Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-09-25
SEAMEN GUNNERS.
HOW THEY ARE TRAINED FOR
THE UNITED STATES NAVY.
The Course of instruction at the
Newport Or. H. Torpedo School
The Submarine Diving Glass -
Gunnery Practice.


Gunnery Practice.
A seaman gunner is a seaman of the
United States navy who has successfully
passed the examination required by the
Navy Department and has received
years course of instruction, embracing
six months at the Torpedo Station, New
port, II. l., and six months at the Navy
Yard, Washington.
The gunnery class, as it is called, is
principally for the instruction of ex.ap-
prentices of the navy, but seamen under
80 years of age who have honorable dis
charges, and who can pass satisfactory
examination in arithmetic, composition,
orthography, seahanship and gunnery,
are also eligible.
The course at the Torpedo Station con-
sists of the study of electricity as applied
to incandescent lighting, batteries, etc.
the manufacture and handling of explo-
sives, such as gun cotton, dynamite, nitro
.glycerine, illuminate of mercury, etc. /;
torpedoes, their manufacture, use and
handling, and submarine diving.
The torpedo station is long, irregular
shaped island, situated in Newport Har-
Dor and used by the government for the
manufacture and testing of torpedoes and
explosives. 1t is on this island that the
seamen are stationed, having a cottage
furnished them with accommodations for
about twenty-five men. There are about
two hundred and fifty incandescent lights
on the island. The dynamo room, which
is supplied with the leading dynamos of
different electiicians-Edison, Gramme,
Weston, etc.-furnishes the entire place
with light every night
The seamen are thoroughly instructed
in the installation and care of the plant
and the different Writings for various cur
rents, each man standing four hours
watch two or three times week, during
which time he has entire charge of the
plant. The running of the engine and
dynamo and the switching ON and off of
the different currents are all left entirely
to his control. An expert electrician,
stationed on the island by the govern
ment, exercises general supervision of all
electrical apparatus connected with the
station, and instructs the men in their
use, especial care being taken with bat
teries, etc., that are used on shipboard
During their leisure hours the men
study the construction of the different
classes of dynamos and the wiring of
plants, and with occasional lectures from
the instructor and the use of the books at
the station pertaining to the subject they
acquire quantity of useful knowledge.
1t is common sight of an evening to
see the men sitting around their mess
tables pondering the mysteries of science
as expounded by the volumes of English,
French and American electricians. All
take interest in the study. Indeed, it
becomes imperative, as an examination at
shows their proficiency in this as we'll as
in other subjects.
One building on the island is COM
pletely furnished with the different
utensils for the manufacture of gun
cotton. Here let me say, for the benefit
of the uninitiated, that gun-cotton,
although four times more powerful in
effect than gunpowder, is much less dan
gerous, as, except inGare cases, it cannot
be exploded except by detonation. Fol
instance, you could throw block of gun
cotton on a blazing fire and it would
merely burn up with quick, bright
heat; but the same block exploded by
detonation would completely wreck the
building around it. The instructions
concerning this explosive relate to its
chemical formula and the different
processes it goes through during manu-
facture, and its care and use in the
service.
The submarine diving instructions art
given daily. Six men are in a class al
one time, and the course usually last
each man goes down at least once a day
staying under water from fifteen minute
to an hour. The first dive is taken il
from cne to two fathoms of water, ant
when the diver is used to the pressur,
the depth is increased, the men finishing
at from twelve to fifteen fathoms, or sixt,
to ninety feet, which is generally deel
enough to satisfy all ambitions. Nearl.
all make divers-good, bad and inditfer
ent, depending greatly on the physica
qualiticationsTof the man himself. Prob
ably one man out Of ten will refuse alto
gether to don the suit, generally from
timidity. The course is very thorough
the men working in pairs. Two mel
dress each other while two others revolv
the pump, and vice versa
The diving is very useful, as occasion
often arise on shipboard which rende
imperative the services of an experiences
diver. At sea, when on general service
the government allows the diver 81 pc
hour for all work done under water.
The torpedo instructions are very in
teresting, although somewhat compli
Gated, and embrace the wiring from tn
electrical machines to the torpedo, tn
formation of the different appliances TO
testing, firing, etc., the management Q
the different switches used in the circuit
and the rigging Of ships and boats i
readiness for an attack.
The above description gives correc
outline of the seamans course of instruC
tion at the torpedo station, and his tim
is very proftably employed. He is the
examined in all the different branches h
has studied, and if he gets an average {
rs per cent out Of a possible 100 he
forwarded to Washington for the con
pletion Of the course. If the require
per cent. is not obtained the delinquer
Is returned TO general service, saddle
but wiser man.
When the seaman reportS at Washing