Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-10-02
Testing Armor Plates.

That the time VIII come when wars
shan be no more, we have no doubt.
Human progress is Enthusiastically trending
I'D That direction All good citizens should
labor a. best they can to hasten the welcome
Gay, But until that day does come, it will
ever be the part of real wisdom, in time of
peace to prepare for war, by strengthen
ing our army and navy and making formid-
able our fortihcations.
We are pleased to know that recent
test has been made in srmor plates at
Annapolis, the facts of which make very
interesting reading and the result of the
test may be of great Importance to the
filciency Of our navy. Following is a
Partial account Of the test:
Tie armor. plate test which began on
Thursday. the 18th ult., was concluded
he 22nd al the Naval proving ground at
annapolis. and NAV be said TO have been
.e most important ever held. This i'm
arTance arises from the impsrtiality a
NJ Ill a. the severity of the trial. rather
an it. novelty, since similar competitive
stal> were held at Gavre, ochta, Amsger,
ais between English compound armor aud
i0ench solid steel plates have been regard
d, with something like Jealous care by the
,ayernmcnts concerned. and the records
;,Ar~e tests have come down 10 Us in the
ia ludicvd accounts Of the competitors.
Willie The American tests developed little
Ugt the ordnance experts Of this country
'sd not gathered from the foreign trials,
'.Ir fN>uli~ ut Annapolis hsve established
erc-a>lv".y snd indi>putahiy the superb
~ French armor-P plating over The
N-tt~A material. Inc utst >hot of ne
F~f 8ah HTln- proclaimed TINS TACT anu
+~Nii''l we hesitation OF the ooaru oe-
.A-t4 Z" conduct the test st continuing the
i.H- ri lAr EuGt>h armor.
4-e>t emphatic results are incidentally
~ !'F American institutions ne
f.A'"'n Iron company already hs>
attt''N VIA ne Government Tor shp
ill., anl'F Identical Win the most >ut-
NN.At ~ lhe 'hFte piates uhder Hla.-
EF'l't'Ir> used a. these tests .sIthonGh
20 lni''-h MaAe. are capable OF helnS re
'''-e'd III 'A1> country, ana steps IN tha'
''-'" WI ShoFuS oe taken ny the
s-"''' bureaus OF lhe arm! anu Navy
--t r." HtI " ~ 81 American hauuIActuI'-
.'tt s4"N :" satisfactory. ne guhs-a slA
WITT Al1 az Ell, men flhe-"ereo on uotntS-
''i ~ ana ascending helf per
"'siau'e e. We're perfect ht >lA-!nch gun
a. u'e' t"eINe ZINES between II snd
a without strain OF or INJURY 10 thc
~iA V' carriage mechanism. MS has
UT '0tH done by any country before.
-Aa + oolrf - strengthen the reputation
-e>' W. give American ordnance *
'rtI> throughout the military world
iLlE Results OF HE ANNAPOLIS test have
-H.-tAnTr beyond the compliment paid
ID domestic skin and labor. They demon
-.Fatta cary IN The trial the vu!nerahlhty
81 hlSA>a arnor before American ord
'h.f- Iacy to whom warIlse visions AsNe
fascination VII! absorb additional con
telfe from the evidence that 100 pound
E,l8etlon can be hurled through the thick
@- i-it4sh armoFed mld>hlps by our naval
.->- iv cftct OF this evidence j. far
i- IL influence may De depended
ta t' discourage English aggression,
~ - z, may give 10 ambitious minor
NeiN tae Iupe and opportunity OF equal
Ae results. on the other hand. may
regarded N England. a. smart All
-rt .r.t <, and tie warning given by the
.eia74ilan oi English armor 60 UNDECIDED.
Plates were arranged 80 e t. pre-
-f,t al tNACt and relative broad>ldc To Tie
' - -'' gun. rom "Ai'h 'A'l $1,000
-.,..s.r. I'LL, ,,-st. III .a,r,rolr ho,,..t :,
'ree feet " oak backing. representing
ae Au" proper Of ship-of-war. The
. '".'- Me[t neANy inclined struts ihlnt,i-
--,~, ,.'i,,,'I-, nt,rro 81 ',.a',', ~.
.-a-ramme Of the Board was to fire rfteeu
-..'t>. 'hg At each plate successfully The