The sun., 1895-05-09
ARMOR TAKES THE LEAD.
AN IMPROPED PROJECTILE NOW
IMPERATIYELT DEMANDED.

Test or the Carpenter proiectilo Shows
thnt IL Cannot lie Relied Upon to Pierce
Plates Thicker than Twelve Inches.
WASHINGTON, May s.-Since the famous ar
NOR test OF May ]. when tho l3-inch Peace
maker" riho attacked tho 1S-inch Carnegie
Harvcyized plate, with results which showed
that the long fight between guns and plates had
reached stage where neither had tho mastery,
naval ordnance officers have been looking for
ward to to-day's trial OF Carpenter projcctiles
with intense interest. The results Of the thrco
shots fired this afternoon demonstrate that 1t
Is no longer contest between guns and
armor, but future ordnance advancement
must be In tho improvement OF the
shell. When tho 1.lG0-pound Holtzer
rrojectilo was fred week ago from the
greatest naval weapon, with nm initial velocity
OF l.Sl0 feet per second. and hit the 1S-inch
plate with tho tremendous striking energy of
10000 foot tons, the shell was totally disintc-
grated, its particles showcring like rain over n
surface of several acres. Even tho 12-inch
projcctilc, with The increased velocity OF 1928
feet per second. was melted by tho suddcnncss
of its stoppngc, and looked like 80 much black
mud splashed on the surface OF the plate.
To-day at Indian Head only the acceptance
conditions for the contract trial OF lot OF SER
vice shells prevailed, instead OF the severe
ordeal to which tho lS-inch plato was subjected
after 1t had passed tho requirements, but the
results were even moro valuable to the Navy
Department.
Tho last two lots OF Carpenter armor-pierclng
projectiles for the battle ships Of fifty and the
other of scventy-five shells. wero submitted for
the ballistic test. These shells are intended for
the big guns which constitute tho chief Of
lensive power OF tho new battle ships. They
without injury twelve inches Of solid steel. but
as no common steel OF that thickness was avail
able the target used was l2-nch Harvcyized
plate. the ordnance experts being prepared to
make allowances for tho increased resistance
offered by the face-hardened armor. which was
The first shot. with an initial velocity OF LAYS
feet per second got its point ten inches into the
the plate and driving out a piece behind big
enough to flood a commitment of a vessel II it
nna s.ruek the water line This
have easily pierced ordinary metal. and besides
1t warmed up tho gun.
with iss pounds of brown hexagonal powder.
specially adapted to this calbre OF gun. behind
LOO pound shell lenped from tho muzzle with
velocity Of l.SlO feet per second. and less than
OAK sand
woods mile away. where 1t was found an hour
later; practically unscathed after Its remark
able journey.
Another shell from the two lots was fred with
from from the sand bank where t finally rested. Was
found to have parted with silver eleven inches
long and about three inches wide. in addition to
being somewhat set up" by its encounter with
the HarveyiZed steel.
The department will accept all the shell. be-
cause the lots completely fulfil the conditions
OF the contract. AT the present time nation
except the United States has any vessels urmored
sufficiently to keep them out. But the Harvey
face-hartlening process is getting TO be used
everywhere; and AT least one nation is building
ships with the intention of having them invul-
ncrahle to the American H. inch "Pcaccmakcrs."
The naval ordnance officers are depending
upon American ingenuity TO come to tho rescue.
great mod ern advances in war Implements and
methods have emPnated from the United States.
and what is now demanded is a solid prOjectile
that will withstand the crushing effects of a
10000 foot ton blow. Soft metal caps to melt,
and thus TO act MS lubricatOrs are under trial
but so far without success.