Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-11-22
COMMODORE FOLGBR
Reports on Yir Materials to
Secretary Of the Navy.
Total Of Money Recently Transferred 10
Iey York Is $780, 900.
ASgpments Before eupssms Court on
Juguigo. Condsmsd 10 Eisctsocutiou.

wAsHIxGrox, Nov. al.-In the annual
report to the Secretary of Navy, Commo-
dore Folger says the department entered
into the contract with the Ericsson Coast
Defence Company for one submarine gun,
and six steel projectilss to be placed on
board the Destroyer. He ssys it 10 pro.
posed to make thorough test of this sys-
tenn Of submarine artillery which possesses
undeniable advantage. Concerning the new
smokeless powder. the bureau considers Il
will be wisdom to await for more definite
action in this direction in Europe, before
committing itself to any powder thus far
suggested.
The results obtained abroad and all ex-
pesiments are closely observed and noted.
The samples are tested and ansly zed as fast
as received. The bureau proposes to be
able at . given moment, when desired, to
dom esticate in this country the manufac-
ture of smokeless powder. A strong recon-
mendation was given of the new high ex-
plosive "emmensite, and he said further
experiments will be made with it.
Commodore Folger says that the bureau
has long since desired to develop in this
country . process Of forging common shell
Of steel which has been in use some time
abroad, which possesses . marked advan-
tage in the future Of the amount of mining
charge carried over that presented in cast
iron projeetiles.
He recently entered into negotiations
with an American firm which had acquired
the right to manufacture under one of
these processes, and he expects shortly to
have specimens up to six inch cslibre for
test, and this valuable manufacture will
thus be definitely established in the United
States. OF armor piercing projectiles, the
report says the domestic processes of man
ufaeture not being found satisfactory, it
was found necessary to acquire foreign
process. The price of the French Holther
shell is excessive and arrangements have
been made to acquire the firming process
as improved by Firth Sons. Upon the
subject of new small cslibre rife, the re-
port says nothing has been done towards
procuring them, army experiments are be-
ing awaited. The bureau is reliably in
formed that several European countries are
now to certain extent provided
with small calibre rifles. in which
they cannot use either brown 0. black
vsrities of powder, on account of fouling
for which they have not been able to OBJ
tain satisfactory smokeless non-fouling var
iety. 1t is believed in most cases the re-
duction of cslibre is too great, this should
not 60 below SO. 1t seems to be wisdom to
delay for time, watching carefully the re-
suits obtained abroad, of the definite ad-
option of any small calibre. Failing to Sc
cure successful specimen of the Howell
torpedo, the report states that an order will
shortly be placed with reputable American
firm for q number of English Whitehead
torpedoes. The bureau recommends the ad-
vantage which would accrue to the depart
ment from the acquisition of the whole of
the torpedo defense system. portion of
which is at present controlled by the en-
eineering department of the army. On the
subject of nickel steel armor, the report,
after detailing the Annapolis tests, says:
The results of this first public trial of
nickel steel armor have shown the wisdom
of the department in adopting steel rather
than compound armor, and indicated the
probable superiority Of nickel steel over
simple steel. An appropriation having
been made, the department stands ready t,
adopt the nickel steel armor, should further
trials conclusiveiy prove its superiority.