Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-04
GREAT GUNS AND ARMoR PLATES.
Commodore Foiger's Report-Ths Work ut
the Washington Yard.

Commodore Folger's Report-The Work IT
the Washington Yard.
Commodore Folger, chief Of the bureau of
ordnance. in his annual report TO the Secretary
Of the Navy, estimates the expenses Of the
bureau for the next fiscal year at a. 7S9, 291, Of
which total the sum Of "a, ls6, $50 is to be ap-
piled toward the armament Of new vessels
authorized to be built.
The number OF guns required TO arm the new
vessels 10 placed at 347, ranging from four to
thirteen inches. The guns completed number
1885, Of which III were six-inch caliber; 29l sets
OF forgings have been ordered and 246 have tcen
delivered Although none of the ships author
lied to be built require guns Of sixteen-inch
caliber, 1t 10 believed that such guns may be
needed. so the necessary plans have been made
and authority Is sought for construction of one
OF them. 1t Is believed that the difficultie. ex-
Perienceo abroad with these large guns can be
overcome In order to facilitate interchange
OF ammunition IN case OF war it is recommended
that all projectiles used by the army and navy
De made OF Uniform sizes and weighta
sMoKELEss POWDER.
The trials Of smokeless powder, invented and
manufactured at the torpedo STATEN, are said
to have resulted satisfactorily. and It is believed
that within very short time the use of gun
powder Will be entirely abandoned in calibers
OF hx-inch and below it, being replaced by
some one Of the numerous forms OF so-called
smokeiess powders. and the bureau feels graft
neo with the progress made in this direction,
An order for SC, 600 pounds Of CUR cotton, the
oest-knowh high explosive for naval use has
been placed with the Duponts on condition that
q complete plant be erected. The Condition.
has been accepted and, with the assistance of
fne naval experts, plant capable Of turning
out l,oOO pounds . day will be in operation in
two months.
IL ia the h,roor,- t....., 4.
the adoption Of relatively short gun of large
ca'iber using powder as the propulsive charge
and hiring projectile containing q charge OF
emmenslte or gun cotton, for a feature of the
armament OF vessels, with view Of utilizing
either an aerial or submarine torpedo effect AT
ranges where the question Of accuracy Of IRE is
absolutely eliminated
A notable improvement in the quality Of the
carpenter armor- piercing proiectiles Is re-
corded, due to the suggestions Of the con-
T tIacsots xno nave In measure abandoned the
french formula, and it is believed that these
pro)ectiles now nearly approach the standard
Holtzer In quality. Large orders have been
given to American firms for the production Of
forged steel common shells and electro.welded
s.ee4 smells: Orders have also been given to the
hotchkiss Ordnance Company for twenty-five
one and five six-pounders Of increased length.
further order for seventy-fve six-pounder
Driggs-shroeder guns has been placed.
TORPEDO OUTFITS.
Inc experience of European countries is said
70 be conclusive as to the merits of the new
small caliber smokeless powder rifle and the
navy is only waiting the action of the arnv
board TO arm the sailors with new small arms
After rscounting the efforts made to secure an
says:
The present state Of work, in connection
with auto obile torpedoes and their access
sores, Is such as to justify the belief that the
installation OF outfits board vessels will COM
mehce early In the coming year, and that our
navy VIII soon be equipped with torpedo outfits
equal if not superior to those possessed by
foreign nations. !"
with view to utilizing the old singie-turret
monitors now In the James river plans have
Deen prepared for new turrets and Tor modern
or. 10 inch rifles for Thorn.
THE WASHINGTON orN SHOPS
vi the washington navy yard the report says:
1T Is perhaps unnecessary TO state, and it is a
fact which ia generally acknowledged, that the
gun factory at the Washington navy yard has
proved itself successful in the direction of econ
omy and efficiency. Ordnance material of every
description is now manufactured in this estab-
lshment cheaper than outside contractors will
agree to undertake the work. This state of af-
fairs lie largely due to the methods which have
been pursued in purifying the manner of MAX
Ing appointments. promotions, &C., in the labor
force and In the adoption Of an administration
based upon business methods. and it is believed
that the merit system. which has become finally
established, Is satisfactory and beneficial both
to the government and to the labor employed"
1t may be considered as probable the report
says that within eighteen months, with rela-
lively slight expenditure Of money, the present
armor producing capacity Of the United States
could be quadrupled in case such expansion
should become necessary. 1t is also antici.
pated that the price at present paid should be
materially reduced for the same reasons of ac-
tive competition and lack of necessity Of extra
ordinary changes in or additions to plant
In connection with the subject of transport
ing overland heavy guns, the report strongly
urges the establishment of a national gun fac
tory on the Pacific coast similar to that in
Washington.
The report Of Admiral Kimberly's board on
armor tests on the recent trials at Indian Head
forms an appendix to Commodore Folgers re-