The National tribune., 1891-01-01
ARMY AND NAVY

When the new cruiser Newark returned from
her triRl-trip on Monday, Dec. p, each mast
head was decorated with a new broom indi-
eating that she had beat all previous records
after having passed through the ordeal Of a
most exacting trial trip. After the close Of the
four hours trial tho ship was put through a
series or manuvers 10 determine her hardness
in turning. These manuvers closed the tests
for the first day. On the second days trial the
cruiser got under way and stood out 20 sea.
But two boilers were fired, and all the coal was
weighed before being used. This trial was kept
up for eight hours and at the finish the ashes
raked from the CRATES were also weighed, so rs
to determine the amount Of coal consumption
and combustion. The calculating Of these ad-
ditional points, together with the working out
Of several hundred indcator-cards, will take
some time, but enough rs knOwn % show that
the contract requirement Of $500 horse-powe
will be Tan exceeded 10 being believed that the
horsepower shown will considerably exceed
5000. The report Of the trial board is now in
the hands Of the Secretary Of the Navy, and,
although their findings are an official secret,
enough has been learned 20 know that the re-
port Is highly culOgistic Of the NewaTks per-
f0rmances. The Newark is Of American de-
sign, and was built by the Cramps, Of Phils-
delphia
A smoleless powder is being manufactured
/ at the United States Torpedo Station. The
]
/ the Government Chemist az the Station. 1t is
not only smokcless but Of higher explosive
/ power than ordinary powder, 10 grains being
sufficient 10 drive a bullet into pine board 10
a depth Of 20 inches, against ia inches for
/ 20 grains Of service powder.
The Quartermaster General Of the Army Is
I contemplating a change IN the forage cap. The
officers Of the Army favor the cap now ia use
! IN the Danish service, which is a change from
the straight visor Of the United States service.
The Board 10 select a new magazine rife foT
| the United States Army, Of which Gen. John
| H. Brooke ID President, has been interrupted in
their duties somewhat by the Indian troubles.
| They propose 10 secure, however, the most i'm
| proved arrangement for magazine and breech-
loading rifles The question Of bore, cartridge
and riding has already been determined upon.
The caliber is 10 be 30, the barrel 30 inches
long inside, and the bullet TO have an initial
velocity Of 500 feet 10 the second; the car
fridge 10 hold 20 grains Of black powder or its
/ equivalent, with powder space FOR the Wettorin
smokeless powder. The bullet will weigh 230
! grains The Frankfort Arsenal Is now making
/ 100000 cartridges for conducting the expert
/ meuts
Comrade w. Frank Gaul, 4th n. J., Of Cam.
den n. j., has been before the Congressional
Committees for some time explaining a new
patent ballot-boX which, il is claimed is an
absolute preventive Of fraud. IL is certainly
Rn exceedingly ingenious affair, and seems q
do all that is claimed for IL. 10 has impressed
the members Of the Committees very favorably
Comrade Gaul's scheme is 10 have the United
States prescribe its use al all Congressional and
Presidential elections.