Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-04-11

feet by one foot at 1900 yards
range, and within q horizontal rect
angle As yards by 90 yards; at 10000
wards range the endurance test shall not
be less than 300 rounds, with full
charges. After $50 or more rounds may
have been fired, the gun may be lined
totally or in part, when at least so rounds
more will be fred to fully test the
strength of the construction. After this.
the general soundness and efficiency of
the gun she uld not be materially i'm
paired, except SO far as may have re-
suited from erosion. Should any mate
rial modification of construction be made
during the trial, at least so rounds, with
full charges, shall be fired thereafter
The weight Of proiectiles to be used with
full charges shall be about 90
pounds. Three hundred rounds OF am
muniton shall be the proper amount to
be supplied with the gun for the test. AS
a proof of general efficiency, the breech
mechanism should work freely and he
convenient for operating, the opening and
closing OF the breech be performed with
out great difficulty by one man. The pro-
iectiles shall admit of being readily
handled, inserted and entered in the
bore, and not be subject to injury or de-
formation either in handling Or tr 'nspor-
tation. A rapidity of fire of fifteen rounds
per hour shall be obtainable, using such
appliances for loading as are employed
by the ordnance department of the
United States army. The repairs allow
able during the entire trial of the gun,
exclusive of insertion of a lining tube,
will be confined to repairing
or renewing parts injured during
the trial. No alterations that
may affect the general construction
of any part will be made without the
sanction of the Board. For a 12.inch
gun, the weight is to be about 81 tons
bore so calibres long, and it is desired
that the trunnions be IA inches in dia-
meter and 49S inches between the rim
bases. The power is to be not lees than
1000 foot tons range, IA, 100 yards at 20
degrees elevation, that the accuracy shall
be the same as the 10inch gun; endur-
ance not less than $50 rounds dining
may be inserted after 200 rounds; the
weight of the projectile about 1000
pounds; and the other conditions are to
be the same as in the case of the
10-inch gun, except that fire
of ten rounds per hour shall be attain
able. Experimental guns shall be sub
mitted for test as soon as practicable, and
within three years from date. 1t is not
considered practicable for the Board to
determine at this time what will be fair
valuation of the experimental gun which
shall have fulfilled the requirements pre-
scribed, nor what should be considered
reasonable for further supply of similar
guns. 1t is believed to be better, on all
accounts, to leave these questions for de-
termination after the actual cost and
value of such guns can be known. 1t is
understood, However, that the Board is
disposed to deal in liberal
spirit with parties submitting guns will
view to carrying out the evident pur-
poee of the Act of Congress which was
to encourage the development in the
United States OF works capable Of sup
plying the needs of the country in the
way of sea coast and other kindred de-
lenses.
ADMIRAL PATTERSON DEAD.
Rear Admiral Thomas H. Patterson
U. S. N. (retired), died last night from
exhaustion consequent upon long illness
Funeral tomorrow.
Rear Admiral Patterson was born in
New Orleans in 1920, and entered the
navy as midshipnan in 1886, and, at
the breaking out OF the war, had attained
the rank Of lieutenant. He was present
at the siege of Yorktown, and opened
the way up the Pamunky river in sup
port OF General McClellan's army. He
was commissioned commander in 1862.
and from that time until 1866 was
engaged in blockade duty off Whining
ton, N. G. He became Commodore
in 1873. He commanded the Washing
ton Navy Board, and in 1876 was Presi'
dent of the Naval Board of Examination
In 1881 he became Rear. Admiral, his
last sea duty being to command the
Asiatic squadron in 1880. He was re-
tired in 1888. Admiral Patterson was q
brother to the wife of Admiral Porter.
THE PENSACOLA AFLoAT.
The commandant of the Norfolk Navy
Yard reported to Secretary Tracy thai
the Pensacola is foated, and has not
been strained. The accident will moi
cause over weeks delay in the work OF
repairing.