New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-22
,st NJ the veterinary inspectors: At Boston, Dr. A B.
n s a. at New-Y0rk, DR.. O. r. Kitchener: ut Norfolk
baltimore and at Newport News. DR.. G. c. Favile
ORDNANCE FOR THE NAVY.
FEATURES OF THE REPORT OF CHIEF FoLGER-

FEATURES OF THE REPORT OF CHIEF FoLGER-
GUN IMPROVEMENTS.
washington. Nov. 2l.-In his annual report to tho
eecretary OF the Navy Commodore Foger. Chief OF the
pnreau OF Ordnance, asks for appropriation OF
a. 63s SOL for the next fiscal year. The Department
has entered into contract with the Ericsson Coast
Defence Company for submarine gun and six steel
pro,ectIes to be placed board the Destroyer. he
saws Il is proposed to make thorough tcst OF TINS
system Of submarine artillery. Concerning the new
.mokecss powder, 1t Is said "The Bureau considers
that II will be e part Of wisdom to await more definite
action In this direction in Europe before committing
,tself 10 any OF the powders thus far suggested Inc
question OF stability In store is important that since
thu Department possesses excellent powder Oh the olu
aret,es IL can afford TO until time and expert
,nent will throw more light upon the subject In the
meantime the results obtained abroad and all expert
msnts arc closely observed and noted and samples are
tested and analysed fast as received. The Bureau
proposes to be able at given moment. when desired
IA domestcate In this country the manufacture OF
smokeless powder" strong recommendation Is
otven OF the new highexplosive "ammenste,' ana II
s said that further experiments will be made with ~
Commodore Folger says that common cast-steel
sbels have proved unsatisfactory, and adds: "The
bureau has long since desired to develop In this coun
try a process OF forging common shells OF steci
which has been in use for some time abroad
II expects shortly have specimens mp to sixinch
IN cabre and that this valuable manufacture VIII tus
he definitely established in the United States"
novel feature in gunDery is treated as folows'
aThe s-inch guns of the Chicago and Baltimore have
been found to work easily and well by hand, but the
bureau considers 1t desirable to develop tho application
Of electricity to the handling Of guns, and mas con
tracted with the Edison Electric Company and the
Thomson Houston Company for motors to be applied 10
an snch gun carriage to control all the motions
Of the gum
Touching the armament Of the new ships the report
says "The increased rapdity OF delivery OF forshgs
from the Bethlehem Iron Company and Mldvale steel
Company and tho development Of the washington Gun
Factory are such Is TO warrant the pehed that pa.
erles hereafter be furnished ships ~ iss' az 'oy
are completed" ~ ,.. .r.-
6ctailinr the Annapolis tests. says Tho results OF
ds tie first public trial OF nlckesteei srmeG nave
shown the wisdom Of tho Department In adopung stee
rather than compound arnor and nave inaraoe se
n, oable superiority OF nickel over simple steel
fhe Department stands ready TO adopt nckesteei
armor should further trials concluslve!y prove ITO gu
perioryn The Bureau has successfully experinehten
With new process OF treating low steel or Iron IN
vented by IL. A. Harvey, oi Newark. n J ana IN
tends TO develop plate Of superior quality.