The sun., 1890-07-10
TIE PNEUMATIC GUN TRIAL
IL the vesuvIns to be n Dynamite Cruiser
or = Gun Cotton CruIaert

or = Gun Cotton CruIaert
WAsHINGToN, July o-Some criticism has
been made upon the test of tho dynamite
weapon manufactured at Cold Spring for use
in Australia, on the ground that all the shells
were filled with sand instead OF with dynamite
or with any sort OF oNi losive. 1t has been re-
called that in the last test of the so-called
dynamite guns Of tho Vesuvlus gun cotton
was employed, and that she has mover yet used
either nltro-glycerino or dynamite In her
shells since her guns we're taken aboard.
SO far as the trial at Cold Spring ls con-
cerned. this criticism is misplaced. Nothing is
more certain than that the pneumatic tube
was prepared to throw shells containing burst
ing charges, but an Injunction was obtained
against the company owning 1t. on the score
OF the dangerous or injurious character Of the
experiment. But oven without that Injunction
It might have been prudent to throw dummy.
instead Of dynamite shells. at the frat trial.
AS TO the actual results OF the experiment
they we're successful in some respects and un-
successful in others. They we're wholly graft
fying in tho disclosure OF the force OF COM
pressed air that could be obtained and used. n
range OF pa miles the highest yet achieved.
being reached. This. In itself, is great tri-
umrh. For. although, Of course, such range
would not be sufficient for all purposes against
for some purposes, such. for example. as the
defence Of narrow channels when employed in
shore batteries or In armorclads where sull-
cient protection could be given to the weapon
The unfortunate results were tho bad per-
formances OF the first and third rounds, in
which the shells we're wild and collapsed at q
long distance from the target. The other shells
showed good degree OF steadiness Of liGht
and an adequate range. which last was tho
HDWnSar. q n v
that when this gun is taken to Shoeburyness for
testing BY tho British Government there will
pc proper series OF experiments TO determine
how lar the pneumatic gun can be relied unon
II point OF accuracy There is no question
there Is n great deal OF question as TO whether,
when mounted aboard ship and with sh9 triple
disadvantages OF the slowness OF the flight OF
the prolectile. the motion OF the vessel from
which i is Tired and in which 1t is fixed and the
disposition OF many OF the he,proloctlcs 10 wabble.
vessel in motion. But whatever the tact in
this resnect, there is an unupestionsble field
tent OF this iield the ShoeHuryness experiments exp
will probably demonstrate, 1t Is as u shore
weapon that the British will use 1t.
As to the Nesuvius II is pretty we'll under
stood among naval officers that she will not
ful1 the description OF her given IN the official
fired anything but gun cotton hitherto. and
she is not like to experiment wi h any othor
sort OF explosive as the bursting charges Of her
shells. This. however is not the fault OF the
cessIully used dynamite. but 1t results from
fayorlte high explosive OF the navy Ofiicers
who might not care to carry about quantity
9; q nitro, ,Gelaine or dynamite for their prolee-
One great advantage. In the latter s its safety
in handling under all circumstance. since 1t
rloded by shock. 1t can also be made to re-
tain its good qualities under all changes OF
Vesnvius will be a gun cotton boat instead Of
dynamite boat, and all calculations as to the
effect ei which would be PRO %pr1dueed by the explo;; xplo;
on what gun cotton can do. 1t is true that gun
cotton. like melinite Is used in powder guns.
but not in such quantities as can be employed
with the pneumatic gun: and, although il is
less powerful than the preparations OF nitro
Gyeerine yet 1t Is SO mIeh moro efficient lien thaa
her formidable craft under the right circum-
STANCES. Even with the drawback Of the NOR
horizontal shell firing OF powder guns. the
far larger quantity OF gun cotton which can be
used IL the former Is Erea, Sai advaptage
as it should henceiorth be called. our gun
cotton cruiser. will ever be duplicated. Con-
Building another Ves1vius. but the Navy De- .
partment has not yet thought IT. expedient to
ase he Pe
An armorclad. which could give some protec-
ton 70 the apparatus, whereas now on the
most ordinary antagonist before coming with
in range suited to its own weapons. 1t is very
ever be actually subjected to an enemys direct
fire. but she could rapidly conduct her guns 10
any needed point or the coast and might there
obtain t lie protection Of an ironclad. q fort, or
q mound OF earth sneltering her from direct
fire. and enabling her TO use her weapons to
advantage.
flrmed all hat had been claimed for the pneu-
matte wearon as an air torpedo In, point of
ever reached anything like the two and one
quarter miles shown to be feasible with this
apparatus. Used In a fort. for covering space
where specific amounts OF pressure could de-
liver the proJectie at points ascertained by
practice beforehand. 1t ought to prove o useful
auxiliary in harbor defence.