The New York herald., 1873-11-20
Our Powder and Our Torpedoes.

port Of the Chief of Naval Ordnance,
which will be found in another column,
we remark that although some points
concerning the ornaments of our ships
of very great interest at the present
time were not touched upon in that docu-
ment, yet there are others deserving of atten-
ton. Of these the one relating to the
development Of the powder question is Of
much Importance. The facts stated by Com
modore Jeffers are brief and concise. The
processes by which the results Of his expert
ments were reached are not given; but these,
after all, have only technical value. It
is sufficient to note that by these results the
destructive powers OF our heavy ordnance
have been more than doubled, while their
ingly increased. And as the efficiency
of ship is measured by the power
of her guns, the value of our
monitors, armed with 15-inch guns, can be
justly appreciated in comparison with Span
ish or other iron-clads. While using charges
of 35 and so pounds Of ordinary cannon pow
der the effect of the 15-inch guns was reduced
perhaps to the minimum. Now, with charges
of 100 and 120 pounds Of o larger and better
powder, giving uniform velocity of from l, $50
to 1900 feet to the solid shot, it may be said
that their effort is brought up to the maxi
mum, and that maximum means, at the close
range in which our monitors always engage the
absolute smashing and driving in of the armor
of any Of the Spanish iron-clads now around
Cuba. Thus, also, with the guns composing
the batteries of the Canandaigua, Juniata,
Powhatan, Worcester, Ossipee, and other ves-
sells which it is understood the prompt action
of the Navy Department has called into requi-
sition for service in Cuban waters. All our
other naval guns, principally 9-inch and
11-inch bores, are proportionally affected in
power Of penetration and in range, according
to calibre. The 11-inch gun, particularly,
will be found an ugly customer under any cir
cumstances.
It has hitherto been the fashion to decry
the ordnance of our navy as being altogether
of smoothbores made from cast iron. Whether
future results in actual battle will sustain this
adverse opinion or not, we can only say that
the authorities who are responsible appear to
have done the very best they could do under
existing circumstances. 1t is no easy matter
to abandon one entire system and pass to
another of such magnitude without the most
careful examination and practical test Of each
detail Other nations especially England,
have spent many years and millions of treas
ure in the endeavor to establish perfect sys-
tenn Of rifed ordnance for men-of-war To-
day there are no two ships of the English
Navy armed alike, and we know that they are
still engaged in ceaseless experiments to pro-
duce gun upon which they can rely. Curl
ously enough the piece which to-day has sue
ceeded in piercing the heaviest shield is sent
tomorrow to hospital for repairs. 1t should
be borne in mind, also, that one Of
these cannon costs something like
sixty thousand dollars, and to CON-
mence their manufacture would involve an
expenditure of quite million of dollars. AT
present, therefore, we must continue to rely
upon our smoothbores, one of which, when
tried in England shortly after our war, al
though it did not pierce the heavy shield with
its round shot, nevertheless indented it badly,
loosened its fastenings, and moved it bodily
backwards ut one end several inches.
Another point in the report Of grave inter-
est is that which relates to torpedo service.
Obviously no specific details can be made pub
lie concerning the experiments and the results
obtained at the station in Newport harbor.
We know, however, that each one of our ships
is well prepared for offensive operations with
this terrible agent, and that the equipments
arc in every respect as perfect as possible.
Successful trials were made recently in the
harbor of Newport with the ordinary spar
torpedo and the towing torpedo of Captain
Harvey, r. N. and letters from our squad
ron in Europe speak of the firing of impro-
vised torpedoes as a feature of the customary
exercise at general quarters in preparing for
battle. The terrible effect produced by the
explosion of even single torpedo Of say sew
cnty-fve or one hundred pounds under the
hull Of large vessel is frightful to contem-
plate. AT the same time it is comforting to
know that we have such an agent with which
to defend ourselves and punish our enemies.
THE INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION SCHEME has
received its coup de grace at the hands Of the
Aldermen, both Boards refusing the desi'ed
loan of two millions and a half dollars. This
is an unpropitious time for making o RAID
upon the city treasury. Our finances are not
in the most hourishing condition. and past
experience has taught the City Fathers TO look
with suspicion upon all speculative transac-
tions which tend towards depicting the
treasury for the purpose of furthering private
ends. The improvement of city property Is
desirable under oil circumstances, as long as
tho benefit accrues TO the citv I; but real estate