The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-21
A New Dynamite Gun.

NEW York, April 2-The latest invention II
that OF Lieutenant Graydon, of the navy, which
he declares viii supercede pneumatic dynamite
guns In the projection of large masses Of high
explosives in aerial torpedo form. He has sent
from London to the navy department, . COM
plete description of his scheme, by which he de-
clares he can convert all the nine-inch guns, in
both the army and navy, into efficient long
range dynamite projectiles without alterations
to the guns, and in q very short time. The new
Improvement is said to be cheap and
efficient The gas-producing agent can be-
manufactured in different grades, each grade
having . distinguishable color, and recorded
accelerating pressure from pounds to square
inches. The producing agent il az easy to
Transport as the ordinary ordnance and is as
cheap and safe a. the ordinary powder.
The pneumatic disappearing gun carriage for
ten-inch breech-loading rifle, which was
built in Boston under . contract with the
board OF ordnance of the army, has arrived at
the government grounds at Sandy Hook and
viii b in place ready for practical use
about May 10. The ten-inch steel
Fredericksburg rife built by the war
department., which was successfully tested at
Sandy Hook, and which broke the French car
rage made by the Creusot works, upon which it
was mounted year ago, Is to be mounted on
the disappearing carriage in pit below the sur
face Of the ground. The gun weighs six tons
and will be fired with Atty pounds OF powder,
and carry 5oo-pouud projectile. 1t is probable
that II these tests prove successful the gun car
rage system may be adopted In the army and
navy service as far as possible.
Denver Threatened With Terrible Flood.
DENVER, April a.-A startling state of sflairs
was reported at a meeting of farmers living on
Cherry creek. 1t developed that Denver aud the
residents of Cherry creek valley were threatened
with disaster similar to that which occurred At
Johnstown two years ago, and the object OF the
meeting was to bring il to the notice of the peo-
pie OF Denver. 1t seems that the Denver Water
Storage Company has just finished Q reservoir,
thirty-hve miles above the city, to supply water
to an immense tract of arid land which the com.
pany has secured control of. The dam 10 thirty.
Ave feet high and drains 500 square miles OF
country, while the capacity OF tits many millions
of gallons. The trend OF the Cherry Creek basin is
such that If the dam gave way the whole i'm
mense quantity OF water would rush down on
the city, entailing frightful loss Of life and
property. The homes OF hundreds of ranchmen
In Cherry creek vally would also be swept away,
and the latter therefore held an indignation
meeting Ii was stated at the meeting that the
vast water power on the dam has forced several
streams through it The farmers claim TO have
dug down and found the dam was built on
quickssnd instead of on rock. They also say
poor material was used in the construction of
the dam. The charges are denied by the com.
pany, who say $4,000 was expended on the
work and that il was well done. Il 10 believed
the matter will be brought 10 the supreme court
Immediately.
Prominent San Francisco Musician Dead.
SAN FRANCISCO, April ca-Professor D. spcr.
anna, one OF the best known musicians of san
Francisco, died suddenly of heart disease yester.
day. Professor Speranxa was q man of general
culture and highly skilled musician. He was
born in Porto Ferrago, Italy, about seventy-six
years ago. In early manhood he graduated from
the University OF Turin, and his instruction was
the best his country afforded. He came 10 this
country many years ago, and after teaching in
some of the leading musical schools IN America
settled in San Francisco eighteen years ago. and
established his Italian musical institute, which
he conducted with success TO the time of his
death. He was composer OF such ability that
he won recognition from King Humbert of
Italy, who bestowed upon him the cross OF the
Cheyalier of Honor in lisa He received several
medals aud diplomas, one of the latter being
from the University % Turin, after the publca-
tion of his Harmonic Compositions" lie had
awide acquaintance in musical circles in this
city. He leaves q widow and one daughter, The
funeral takes place tomorrow.
Coughs and nosrSeness-The IRRITATION vb,~h