The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-03-06
rNDIANA's GUNS Ar ODDS.
The BnttIcship. However, Can Turn
Us In Thrice Her Length.

~ II
In Thrice Her Lensth.
Washington. March 5.-There ure some
interesting developments IN u report of
q board OF experts which has just re-
turned from n visit to the battleshIp
Indiana. 1t Is found that the vessel go
ing ut a speed of twelve knots can easily
turn within thrice her length. This per
iormance is unequalled by any ship OF
the l~ndiana's class. of which the depart
ment has any record, and the fact In
creases materially the efficiency Of the
vessel.
me performance Is technically known
as the tactical diameter OF u ship. and
the smaller this diameter the better qusl-
lieo a vessel Is TO munoeuvre. The
cushing. for Instance. was rendered of
nluch Importance by the fact that Il
could turn Within It's own length. as on
n pivot, almost. The ability of the In
uiaha IN the same line is quite as wonder
lui. considering the length and displace-
ment of the battleship.
Inc BOARD has reported that the eight
eight-inch rifles mounted on the deck
oi the Indiana cannot be discharged In
their direct line of fire. 1t Is renortcd
ina the blast from the discharges is
dangerous to the gun-operators located
al the larger turrets below. There are
iour turrets on the Indiana. each COLI
tanning two eight-inch guns. Each of
.hese 'urrets is located at q corner of
the Superstructure, two commanding the
area ahead and two the arc, ostcrn
Ihe eisht-inch turrets are djspesrd on
the risht ana left, respectively, OF Il line
amiushlps, while placed in the centre
ol the mann deck are two immense tur-
refs, each containing two thirteen-inch
rihes: One turret Is forward and ON
n,ahus the area ahead. while the Others
ar ana the range of the guns IS or
course astern. Neither OF the thirteen
men turrets is directly beneath the eight
men turrets and the fire from the guns
oi the latter, II directed straight ahead
ny the DOW guns and straight astern by
t'e AFTER guns, would not cross anv
portion OF The thirteen inch %turrets.
Notwithstanding this fact the eiyh,
men guns cannot be DISCHARGED I'm "a
straight line of fire. 1t will be necessary
10 pace stops on each of the eight-jnch
ttirlelS SO as 10 prevent firing the gums
nearer to the direct line Of fire than ion
degrees. This M impair the efficiency
VI me guns somewhat. as 1t leaves an
aitd orWard and aft which cannot he
covered by the eight-inch guns at the
same time with the thirtcen-inch rtn.s
The condition is not a surprise IA tho
ordnance officers, howcver. Cautnin
sampson. The Naval Chief of Ordnance
sa'u To-Day: The result Is about what
mas been estimated. II was feared maj
'"e "'as' from the upper turretS would
seriously affect those who were station
Ell III the turrets below il the fire was
100 near. 1t is well known by naval NH
GERS that n Il cannot be fired over an
OBJECT without disturbing ii. and rho
reports of the experiments on the India M
are not, therefore. in the nature of recan,
discovery. ~
Ihe range OF the guns stlu makes
tneni an efficient part of the ordnance
OIL the batileship. They will have n
range of 50 degrees"
Much interest Will be taken by naval
oillcers IN the recommendations of the
experts on the Indiana's cight-inch mr.
refs when the news reaches them. There
mas long been a discussion as TO the
range OF the guns confined in the turrcts
placed as they are on board the Indiana
Aassachusetts. and Oregon. 1t would
nave been a serious matter If the De-
partment had discovered that the eight
men guns could not be fired excan,
~Oroadside, for, in such an event. tho on.
e;ency of the rifles would have been 50
greatly lessened as to make Il n waste
OF space 10 carry them. The ordnance
oiicers are entirely satisfied with inc
result. however. and the guns will have
all the range expected Of them. and viii
SUI be, despite the changes to be made.
a prominent part of the offensive fea-
lures of the battlcships.
The Indiana will be locked nj por,
Royal. 5. c.. March l.. Much interest
Is taken In the event. as this will be The
hrst time the battleship has been locked
The occasion will also be a test of no
structure at Port Royal station.