New-York tribune., 1894-06-13
HEAVY ARMOR UNHARuED.
A sEVENTEEN-INCH PLATE SUCCESS
FULLY RESIsTS ATTACK.
THE SAME GIN WHICH SHATTERED THE OTHER
BIG PLATE PRODUCES ALMOST NO EFFECT
OK THIS ONE.
(Br TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiBUSr.r

Washington, June 12-An important test OF
armor took place at Indian Head to-day In to-
days test the target was a seventeen-inch Har-
veyized nickel-stcel plate. manufactured by the
Bethlehem Company II was attacked by n twelve
inch high-powered. rihe-nring shell, weigh
ing $50 pounds. The trial was conducted by Cap
tain Sampson. Chief Of the Naval Bureau of ord
nance. and was witnessed by board OF naval
officers composed Of Lieutenant-Commander Con-
din Professor Alger and Lieutenant Ackerman
There were also present President Lindermann,
Lieutenant Meiggs and Mr.. Davenport, Of the
Bethlehem Company.
The results Of the trial are highly satisfactory
both To the Government and to the manufa actur
ers. They Justify fully he claims of naval ord
nance experts that the Harvey process can b.
successfully applied to the thickest plates. and
that plates 50 treated are superior at resisting
penetration TO any other kind Of armor made at
home or abroad The plate tested to-day was
seventeen inches thick. II represents about GjO
tons Of curved armor intended for the bIrbettes
OF the batueship Massachusetts. The plate was
supported Ivy thirty-six inches Of oak backing
Behind the structure the usual quantity Of
earth. Facing the target was the same twelve
inch rifle whose projcc;iles demolished the eigh-
teen-inch Harvey plate in May The gun was
trained to strike the plate as nearly normal as
possible. The deviation being less than two de-
grees from the ,cr'ical.
Lieutenant Mason. of the Navy. directed the
hrlng. The first round was 10 determine the
plates resistance To cracking The shot had 4
velocity OF l4lO feet per second and a striking
energy OF 1850 foot-tons. II hit the target 10
the lcit and little below the centre when the
dense cloud or smoke cleared away II found
that the plate was practically uninjured The
shot had penetrated 20 distance OF only six
inches No cracks had been developed nor was
there any bulgiug in the rear. Around the shot
hole could he observed the usual rpugh-edged
fringe brought out 10y impact on Harvey plates.
a CARPENTER was shattered into fragments. some
Of which flew o. a distance of 200 yards. 5, FAR
the plato had passed highly satisfactory test.
The second shot was fred q determine the
plates resistance L. penetration as Required by
contract stpuations. IN this round the charge
If powder was Increased % 400 pounds. giving a
velocity SIS feet per second. The striking en-
the plate % the right and n litt," above the
centre nearly normal 10 the vertical line. In a
spot wholly unaffected by the first impact Il
was found that The penetration was about ten
Inches The point ~ the shell was welded i'i
the plate. the other parts were completely
wrecked and thrown % the front. The only in
Jury t. the plate was fine line or crack eN-
tending from the shot hole 20 the edge The
craCk d.H not open nor did & extend In more
than one direction In all respects the plate was
ready for further terrific pounding. II had kept
out the projcctilc and was therefore acceptable.
Naval ordnance experts are enthusiast over
the results Of the test. They regard the trial as
conclusive proof that HarveyiznG heavy armor
does not injuriously affect the plates. They
also think that there f. now no question OF the
practicabiity Of treating the surface OF even
the thickest plates to the hardening process.