Examples, Conclusions, and Maxims of Modern Naval Tactics

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1884. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... ers. There are other vessels that must be used with the fleet which may not be considered of the fleet, and which are only furnished when required to fulfill some special duty. Captain Noel, for warlike purposes, would have his navy divided as follows: 1st. A fleet of heavy ships of the line. These vessels, by reducing their top-hamper, and having only topsails, courses, and fore-and-aft sails bent, would save enough weight to permit stowage of extra coal. They should be provided with heavy towing hawsers. 2d. A squadron of cruisers attached to this fleet, all of great speed and fully rigged. Their duty is to reconnoiter, make prizes of hostile cruisers, and to obtain information from shipping. 3d. Dispatch vessels. 4th. Torpedo-boats of a size large enough to keep the sea on their own account. In cruising they should keep with the ships whose tenders they are. Captain Harris says: As thejspeed of the slowest ship is the speed of the fleet, no vessel should be assigned to the line of battle of less speed than 12 knots. With tho swiftest fleet lies the option of giving or declining battle, and also whether or not the battle will be limited to artillery alone. Lieutenant Besson, M. F., asks the following question concerning a reserve squadron: Should the fleet be divided and fight with a certain number of ships, letting the others keep out of the battle until the formations are broken up, or ought the fleet to be kept together and should there be no reserve? This query he answers by saying that every fighting formation presents two feeble points. These are the ships furthest off; that is, the outside or flank vessels. Divide your fleet into detached squadrons and you increase these feeble positions, and therefore diminish its power. If your fleet is much larger th...