The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-06
NEWS OF THE NAVY.
Testing the Twelve-Inch Shells Made by
the Carpenter Company.


WASHINGTON, d. c., July b.-The
Vesuvius has been ordered TO New
York. where she will be thoroughly re-
paired.
Lieutenant William T. Day, at present
executive officer Of the practice vessel
Bancroft, has been ordered 90 duty as
executive officer of the gunboat Machias,
which is soon 10 see active service. lie
will take the place originally assigned 10
Lieutenant Singer. who has been made
chief Of the Bureau Of Naval Intelligence.
Two twelve-inch armor piercing shells,
made by the Carpenter Company, were
tested at the naval proving ground, In
dian Head. Nd, to-day Five shells were
delivered, and In case the two fired to-
day prove satisfactory, the remaining
three VIII be used I'm the test OF the sew
enteen-inch armor plate for the turrets
of the Indiana These are the first
twelve-inch shells Of this kind tested by
the navy.
The shells proved highly successful.
The plate fired at was twelve inches
imported Crusoe steel plate. The first
shell was fired at a velocity Of 1900 feet
per second, and was intended to 20 Just
through the plate 1t went about sixteen
inches into the backing. reboundng forty
feet, and was found to be only slightly
upset I'm body.
The second shell was fred at a velocity
OF l,32l feet per second the increase be-
Ing int-nded 10 penetrate the plate and
backing. This shell went through both
and fell nine feet in the rear and was IN
the same condition as the first
Commodore Sampson said that both
shells were Of excellent quality. and the
result a victory for the Carpenter Com
ful about their being n success. as they
were the first Of that kind tested, but
they had proved so satisfactory that he
believed that they could have been re-
loaded in the gun and fired again. as the
increase Of the body Of the shells was
only about four-hundredths Of an inch.
Their points, which were about as sharp
as needle, had not been percepubly
dulled.
on Tuesday next the remaining three
shells Will be fred at the seventeen-inch
armor plate. Two representatives Of the
Crusoe Company were present at the
trial to-day and saw their plate com
pletely wrecked.
The preliminary steam dock trials Of
the United States steamship Maine are
reported 10 be proceeding satisfactorily at
the New York navy yard. Weights are
TO be placed upon the vessel representing
her armament and armor so as to fully
submerge her screws, and 1t is expected
that the formal trial will take place next
week
The board of bureau officers have ap-
proved the recommendation Of Surgeon
General Tryon for enlarging the sick
bay Of the cruiser New York The plan
contemplates the removal Of the bulk
head further aft on the berth deck, so
as 20 greatly enlarge the sick quarters
No date has yet been fixed for putting
the New York into commission, and Il is
said at the department that she will not be
commissioned until she is complete I'm
every respect and ready for active ser
vice. To put her in condition will take at
least two weeks.
The cruiser Atlanta has arrived al
Hampton Roads from Nicaragua, where
she was ordered about the middle Of May,
when the revolution in that country was
at its height. She Will go 10 the Nor
folk navy-yard, where she will be thor
oughly overhauled and prepared for a for
eign cruise. 1t was the intention Of the
Navy Department 10 have her take the
New York naval reserve on their annual |
practice cruise, but as it will take some |
time 10 repair her this plan had to be |
abandoned.
Lieutenant T. NJ. B. Mason, executive |
officer of the New York. was before the |
Naval Examining Board here to-day for |
examination for promotion 10 the rank |
of lieutenant commander. Lieutenants |
Seaton. Schroeder and +. l. Drake were |
also before the board for examination.
The cruiser San Francisco sailed for |
GARDENERS Bay New York. to-day for |
target practice. She will leave there In |
Tine 10 reach Boston on the 18th instant. |
IN ha oh. rx-fn
The Massachusetts, naval reserve on
board for their practice cruise. The
New York reserve have decided TO ac-
sept the invitation Of the Department. |
and send their reserve on their practice /
cruise on one Of the naval vessels. II
was at first intended TO use the Atlanta
FOR this purpose but the extent Of re
pairs TO be made on this vessel prohib-
ted this and one OF the monitors prob
lbly the Mlantonomoh, will be used
This will give the reserve all the great
Practice they require.
The Pennsylvania reserve will take
heir cruise in September. but no vessel
or their use has been designated.
The North Carolina reserve have not
'een heard OF. and the Maryland reserve
viii take no cruise
No official information has reached the
lavy Department 10 confirm the re-
,ort that the United States ship Mono
acy is ashore on Sunday Island China.
nd in danger Of going 10 pieces. The
alter statement at least. is discredited
[ the department. The point at which
is said the vessel grounded is on the
ang Tse- -Kiang river. about 700 miles
istant from the sea, and while 1t is no
nusual thing for deep-draught war yes
els 10 ground In the upper Chinese
vers. Il IS said AT the department 10
e improbable that the Monocaey should
e in danger OF going 10 pieces In the
uiet waters Of a river.
Justice Blatchford's Condition.