leave is infreQuent, and as a
darkened London does not appeal To
them. the officers spend most Of their
leisure in playing golf or shooting.
The sailors are granted shore leave
whenever they can be spared and foot
ball is their chief diversion
One reason for the lack Of boredom is
explained by the fact that navigation.
which in peace time is a matter OF rou-
tine. has become in the dark a fascinating
sport. One navigator said he dreaded a
return TO ship and shore lights, and he
was convinced that even in peace times
many of the lights ordinarily used could
he dispensed with, TO the advantage of
the navys proficiency.
Not much hope was expressed that the
Germany navy would come out. but raids
aye not only expected. but looked forward
TO with eagerness as providing another
opportunity 10 demonstrate the capability
Of the battle cruiser.