The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-04-10
BERDAN RANGE-FINDER.
A Great Invention for Military Purposes.

"A
EDITOR NATIONAL tribune: The War De-
Board of Ordnance and Fertilization
have decided to purchase ono OF these instru.
ments for trial. The range-linder IS the iu-
vention OF Gen. II. Berdan. who organized
and commanded the Berdan SharpshOotcrs
during the war Of the rebellion. This instru-
mcnt is used for measuring, mechanically, firing
distances FOR artillery aud heavy ordnance.
Many systems have been devised for this pur-
pose but until now they have failed for want
of simplicity, accuracy aud rapidity. The soul
OF the invention is in tho recorder, which per-
mits the exact distance TO be read of from the
instrument without the necessity of mental
calculation. The solution of the formula by
which this recorder is constructed is a secret,
known only TO the inventor. Many mathoma-
tcians have been at work upon tho problem,
but Ms yet have failed To secure q satisfactory
solution. Upon the adoption OF this instru-
ment battles can be fought at known distances,
aud many believe that the loss of life in the
first engagement will go "A long way in deterring
Governments from declaring war. The aver.
ago time Of taking distances with this instru-
ment is about 80 seconds. Firing trials have
shown that one gun with the aid of this in.
stTument is equal TO five guns without IT,
There Is a great saving in ammunition, with a
wonderful increase In effectiveness. 10 will DO
impossible for artillery or infantry 10 advance
up 10 the point OF attack when these instru-
ments are employed Made Of various sizes
they can be employed as effectively with light
artillery as with heavy ordnance ia operations
for coast defense. The War Department Board
wore particularly impressed with the important
fact that the instrument could be set in adj
vance Of moving object, rs ship or bodies Of
troops, and the sights Of the guns made TO
correspond with the record Of the instrument;
that i5 the guns are kept trained upon the
object, or sufficiently in advance Of it., to give
time for the flight OF the projectile. When the
object comes within the line of fire the man at
the instrument discharges all OF the guns by
electricity, with the assurance that every shot
will reach the object aimed at. In the bonn
bnrdment of cities the attacking ships will
move in circle, aud the forts, acting on the
defensive, can train their guns with the aid OF
the range-inder and by this means the diff
Guilty OF firing at movable bject viii be over
come 1t Is believed that the employment of this
instrument will tend TO reyolutionze present
methods of warfare.
The first great step in the line Of making
war impTacticable, because SO destructive, was
the invention of the breeeh- loader. The metal
cartridge made the brecch- loader practicable
Now comes the Tange-hnder. which secures
rapid and accurate firing at known distances
so that small force with ordinary defenses ear
| destroy many times their number. IL is Il great
| war where 20 per cent. arc killed and 80 pei
cent. return TO clanlg their swords aud draw non
| si0ns. Bat If improved methods reverse this
| condition Of security, Governments will be-
compelled TO resort To other means than force Of
arms to settle diiierences.-J. L. r., u. =. Army
! Washington, d. q.