The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1885-06-20
lRONcLADs.
n. r. CALL

A proposition was recently debated in
the British Parliament to purchase the
Italian ironclad Duilio. The vessel lie
said to be the most powerful Of its kind
in the world 1t is covered with the
thickest armor. and carries the heaviest
guns. The proposition to purchase this
vessel was opposed, on the ground that
she is not serviceable in proportion to
her cost. The elements OF strength are
admitted. but it is question If her
strength can be made effective. II any
other ship would attack the Dnilio. the
latter would certainly give good account
Of herself. II cities would approach the
sea. so that the Dailio could pour shot
and shell into them, she would do i'm.
mense damage, and be comparatively
safe from injury. But the Italian iron.
clad is so heavy that any other vessel
can easily run away from her. Her
draught is so great that she can enter
but few harbors. She is vulnerable, her.
self, in her unarlnpred ends and below
the water line. 1t is even question il
her srmor, thick as it is, might not be
pierced by well-directed shot from the
class Of guns the Duilio carries. COM
menting .pon this discussion in Parlia-
ment, the BROAD Arrow" an English
naval paper, predicts that the ironclad
will soon 60 out Of favor, and armor be
thrown of altogether. The conditions
have changed since the Merrimac made
play with the wooden feet in the Chesa.
peak Bay. A very little armor was am.
pie protection against the guns Of that
period. Since then armors have been
made thicker, and guns more powerful.
In the race, the penetrating force has
kept little in advance Of the power
Of resistance. The latest ex.
periments have been most unequivocally
in favor Of the gun. The conclusion is
that armored vessels are not, and cannot
be made, invulnerable. Their armor
makes them slow, and, for many pur.
poses, unserviceable. The point has been
reached beyond which we cannot 90 in
adding srmor to vessels. The buoyancy
Of the unarinored vessel has been a,
nearly overcome as is consistent with
safety. As now constructed, they are in
danger Of laundering in very moderate
gale. The modern ironclad is, in soms
respects, useful as a scarecrow. They
Look formidable. II they could max,
their own conditions. they would probs
bly, do great service in battle. But o.
late years they have not been useful il
proportion to their cost They did no
play any part in the Frauco.GermAn war
nor in the Russo Turkish war. The Eng
lish used them with effect against Alex
andria, but the halt armed fortiticationl
OF that city were hardly fue worthy 0
10 much steel. The Broad Arrow com
pares the ir''nclads to the knights Of old
who went into battle covered, from heat
to foot, with steel. These arnor, wer,
found useful in warding oH blows from
the sword. and il bunting the st.s
points Of arrows. The knight was toler
ably effective while on his feet, but if b.
CHANGED to fall he was helpless. The i'm
pruvemsnts in weapons Of attack led /,
ahc disase Of armor altogether. Iron
'clads are formidable in much the sam
way. They are quits likely. however
through the acti"n Ct their complicate,
machinery. to get out Of order. Im fact
they are almost as dangerous to thsl
friends as enemies.