The sun., 1892-04-04
TIE TESTS OF CELLULosE
Tho Result or the Late Experinents at II
dian Head and Norfolk.

WASHINGTON April 3.-The plans Of all our
more reccnt war ships provide for belts OF
| some wnter- excluding material. usually to be
packed at the sides. on the slope OF the curved
| protective deck. The recent trial OF cellulose
for this purpose shows that while the methods
OF using 1t still require careful study. It Is
likely to be OF great value.
Tho Board selected for the experiments con-
sisted OF Lieut. Commander W. T. Burwell
and Naval Contractors j. j. Woodward and d.
w. Taylor. Tho trial was begun Mt Indian
Head whore two Golfer dams made OF steel
not quite an inch thick and filled with cellulose
we're fred Mt by a six-inch gun with less
than the service velocity. One Golfer dam was
packed with loose cellulose. while in the other
1t was placed in watcr-tiGht bags. and In each
It was about three feet thick. Tive shots were
fred through each OF the Golfer dams. and
then tho four holes wero plugged and tho
Golfer dams removed to Norfolk. where tanks
had been provided for the water tests.
First. however. an experiment in combustt-
bilty wns made by ignitng the material to
see whether It would burn. 1t was lighted
with difficulty. and smouldered without flame.
The ground meal is mixed with q small frac-
ton Of the fibre Of the cocoanut. from the
husks OF which cellulose is made. and this
FIBRE taken alonc. can be made to give flame.
but not when mixed in the usual proportions
with tho granulous cellulose.
The fire test being satisfactory. the water
test was next mado by boiling the Golfer
dams tc tho tanks. Tho one packed with
wnter-tight bags failed completely. Offering
little obstruction to the flow OF water through
its two holes. When the other Golfer dam.i
packed with loose celulose. was examined. 1t
was found that the plugs used to protect the
cellulose from tho influence Of the weather
I, .L~.l tr1A H.
neighporhood of the rear, orifces. this being
particularly the case with tho second shot
S II ae the So
soon out OF the question. although It showed
an Improvement oyer tho holes in the Golfer
for ssso ss Sar lot sess
sex sssa sns hs Es to Rssi ~
minutes were required to M the tank or
water space to which the Golfer dam Tas At
e The tub f' iiiied Il in @ Seven minntes At the end
tub: at tho end OF two hours it. took nineteen
minutes: at the end OF three hours; twenty.
s foarth. Put anu in another FORM % 1S9 gallons
a tSe sss9PpJ. ! p 81 dqrlnS the third and IS also
These results nre not quito equal in effective.
ness to. some that have been obtained 10 other
amount OF water and that which would pour
through 6-inch hole In the course OF an hour
The powerful pumps with which our war ships
water that could come through many such
Besides. the recent test at Norfolk showed
that much better results might 1t be Obtained m
sefieeTs suesssts shnt &. fresMs "a deai dePsnds ea
the or Of the seal9ssd opGbhe cb
needed compression should be obtained from
Jacks or other appliances through which the
then great care should nlso be taken to Sc
cure the right degree Of compression; and the
tested &C Golfer dam the demarcation between the
wet and dry celulose was found to be n leyel
surface ~ Inches below the top; or course % the
dams themselves should always be tsstod un.
water Wal tisIt, and Should aiterward Be- painted
inside and oat. Tho use OF proper paint or
moisture which would tend to deteriorate tho
eeosei F9G tob as hs
space I It need a hardly be added that the re- re-.
suits in the laat trial would have been more
followed the e. irngi and had tho injury done by
sepn ppobSb. That with the improve
ments effected by the experience Of those pre-
tests 10 E Es thss
and below the water line It's extreme light
ness Its rapid absorption Of water. its e1as-
hole made by a. proioctilo passing through It,
give 1t great advantages over cork and
times tried for tho purpose, Tho auto.
mntlc closing Of a !, shot hole has fur;
thor advantages IN the greater sense OF
pouring through unobstructed demands tho
prompt and active services OF q number OF
men to take care Of II. and perhaps creates
great alarm. Possibly 1t may be thought ad-
Visable to make further tests before actually
packing this substance or some other In tho
spaces set apart for it on our new war ships. so
TINT the best method OF using 1t may be fully
ascertained.