The National tribune., 1895-08-08
ARMY AND NAVY.

Four OF the largest powder firms in this
country are working hard to produce a smoke e.
less powder acceptable to the Army Ordnance
Bureau. A large number of tests have been
made, and Ordnance officers are greatly en-
couraged by the results obtained powder
to meet all requirements has not yet been Sc
cured, but satisfactory progress il reported
The determination or The value of smok eless
powder requires much time as laboratory tests
will only show whether not the powder is
worth a storage test. I'M this test the powder
is stored for onths in various climates pack ed
in csrtridge-cases, and carried by troops, after
which il is tested While fair small-arm and
sporting powder has been produced, none has
yet been made WHICH will meet the require
ments of the Ordnaace Bureau for tho large
seacoast guns, for which it is most desired.
The commissioning of the Maine and Texas
within the next few days will mark new era
i'll the development of the American Navy
The two vessels will ffcr from those which
have preceded them. during the past decade
and will belong moro distinctively to the fight
ing class of vessels than even the New York,
tho coast defense vessel Monterey, or the mont
tors Miantonomoh, Monadn mock and Amphitrite,
all OF which arc now in commission. The
Maine is classed as an armored cruiser, while
the Texas is sccond-rate battleship but the
Maine could also very properly be placed in the
category Of sccondra battlesbips. In the
opinion of experts she could easily whip two
vessels like the New York, which attracted so
much attention at the recent naval exhibition
at kiel, while she would prove a match for half
a dozen unarmored vessels Of the type of the
Baltimore or Philadelphia. The Texas carries
fewer guns in her main battery, but they are
OF greater caliber than those of the Maine.
During the next IL months the three power
ful batteship5 Massachusetts, Indiana and
Oregon will be in commission. When Gen.
dent Harrison he repeatedly asserted that these
battleships, when completed, would be tho
finest specimens Of marine architecture afioat.
little later the Iowa, a sister ship will be
also commissioned. and within the next three
years the two additional battleships provided
for at the last session Of Congress will be a1oat.
1t is not doubted that the next Congress will
provide for several more battleships of this
class
The officials of the Navy Department are con-
sidering the advisability of proposing to the
War Department n combination OF the two
great ordnance plants at Washington and
Watervlet, where all the great guns for the
Navy and Army are manufactured. Assistant
Secretary McAdoo is said TO be promoting the
scheme. The object is TO hast ell the completion
of the ordnance for coast defenses. which is
said to be far behindhand. The gun factory
here has turned out guns as high as 13 inches
in caiber, every one of which has been fully
tested.
The ballistic test of turret representing
those 10 be used on the battleships Massachu
setts Indiana and Oregon will be made ut the
Naval proving ground, Indian Head, Md, in
the near future. The turret was bnit by the
Cramps. Of Philadelphia, and will he put to-
gether at the Norfolk Navy-yard. The plates
arrived at the Washington ordnance foundry
from Philadelphia The test will he very severe.
The attack will first be made with 6-inch gun,
and will be continued until the largest-sized
gun-a 13-inch bOre-is reached. A test will
also be made of plated structure representing
the side Of a ship. Tho Ordnance Bureau ex-
poets to obtain much valuable in formation from
the test. and the experiments are looked for
ward to with much interest.