Moonlit Battle

ARMY & NAVY

After the dull weeks of winter, the U.S. Navy went forth on its spring maneuvers.

The Pacific Fleet, known as the Black Fleet, under Admiral S. S. Robison, composed of 51 vessels, including most of the heavier and more modern battleships, was to simulate an enemy coming, in from mid-Pacific to establish a base on the coast of Lower California. The Atlantic Fleet, known as the Blue Fleet, under Vice-Admiral Josiah S. McKean, composed of 58 vessels, including only a few battleships, but with seven of the fast scout cruisers recently added to the fleet and with three new S type cruising submarines, was to advance up the coast from the Canal to prevent the Black Fleet from making its base. The Blue Fleet was supposed to know the time when the Black Fleet had started and its greatest speed.

Admiral Coontz in his flagship, the cruiser Seattle, was on hand as umpire.

The Black Fleet in close formation, a fan of destroyers racing ahead, its supply ships carefully guarded behind, steamed toward the coast.

The Blue Fleet had its feelers spread far out. The cruisers sped ahead, seeking everywhere to touch the enemy. Following this, came another widespread scouting line of destroyers, followed by the submarines and last by the battleships. Every nerve of the Blue Fleet was straining, straining for a single contact that would tell the tale of where the Black Fleet was coming onward.

All through the day and afternoon such was the situation; but, long before the enemy was sighted, the first part of the battle had taken place. The Black Fleet listened to the radio signals of the Blue ships-- the code was taken down and, after a time, experts deciphered it. Straightway, the Black Fleet sent out false signals in the deciphered code, and misled numbers of the scattered Blues.

Sunset came, dusk came, darkness came. The moon rose over the waters of the Pacific, where the scattered cruisers and destroyers of the Blue Fleet plowed on, looking for the dark line of the approaching fleet. But the Black Fleet had eluded them. It was nine in the evening when the first contact was made. The cruisers had gone too far afield. So had the defending destroyers. The three fleet submarines of the Blue defenders sighted the approaching fleet, however, and made for their position in its path. Suddenly, the vanguard of destroyers of the Black Fleet gave the alarm.

Meanwhile, the scattered Blues learned also of the contact. The Blue destroyers hurried to position and a dog fight developed between the destroyers of the two fleets. The Blue cruisers, speeding in, came upon the Black Fleet from the rear. The battle raged.

The result will be known when the observers, umpires and commanders have consulted and decided. Two things were remarked at once, however: 1) That there were not enough scout cruisers to undertake efficiently the task of finding the enemy; 2) that the new fleet submarines were effective, far exceeding expectations.

Following the moonlit battle, the combined fleets-- the U. S. Fleet-- steamed northward from Magdelena Bay and came to anchor at San Diego and Coronado Roads-- 114 craft, including the airplane carrier Langley and the supply ships. Fourteen gorgeous admirals took part in the quarterdeck receptions.

Later in the month, there will be gunnery practice off San Pedro, followed by a review of the fleet as it starts for San Francisco. On Apr. 15, the entire fleet will sail from the Golden Gate for Hawaii. About ten days later, it will undertake to capture the Islands from the land and naval forces stationed there. On July 1, ten of the most modern battleships, four cruisers and 26 destroyers, will go forth on a two months' voyage to Australia.