The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-12-14
THE ZAl lNSKT GUM.
It's Introduction Will Certainly Change old
Modes of Naval warfare.

It's Introduction Will Certainly Change old
| Modes of Naval warfare
Even supposing that Lieutcnan-i Ia
| linski does not find some means of in
crcasing the range of his gun, and that
mile remains its limit. the fact that
within that limit dynamite projectiles
can be used with precision and effect is
| staggering enough. In the first place,
| land defenses will be given an enor-
nous advantage in any contest between
them and ships. In attacking forts in
harbors and cstuaries the iron-clads arc
often obliged to come within a mile of
the shore. But if the land batteries
arc armed with guns throwing dyna-
mite shells, to do so will mean destruc-
tion for the ships. Such projcctiles do
not merely injure the vessel struck; they
extinguish her. Under ordinary circum-
stances an armored war ship, though
She may run considerable risk of
being disabled by forts if she comes
within their fire, has very fair chance
of keeping afoat oven if struck. The
bombardment of Alexandria, for in
stance, showed that ships could be hit
again and again without serious damage
being done to them. But as some ex-
pcrimcnts made n few months ago with
the Ialinsld gun proved, the effect OF
its fire is very different. One OF its pro-
jcctilcs was dropped on the decl, of a
vessel and the explosion that ensued
was sufficient to totally wreck the whole
structure. Nor were ever the misses
harmless. SO great column of water
was raised by the explosion as to doa
great deal of damage in it's descent on
the object of the attack. If, then, tho
forts ut the entrance of the Thames
were armed with the dynamite
gun it would be impossible for
any hostile squadron to force the
passage. The batteries could not
be destroyed by ships out at sea, rs they
would be protected by the turns of tho
river. and whenever they were attacked
from close quarters they would be able
to reply with far greater power than
that possessed by their assailants. In
fact the Xalinslii gun makes it possible
to fire torpodocs through the air, and
with tho accuracy of rockets. If, then,
the OBJECT of the new discovery be such
rs we have described it, the problem of
how to defend our coasts from attack
will bo immensely simplihcd. FLOATING
NnINl VII Dt IOWeul tnO
most convenient points in a harbor
'r ut rivers mouth would soon put
places like Liverpool and Newcastle
'n-Tyne out Of all danger of being
aided. A hostile cruiser obliged to
Keep two miles ont to sea, though
I might set fire TO few pub
ic buildings. would not be very
formidable enemy. 1t can, however,
'ardly be supposed that the invention
will stop whore it is. Every thing
GEMS To point TO the fact that we shall
DON discard ordinary gunpowder as, the
lling for projectles. Up till now
hero has been difficulty in discharg-
ng dynamite and similar compositions
rom an ordinary cannon, and therefore
guns. which are comparative
Y safe. have had to be adopted, in spite
4 the short distance over which they
'ill throw shell. Methods OF getting
yer this are. however being diligently
ought for. and we may be certain that
cforc long either tho pneumatic guns
ill be improved. or what is moro prob
blr some means will lie devised for
ring dynamite from ordinary ARTILLERY.
Spectator.