The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-07
TEST WITH DUMMY SHELLS.
Give the Same Admirable Results Obtained
at Long Distances.

PORT ROYAL, S. c., Feb. 6.-Work was
resumed on board the cruiser Vesuyius
to-day. The weather was very unpro-
pitious, but cleared at intervals suffl-
GENTLY to enable the remaining tests with
dummy shells to be made. Five shells
remaining i'm the gun racks were fired
during the course Of the day, and gave
the same admirable results which have
been obtained at long ranges Fifteen
hundred and two thousand yards were the
ranges selected by the board, and two
shells were fired for the former and three
for lhe latter distance. During
the day the board attempted to set
fish net for the purpose of catching
projectile. but the tide was too strong
and the net was swept out of position and
the plan was finally abandoned. The
powder shells have been fully prepared
for firing. and before the Vesuvius
moves down to the lower harbor to-mor-
row morning they will be loaded into the
gun racks.
The lighter, with her load of gun cot
ton shells, will be allowed to remain at
her present mooring until she Is needed.
The course over which the moving tests
are TO be made has been completed, in
fact, everything Is at last in readiness
for the long expected moving experiment.
These will begin with five powder shells
tomorrow. Special interest centres I'm
them because they are employed to test
the practical efficiency Of the Rapief
fuses.
Corporal Wolfe Promoted.
WASHINGTON, Feb "a controversy
over the appointment of an enlisted man
in the army TO the position Of second
lieutenant has been settled by the Secre-
tary Of War in favor of the soldier pro-
NOTED. 1t concerned the promotion Of
Corporal Orrin r. Wolfe OF Company
H. Fourteenth infantry, in accordance
with the act of Congress, which pro-
vides that enlisted men may receive com
missions I'm certain cases Wolfe had
been a cadet at West Point, but did not
complete his course there, and left the
Military Academy owing to his failure
to pass the necessary mental eXamina-
tons. lie enlisted in the Fourteenth in
fantry and was soon promoted TO be
corporal, and successfully passed the
examination for a commission. Objections
to his promotion were made by number
of his former fellow students at West
Point. and a protest was forwarded by
them TO the Secretary Of War. After care
full consideration. Secretary Elkins has de-
cided that Wolfes failure to pass the
West Point examinations does not inter-
fere with his right to receive commits
sion, and that the law compels the Presi-
dent to- issue commission TO a soldier
who has passed the necessary examination
for promotion from the ranks. orders
have been issued, therefore, announcing
the appointment Of Corporal Wolfe to be
a second lieutenant. and his assignment
to the Twenty-second infantry.
The Monterey Accepted.
WASHINGTON, Feb. G-The coast de-
Tense vessel Monterey, built at San Fran
cisco, was formally accepted by the Gov
eminent to-day. She will form powerful
addition to our Navy, as she carries the
heaviest armament of any ship anOat.
She has two twelve inch and two ten
inch guns. and has a side armor of thir-
teen inches. Her free-bOard Is only thirty
inches. making her a difficult target TO
hit. On her official trial she maintained
speed Of fourteen and a half knots for
four hours. She Is all ready to go TO sea,
lacking only supplies and her coal. Her
turret armor plates of eight inch thick
ness are yet at the Carnegie Iron Works,
being bent and put together. Il Will be
four months before they can be got into
position.