Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-11

WASHINGTON, April 1o.-The Army
Fertilization Board, which has been hold
ing session at the War Department during
the past winter, has drawn up set of rules
TO govern the tests of experimental guns.
The act creating the board provides that
it shall prescribe the dimensions and method
of testing guns of 10 or u inches caliber
that NAV be submitted by private parties,
and if any gun offered shall fulfill the re-
auirements as to accuracy, range, power,
endurance and general efficiency, then the
gun and ammunition (Which is to be fur
nished with the gum shall be paid for at
fair valuation, including cost of transporta-
tion.
A contract is also to be made at reason
able prices with the party presenting the
best of such guns for further supply. The
board has accordingly formulated the fol-
lowing conditions, which have been approved
by the Secretary of War:
The lO-inch gun shall be about 80 tons in
weight, the length "a calibers, measured from
the face of the obturator to the face of the
muzzle. 1t is desirable that the trunnions be
u inches in diameter, and the distance between
rim bases 42 inches in order to avoid the ne
cessity for special carriage.
THE ENERGY REQUIRED.
The power must be a muzzle energy of not
less than ID 900 foot tons; the range shall be for
% degrees elevation, be Is $50 yards, and cores
ponding ranges shall be obtained with lower
elevations. The requirements as to accuracy
are that 25 per cent of the shots shall strike
within vertical rectangle, LA feet by foot at
l,5t0 yards range, and within a horizontal rec
tangle 4S.5 yards by 80 yards at 10000 yards
range. The endurance test shall not be less
than 800 pounds with full charges,
After 250 or more rounds have been nred the
gun NAV be lined wholly or in part, when at
least sc rounds more will be fired to fully test
the strength of the construction. After this
the general soundness and efficiency of the gun
suoCld not be materially impaired, except so
far as may have resulted from erosion. Should
any material modification Of the construction
be made during the trial at least 90 rounds, with
full charges, shall be fired thereafter. The
weight of proiectile to be used with the full
charge shall be about 575 pounds.
Three hundred rounds of ammunition shall
be proper amount to be supplied with the
gun for test. As proof of general efficiency
the breech mechanism should work freely and
be convenient for operating, the opening and
closing of the breech to be performed without
great difficulty by one man. The projectile
shall admit of being readily handled, inserted
and centered in the bore. and not be subject to
injury or reformation either in handling or
transportation. A rapidity of fire of Is rounds
per hour shall be attainable, using such appli-
ances for loading as are employed by the ord
nance department of the United States Army.
NECESSARY REPAIRS.
The repairs allowable during the entire trial
of gun, exclusive of the insertion of 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 the 12inch gun the weight is
to be about % tons. the bore 81 calibers, and it
is desired that the trunnions be 145 inches in
diameter, and 49.S inches between rim bases.
The power is to be not less than 26U00
foot tons, the range Il, 200 yards al 20 degrees
elevation; the accuracy the same as the lQinch
gun. endurance not less than go rounds Ia
lining NAV be inserted after 200 rounds); the
weight of projectile about ZOO pounds and the
other conditions are to be the same as in the
case of the l0-inch gun, except that fire of
10 rounds per hour shall be attainable. The
experimental gun should be submitted 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 a flair valuation" of an experimental gun
which shall have fulfilled the requirements
prescribed, nor what process should be reason
able for further supply of similar guns.
1t is believed to be better on all accounts to
leave these questions for determination after
the actual cost and value of such guns can be
known, it being understood as the duty of the
Board to act in such matter with entire impair
tiality as between the United States and any
party who shall attempt to supply the desired
guns. 1t is understood, however, that the
Board is disposed to deal N liberal spirit with
parties submitting the guns with a view to car
Tying out the evident purpose of the act of
Congress, which was to encourage the develop
ment IN the United States of works capable of
supplying the needs of the country in the way
of seacoast and other kindred defeuseS.