New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-28
AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
REPORT ON THE vESUv1US.
THE BOARD UNABLE TO GIVE AN OPINION AS
TO HER ACTUAL EFFIcIENcY-AN-
OTHER TEST ORDERED.


TO HER ACTUAL EFFIC1ENCf-AN-
OTHER TEST ORDERED.
,v,.,,Dctor MAY o7-The report Of the Naval Board
annoned N test the accuracy Of the dynamite guns OF
the cruiser Vesuvius has Just been made public owing
N unfavorable weather tho firing did not begin until
the morning of May 10. line OF buoys was iald OUT
off Ocean View Chesapeake Bay Six shots were hred
with the starboard and five with the middle gum
From the six shots fired with the starboard gun a
range curve showing the valve openings necessary for
all ranges 10 moro than 1900 yards, constructed
but similar curve could not be made for the miodle
run on May 10 six shots with the starboard gun
were fired for accuracy. The valve openings for tnS
firing were taken from the range curve and corropo
rated II closely Three of these were fired with the
vessel stationary and opposite Buoy l. and the o'er
three with the vessel steamng at about Twelve AoO'
and while opposite Buoy l. Three more shots "erc
fired from the middle gun, using the data vi 'e P0'
ous day for regulating the valve openings Inc IT,
suits of this firing and Of that previously neh'ionou
from this gun we're irregular ana not OF SUCH
nature rs TO enable the Board TO draw ieir range
curve r..u
IN Nav 90 the firing resumed. Ihree
shots were fired the distance being estimated al
one mile threo-Quarters mile and ohe-hsi hiiio
The results of this firing were good the shots Ie a
the distances stated from the buoys aimed at No -
line. forty -eight yards beyond; No. . eight YARDS
right fourteen yards beyond NO. o. t"eh'' i'" janus
ON the occasion OF this firing the sea and wind were
moderate and the motion Of the vessel though not ex
ccssiye was not entirely conducive to GOOD ming
After This firing was over the Cushing towed the oiu
cutter procured at the Navy Yard across the line Vi
fire at a speed OF ten knots. The NesuVlus "aS a'
this time proceeding at speed OF seventeen hno''
and her rolling and pitching motion greater than IN the
6rino inst executed The gun fired at the word
NJ command and at distances estimated by the Board
These three shots fell follows No. l. twenty yarus
left sixteen yards short. No. 2, 300 yards Oeyohu
No. g. eight yards left, 275 yards short Ihese sho1S
were fred at mile, threeourth ana one-han niio
respectively.
In conclusion the Board reports as follows:
The accuracy Of fire of the starboard gun under the
conditions We consider good, that OF the miuue anu
port guns we are unable 10 cTTS order The valve Of
the sarbpard gun has been mGdfo hTeushoa
The range be readily altered; the seltlng Ol
the valves can be changed to any pony run e1'T t
moderate sea and wind on the general efficiency OF the
guns and their range is very slight Generally speak
ing the vessel as gun platform behaved very Sa tho
factOry. There are many details concerning tnS
steering gear and coming tower when couio DC o
improved. AS 10 the actual efficiency OF tle vessel
for offensive purposes, the Board HAS hl' u''" vi
which to base an opinion ... .oa
on May 30 three shots were fired at target toWed
by the Cushing at speed Of ten knots across the lne
~ fire the Vesuvius steamng seventeen knots; one
OF these would undoubtedly have struck vessel i us
the Board considered favorable showing uhuer inc
circumstances The Board considers that the fittings
and appliances for loading and firing these guns as
fitted are crude and capable OF great improvement,
The Roard would recommend that the guns should be
carefully ranged in some suitable locality where the
fall of the projectiles can be accurately detrgu
from rn shore stations that simple and suitable
sGht should be fitted, and such changes madc IN inc
mechanism for loading and firing the guns as may pc
ound advisable and that the vessel be subjected 70
ucb further tests as will fully determine her echcy
as a torpedo thrower
The report is signed by r. D. Evans, COMMANDER
4. r. Couden leutenant-commander; J. f. Meies'
lieutenant
follows: ..o,
In view Of The statement that as to the actuai
errIency OF the vessel for offensive purposes ne
hoard has little data on which to base an OpniOn %
o n, endatnn that the uins be carefully ranged IN
some suitable location the Department orders tha inc
board reconvene and consider and submit deUtIlea
for any such further tests they may recon-