Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-01

the coming session. He says that this will
require the expenditure of very little money
for the coming fiscal year. probably not
more than S360,OOO for the torpedo boats and
not more than one-tenth of the cost of the
battle ship. Every vessel now authorized may
be expected to be in commission by the LIST
day of July, 1896, so that unless other ships be
provided for now we shall at that date not
have single ship in process of construc-
ton. The question is therefore presented
whether on account of the present condition
of the treasury the program of building a
moderate sized navy shall be absolutely ar
rested. 1t is not believed that the American
people, intent they are on enforcing
economy in government expenditures. are
willing that this great work should be
stopped short at this time. 1t may be well.
considering financial conditions, to make
only a moderate provision for new ships,
but 1t would be much regretted If Congress
should. by making none whatever, indicate
an intention to abandon entirely the work
when all the plants are in operation
throughout the country, ready to build in
better style and at more economical rates
than ever before.
ArmOr Tests Mt Indian Head.
The tests of armor plates at the naval
proving ground at Indian Head during the
past year have been most Important, some
exceeding in sey Gritty any ever attempted
either in this country or abroad. The re-
suits of these tests have been conclusive
in demonstrating the desrabiliry of using
the Harvey process for the armor of all
the vessels now under construction. In
one test, that of a 14-inch nickel-steel Har-
vey plate, the results were remarkable.
Against this plate were fired four lO-lnch
Hotter armor-piercing shells, with striking
velocities of 1,412, 1859, 1859 and 1859
foot seconds, respectively. All four of these
projectiies were crushed on the plate, the
greatest penetration, which did not exceed
III inches, being that OF the last shot which
was fired at a fragment Of the plate weigh
ing but A tons, with a striking energy
OF 14,Il5 foot tons, or 1914 foot tons per
ton of plate attacked. 1t is believed that
such an energy per ton of plate has never
been used in any test.
During the tests for acceptance of armor
plates experiments have been made to de-
termine the relative effects of impact of
armor-piercing projectiles on ships framing
protected by ordinary nickel-steel plates
and by nickel-steel Harveyized plates. In
the experiments the backing representing
the ships framing was the same in each
case.
The untreated nickel-steel plates receive
nearly all the energy within themselves,
and distribute il over the vessel in racking
effect; while the hard surface of the nickel
steel Harveyized plates causes the energy
OF impact to be principally absorbed in
the disintegration of the projectile. The
experiments developed a marked difference
in the effects produced, in one case q much
heavier nickel untreated plate being set
back bodily several inches under impact
OF 100 foot seconds less velocity than the
lowest striking velocity with which the
Harvey plate was attacked while the lat
ter was scarcely moved at all.
during this year all the armor delivered
has been of nickel steel, the tests of which
have shown ballastic qualities decidedly
superior to what is required for acceptance
under the terms of the contracts.
Benefit of the Harvey Process.
Exhaustive experiments have conclusively
demonstrated the beneficial results obtained
by the application of the Harvey process
and arrangements have recently been made
to Harveyize such of the armor under the
old contracts as was not too far advanced
in manufacture to admit of the change, or
as would not seriously delay the completion
of the ships. In consequence of this, much
OF the side armor of the Maine, Texas,
Indiana, Oregon and Puritan, the turret
armor of the Maine, Puritan and
Monadnock, and the barbettes for the Ore
gon will be of Harveyized nickel steel. All
the armor provided for under the new con-
tracts will be treated by the Harvey pro-
cess.
AT the present time this country is no
longer alone in the manufacture and use
OF nickel steel, and nickel-steel Harvey
lied armor, its initiative having been fol-
lowed by many foreign powers. Compound
armor has been abandoned by the German
naval authorities, and that country will
hereafter employ nickel steel, and il is be-
heved that krupp of Essen is using
surface-hardening process similar to that
of Harvey. 'Nickel-steel Harvey plates have
been very successfully tried in England
and Russia, and experiments are going on
In France and Italy with a view to having
it's manufacture domesticated in those
countries. The right to use the Harvey
process has been secured by an Austrian
firm, and the necessary furnaces are now
being installed in that country. Nickel
steel armor has been steadily growing in
favor in England, and a syndicate includ-
ing the principal armor firms OF that coun-
try, has purchased the right to use the
Harvey process.
The Washington Gun Factory.
The production of modern high-power
guns at the Washington factory is progress
ing satisfactorily. The gun plant at this
establishment is not surpassed by any in
the world, and increased experience has re-
suited during the past year in still greater
economy in all branches of manufacture
Up to the present ume there have been
completed for service 237 guns, ranging in
caliber from finch to 13-inch, all of which
have not only proved successful upon trial
but have also given results which show
conclusively that the general system Of con-
struction employed has no superior Ill for
eign countries.
For the new vessels thus far authorized
main battery guns will ne required as fol-
lows: 4-inch, 1oI; 5-inch, SC; 6-inch, lil;
S-inch, IS; 1O-inch, &c; Pinch, ID; 13-inch
y; total 453 OF this number 29S are COM
pleted and 1SS are afioat.
None of the 13-inch guns have been test
ed up to the present time, as their mounts
have not yet been completed.
The possession of new and improved gun
lathes has permitted of so great an improve
ment in the process of construction that the
time required from the rough boring of the
tapping has been reduced from ten 20 six
and a half months, with the gratifying re-
suit of reducing the cost of labor over 30
per cent.
The maximum caliber of guns building is
thirteen inches. In the past guns have been
built for the main batteries Of battle SHIPS
abroad of a caliber as nigh as 1873 inches
and weighing over 100 tons, but practical
experience under service conditions aflCat
has proved them un1 nsir.,ple for naval use
Kind of Guns i'm Favor.
At the present time he weight of foreign
naval opinion is in favor OF guns of lot
more than Pinch raliber, and weighing
not more than 30 IONS These guns, owing
to greater length of bore and the ase Of
more powerful slow-burnins powder of Tie
smokeless variety, give almost as good re-
suits as the larger guns above referred TO-
ana this, taken IN connection with the syrea
danger of accident ID the mechanical de-
vices used to manipulate the larger high
powered guns, has operated 10 cause a de-
mand for gun ST the maximum weiCnt
that can be really handled by man power
IN,4 rK.Ar lon H.