Evening star., 1894-03-20
a BIG GIN TEST.
Many People 10 ca TO Indian Head
Tomorrow.


Tomorrow.
There has been no ordnance test in re-
cent years. barring the celebrated trial
of the first nickel-steei plate and the first
Harveyized arInor plate that mas been
awaited with more interest than the test
Of the first of the thirteen-inch naval guns
to be made at the proving groplIs at In
dian Head tomorrow. Secretary Herbert
has issued about 80 invitations TO the
affair, and il is beiieg el that most of tIem
will be accepted The list included the
President and cabinet, boJh houses of
congress. all the naval bureau chiefs. prin-
CiT2l officers Of other executive depart
ments and the press. The President Will be
bic 10 70. Secretary Herbert Is not in
the best OF health. and he. too. may nos be
able TO 60. In that event Assistant Secre-
tary McAdOO Will represent him as the host
Dt the occasion.
To Convey the Guests.
The United States snip Dolphin and the
uS Triton and possibly the torpedo boat
Cushing, all Of which are at the navy yard,
Eiu be used for the transportation Of the
quests to and from Indian Head. The yes-
sells will leave the navy yard promptly at
D o'clock tomorrow morning and will return
about 4 O'Clock Luncheon will be served
ol the Dolphin. and the Marine Band will
tnHven the occasion with music.
One Of the Tests.
One of The tests Of the huge gun will con-
sist Of firing the projectile into a great
bank of earth battened down to receive the
flying missile. The course of the shell will
be through a number of squares of net
worked wires. each OF which will communi-
cate with an instrument at a distance the
rate of progress Of the fieeting metal This
arrangement of wires will mark the velocity
OF the she'll at different distances from Tho
muzzle OF the gun. and will be the bases of
future calculations. Three gauges place!
IN the chamber of the gun will record the
poVder's pressure, and each will allow a
Comparison for purposes Of verification
Tcn-SIiIe Range.
Another test Will be to fire the gun over
the selected range Of ten miles down the
Potomac. LoOkouts will be stationed along
the shores 81 prominent places. and will
warn the passing ships and boats and will
signal the operators at the gun when 70
fre the weapon Officers viii be placed AT
Intervals with theOdolites arranged 10 raccri
the course of the prOiectiIe The firing
over the range IS not for the burmese oP
securing the distance which the fUJ-DOund
sEe!I is capable Of travelling. for ordnance
Cfncers say they are sure the big wedge of
steel will go through the air for a distance
OF thirteen miles The Instruments will
snow whether the shell is steady in its
path and whether its journey is direct.
1t will cost something TO make the trial
of the thirteeu-inch gun. for every time the
rrOJectile Is discharged il takes $50 pounds
OF powder which costs &3 cents per pound.
The prOjectile itself cost about Is cents
per pound The powder comes from New
port and the shell is made ct the Washing
ton ordnance shops. The officers will not
nre the most costly projectiles at the com
Ing test, but will use an economical shell
made Of cast iron There will be fired per-
hap5 dozen rounds. The cost Of this num-
Der Of rounds would be about $4,000
Secretary Herbert said this afternoon that
ne had mace up mis- mind 70 attend the test