NAVAL MATTERS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7964, 11 September 1891, Page 6

NAVAL MATTERS.

Despatches of August 7th say the three weeks naval manoeuvres just concluded in the Ni rth Sea have been every Government in EuropeL ? Experts btttne the Admiralty for suddenly changing the plans, converting the operations into tactical manoeuvres, thus spoiling the initiative of

the Admiralcommanding. In spite, however, 3 thiSalty'e blondenng **™**gyielded result* of immense importance, iliey £v7shown how rapidly the m**-*"* the English fleet can be done, and that new and oomplieated instruments of m*< warfare, like the battle ships "VJ*? can be equipped, manned, and sent<*» «» in a few dayTready for action. Theyhftve abo proved that tli 110-ton gun wd on the SanspareU can be worked rapidly aad successfully, penetrating 19 inches of armor SS)TSS 15 any oonpoand armor afloat, at a range of SW» yards. Another discovery made has modified the accepted ideas of the value of torpedo vessels. In no instance did the torpedo vessels succeed in an attack on an ironclad. The system followed against them converted a defence into an attack. Instead of waiting for the torpedo veseeta the ironclads went for them. Out of twenty torpedo boats four were adjudged captured, while two that were protecting ships were destroyed and seventeen attacks repulsed. The superiority of an active over a passive defence against torpedo boats is therefore held to have been demonstrated. , The British Government ordered the Mediterranean fleet to proceed tc Alexandria on urgent duty on July 31st, owing to secret information that Italian and French residents were plotting to upset the Khedive. On arrival the fleet found quiet prevailed, but the ships remained in the harbor for some time to make assurance doubly cure. On arrival at Villafranche on August 18th the Mediterranean squadron was received with much pomp and ceremony by the French warships there assembled. The latter saluted the British Flag, and their band played " God Save the Queen "as the British ironclads anchored. In return the British Admiral's flagship saluted, and the bands played the " Marseillaise." To this compliment the land batteries replied with another salute, and everybody was satisfied. The town was profusely decorated with flags in honor of the fleet, out of graceful recognition of England's efforts to give the French fleet a hearty reception at Portsmouth. The French Fleet arrived at Portsmouth on August 18th, and were received by a large number of British war vessels and excursion steamers, all of which were profusely decorated. They anchored under the meadows of Osborne Park, the anchorage being selected by the Queen herself, and their arrival being witnessed by the Queen and Princ ess Beatrice from the terrace of Osborne House. Amid the booming of saluting cannons from both fleets, the yards were manned, and cheer upon cheer arose from all in the vicinity. |