The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-05-21
ARMY AND NAVY,

ARMY AND NAVY.
The Ordnance officers Of the Army have pro-
cured a new type Of carriage for l2.inch coast
defense mortars from France, which will be de-
liyered ia Washington in a short time. IL is
known as the Canet patent carriage, and is fur
nlshed with pneumatic cylinder, known rs
the TecuperatOr," which returns the piece 10
position TO FIRE again after discharge. The car
rlagc Is all Of steel, and is somewhat more ex-
pensiye than other patterns. IL is the lnten-
ton Of the Ordnance Bureau 10 test the car
riage thoroughly, as well as the Russian pat
tern carriage recently procured, with view to
securing types which may, with the addition OF
such improvements as native ingenuity sug-
gests, serve for the new u inch nortars, which
will form an important part Of our sea-coast
deiouses.
The tests Of armor plates, which occupied
three days, ended on Friday, May 8 at the
Annapolis proving grounds. These tests have
been made under the supervision OF Capt. WA.
NJ. Folger, Chief Of tho Navy Bureau of Ord
nance. There were five plates tested, one Of
nickel and steel, two OF steel, and two OF
composition known As Harvey nickel all were
made by Carnegie, Phipps * Co., OF Pittsburg,
Pa. The plates were eight feet by six feet aud
three inches thick. They were placed In an
upright position against a heavy backing Of
oak timber that rested against large embank-
mcnt Of earth The ordnance used was
Botchkiss rapid-fring gun, six pound pTojee-
/ Tiles being used, with the regulation charge OF
powder. Twenty shots were fred against each
plate at a distance Of % feet, the projectile
striking the plates at velocity of L. 500 feet
per second. Tho.steel plates were broken into
fragments, aud the oak backing damaged. The
shetland, nickel plate was perforated, daylight
showing through il, aud the timber backing
was injured. The Harvey nickel plates pull
yerized the projectiles which barely dented
the face Of the plates. The timber backing
was uuhurt.
The Navy Department is still in straits 10
iud able seamcn enough 10 man our ships
Nearly all the recruits that the law allows
have been enlisted, aud there still is not
enough men 20 20 around 10 all the ships. IL
is said at the Department that there must be a
prO-rata scaling down Of the Compliments Of
all our ships, AT least until Congress meets aud
enlarges the force. The White Squadron,
which is NJ present al Norfolk, Va, will be the
first 10 feel the reduction. IL is understood
that the Chicago is 10 lose 20 aud the Boston
and Atlanta 90 men each.
War has been raging in the 18th u. s. Inf
FOR some time, although the regiment Is sup
posed 10 be on a peace footing. The public
were recently made acquainted with the diff
Guilty by Surg. Appel, Of the regiment, who
engaged an attorney AZ Cheyenne, WyD., to
bring a libel suit OF S25, 600 damages against
Col. III. k Miner. commanding the 18th Inf
and the post ~ Fort Russell. 10 appears that
Col. Miner has. according 10 tho officers Of the
regiment been exercising for tie past year
system Of petty tyranny over the officers
under bin that las been almost uncomfortable,
and be has recently received orders placing
him on leave until August next, when he will
be retired Tor age. Col MINERS official orders
have interfored with The private interests Of
the officers IN many WAYS. He has preferred
charges against many officers, which have been
dismissed by the War Department a. trivial
Surg Appel's complaint j. that while he was
absent on the Sioux campaign last Winter Col.
Miner issued an order directing him 20 turn
over all his medical stores 10 Asst Surg. Ken
dali. Acting the advice Of his superior
medical officer Appel refused 10 obey. Col.
Miner preferred charges Of iuEuLordinstion
IN which lie said Appel was utterly worthless
as a Surgeon, inattentve 30 social aud profess
sioHal duties aud offensive 10 officers Of tho
regiment The charges were dismissed by the
War Department but Appel says he has been
injured professionally 20 the amount Of the
damages asked, aud will push his civil suit
vigorously.
The Judge Advocate General Of tho Navy
has completed his review Of the proceedings Of
the cOnrt.maTtial in tho case Of Lieutenant
Commander George A. Bickuel, the officer tried
az New York last week on charges connected
with the STANDING Of the United States vessels
Ga!cua aud Nina, Al Gay Head, Mass and tho
papers are now ready for the action Of Secretary
TWcy. IL is positively known that Lieutenant
Commander Bicknell has been found guilty
Of the charge Of negligence, aud sentenced 10
suspension from rank and duty for period Of
one year. The friends Of Lieutenant Com
maBGcr Bicknel, who think his previous good
record ought 10 count for something, are try
ing 10 secure a mitigation Of the sentence but
u b. doubtful II their efforts will be successful.
Since Bickncll has been convicted for the dis
astcT 10 tho Galcna and Nina, ID is expected
/ that Lieutenant Commander Lyon will now DO
] tried for the stranding Of the tug Triana,
which happened al the same time. The pro-
I cecdiugs Of the Court Of Inquiry in the latter
! case were received some time ago. but action
/ WAS deferred until the result Of the Bicknel
\ trial reached the Department.
Sixteen soldiers have been arrested by tho
military authorities at Nalla Walla. Wash, for
completely in lyHching man named Hunt
several ;ccks ago at that place.
The last echo Of the late Indian war in the
/ Northwest was heard on Wednesday, Nav l3.
when Gen. Miles issued orders for ali the In
iantry in that section 10 return TO their respect
4 i've posts.
Capt. Henry Erben u. s. Navy. wasappointed
4 Commaudant % the New York Navy Yafd on
( Saturday May l6, ia place Of Rear. Admiral
Brainc, who has been retired. Capt Erbeu is
native Of New York City, and has served In
the Navy since June II, 1913 Hodstinppisbed
himself during The late war as the Lieutenant.
/ Commander Of the Pensacola. lie participated
I in the attacks on Fort McAliister and was
prominent in the siege Of Charleston Ile has
commanded the Pamela, Huron aud Kansas
lie WAS promoted Captain in lsG5. aud heads
| the list Of Captains Ia the United States Navy
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