The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-10-17

EFFECT OF SHOTS FROM BIG GUNS OF
warship almost irreparable damage, while 49,
inch gun which is now the heaviest in use by
any naval power, would not only penetrate the
best armOr. but would enter far into the ships
interior bursting charge would never get
through the armor, hut might possibly, create
much damage by explosion on impact.
At the trial four shots were fired, two from a
1O-inch gun one from 12-inch gun, and one
from the Peacemaker, or l3-inch gun. A pho
tograph of the plate taken Immediately after
the experiment shows the effect produced by
each proiectile except that the last shot caused
the cracks of the third shot 20 deepen and
widen.
With 10-inch gun. charged with an armor-
piercing projectile, propelled by l40 pounds of
powder. and generating velocity of 1.432 feet
second and an energy OF ], CO.. loot tons, pene-
tration Of only i've inches was secured The
angle of impact was about one degree from nor
mai.
The blow resulted in the shell being badly
smashed and the target being moved one-eighth
OF au inch forward on the right side. Few of
the bolts inj ured. and the target, repre-
6enting ships side, WAS but little damaged.
Had the ship been in action the blow would
not have affected her fighting qualities in the
beast. nor would soul on board have been in
cured by flying pieces of shell, as practically
every ounce fell outward.
I.e56 feet a second. and energy of II. 954 foot
tons. a penetration Of ii inches was made the
head Of the she'll welding in the armor tightly
aud hole being rOundly cut, with no radial
cracks. This time. too, the back ing stood well,
sad not deck beam WIS misplaced, but the
plate moved away from its resting-place about
one-third of an inch. The effect of this shot
on a battleship would not have been TO seriously
harm the vessel, unless second shot should
bit near by, when the plate would unquestion-
ably have been cracked through.
The l2-inch gun was ms xt employed TO attack
fhr target. This time the charge of powder
was advanced to 300 pounds, and the velocity
apprOXim lS00 feet second, and the en-
eTRy 1914 foot tons. The force of this pro-
fertile was expected to prove sufficient TO knock
most any plate to pieces. but the plate suf
iered comparatively little from the shock
a deep penetration ~ ade, and crack
extended through aud through, but still no
great damage done TO the backing. Had
fiis shot hit the Iowa there would have been
come danger with auotber shell of any size
coming in the same locality. as the armor was
80 badly shaken that little power remained in
a. Water would have entered the vessel in
small quantities, but not enough to sink the
ebii. Cellul0se and the water-tight compart-
ERents would have kept her afioat.
The fourth and last shot was from the biggest
gun made for the Navy, and struck the plate
yond any doubt the great advantage battleships
carrying l3-Inch guns in action will have over
those mounting l2-incb rifles The prOjectie
fired weighed l. 100 pounds and was backed by
81 pounds of powder. developing a velocity of
] -''3 irrl a second. and tue enormous energy Of
-, 736 foot tons
wzs TO he expected that deep penetration
would follow aud that the plate would be badly
sma he'd and the experts were therefore net
surprised when the shell passed through the Is
inches Of Harveyed steel. through all the back I
5Bg, representing several feet of heavy oak
timber, and imbedded itself u feet in the
earth-mound beyond where it was found but
little injured by its journey through steel |
~ood ana earth. When picked up il was as hot
o. egg in boiling water
Two great cracks we're made in the plate one
extending from top 10 bottom. and the other
crossing 10 the hole produced by the I2-uch
shot. The plate was badly wreck ed and would
have stood on vessels side but few hours
The damage that wonld have followed to the
interior OF the Iowa hardly be estimated
bat d Is almost certain the l3-inch shot would
baye gone clear through the vessels side and
well into the armor oi the opposite side In its
travels II would have carried away everything
1n ne path. aud hy ing pieces of iron, steel aud
tiinber would have mangled every person near
by
Ordnance experts are now satisfied that the
e~PFi'n4ShS VIII cohNiHcs the CONSTRUCTION
Bureau that ships TO he competent TO fight the
besi battleship successfully must he armed
"itn lS-lnch guns, rather than twelves. But
abe constructors Will not accept the trial as
Demonstrating the adylsabilily Of sacrificing
sped and coal O. pacity for heavier guns aud
ttlli assert that two IL inch shots would be
Diore sihcaciOus than one IL and that more
damage can be secured by the rspid fire of
lighter guns than by the slower Gre Of Iieayy
rifles. AZ the two new batileships are TO he
lifted with l3-iuch guns the result Of The target
trials Nil NOT bring about a further discussion
% the merits OF l2-luch aud I3-iBch guns on
baltieships al The present time.