A CHANGE IN NAVAL WARFARE.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 813, 16 May 1871, Page 3

A CHANGE IN NAVAL WARFARE.

Admiral Porter, in his annual report on the condition of the United States Navy, recommends the construction of twenty 280-ton torpedo boats, for harbor and coast defence, and of several 1,300ton torpedo boats for foreign service. Several iron tug-boats of 350 tons each have already been finished for torpedo service, and he is satisfied that they will be very formidable ; out he does not consider it prudent to publish a description of in this respect following the example of other nations which are engaged in perfecting the torpedo system. Some experienced naval officers think the torpedo boats will drive all other war-ships from the sea, and Admiral Porter is evidently disposed to favor the opinion, though not yet prepared to accept finally, or to express his acceptance publicly. He does not hesitate, however, to attribute the inefficiency of the French fleet in the late war to the fear of torpedoes, or to say that if the Prussians had been supplied with suitable torpedo boats, scarcely any of the French vessels would have escaped from the North Sea or the Baltic. If torpedo boats could have driven the powerful French iron-clads from the North Sea, we may infer that no iron-clads would be able to resist torpedo boats anywhere. Torpedoes were used with great effect during our civil war, although they were then quite new, and their future importance was generally recognised by the naval officers. The recommendations of the Admiral in thip matter deserve the attention, and should command prompt action of Congress especially in regard to the small boats for coast service. These will be cheap and efficient. Half a dozen boats on the Atlantic coast, and a couple on the Pacific would do for a beginning. If the anticipation should prove correct that the torpedo boats are to alter the system of naval warfare, the change will be beneficial to civilization, because it will strengthen the defensive side, tend to prevent aggression, diminish the power of navies and reduce their cost, and give an additional security to peace.—" News of the World."