THE TORPEDO SERVICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9000, 13 March 1888, Page 5

THE TORPEDO SERVICE.

♦ [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] Wellington, Monday. The Hon. Mr. Fergus, the Defence Minister, acting under the advice of Major-General Schaw, has issued an order that all the men connected with this branch of the service should repair to Wellington for the purpose of drill and instruction in the handling and use of these formidable war implement*. The order, of course, applies to the torpedo men in Auckland as elsewhere. It is at the outset necessary, perhaps, to state that the men cannot be drilled for the service in squads of two or three or four, for the reason that some of these torpedoes require half a dozen or more men to lift even one of them. There are other reasons for instituting this drill en masse, the complete import of which can't be fully explained. A considerable proportion of practice with torpedoes involves secrecy to which none but those engaged in such practice can be admitted. At present the only depository of these secrets is the admiral of the station and his officers, who are entrusted with duties connected with this department. For some time past six torpedo men have been learning this practice on board of the Admiral's flagship Nelson in Auckland. I believe their training, drill, and instruction, are by this time complete, and that the secret part of the practice has been communicated to them. I should, perhaps, say that these are secrets to which the men are sworn solemnly, and the penalties provided by the Military Act for the worst offences are attached to any breach of the trust reposed in the men connected with this particular service. This certainly ought to give status in proportion to the trust and responsibility put upon these public servants. But, in a general view of the matter, the nature of a torpedo defence implies more or less secrecy in the working of these submarine mines. It is, therefore, necessary that concerted action should be guided by those in possession of the secret, otherwise there would be no conformity or discipline; bub, on the contrary, misapprehension and confusion. To avoid this is another reason why this drill en masse is necessary. The groundwork of this mass drill has been laid on board the Admiral's ship. The Admiral, in person, I am told, superintended the drill. The men sent to Auckland have received complete instruction from the officers of the flagship as to secret and effective practice with this arm of modern warfare. They have returned here, they have the necessary practical knowledge to be able to impart the " secrets of their business" to the others who will be placed under them. It may be assumed that these teachers have the highest qualifications which the Imperial service could bestow. Tho facts stated above are sufficient to account for the order directing the men of the torpedo service to assemble in Wellington. Having obtained the necessary drill and instruction, the men will be distributed in the several port batteries throughout the colony. Each division will become in its turn an effective means of teaching others, and so carrying on the effective training for this special service. — :