New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-14
THE HEAVIEST PIECE IN THE GUN.

anxious to take shelter under the protecting
bluff that rises from the strip OF pebble-covered
beach and General Miles himself gave the order
for all to take cover before the signal to fire
given. But knowing that only dummies"
were to be fired at the target. the spectators
drew nearer TO the instrument of death. and
watched every movement Of those who were
manipulating 1t preparatory TO the second exhi-
btion. The members OF the Army Board oc-
cupied a eettee to the eft OF Mr.. Elwell. who
did the firing, and others. interested in the gun
stood about entirely oblivious Of the fact that
there might be any danger Two Of the DUN
mics were fired. each one falling considerably
short Of the target. This explained as be-
Ing due TO the pr9jecte being IN uneyeny yer for bal e
defects Of the other and hit the target square.
but the third shot never fired.
POWDER IN THE TUBE
The powder had been placed In the small tube
and the dummy In the large one. Then every
body looked toward the target 210O yards away
expecting to see 1t shattered when the rope
was drawn which freed the powder But IN
stead. terrific noise was heard. and the gun
was shattered into Fragments. General Miles
John BrIsben Walker. OF The Cosmopolitan
Magazine" and the reporter Of The Tribune at
the time sat on log under the bluff whence the
target was full In sight and from which point
they saw the metal missiles as they flew into
the air. after the gun had burst
When the smoke and dust had cleared away. II
was found that Joseph Roll. the proprietor OF the
Oriental Hotel at Glen Cove, who had gone 10
the grOunu 10 serve the IuncneOn Tor the VlSltOTs
was the only one injured. piece OF metal
struck him on the Jaw and made ugly wound.
but Dr. F. w. Merriam. Of No. 136 West Elev-
enth-st.. who was on the spot, attended to the
injured man. made him comfortable and when
he left him at his home two hours later. said
that no cerious results need be looked for.
After everybody had congratulated his neigh
Dor on being alive and not torn TO pieces. people
began TO make inquiry as to the cause Of the
explosion 1t found that the larger plug
of wood in the dummy" had split and spread
md prevented the projectile from being thrown
from, the mouth Of the gun. How and why the
Mug split no one seemed 10 know. Mr. Elwell
Thought II might have been caused by defec-
five Mug and others said that the fuse at the
point was imperfect and caused the explosion
by igniting the powder prematureiy
MR. sIMSs EXPLANATION.
Mr.. Sims. in speaking Of the burst gun. said
mo gun. no matter how large or how strong 1t
is. can live u you touch off heavy charge IN
1t and have Its mouth plugged"
Mr.. Elwell said that inasmuch as the gun had
thrown the dangerous proJectles containing
high explosives successfully and accurately the
fact that 1t had burst under the existing circum-
stances would not detract from Its value as
gun for the purposes for which II was con-
structed General Miles also said that he was
highly pleased with the results Of the expert
ments as to projecting high explosives
The injury of Mr.. Roll cast gloom over the
party. and some OF the visitors went so far as
to take the army officers to task for not warn
Ing them OF the danger and for allowing people
In dangerous proximity to the gun. The cost OF
the exploded gun was about $4,000.