The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-01

may suddenly find themselves plunged
into bostilities. These vessels must be
built to order. and require years for
their construction. MELJo holds the city
of Rio de Janeiro under his guns.
and there Is no time for building a
navy to meet him. There Is little hope
Of fitting out enough merchant YES
sells ms ordinary war ships. even could
ornaments be procured for them, since 1t
not only takes time to mount batteries Sc
curey, but ship must be strengthened
to carry and fire them, as we'll as to resist
being sunk by the guns OF such powerful
fighting craft as the Acuidaban. 1t has been
said that PEIXoTo can rely on the armored
cruiser Riachuelo and the Benjamin Con-
slant, to como from Europe. and on acruiser
TO be furnished by ARMSTRONG Il Co. II 30.
his problem would be easier. and he would
have much-needcd hacking for his new
torpedo feet. But other reports are that
the Riachuelo will join MELLo.
However this may be. there Is chance In
the time at disposal before the fate OF
Brazil is decided one way or the other to
try the virtues OF torpedo warfare Per-
haps the conclusion to do this has been
reached by recalling the success OF BALMA-
cEDA In resorting to 1t when the Gillian
navy revolted against him and took the part
OF the Congress. At oil events. 1t Is to be
tried, and in all its known forms. The first
question to suggest itself. however. Is
how these various small unarmored vessels,
assuming that they can reach Rio safely.
without the need OF repairs. will be able
to get within torpedo range Of the Aquida-
ban without being blown up or sunk by the
long-range high-power guns OF MELLo's
squadron. The Yarrow boat, said to be
already purchased. would undoubtedly be
very fast; and as the gunnery practice OF
the Brazilians seems to be usually bad.
she might, under favoring circumstances.
destroy whatever vessel she selected to at
tack. But the Destroyer Is no Yarrow tor
pedo boat in point OF speed. and must get
within 200 yards or little more before her
gun could be effective. 1t can be imagined
what the chances of her being knocked to
pieces in the mean time would be. A sub
marine gun mounted in a ram or other
ironclad vessel is quite different thing
from the Same weapon in the present craft.
A similar reflection arises as to the fate OF
the vessel which is to carry the pneumatic
gun. Such weapon has never yet ex-
ploded shell from the unstable platform
furnished by moving vessel. since. as will
be remembered. in the recent trials OF the
Vesuvius at Port Royal all the fuses failed.
But here also the principal problem is as to
what will become Of Ell Cid under the fire Of
MELLo's fleet before she gets within the
much shorter range OF her dynamite
weapon. since she is wholly unarmored.
The best possible will be done to give her
coal protection and other Strengthening.
Ono statement is that though the De-
stroyer has actually been sold to Brazil she
may. after all. not be delivered at present.
since she has agreed with our own Govern
ment to make certain trials OF her SUBJ
marine gun against torpedo nets. and a
large appropriation has been made by Con-
gress for testing the gun. However that
may be. the mission now desired for her
might earlier test the real value OF her
gun: for it has never yet been fired ex-
cept with dummy projectile, and as soon
as full charge OF its explosive Is fired
from vessel against a target like the
hull Of an armorclad. it can be known
what Its effective qualities are. For the
same reason the use OF the pneumatic
gun on Ell Cid might be instructive. mas
much as nothing more is likely to be
done with 1t in our navy for some
time to come Its coast test by the army
is first awaited. The Chief OF the Ord
nance Bureau has expressed the belief. in
his recent report. that the guns on
board the Vesuvius cannot be made sue
cessful." SO that the actual trial Of the gun
to be mounted on Ell Cid with any improve
ments that have lately been made. would be
II PEIxoTo could rely on the Riachuelo.
the Benjamin Constant. and the Tiradentes.
which last Is certainly loyal to him. they
would furnish a most valuable source OF
aid to his proposed torpedo feet.