The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-20

ar.uryi.g R.suits or Ezpe-i-e.t. with 4,
Uaaertaks, At ssady Heck.

Usa.rtshs, At s.ady Heok.
WASHINGTON. April 19.-Ths trials recently
made Of one Of the three pneumatic guns at
Sandy Hook have . peculiar interest in view
Of their demonstration that the primers sup
piled to these weapons are now perfectly ads-
auats for their work.
IL will be remem bered that in the EXPERT
ments with the yesurius at Port Royal the
RapIeT fuse failed completely. Not . single
one OF the loaded shells nred at that time from
the pneumatic guns Of this vessel was ex-
ploded. tits true that this was not the only
or the CHIEF reason urged By the Navy Depart
ment for abandoning the pneumatic system OF
ordnance on this vessel. and for chan tng the
Iesuvius to an ordinary torpedo cruiser. as
the pending appropriation bill authorizes It to
do. The principal objection. As expressed By
Commodore sampson In his last annual re-
port. was found with the main valve which
admits the compressed air to the gun It was
aseertaired that the com any was contem-
plating radical changes. in the hope
Of greatly improving the compressed air
apparatus. However. as this involved .
fundamental feature. Commodore sampson
officially reported that he did not think the
guns on board OF the vesuvius could he made
successful. aud accordingly recommended
that the $3.50. 900 set apart for another cruiser
OF that type should be used instead for or
binary torpedo LoatA These conclusions
were adopted both By Secretary Herbert and
by the House Naval Commit aud the pend
ina bill provides for such o transfer OF appro-
priations, as well as for the removal OF the
pneumatic tubes OF the yesuvius
But the question OF the pneumatic gun as
weapon mounted on land. Is quite different
from that Of Its use on shipboard. where even
q slight rolling or pitching OF the vessel. taken
in connection with the very slow f!ght OF the
proiectils. might give the latter far less sue
cess IN hitting its object especially where the
latter Is q vessel moving under steam. than II
fred from the stable platform furnished BY
fixed fort. upon an area whose distance has
been ascertained. plotted. and provided for
beforehand. HeneeIthe abandonment OF the
pneumatic gun for service afoat. already
spok en- OF. Ia Q wholly direrect NJ after from its
use by the army authorities for coast defence
plying such guns for the defence OF certain
ports. Hence one OF the first matters to secure
would secure the explosion OF the loaded she'll
gun was used a. andy Hook. leaving the larger
ami newer lb-inch weapons for subsequent.
trials The illuminate .m ployed was OF better
quality than that which had been used at Por.
pounds OF wet gun cotton and was Aired at q
range OF little over mile. Ths air pressure.
an eighth. lsavins the actual pressure II; At ~
pounds The proI-ctiIs struck the surface
and exploded. throwing up high column OF
For the second shot - pounds OF a Miro
Eeiatins compound were used. aud again after
For the third shot the latter CON pound Was
Increased to achargs Vt lu3 pounds Ard the
81 s s.n ISs ne and h
interval of fifteen seconds again the explosion
came drlNlnx up musn heavier column Of
va. thoroughly demonstrated. thus removing
. drawback experienced at the PORT Royal
the psOisctils operated TO prevent al undue
should il b. found that the difficulties rslat-
yius. spoken OF by Comm oIors sampson. have
been overeoms; or eau te overcome. ike those
euraey IN range, high hopes may be enter
tnlRed OF the usefulness o. Inc pneumatic
Is true that the i'm por,anss OF tie pueumatie
system may not be as great now as when hei-
ISS:! H. iaIsnt9r in,rodaeed i Tor the reason
guns. The Frsneh infinite has been the fore
are said to have solved the psoSlsa. Of not
being exploded exceut by tine action OF q
SS~dsr thsEss: Use i. A hSssa mat that T oua
have ,b :gish service charge for alias
the absolute safety Insured by using com. |
pressed air instead OF Gunpowder as the mo- |
NJ 10 several hundred bounds OF gun cotton /
y nitro-g-laItne which eau be used In the ,
'hslis, must always os recommendation for |
his tJIe OF weapon However u may DO with !
'theE countries until equally large bursting /
,harZes OF the same exclusives can thus DO l
hroEn SAFELY with GubpoWdsr or the new
,nmIounds TO greater distance than 10 pos
'lo!e with the pneumatic gur. tkis latter must /
have lie claims for shoEs defence. That 10 |
Performed well at ShOeh uryE sss tn ere Is no
ioubt whatever. And although the English
10 not seem TO be hutTyilE 10 introduce 10 on
my very extensive scale for coast defenee, yet
his mAY possibly to accounted for ~ the
ropes they entertain o. corutts rather than Z
~ any undertaking ~ the pneumatic gun.
When the guns Intended for Sandy Hook
lave been found satisfactory. it Will be an
'AsT matter 20 plot areas viii, h theY can cover. !
IGd thus make them practically useful against
hostile sauadTon- When mounted on a NOV
ne yesse,. and fired It another vessel also ia
notloa, especially With ths elevation neces-
Sry 10 get the desired range, aud with the
hangs Ct place which may result In the yes
els before the shot reaches Us mars. the con-
litions Imposed upol the pheumattc tues
70 OF course very OnsrOus. bur. when 1red
rom liked station. even against moving {
'Nect whose distance l. asceFtEinad either W |
angs nnders or from previous calculations OF
,rsas the problem Lec0mes .imphnsd In |
ne actual practice with the lo-inch guns at
andy hoOS &c 10 Proposed that . moving
sTget shaA 10 employed. and In that Ease !
TactlcAl den OG stgAtlon can 10 given % what
bay re expected OF those WsArons as mount |
Il ashore especially n the distance Of the yes
el aimed az should only he Determined BIZ !
lesIs practicable IN real combat