Dewey paused and took a sip of water. “Other than our fleet in Canada, we have a half dozen older cruisers, about a score of torpedo boat destroyers, and one submarine in various Atlantic ports. There are also some naval reserve ships available, but I would consider these obsolete and useless.”
Longstreet raised an eyebrow. “A submarine?”
“Yes, we took possession about a year ago. A certain John Holland has been trying to build and sell us submarines for a few years now. Some of the European navies have them, so why not us?”
“Do the Germans have any of the things?”
“Not that I am aware of. I also have no idea how well a submarine might work under actual combat conditions.”
“Ah.”
Dewey continued. “Now, our fleet in Canada has not been idle. We have been working with the British under Admiral Fisher and practicing long-overdue fleet maneuvers. We have also been working hard to improve our gunnery techniques. I assume you are aware that a very small percent of our shells fired against the Spanish actually hit them, even though many of their ships were stationary targets.” He sighed. “Despite the victory, it was not an inspiring performance. It seems the technology of the gun has outstripped our ability to use it effectively. Well, a young British officer named Percy Scott has been working with one of our naval officers, William Sims, and they have established both a friendship and a professional rapport. They have also developed a gun-firing technique that appears to improve matters. Evans used it against the German cruisers off Florida, and we are practicing it intensely.”
“Excellent. Are the Germans using it?”
Dewey smiled. “Again, not that we are aware of.”
Dewey returned to a map, this time one of the world. “ Germany ’s naval ambitions puzzle me. I am a fighting man and not a military philosopher, but I do not understand the Germans. Naval theories say that the oceans can be either a moat or a highway, or, in special cases, both. England is such a special case. The waters around her are her protective moat, which is constantly patrolled by the Royal Navy. Thus any increase in the size of the German fleet is an immediate threat to England ’s moat and will be matched by England. Therefore, Germany will never be permitted to catch up to England. Obviously too, the waters of the world are England ’s highway and enable that small island to carry on commerce with her far-flung empire and other lands, thereby making her rich and powerful.
“The situation is similar with us. We have long considered the oceans our moat, but they also function as our commercial highways. The fact that our moat has been breached, we hope temporarily, is a sobering lesson.
“Yet Germany is a land power, not a naval power. England is a naval power and not a land power.” Dewey chuckled. “Until the recent war in Africa, England ’s army was about the size of ours; thus England ’s source of protection was its navy and not its army.
“But now the kaiser, under the prodding of von Tirpitz, is trying to make Germany a naval power as well. It is most puzzling.”
Longstreet humphed. “Are you doubting their ability to succeed?”
Dewey nodded. “Most assuredly, yes. They do not have a great maritime tradition on which to draw. Germany herself is only forty years old, and her coastline, although densely populous and containing key ports, cannot compare with either ours or Britain ’s. Further, since they are a land power with arguably the best army in the world, there is the nagging feeling that most of their better military talent naturally gravitates to the army and not the navy.” Dewey smiled genially. “Unlike here, where the navy definitely gets the best.”
Longstreet laughed. “Horseshit.”
Dewey continued. “People like Diedrichs, who commands their North Atlantic Fleet, and von Tirpitz are first rate. I nearly went to battle with Diedrichs after Manila Bay when he and his fleet tried to take control of the city. He and many others are, indeed, very good. Yet I still have doubts as to the depth of that talent. I think this may have manifested itself in their actions since losing those three cruisers. Please recall that forty years ago there was no such thing as a German navy, except as a minimal coastal defense force, and any expansions have been very, very recent. Thus until the Florida battle, no German ship had ever fired a shot in anger against a major power.”
Longstreet saw where Dewey was going. “And they lost badly. Must’ve done wonders for their confidence.”
“Exactly. Right after that, they pulled all their patrolling ships back to Mother and the main fleet. They didn’t even make any effort to interdict our ships on the way to Canada. So far we have lost nothing!”
“Incredible.”
“General,” continued Dewey, “consider also how their ships were built and for what purposes. The German warships are heavily gunned brutes that were designed to take punishment while doing battle against Britain in the rough confines of the Baltic. Unlike our warships and those of England, which are designed for worldwide travel, the German warships do not fare well over great distances. They cannot carry much in the way of supplies and are incredibly cramped. When in port, the luckier crews live in barracks and not on ship in order to prevent disease and dissatisfaction. Our ships are certainly cramped, but theirs are absolutely barbaric in comparison.”
“No pun intended, Admiral,” Longstreet injected, “but it sounds as though you are saying their fleet is an imperfect vessel.”
Dewey nodded. “But potentially a lethal one. It is up to us to devise a way of defeating it while staying away from its claws. I have, of course, the broad outlines of such a plan.”
Dewey glanced around the room. He was relieved that his naval theory lecture had not yet put anyone to sleep. “First, I would like to know from Secretary Long whether our fleet can realistically be enlarged in a short period of time.”
Long took a second to gather his thoughts before responding. “Prior to the Spanish war, we inquired of certain countries whether we might buy ships from them, and we did succeed in purchasing two cruisers from Brazil. One of these was already commissioned and the other was nearing completion in English yards. Although some lesser ships are currently available, as well as older and obsolete ships, there are no foreign capital ships or, for that matter, any modern major ships at all for sale to us.”
“Why?” asked Roosevelt, obviously surprised.
“Sir, none of the European powers, other than England, wishes to risk offending Germany. The South Americans were delighted to help us against Spain, their hated colonial enemy, but they do not love us, have been intimidated by the Germans, and don’t want to wind up on the losing side. Therefore, they will do nothing. Their fondest hope may well be that we destroy each other.”
“Bastards,” muttered Roosevelt.
Dewey ignored the comment. “Mr. Long, what about theIllinois? ”
Long brightened. “Of course. She has her engines and her big guns, along with much of her crew, and is scheduled for commissioning in a few weeks. That can be expedited and she will be sent immediately to the Saint Lawrence.”
“Sixteen to twelve,” muttered Longstreet. “The ratio is getting better.”
“Almost better,” chided Dewey. “It will take a while to get her in fighting trim. Thus we will go for now with what we have. I will be dividing our fleet into unequal parts while still maintaining overall control. We will also be addressing the officer shortage problem in much the same manner as the army: by recalling ex-officers, promoting underclassmen at the academy, and, if necessary, promoting some enlisted men.
“First, our main battle fleet will stay where it is and continue to maneuver and gain skills. On occasion we will send all or part of it south to make the Germans react by sending their fleet out to intercept. For the time being at least, we will decline combat unless they too divide their own fleet and offer a portion of it to us as a gift. All we wish to do is wear out the Germans and make them complacent as well as fatigued. Charles Clark, currently of theOregon, will be promoted to command the battleships. You recall Clark, do you not? His was the epic journey from the Pacific to Cuba in time for the battle. Although we were afraid his lonely ship might run into Cervera’s squadron, he was actually hoping for it and had a plan to destroy them single-handedly. He likely would have done it. He is a fighter!