The sun., 1891-06-10

Recor.ersatiops or the Trial BosrS Sab
pnltted to Secretary Tracy.


WASHINGTON. June s.-secretary Tracy has
received a report from the Trial Board that re-
Gently conduc ed the unsatisfactory test OF the
guns OF the vesuvius. giving their proposals as
to the coming tlial. which was ordered rs aoon
as tho former one was shown to be undemon-
strative OF positive results. The Board met at
Norfolk on June and adopted this pro-
grammt subject to approval:
Suitable permanent sights for q ming the
gun should be ftted. consisting OF cross wires
in the peephole OF the firing tower and be-
tween the muzzles OF the Cuns-the latter to be
capable Of vertical and the former OF lateral ad-
justment. The auxiliary firing valve OF the
port gun to be arranged like that OF the star
board gun. which is considered sufficiently
good for the purpose Of ranging and testing
the gun. The midship gun to be fitted with
tho best and latest valve made by the company.
as we are reliably informed that such valve
has In recent tests given grent satisfaction.
We are OF the opinion that no satisfactory re-
suits can be obtained with the middle and port
guns with their present valve gear. The ves-
sci to DO sent to Annapolis. or such point as
tho Department may select. for the purpose OF
accurately ranGi ing the guns. ns fol ows: Three
sub cnlibre proiectiles from each gun at mile
8 at y mile and at 4 mile: three shots as
above with largest proiectiles to be H. ed from
the gums, making in all. for ranging the gums.
"a projectiles, which we believe to be sufficient
for establishing accurate range curves.
The determination OF the range with this
vessel being question OF the flrst Importance.
We recommend that she be supplied with
Fisk range finder. so fitted rs 10 give the range
~ the gun room. whore the valves arc set. as
we'll as In the lighting tower. We recommend
this as the most available instrument for tn q
purpose. Five weighted sub calibro proiecties
70 be flrcd from each gun for accuracy. the
firing to take place In Chesapeake Bay.
tho targets to be arranged at known dis
tancee. and the firing done with tn. vessel
under way In varying conditions Of wenth-
or. Three projectiles, hrel as nbove
from each gun. OF the largest size designed for
the gun. Three sub-cnlibre and three full
calibre Weighted projectiles. fred from each
gun with the vessel s:eamng at high rate OF
speed. at a moving target Two sub-calibre
proiectiles. loaded with such high explosive as
tho department may select. fired from each
gun. with the vessel 8 canning at a high rate Of
speed. at a moving target. Two full-calibre
projectiles from ench gun. carrying the lnrgest
quantity Of high explosive the guns are capa-
BILE OF firing. as above.
These shots are intended to determine the
value Of the vessel us a torpedo thrower and
should be flred under such varying conditions
of weather rs Will make the test abs olute. II
the tests as above prove satisfactory the Board
recommends that the vessel be fitted with
search light and that n further scries OF tests
be conducted to determine her value as tor
pcdo thrower at night Tho Board is OF tho
opnion that the above tests will thoroughly
determine the value Of the Vesuvius as an
offensive weapon. aud give valuable data for
use In the future construction OF vessels OF thi.
general type. Should the complete tests as
above prove satisfactory. the following suR-
gestions are aubmitted:
" That the firing valves be so arranged that
the guns may be fred either from the fighting
tower or from the gun room. in case Of the dis
ablement OF tho former That the steering
gear be altered 80 as to give greater turning
power which Is at present defective"
The Board is composed Of Commander r. D.
Evans. Lieut. Commander A. r. Conden. and
Lieut.. j. F. MeiQe