Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-02-14

ZALlNSklS GUN
The contract calls for three guns for
Sandy Hook, two for Fort Schuyler and
two for Fort Warren, Mass. As the pecu-
hlrities presented by the fifteen-inch gun
now mounted at Fort Lafayette are virtu-
ally specified, the guns must be capable of
elevation and depression by either pneumatic
OF hydraulic power, and have an extreme
elevation of at least thirty-five degrees.
They must be capable of an all around fire,
or through 800 degrees, the training and ele-
waiting to be wholly under the control of the
gunner in charge
The range of fire is also specified, the ex-
treme demanded being a mile. Rapidity of
fire is also called for, being a requirement
not demanded in the recent tests of the sta
tionary gun. The delivery of these guns
ready for mounting must be made within
eight months of the time of execution of
contract The sum of money as bid by the
Pneumatic Dynamite company is $685.
Just where the guns will be built is not yet
known. The fifteen-inch gun at Fort Lafay-
ette was turned out by the Cramps of Phla-
delphia, while the eight-inch gun, viii ch de-
stroyed the Silliman, was built by an iron
firm of Jersey City. The three guns to be
mounted at Sandy Hook will consist of one
of eight-inch and two of fifteen inch calilre.
1t is not at all unlikely that the eight-inch
and fifteen-inch guns now at Fort Lafayette
will be mounted there. The fifteen-inch gun
from which the recent tests were made was
built with the original intention of being
mounted at Spezzia, Italy.
But the Pneumatic Dynamite Gun COM
pany, having bid for the work of the seven
new guns, decided to retain this gun for this
country until at least it was known that the
government had decided not to adopt dyna-
mite guns for the coast defenses 1t is be-
coming well known fact in military circles
that foreign governments are endeavoring
to negotiate for dynamite guns and dyna-
mite cruisers with manufacturers in this
country.
1t is known shat the Cramps have received
offers as high as. $500, 900 for the Vesuvius,
and this in face of the fact that the United
States government is only paying $3.50, 900
for her. But the Cramps are not at liberty
to negotiate with other governments for the
purchase of the Vesuvius, inasmuch as nine
tenths of the contract price has already been
paid down for her, the remaining tenth to be
paid as final acceptance of the vessel
There is no doubt the Cramps would like
to sell the Vesuvius elsewhere, inasmuch as
they are known to be out by about $100, 600
on the contract. But all stories to the eff
feet that they are considering offers from
foreign governments are absurd, there be-
ing no possible chance for the Cramps to
avail themselves of any such opportunity
before the secretary of the navy has de-
clined to accept the vessel The Vesuvius
having fulfilled all the requirements of
speed tests, there remains nothing now but
+ acceptance on the part of the government
The success of the Vesuvius has contrib
uted to the success of the dynamite gun in
asmuch as vessel and gun appear insepara-
| BILE. This double success is looked upon by
| foreign governments as matter of the very
| greatest Importance, and military men in
this country feel sure from the number of
emissaries of foreign governments now in
this country inquiring into the features of
| gun and vessel, that Italians, Russians,
| Spanards and French will ha 10 dynamite
| guns in their coast defense system before
many months have passed.
| There is, of course, nothing at present to
hinder the dynamite gun people from fur
nishing q thousand guns to foreign govern
ments, and all that is now to be feared in this
country is the possible lethargy of the ma
tional representatives to adopt the measures
and plans for coast defense recommended by
the military boards, whereby dynamite guns
will continue one Of the main features.
Capt E. L. Zalinski, whose name is
| N1N1 h.
soon for Europe, ostensibly for pleasure and
recreation. It is hard to understand how
one SO busy as Capt. Zalinski can partake Of
pleasure just at the present, and some be.
lieve that his European trip will partake OF
the nature Of Lieut.. Avery's mission to for
eign governments to present the Hotchkiss
gun.
At any rate it,now looks as if the dyna
mite gun is not to escape this government
and go abroad, as did the Hotchkiss revolv
| ing cannon. The awarding of the sea coast
guns to the Pneumatic Dynamite Gun com
pany looks asif more were to follow and leads
to the belief that the recent official trial al
Fort Lafayette was accepted by the govern
ment as successful
The cruiser Chicago still remains at the
New York navy yard, where work on hel
battery is being carried on under the direc
ton of the ordnance bureau. A few
months. ago it was said at the navy depart
ment that she would be fitted up and sent t.
! the Mediterranean as ;he flag ship Of tht
European station about january /, bu
trouble arising at Hayti and Samoa the de
partment turned its attention to getting yes
sells Off to these two points, and it is sale
now that the Chicago vii probably remain
at New York until some time in June
/ There is no reason why she should b,
hurried away, and one of her eight-incl
guns has been detained at the proving grounf