The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-01

congress give the department conditional
authority to transform this vessel into a
torpedo cruiser.
ARMoR.
The tests Of armOr plates at the naval
proving ground at Indian Head during the
past year have been most important, some
exceeding in severity any ever attempted
either in this country or abroad. The re-
suits of these tests have been conclusive
IN demonstrating the desirabilitY of using
the Harvey process for the armor of all
the vessels now under construction. In
one test. that of a l4-inch nickel-Steel
Harvey plate, the results were remark
able. Against this plate were fired four
lO-lnch Hotter armor-piercing shells, with
striking velOCities Of 1,412, |. $50 .959 ann
2,O59 foOt-seconds. respectively. All four
of these prOjeCtiles were crushed on the
plate, the greatest penetration, which did
not exceed II inches being that of the
last shot which was fired at a fragment
of the plate weighing but "A tons. with a
striking energy of l4.1l5 foOt-tons, or
3,344 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.
ORDNANCE.
The production of modern high-power
guns at the Washington factory is pro-
crossing satisfactorily. The gun plant at
this establishment is not surpassed by
any in the world and increased expert
ence has resulted, during the past year,
in still greater economy in all branches
OF manufacture. Up to the present time
there have been completed for service 231
guns, ranging in caliber from finch to
l3-inch. all of which have not only proved
successful upon trial, but have also given
results which show Couclusively that the
general system of construction employed
has no superior in foreign countries.
INCREASE IN SIZE OF CRUISERS.
The latest designs of armored cruisers
show great increase in size, those re
Gently authorized in England being de
signed for a displacement of 1900 tons
and a sustained sea-speed of 20 knots
The largest armOred vessels of England,
France and Russia are to average about
II. 600 tons displacement, and are to have
i maximum speed of not less than 20
knots.
MAGAZINE RIFLES.
Since the introduction of smokeless
powder, in 1886, small-arm experts have
been fully alive to the great tactical ad-
vantages of a reduction in caliber, and
foreign nations have experimental with
rifles of various designs with the object
of overcoming the mechanical dlSadvan
tages Incidental to manufacture. AS a
result the principal civilized nations
with the exception of the United States
are to-day using magazine rifles varying
in caliber from 315 to 256, which EN-
ploy charges of smokeless powder giving
muzzle velocities of 1000 foot seconds and
over, and effective ranges of not less than
1000 YardS-Over a mile. Exhaustive
trials of these rifles have clearly demon
strated their great superiority in ballistic
and tactical qualities over the Old-time
rifles Of large caliber.
WHAT CAUSES DELAYS IN CONSTRUCTION.
Modern shipbuilding itself may almost
be said to be new indus
try in this country, and delays
have sometimes, though rarely
resulted from the want of experience in
builders More frequently contractors
for material have failed TO make prompt
deliveries, Then too, it always happens
that changes and additions are deter
mined upon and ordered while vessels are
in process Of construction. These alter
atoms are not only the cause of YeXatiOus
delays, but are attended with more or less
expense. The necessity for changes often
arises from undue haste in the prepare
ton of plans, but experience has proved
that no amount of care or skill can en-
tirely obviate it. Complaints are made in
the British House of Commons, just as
here, that constructors vary the plans of
vessels as they progress.
PERSONNEL.
I cannot too strongly recommend, says
Secretary Herbert congressional action in
reference to the personnel Of the line of
the navy. Its present condition is too Sc
riOus to be neglected any longer and UNI
less remedies are adopted looking to some
nj hpnD1nt ipn which will 1N1sD11IGp
a regular flow from the bottom to the top
of the list, the consequences not only to
the service but also to the government
will soon be nothing less than alarm
ing.
The object of any scheme of promotion
in the navy should be to produce efficient
commanding officers, the accomplishment
of which necessitates that officers of the
line be made to bear the responsibilities
of actual command by or before the time
they have reached the prime of life;
while they are still young enough to ac-
CommOdate themselves to the demands
upon intellect and energy which are made
by the assumption of control Of a modern
man-Of-War.
ESTIMATES AND APPROPRIATIONS.
For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1895,
the estimates for the navy and marine
corps, including increase of the navy
anu lluUlIt NOIh D dILOlAllL ~ - ,'N7l ~ Va
The estimates for the same purposes
for the current fiscal year amounted to
S24, Al 1881, or &3,4l4,4l5.s1 less than
those for the next fiscal year.
For the current fiscal year the esti-
mates for increase Of the navy amounted
to 50, 103 651, and for the next fiscal year
they amount to $l2, 400, OPS, the difference
being -, 15l.3 6S.
The estimates for the running expenses
of the navy and marine corps. including
improvements at uavy-yards and stations
for the next fiscal year, amount to SD
40, SS9O2, being 1868 O47.s1 in excess of
the estimates of the current fiscal year.
The Plant System Exhibit at Augusta.
From the Augusta Chronicle.
If there should be one lingering doubt
in the mind of any man interested in the
resources of the south, that doubt would
no a GDallo6 whom no wv and SfUdipd tho