Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-09-29
Testing Big Guns.

Guns having been made. test OF
their efficiency is next in order. These
| tests, as well as the test OF armor plat
/ ing projectiles, gunpowders, etc. take
place at the "proving-grounds at
Annapolis, Maryland. and at Indian
Head, on the Potomac, some thirty
miles or so below Washington, and TO
! the latter point, one wet drizzly morn
ing, it was my privilege TO accompa-
the chief Of ordnance. The rain
was pouring down in sheets ss our
boat slowed up and made fast to the
wooden pier a. the proving grounds
aud our little party stepped ashore.
A boom proof 10 our right; in our
front, high bluff, tree-crownsd.
down the Scared sides Of which the
yellow soil, liquitied by the pouring
rain, is sluggishly creeping 10 the level
space below. whore stand the mon
ster guns-mud, mud, mud, ooEng
up between the ties OF the railway
track. where the great crane is moved
from place to place, splashing mp on
us AT every step, and covering every
thing within its reach with n sticky
custardlike plaster. Negro laborsrs
in mud despatched clothes clothes ot
all conceivable patterns and cut-aud
few sailor men, seamen lguunsrS,
probably, stand about IN groups;
whil-tw or three young officers, their
clothing a muddy aud soilrd as any
in the little crowd, advance 10 meet
us No time is lost in preparation Tor
the test To one side opposite tho
guns, large nickls steel plate, "A
inches thick. backed aud secured by
heavy pieces ot timber, behind which
the earth is thrown up in strong
embaukment, is 10 bs the target for
the huge lO.inch rifle that pushes its
long tube and frowning muz1le out
over the caSt-iron platform next To It's
greater mate, the l2-inch gun.
A hssty inspection il made OF the
plate, and moving back TO the bat
terry, we watch the loading u' the
great piece OF ordnance, aud note
the ease with which the hydraulic
rammer pushes the heavy steel pro-
jectile into the bore Of the gun. Two
sturdy negroes turn the crank ot the
breech mechanism, shutting the
breerh firmly; hastily we cram little
punches OF tow into our ears, for the
conclusion OF the air caused by the
! discharge Of These tremendous can.
mons does not cause pleasant sensa-
! tiou 10 the delicate organs Of hearing.
The young officer in charge makes
! his last inspection glRncing over the
sights, turning wheel here, adjusting
screw there, aud We watch the pro
ceedings with ever growing interest.
We are making history in a small
way this morning, for in the coming
contest between proJectile and armor
we are TO witness the testing of the
/ first plate OF the srmOr Of the first
modern battleship to be constructed
in the United States. Seek sholtsr.'
il the cry, and all hands scatter To
the cover OF the boom proofs. only
the ensign in charge OF the iiring re-
naming outside. crouching down,
lanyard in hand, under the mount OF
| the inch rifle The chief beckons
mo TO his side, aud together we stand
| in the doorway OF the boom-proof
| where have full view OF the pro
ceedings. An easy pull on the Ian
yard, a lightning fash, n dsafening
roar, a cloud OF dan powder smoke,
and the gun recoils gently back, slid
ing az easily and smoothly on the
hydraulic mount as child's boat on
! the waters OF duck pond. Great
! splashes Of mud fall down on the plat
form in shower as il from the sky.
! There is a moments pause. and then
all hasten TO examine the target. The
projectiIs has struck IL full in the cen
! tor, leaving perfect Impression oI us
sharpened point in the hard steel sew
eral inches deep, glowing hot AZ fur
mace from the terrific force Of the i'm
pact. but not penetrating through IL.
or cracking It in tue slightest degree.
The shell lies in the mud several feet
away, where il has rebounded.