New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-08
THE DYNAMITE CRUISER TESUVIUS.
SECRETARY TRACY's ORDERS FOR FINAL TESTS
OF GUNS AND HORSEPOWER MERELY
COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW

A COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW.
Washington, Dec. 6.-There has been de-
cided disposition on the part of tho NATURALIZATION
newspapers to take Secretary Tracy task because
OF his order that the dynamite cruiser Veslvius must
have another test of her engne-power, and also OF
the efficiency Of her armament. His order IS that
these tests are TO be made that it may be demon
strated that the vessel and her armament capable
of fulfilling the requirements Of the Act of Congress
OF August g. 1885, which were that before acceptance
Of the vessel she must meet these conditions Three
thousand two hundred horse power, and guaranteed
10 attain speed of twenty knots an hour, and 10 be
equipped with three pneumatic dynamite guns with
ten and one half inches cabr and guaranteed TO throw
shells containing 200 pounds Of dynamite other high
explosives least mile each gun to be capaDlo
OF being discharged once in two minutes
The yesuvius I'm point of speed, has proved herself
IN be the fastest vessel afoat of her tonnage and
class She has also proved the efficiency of her
guns so far as the rapidity Of fire is concerned, having
fired fifteen shots in less than seventeen minutes
She has also demonstrated that her guns can In
dvldually throw pounds of dynamite at each fire.
but not with accuracy and this with larger caibre
NJ guns than was originally provided for. At the
final trial for speed she made a mean speed OF 21d
knots or l6 knots in excess OF the contract require
ment but she was deficient in horsepower Then
rame the test for accuracy of fire of guns, and gun
of the same type mounted at Fort Lafayette In
January last which proved fairly successful at the dis
tances The next for rapidly of fire, and as
4, WAS desirable that there should be defect every
thing was done 10 insure a successful trial The
valves were adjusted TO nicely, for In the largest
throw the valve must open and close In ohe-twehly
OF second while I'm the shortest throw the waive must
open and close in Onetwo hundredth OF second Inc
shorter the time the main valve left open the less
is the escape Of the pressure of the air from the
reservoir into the gun.
haap daSir m
san prejudice. His action is simply precaution and
precaution such as Congress obges him 10 take that
the vessels guns shall demonstrate their ability 10
throw a projectile containing 200 pounds OF dynamite
10 the distance Of mile with accuracy. The extent
to which such gun can be used anOat is
an open question, and 10 be solved only by a
more through trial than the armament Of the
Vesuvius has yet received. IL has not yet been
satisfactorily demonstrated that the accuracy of fire
can be depended upon in seaway, especially with
the high degree Of elevation necessary 10 send the
proiectile any distance above a MILE The contract
far the vcsuvius signed on February IL, 1887
the vessel to be completed in twelve months at a
rost of 1850 OOO Penalties for nOn-completon Of the
vessel have been accommodating for nearly two years.
and each day 500 IS added TO them but II the vessel
shall come TO the other conditions of the contract these
snes VIII probably be RENTED.
II VII be recollected that the original designs Of
the yeslvius very much changed by Secretary
vb,tpev,s consent to CRAFTY the con-
tractors. Some OF these changes were IN
M wise an Improvement For instance
the boilers and engines as much above the water
lire as they arc below and there is no protection to
these vital parts, except with the coal in the bunkers
hack Of the boilers and which probably would not be
Their, when wanted. Both engines are in one compaN
mept. and by single shot through the scan-Idpe OF
one engine the motive power would be compietey aus
sbed The following table gives all the changes that
have been made in the vessel: