Spain's Dreaded Torpedo Fleet Could Strike a Fearedl Blow Spanish Torpedo Boats Azor and Bxetu V
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LOS ANGELES HERALDt SUNDAY MORNING, APRIL 10, 1898 17 SPAIN'S DREADED TORPEDO FLEET COULD STRIKE A FEAREDL BLOW SPANISH TORPEDO BOATS AZOR AND BXETU V. S. S. MINNEAPOLIS TJ. S.S. NEW YORK TJ. S. S. INDIANA U. S. TORPEDO BOAT ERICSSON U. S. S. IOWA SPANISH TORPEDO BOAT SPANISH TORPEDO BOAT iSPAKTSH TORPEDO BOAT :TJ. S. S. 3ffONTGOSCEB,TC DESTROYER FUROR DESTROYER TERROR DESTROYER PLUTON JUST HOW A GREAT MARINE BATTLE WOULD APPEAR BETWEEN SPAIN'S CRACK CRUISERS, ASSISTED BY HER BIG TORPEDO FLEET, AND THE AMERICAN BATTLESHIPS UNSUPPORTED BY AN ADEQUATE TOR- PEDO FLOTILLA. SPAIN'S TORPEDO BOATS ARE SHOWN TO THE RIGHT OF THE PICTURE RUSHING INTO THE MIDST OF OUR FLEET. WASHINGTON. D. C? April4 ?(Special shooters, ha\'e not been provided, and can- terribly effective war craft, the torpedo wicked little craft, and the British ship- and two automatic machine guns, Inch than one. They can take chances that but Spain has nearly a score of the de» Correspondence to The Herald.) Out of not be got ready in time, should war be boat deslroyer. So important does Great builders are at present engaged In building diameter. They have two torpedo tubes on would be madness for a larger craft to at- stroyers, which are in reality a larger tor- the present turmoil of preparations for war declared in the mar future. The strength Britain, the leading naval nation of tne many of an improved type that will short- the upper deck from which torpedoes can tempt; stealing up to an enemy's boats pedo boat, while we have nothing of the nnd striving for peace the United States of our fleets has been enlarged upon, and world, consider this type of fightingvessel, lybe added to her majesty's navy. be fired on either side. Each vessel carries under cover of darkness, and flitting kind to oppose them. There is a possibility Will emerge Whether Ihe climax be war or the most made of the fact that, we are that she possesses nearly a hundred of The torpedo boat destroyers possessed four torpedoes. around when the big snips are ln acton, that Captain Brownson, who is now peace, with many useful lessons learned more than a match for Spain with our them. Spain has seventeen and Is building by Spain are mostly oC the newest type. The great value of these small boats lies awaiting the first opportunity to discharge abroad on a ship-purchasing expedition for .There have been strange rumors, emanat- navy pitted against theirs, in one gre at sea more, while all the nations have small The Furor anel Terror, two d.estroyers in their speediness. They can easily make a torpedo at the nearest enemy, protecting the United Slates, my be able to secure ing from high places, which have been light. fleets of "destroyers." built to order for Ihe Spanish government, twenty-eight knots an hour. Seventy tons the cruisers and battleships from the at- some torpedo boat destroyers. When it speedily stilled, to the effect that Uncle But the of our fleet, as com- They art inexpensive boats, when com- in a British shipbuilding yard, are splendid of coal will be sufficient to carry the little tack of torpr-do boats by engaging and is remembered that $400,000 will buy a de- Sam's "ready!" is a bold bluff so far as pared with tha:-It!Spain', has not been Ihe pared with the big fighting machines, but little craft. They have a length of 220 feet, craft from Spain to Porto Rico or Havana, destroying those dangerous craft; run- stroyer capable of steaming at dashing many essential features of a nation in subject ot eloquent speeches aril lengthy experience may prove that they can do an a breadth of 22 feet, and a depth of 13 feet and this amount of coal they can easily ning the blockade of closed ports and act- speed it Is not too much to hope that Cap- arms are concerned. newspaper articles on this side of the At- enormous amount of damage in a sea bat- and displace 3SO tons. When equipped for carry. Seventy men usually comprise the ing as dispatch boats when a small fleet tain Brownson will be abLe to send back a Stories have been whispered about that lantic, although It has in Spain. U Is W( 1 tie. In recent English naval maneuvers service they are armed with two 14- crew of a destroyer. of marine messengers Is needed. Their whole fleet of destroyers?say enough to guns, purchased at great cost, are useless to face the truth, however unpleasant it the eyes of the admiralty officials were --pounder rapid lire guns, one forward, above With their rapid lire guns and their tor- usefulness is incalculable, aud yet the give us one of the useful little boats for because the carriages, without wliich tbe may be to this patriotic people. opened lo the Importance of possessing- a the conning tower, and the other aft; two pedoes, theses mall boats are threatening United States navy is without them. every one that Spain possesses. Itwillbe guns are no more formidable than bean We are entirely lacking In tha; small, but numerous contingent of this speedy, six-pounder guns, one in each broadside, enough, but they are useful in more ways We havo some splendid torpedo boats. money well invested. 