180 REFUELING WARSHIPS AT SEA. 



1. Our fleet should always be kept as full of coal as possible. 



2. The only way to accomplish this is to have the colliers with the fleet con- 

 tinually in sight of the flagship. 



3. A shore base insufficiently protected to withstand a probable enemy is an ele- 

 ment of weakness rather than of strength. 



With the above facts in mind imagine the Atlantic fleet sailing from New York 

 to Buenos Aires, the United States being at war with a European power. The fleet 

 would be accompanied by colliers. The fleet would probably steam at 10 knots to 12 

 knots. The shortest route is about 5,400 miles. This fleet should be kept as full of 

 coal as possible, as Admiral Fiske indicates. If these vessels could fill their bunkers 

 on the high seas without reducing their speed they will arrive with their bunkers 

 practically full and in the shortest time and with the least consumption of fuel. 



Battleships and cruisers of the Atlantic fleet can be coaled at sea without re- 

 ducing the speed of the fleet below 12 knots. The proof for this resides in the re- 

 sults achieved with the marine cableway coaling the U. S. S. South Carolina (Capt. 

 Thos. Snowden commanding) from the U. S. collier Cyclops at sea; coaling the 

 U. S. S. Virginia (Capt. Jas. Glennon commanding) from the U. S. collier Vestal, 

 Figs. 4 and 18, Plates 60 and 69; coaling the Italian cruiser Liguria at sea in Italy; 

 coaling the Trafalgar and Empress of India at sea in England. 



The trials of the South Carolina are representative of an average performance 

 coaling in a seaway sufficiently rough to cause the collier Cyclops to roll 20 degrees. 



In the Virginia trials the coaling operations were carried on for over an hour 

 in a dense fog in which it was impossible for one ship to see the other. 



In the Italian test the light cruiser Liguria of only 2,280 tons displacement was 

 coaled at a towing speed of 12 knots when the screws of the cruiser were seen by 

 the collier in tow. 



In the English trials of the marine cableway, the towing speed was 11 knots, 

 and the trials were carried on in half a gale of wind. 



It would be difficult to exaggerate the importance of the passage of a fleet for 

 over 5,000 miles without risk of violating the neutrality of any nation in coaling in 

 their sheltered waters, nor in the delay or dangers incident thereto. 



It is frequently asserted that there are numerous days when colliers and battle- 

 ships could come alongside to coal. The equipment of these colliers with marine 

 cableways would not prevent the ships coaling broadside whenever the sea and 

 weather permit. The marine cableway insures coal to the fleet in all reasonable con- 

 ditions of sea and weather. 



Equipping such colliers as the Jason with marine cableways adds less than 5 

 per cent to their cost, and in the case of war would undoubtedly double their value. 



The development of the marine cableway for coaling at sea has covered a period 

 of twenty-one years and the device may be regarded as "being of age" in the year 

 1914. This apparatus, incorporated into the U. S. fleet for drill, practice, and use 

 in maneuvers, will bring out its whole value. 



