AN ADMIRAL ON SEA POWER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14453, 20 August 1910, Page 4 (Supplement)

AN ADMIRAL ON SEA POWER.

Ai>mii:al Sir Cvrnr.vN Briiigk. C.C.8., is among the many sailors who rush fearlessly into print and tell the public exactly what they think, thus giving us the ripe trust of reading, training, experience, and ability. in "Sea Power and other Studies" (Smith, Elder, and Co., 15, Waterloo Place, London) lie has collected some 01. the published essays, with the aim of drawing attention to certain Historical naval occurrences and conditions which In: thinks have been often misunderstood. The intimate connection between naval history in the strict sense ami military history in the strict sense has been made apparent, with the fact that they both are in reality branches of the. general history of ;t nation and not something distinct from and outside it. Upon the interesting subject of coastal defence we arc reminded of the Nelson days when : " j here had been a demand in the country that the defence of our .shores against an invading expedition should be entrusted l-o gmibonts, and what may be called coastal small craft and boats. This was resisted by the. naval officers. Nelson had already" said, 'Our first defence is close lo the enemy's ports,' thus agreeing with a long line of eminent British seamen in their view of our strategy. Lord St. Vincent said that 'Our great reliance is on the vigilance. and activity of our cruisers at sea, any reduction in the number of which bv applying them to guard our portr,, inlets, and beaches would, in my judgment, tend to our destruction.' These arc memorable words, which we should do well to ponder in these days."-