New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-06
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS.
SUCCESSFUL TESTS OF RAPID.FIRE GUNS.
GOSSIP ABOUT THE VACANT ADJUTANTGENERAL
sHIP-THE ToP-HEAvY GUNBoATs-Iow
10 FASTEN HARVEY PLATES.

TO FAsTEN HARVEY PLATES
fBY TELEGRAPH THE 1RIsrxEI
Washington Nov 1.-The competitive tests or
the Hotchkiss. DriggsSchroeder and Sponsel rapid
firing guns at the Naval Proving Grounds at In
dian Head have been completed. and the Board OF
Oficers which conducted the trials-Lieutenant-
Commanders Sperry and Couden. Lieutenant Mason
and Professor Alger-has submitted report to
Commodore Sampson. Chief of the Bureau OF Ord
nance The important because II was
the first time. in this country at least that rival
rapid-hre gun systems were brought into actual
competition under rigid conditions. The tests IN
volved the simplicity and strength of the mechan-
ism and the facility of operation of the working
parts Of the guns The barrels and carriages OF
the three guns were practically identical. The
only question was. therefore, which breech sys-
TEN Is the best. all requirements of the naval SER
vice being considered. The result of the tests
shows that all of the guns simple In construc-
ton, generally strong in essential features ana
easy of manipulation In some tests the Hotch-
kiss appeared the best advantage in other tests
the Drggs-Schroeder was ahead, while In several
features the Sponsel proved its superiority Alto-
gether the results were satisfactory even cohsid-
ering the fact that none of the guns successfully
withstood all Of the trials to which 1t was sup
jected.
In rapldity of fire the Driggs-Schroeder gun re-
ceved the highest mark. discharsng ten ROUNDS
in twenty-seven seconds, against thirty-two ana
one-half seconds by the Sponse and thirty-'hree
seconds by the Hotchkiss Mr.. Hotchkiss won in
the contest for firing and dismountng and reas-
sembling, the parts performing the WORK III ono
minute the Drggs-Schroeder occupying one MN
ute ffty-six seconds and the Sponsel two minutes
twenty-one seconds for the same operations. AS
the Sponse gun is not yet used in the Navy the
want of familiarity the part of the crew
handling it during the trial doubtless made It's
manipulation more difficult and slower In Inc
tests of strength of the parts Of the breech
mechanism the Sponsel Cartridges which
previously had been rubbed in rosin and others
with cases filed down TO about .05 of an inch
thickness used. The firing pin OF the Drlggs-
Schroeder gun broken and its extractor cracked
In the tests. The Hotchkiss gun withstood the
terrific gas pressure from the thinned-down car
tridges but in the attempt TO eject the rosined
cartridges its extractor bent. The Sponsel
gun also withstood the force of the defective shells
satisfactorily 1t could not eject the rosined car
tridges, but of its parts was injured in the
attempt TO do So At the close of the two days
experiments the Sponsel gun is reported to have
been the only competitor which ready in all
respects for further service. The general result Is
a compromise. All the guns tried are efficient
The retirement yesterday of Adjutant-General
Robert Williams revives interest in the contest Tor
his place. 1t is expected that President Cleveland
will announce his selection for the Office some time
In the present week. Secretary Lamont has been
considering the claims of the candidates for sew
eral days. and he will probably make his recon-
mendaton tomorrow. There are only two candi-
dates-Colonels George d. Ruggles and Thomas NJ.
Vincent-both of whom bear the brevet OF Brga-
der General for meritorious war services There
are many good arguments in favor of each Sc
lection involves the consideration of special and
unusual features ard the President will find no lit
tie embarrassment in reaching conclusion Coroner
Rugges is the senior in rank at this tine
but Colonel Vincent first entered the service, an
anomalous condition of affairs which arises In the
army when at different times officers are trans
rred he TO
Vincent. a native Of Ohio. was graduated from the
Military Academy in 1855 He became a first lieu
tenant in 1855 and captain on August ), lSol lie
attained his present rank in his corps on August
1880. Colonel Ruggles. appointed from New-fork
was graduated from West Point in 1885, and be-
came a Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General on
the same day that Colonel Vincent was similarly
Colonel Rugges attained his present grade one
year earlier than his competitor -, g..
Another special feature in the case Is the ia n
that Colonel Vincent retires on account OF age one
OAR before Colonel Rugges. If the latter Is now
vancement ' to the head Of his corps. II Colonel
dSee Would be
November 1886. week ago Colonel Rugges apptaIssd
chances seem to be in favor of his competitor II
is learned that Secretary Lamont. whose recon-
be conclusive. has minated that the question OF
great Importance as other considerations.
Naval officials regret that much publicity has
been given to reported defects in the sSbity Of
ment that the character and degree of faults re-
ported 10 exist In the ships are not as serious as
board vii find that if the vessels are cranky or
topheavy the faults can be readily overcome, VIII
guns and increasing interior weights. The Walker
board has organized and begun its labors. ieser- |
day 1t called upon the Department for all informa-
ton upon the subject Of the ships stability includ
persons responsible therefor and official reports
showing the present condition OF the ships Inc
board will report at an early day and make nee
essary recommendations to determine how, why |
and to what extent the vessels are Try
existing defects. 1t now seems probable that re-
pero yerH s"S and
twin gunboats Castine and Machias, ana placing |
whatever stability they may lack, The heavier
guns were placed on the vessels TO increase their |
them to engage armored cruisers. The work Of
making the change would be slight and occupy only
can be utilized on other vessels and as there are |
renGy for @ num natsS Of Of ne
The Bureau Of Construction and Repair assumes |
found to exist in the ships The change from the |
lighter to heavier batteries made during the |
structor. but actual recommendations in the mat
ter were signed by Darius a. Green. chief clerk |
the head of the Office.
Tss May ia the na
on the sides, turrets and Sponsors of new vessels
eficers. that owing to the particularly hard sur
face Of the Harvey, plates the work Of securing |
altogether Such result would be unfortunate
after experiments in this country had demon |
strated the marked superiority of domestic plates |
over those made abroad. The subject has been |
carefully considered by experts, and the cOncu- |
plates will be continued and that they viii be |
employed vessels designed TO receive them |
Investigation showed interesting facts about |
plates which had been subjected to the Harvey |
process. The outer surfaces of the plates could |
not be worked or drilled by any tools i'm use |
for such purposes. The edges OF the tools were |
either dulled or broken in experiments. The backs |
OF the plates. however. were found to be as soft |
ordinary steel and readily worked by modern |
with the thickness OF the plates and to extend |
through the metal according to the length time |
and character OF treatment. Generally the harden
ing extends little beyond the middle of the plates |
These facts having been determined. IL only re-
mained to decide upon the best manner of securing
the plates In position on the ships The side armor
will be tapped with holes the under side In |
the holes win be screwed strong securing bolts |
which will lead to interior backing frames, beams
etc. The outer surfaces of the plates will not be
touched. In placing the sponsor arrnor, advantage
will be taken OF the soft side OF the plates and |
the adjoining Auditing plates and braces and