The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1889-08-30

A UZ-lVU STEEL FIELD PIECE.
howitzers, 'rnmners aud staves," ''sponges
and rammers," "ran,ner heads,' cartridge
blocks;" s'musket stocks of l,lodel of 1S4l,"
ball screws,'' screw drivers, spring vises,
'stumbler punches and '!tompions for Spring
field muzzle loading rihes,' 1860 Bakesles
patent carbine cartridge box bclts.n 5000
"cavalry sabcr belts" 90 900 s'saber knots in
grained or buff leather" 27,ao3 ''cruppers,"
17,SS2 ssbayonet scabbards," 29,037 ''cap
punches and picks" 5000 'saber belt plates, y
l2,70l Cartridge box plates" ''white buff
gun sings" elevated screws, barbette car
riages,' an assortment Of fuse plugs of wood
and paper, and leather coal sacks for noun
tain lIowitzcrs.
The situation of Watervliet, however, is
exceptionally fine; a tract of considerably
over 100 acres is contained i'll the triangle,
which las base on the Hudson river and a
direct communication with the world by the
Erie canal, which runs through it, This
double wharfage, on the canal and on the
river, gives ready access to the city Of New
York and to all the ocean ports, us well as to
tho lake ports in the interior. Close by are
some of the largest iron and steel mills in the
country, from which supplies of raw material
can he drawn. AS q fortress. it is one Of the
strongest i'll the country, for it can be easily
guarded by comparatively small force of
men, In this respect it is better to maintain
this arsenal than some other arsenal that is
moro accessible to vessels drawing moro
water than is afforded by the upper half OF
the Hudson river.
Water power is furnished from Il racoway
cut from the canal to the river with fall of
eighteen feet. Almost unlimited power is
thus close at hand during more than six
months Of the year The capacity of the ar-
senal in time Of war was one gun carriage
complete, with timber, per day; but this Gu
pacty was often increased. These facts and
other considerations led to the introduction
Of bill by Mr.. Cameron in the United States
senate in 1885 for the erection OF two large
gun factories, one for the army at Water
vliet and one for tho navy at Washington.
This was the first practical measure proposed
for the adequate protection of the United
States sea coasts The bill provided for the
erection of tho two factories at Il cost of about
$1,000, 900 each, and also for the purchase Of
about 10, 900 pounds Of tempered steel from
private firms to bo converted into cannon.
At that time it was estimated that between
800 and 400 guns, of various bores, would be
required for the forts md ships some of
these to weigh 100 tons. 1t was expected that
each of the proposed factories would be able
to turn out in year twelve u inch guns,
seventeen IL inch guus and fifty u inch guns,
the annual expense being about s2, ,0a0.
This bill did not pass the house of represen-
tatives. -
Early in 1856 report was made to the SEN
ate by Mr.. Hawley recommending that the
government establish Two great factories for
the casting Of guns, and the best locations
were said to be the Washington navy yard
and the Waterviet arsenal This bill failed
for want of IN agreement between tho two
houses of congress. 1t was, however, ar
ranged that small amount Of money might
be used to make an experiment at Watervliet,
and orders were given to the commanding
officer directing the purchase of such grounds
and buildings as were needed, The floor of
one Of the storehouses was taken out and
heavy masonry built as a foundation for tho