New-York tribune., 1891-05-09
TIE VESUVIUS TO HAVE A TRIAL.
DYNAMITE TOO DANGEROUS AND GUNCoTToN
WILL BE UsED-DoUBTs ABOUT THE
CRUISERS EFFICIENCY.


WILL BE USED-DOUBTS ABOUT THE
CRUISERS EFFICIENCY.
Washington, May SpeciaD.-The trial Of the
dynamite cruiser Vesuvius and the operation Of her
guns promises to be the most interesting naval test
since the foreign armorplates were fired upon at
Annapolis last september The powers of that vessel
and the capacities OF her guns have been demon
strated, and the trial will at least put end to the
discussions OF the performances Of both ship and
armament. Upon the results will depend the
tinnance OF the Vesuvus upon the Navy Register
dynamite cruiser There those who have questioned
her capacity in that direction and II their scepcsm is
sustained their desire to see the vessel converted into
torpedo cruiser will be realized. must be admitted
that the forthcoming test will be lacking in complete
ness by the determination to gun cotton instead OF
dynamite. The Navy Ordnance authorities arc opposed
TO the Of the latter explosive, and its dangerous
character in its very preservation and handling
makes Its use hazardous TO the operators.
The pneumatic guns Of the Vcsuvus have never had
fair trial. with guncOtton, and the ehects ana
consequences of their discharge will be awaited with
interest Those who are not familiar with the ar
rangement of the three pneumatic tubes OF this YES
sci will appreciate this feeling of interest only when
they understand that the tubes ranged side by side,
are virtually part of the ship. The breech mechanism
as the place Of loading might be called is below the
decks and the long tubes extend upward IN santins
direction penetrating and appearing above the main
deck with which the tubes arc at an angle OF aDOut
45 degrees The discharge is by compressed air. tho
differences of range being obtained by lessening or de-
creaslng the force of air. AS the guns point IN
one direction forward and immovable, the direc-
ton of fire is changed by swinging the vessel
This is cumbersome evolution, and the results are
always doubtful, that the efficiency of weapon so
unweldy in the handling may properly be questioned.
The Department long ago acknowledged its own doubt
OF the value not to say the safety Of the Vesuvus 10
time Of action by potponing the test which Is at last
committed to board of officers II has been consdoed
one of the grave mistakes of the Whitney administration
that the Vesuvlus was built with the fixed tubes or
at least that some evidence of the ability to fire dyna-
mite through tubes so related to steel hull was NOS
required before 900 expended in the constrc
ton The representations of interested parties, among
them the holders OF stock In the company conrchhg
This device were accepted without awaiting the uSu
Official inOucy. No one but Captain 2ansfy, OF tho
Army. has fired dynamite cut OF gun, ana HIS opera
tions were under circumstances totally different from
,boe attending the firing of the tubes OF the Vesuvus
While dynamite is not be used in the approaching
test some comparative results expected from the
use OF the lighter and less dangerous guncoton. IL
il appears that that explosive cannot be used with
surety or with the effects intended TO be caused by
dynamite 1t will be concluded that the Vesavlus as
a highexposive cruiser, is a failure, aud she VIII
take ND the less demonstratve role of torpedo cruiser
She easily although at some cost' De a'creo III
to the latter type.
The hoard of which Lieuteant Commander A. r.
Conden is president will observe the range OF the
guns and their accuracy Of fire. as well as the general
efficiency Of the vessel, including speed ana
manoeuvrng abilities The vessel Is ere Sreded o %i1a
less than the Cushings official rate. although the
Vcsuvous is nearly twice as long, and OF more than
times the The & test is vepJ to take pasS
examination of the vessel.