The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-18
IMPORTANT NiyAL TESTS.
Effect Of the Fire of Heavy Guns Oh
ships Deck.

WASHINGTON, July F.-Captain W. =.
Wise. commanding the double-turreieu
monitor Amphitrte, IN an official report
to the Navy Department, has gwen SOM
information respecting the emect OF thc
IRE OF heavy naval guns upon snip
deck and fittings. that IS expected 10
prove of value IN shaping designs Tor tne
new battle-ships The tests were Waie
al sea. off Hampton Roads, on July III"
and 18th. By order of Secretary Herbert
The battery and httings were tested az
sen under conditions which obtain Ill
battle. The forward ten-inch guns were
fired directly ahead. first al an angie oi
five degrees, and then level, ana the al
Ter ten-inch guns were nreu ""cOsts
astern, under the same conditions. NO
damage whatever resulted 10 the decks OF
their fittings, except that the Ioi"atu
capstan was lifted about four lhches' an"
a few ball rollers were blown OUT vi
deck. They were easily replaced WIFI
an damage. There was 10 grooming or
decreasing 81 hitting OF the decks what-
@ .er Observers directly under me guns
failed to feel any shock. On the Oerth
deck a few electric lamps and globes
were shattered and broken, and the wash
bowl In the marble stationary top OF Inc
Junior officers quarters was also broken.
on the 18th a target was anchored ana
TWO observers In boats were placed IN
position 100 yards from the target, the
shfn steaming between them and cross
ing the sea, causing her TO roll from
fve 10 eight degrees easily. The hrlns
varied in range from 100 10 2,-Oe YARDS
Living animals-sheep-weie placed III
position, forward tn the crews mead poF'
side in the gallery On the starooard SIDE
near the four-ineh guns or the super
structure. aft in the cabin pantry on
the starboard side. ant on the super
structure by the starbcard slx-pound gun.
No effect whatever was observed on
them. though the one placed near the
six-pounder was lifted about one foot
and thrown TO the deck by the blasts.
The right forward turret-gun nred aDait
the beam at an angle Of foIty-one degrees
did not disturb the animals by the four
inch guns They were apparently free
from injury Of any kind from firing. IN
firing the forward tufI et-suns abaft the
beam. the floor OF the lower bridge was
sprung a little in one place, the light
boxes on the extreme ends OF the upper
bridge were broken. and one lamp blown
overheard The superstructure was in
tact. though one or two places showed
slight scanning. one small hatch-crane
clamped 10 the side Of the superstructure
was blown overheard, and one blown on
deck. the heavy clamps being forced.
The hammock cloths were torn In pieces,
and several pieces blown away. The gig
and whalebOats were used by the OBJ
servers, and so saved from destruction
by their absence. Firing the guns Of the
main battery on each bow. and directly
ahead on each quarter. and directly
astern produced no effect whatever upon
the ship. Firing the forward ten-snch
guns az extreme train aft. and the after
ten-inch guns at extreme train forward.
il would be impossible for the crews OF
the second batteries TO remain AT their
guns. ArmOr-plercing she'll we're used
Ia the test.
The time OF firing Of the turret-guns
was a little less than five minutes for
each gun. but Captain Wise Is sure the
time consumed can be reduced 10 three
or three and half minutes. In conclu-
sion, Captain Wise says,
''The severity Of the test. and the COM
plote freedom from injury or damage, de-
monstrated the character Of the vessel
as a true type OF our battle or fighting
ship. and may add. | believe that she
would be more formidable without the
superstructure-
orders were tefegrashed from the Navy
Wise Of the double-t urrcted monitor Am
phitrlte. TO proceed 10 Wilmington. y. C.
Charleston. s. C., and Brunswick. Ca.
TO take on board the naval military
organizations OF the three states named
for their annual practice cruise. hi cor
junction with officers and men OF the
regular navy.
The department was In somewhat Of n
quandary up 10 yesterday as 10 what
vessel TO assign 10 the duty and bad
turned the matter ever 70 Admiral Bunee
OF the North Atlantic station
Fortunately however. the Amphltrlte
nut in at Lambert's Point. near Norfolk,
Yesterday afternoon. and was held there
by the department until orders ass'gnins
her 20 naval militia service could be
prepared The Amplitude viii 20 ont
next week on her assignment. and viii
take the organizations from each State
separately or together, as Captain Wise
may see ~.
WASH NGTON. July l7.-Orders We're
mailed to-day 10 Acting Admiral Bunce.
commanding the North Atlantic sta:i5n.
at New York, directing him To assign
tia cruiser MONTGOMERY 10 taxa Tia 49,