1 telegraphed Governor Richards of Wy- tion it will no doubt provide for the elec- adventurous, absolutely truthful and al- eluding sabers, and have the men horses. We have, I believe, the best on oming, asking if he would approve the or- tion of the troop officers by tho men. They ways reliable. I never have known a class furnished, if possible, each with a earth. Last year a deputy sheriff sum- WILL REMEMBER THE COWBOYS boys go ganization Of a regiment of cowboy rang- are all men of independent characters and of men who can be so thoroughly relied couple of slxshooters nnd a longrange rifle. moned an outfit of our to with him ers and the governor answered that he Would not consent to be commanded by upon. When it is time to have fun they In close quartets they can guide their as a posse; they rode grass-fed bare-footed Full Particulars of the Novel Plan to Organize the Heroes would. officers other than those of their own have it; but when the time for business ar- horses with their knees anel handle a six- horses and covered thirtymiles in one hour It Is not proposed by the organization of choice. The Held officers could be chosen rives they attend to it thoroughly and well. shooter in each hand. In this way they and fifty minutes. of the Plains the new regiment to interfere in any way by tho troop officers. In this way every Concerning the uniforms and equipments would be more effective than ifthey were They would prove to be ideal fighters. With the Wyoming militia for actual ser- officer would be the choice of the men and of the men the plan is to have a distinct uni- required to use a sabre. , They have all had experience on the fron- vice in the event of war, but to simply in consequence would be much nearer to form which will be both serviceable and As to the time needed to get organized tier, and first and last most of them have Horn's the Strikingly yet department. most novel offer made the war organize the additional regiment so that them than they would be ifappointed. ornamental and characteristic of them. I have already communicated with good had experience ln charging and retreating Twelve troops of cowboys to light Spain. there may be a distinct cowboy organiza- usual "newspaper cowboy" They are men of taste and appreciate true men ln parts ofWyoming and they under difficult circumstances and know ail Judge Torrey of Wyoming makes the Oiler ln good faith. He will be chosen The is quite all tion for mounted service wherever needed. different from the real article. When a good clothes. In my judgment, their equip- are busy, in a quiet way, getting the names about Indian fighting. Ifthe method of the their commander. is Judge Torrey Is known throughout tbe country as the author of the Torrey If il transpires that special legislation is rowdy puts on spurs and acts in a disgrace- ment?that is, saddles, bridles, etc.?are the of the boys and making ready so as to re- warfare of the Spaniards in Cuba a fair bankruptcy bill. He is now at the head of one of the biggest cattle outfits of Wyo needed in order to provide for the desired ful way he is sometimes improperly her- best that the worlel lias ever seen, and I sponel immediately, if occasion shall re- sample of their fighting capabilities they ming, and hence is In Intimate touch with the cowboys of the northwestern coun- regiment, I have no doubt it will be passed alded iv the newspapers as a "bad cow- have no doubt but that they will be per- quire. would be able to secure a liberal education try. He formerly commanded a battalion of militia, ln Missouri, and was .assistant with the same unanimity as tbe appropria- boy;" in tills way a wrong impression is mittee! to retain them. As to arms, Ishall Regarding the horses likelyto be used, by facing our boys. adjutant general of the eastern district ot that stale during the administration of tion for lifty millions of dollars.