New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-25
THE GUNS ARE WONDERS
FURTHER TESTS AT SANDY HOOK.
DYNAMITE FIRED AT LONG RANGES AND ACTS
sPLENDIDLY EXCEEDING THE con-
PEOI,IREMENTS

DYNAMITE FIRED AT LONG RANGES AND ACTS
sPLENDIDLY. EXCEEDING THE con-
TRACT REQUIREMENT.
Sandy Hook ~ j., Aug. A.-There were a NUMBER
OF highly elated people on Sandy Hook to-day on
account OF the undoubted success OF the pneumatic
dynamite guns Two thousand seven hundred pounds
OF dynamite. nitro-gelatine. were fred from 10
inch pneumatic gun. and exploded within rev
yards OF the place aimed at. The handing and mr.
Ing OF this immense quantity OF explosive was ac-
comp.lsaed wi,hou, accident, The guns have far ex-
ceeded the requirements stipulated IN the contract
which the Pneumatic Torpedo and Construction
Company has with the Government. and the test
OF the 15-inch guns has practically been nnished.
The snch gun is expected 20 be ready for trial in
few days. To-day's test was witnessed by large
assemblage OF Army and Navy officers.
Preparatory tests we're made with dummies 10 nno
the range desired and three l5-inch plugs were first
fired from the 5-inch gun and then the shells were
brought out, The first she'll followed by four
others. They struck the same line within q
length OF thirty yards thus far exceeding the con.
tract requirements The distance was 1000 yards
The she's can be thrown further, but only 2V0-
Four "iwo-secOnd fuses, were used and one fus:
was TO explode striking. The high wind that
prevailed at the time Of the firing seemed to inter-
fere with the flight % the projectiles causing two
poded Immediately instead OF delaying two Sec
onds This: however, might be expected The The
dled and hurled great distance with salty TO
those who use them. but with great danger 20 those
against whom they directed. has beer proved.
The thunder like clap OF the explosion Vas heard
a long distance and the sheet or flame after each
of the she's exploding impact was a magnih-
cent sight. Back smoke fingered over the spot
for a moment. Sinai. waterspouts were thrown 10
a great height. and the conclusion must have been
fe.t for niles.
one eight-inch calibre She. loaded with 200
pounds OF nitro-gelatine was fired at 5000 yards
range and acted perfectly. Five p.ugs. weighing
l.lGj pounds each were fired from the centre gun.
This 10 test the rapidly with which the gun
could be fired. The time occupied was min
utes and 81 seconds. while the contract all
lows 20 minutes. one eight-inch cabre shell,
which to have been fred to-day, has been 70
served for further experiments.
The hrst Interesting test OF the so-cal,ed cromo
steel plate officially known as the "Chase-Gantt'
plate. took place at the proving grounds to-day:
The test In competition with the HaryeyiZed
plates the inventors believing they could rival those
we're by feet: its thickness was ten and one
half inches 1t had been boted in vertical position
against thir.y-siX inch oaken backing. which was
braced by tweve-inch oak timbers. Behind this
was large sand butt and on the side and top, IN
front OF the plate, strong tmbers had been placed
for protection from flying fragments. Two eight
inch Midvale Hotter shells were fired point-blank
from a breech- loading rifle against the plate. The
weight OF each shell was 900 pounds Both the plate
and the shell made by the Midvale Steel Com
pany. al Nicetown. Philadelpha: ,,o ,,,,o ona
The first shot fired went through the piate, ana
was solidy imbedded In the oaken backing. Inc
plate was cracked and broken In three pieces. The
second shell was fired at the upper part OK the
Mate which was OF the three pieces left. IL
went through It, breaking II in several pieces splin-
sand butt. Small fragments of the plate flew in
| every direction. ,