The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-06-25

| the best chance OIL success anu also tno
best chance of getting out of the way.
Modern war vessels. with twin and even
triple propellers. are we'll prepared for
| quick movements, whether aggressive or
defensive. They can turn circle in their
own length. AS were, they dance around
on their heel. Many things may account
for the Victoria being struck. A wrong
or a damned helm, mistake or break
down in the engine-room, signal not
| interpreted correctly or a wrong signal
may be the explanation. In addition
there is the possibility of a propeller
shaft breaking at critical moment.
Admiral Colomb, the inventor of flash
night-Signals, thinks the machinery of the
| Camperdown was disabled. The disaster
will be eagerly studied by the maritime
nations, for it may be their turn next to
have catastrophe when these leviathans
of the deep are being Unanswered.
The warning of Lord Brassey against
putting too many eggs in one basket when
building warships is not untimey. Yes
sells OF 5000 tons are about as easily sunk
as manageable craft OF 1000 tons. and the
smaller vessels may have much greater en-
CINE power in proportion to tonnage.
These huge castles are advocated because
they carry great guns But if 40-ton or
67-ton gun is capable of penetr atiDg the
thlckeSt armor why 90 o the extravaganza
! OF ordna nee twice the weight? Armor is
| becoming of very doubtful value on YES
sells compared with speed and guns. II il
were SIX feet thick ram or a torpedo
would still sink the ship so protected.
Bulkheads, unless permanently tight, are
| likely TO be rendered useless by ripping
blow from ram through the doors becom-
ing damned. The five millions OrmOre put
into such battle ship as the Victoria
might be invested more profitably in three
of four cruisers. But it is the fashion to
have battle-ships. and builders do not OBJ
lect.
A schooner working out of the Golden
Gate on Friday had her forestry and lib
carried away by ricochet shot from A lea
traz. The gunner fred straight, but the
DETECTION produced by the water sent the
missile on wild course. When smokeless
powder is used it may be hoped this ten
dency to erralic flight will not ne increased.
There is suspicion that cordite. the new
powder adopted by the British. causes
bullet to go to right or left Of the line OF
sight. 1t IS even said that allowance is
made for this tendency at the Hythe School
OF Muskery. Why powder should give
lop-sided bias is not explained. The fault
is more likely to be traced in the bullet.
The story that the discriminating docu-
ments read In the French Chamber by NJ.
Miilevoye had been stolen from the British
embassy was too extraordinary to pass
uDchallenged. Such theft would have
produced an International correspondence.
but as it did not occur there is nothing to
he said. The documents are simply
forgeries and only add to the infamy of
the most infamous scandal of modern
times. 1t was thought the Panama specter
had been laid, but it will start up in new
quarters ard set the politicians in rage
and the newspapers by the ears. France
had better turn to something more useful.
A tramp may be wicked enough, but he
should not be shot on general principles.
This, however, seems to be the code of
morality followed by miner of Virginia
| City. He missed an old flannel shirt from
the rubbish heap of mine where he had
been working and ran down three tramps
whom he suspected. One of them pro-
duced the garment from a bundle and the
owner shot him by way of thanks He
also saluted the poor wretch's compar-
ions with several shots Then be gave
! himself up, whether for reward or punish
mant is not understood. Perhaps when
new the shirt was worth 81.
The American Derby is over and some
hearts and purses are lighter, and others
are heavier. The stakes are sufficient to
draw into the race the best horses in the
country. the winner receiving $4,000 the
second $1,000 and the third $1,000 Uncer-
tainty is a rule in horseracing. and good
proof is seen in this hlue-ribbon contest
in the fact that out Of 325 nominations less
| than twenty came 10 the starting post.
| From various causes over 800 horses are
not considered to have the smallest chance
| in the ordeal which must be gone through
| in so trying rush to the finish. 1t is 4
| pity that any suspicion of the backleg
| should creep into such a meeting One
! Jockey was removed and another arrested
events which put the betting world into
a flutter.
The segmental wire gun which is being
tested at Sandy Hook is showing wonder
full results in initial velocity. Smokeess
powder is being used. The velocity
obtained with one charge at 125 feet from
the muzzle was 2230 feet per second, which
is said to be 300 feet faster than the record
of any other gun. The penetrating power
! of missiles from such weapon would
| ast0nish an enemy.
Philadelphia is exercising Itself about
the disposal of the city's garbage. 1t
amounts to the formidable total of 225
loads daily, and perhaps as much more
could be collected if all the streets and
| back yards were scrupulOusly scavenged.
trict, but in others the contractors look
around for vacant land. and get out of the
way when the residents inquire where the
effluvium is coming from. The fruit sea-
son is at hand. too.
| The Monterey is off to Seattle to take
part in the celebration of Independence
day. On the way up the crew will have
some more exercise and the Navy Depart
ment further informal ton probably about
the guns. She is not likely to encounter
worse weather than she had recently on
the final trials. out of which she came
triumphantly as a good sea boat. wet
| forward. no doubt. but buoyant Nothing
more will be heard about the boilers in
carpng spirit.
The railroad robber has not ehivalrous
traits when he loots station kept by a
woman. Such is tho experience at
Brighton junction. in this State. The
| lady in charge had however takep tho