The morning times., 1896-11-13
HAVAL EXPERTS IN SESSION
Marine Architects Read
Papers mN..W York.
CAPT. SAMPSON ON TURREES
He Describes the Gun Protection of
Our Big 'Warships as Proof
Against Any PrOjectile-Use of
the New CeIlulose Discussed.
Steel Canal Boats.

meeting OF the Society Of Naval Architects
and Marine Engineers began this morning
In the auditorium of the library of the
American Society Of Mechanical Engineers
on West Thirty-first street. The election
OF oiflcers was at once proceeded with, and
the Following were chosen for one year:
President, Clement A Griscom; vice presi-
dents, Charles II. Cramp, Philip Hichborn,
Charles II Loring, Rlcnard w. Meade, W N
lam II. Webb, George w. Melville, George
w Qulntard, Irving NJ. Scott, Francis A.
Walker, and Frank s Fernald
Francis I. Bowles was elected chairman
and also secretary and treasurer. After The
election the technical session was called to
order by Mr.. Griscom.
TURRETs STOOD THE TEST.
Commodore w. T. Sampson, chief of
the bureau of ordnance of the United
States Navy, read the first paper 1t con-
marine engineers today. The paper con-
sisted OF u description OF an orrlciai test
OF an experimental turrct OF the United
States batueship Massachusetts.
The turret designed for the thirteen-inch
guns OF lhe Indiana AMI Massachusetts class,
as described by Commodore Sampson, is u
cylindrical steel structure weighing about
45O tons, resting upon Hanged steel rollers,
which travel upon circular roller truck
mounted upon Il foundation forming part
OF the framework OF the ship.
Upon the stability of the turret on its
track depends, i'll large measure, the
fighting strength of the ship The test of
this stability was made at the na val proving
ground, Indian Head, on May and June
10. 1895.
The experimental turret was constructed
as nearly as possible according 10 the de-
sign OF the turreis for the Massachusetts
One hundred tons of pig iron were placed
iIf tn.
and the ;urret was set on revolving rollers
in the same fashion as on board ship.
Three rounds were fired at this turret,
the lirst with ten-inch gun and 800
pound shot at = distance of 362 feet;
The second and third with a Pinch gun,
S5O-pound shot, at a distance of 359 feet.
In the whole test the turrct was driven
TO the rear about 8 inches.
STRONG FRAMES
As FAR As the effect on the turret
framing was concerned, the result of the
firing left no room for doubt as to its
possessing ample strength To withstand
the maximum strains which will be put
upon IL by the impact OF any prolectile.
Although the turBct itself was damaged by
the firing. the resistance of the armCr and
the elasticity of tile turret foundation
were such that the Injury done even at
that distance W as inconsiderable.
Mr.. Lewis Nixon. manager of tn e
Crescent shipyard. Elizabeth, n. j.. then
read an interesting paper upon the sub
ject OF steel canal boats. Among other
things he said:
The first fleet of steel boats to run
from Cleveland to New York was con-
structed in 1885, and set at rest all
doubts as TO the fitness of steel boats
for the service. This fleet consisted of
steamer and five consorts, all being
al. nj .t..l.. u. .....I =
inches wide, andfenrfeet deep.
The steamer carries 25 tons of freight,
while the consortS carry s30 tons each.
The first trip was made. in August, S95,
with cargo of rails for the New York
street railways. l' 80
ION the first return trip q cargo OF
sugar was carried, consigned TO houses
in Cleveland and other cities"
STEEL CANAL BOATS.
In January, S36, a further addition
To this steel fleet was contracted for. con
sisting OF three steamers and ten con-
sorts. The vessels are now run in fleets
uf one steamer and three consorts. carry
ing in all about 900 tons. 1t is safe
to say tnat this system of water trans.
purtation will reduce eight rates at
least % per cent below rail rates. The
trip is made from Cleveland to New York
in about ten days.
IHt lIllIyftiil,E bi IillS growing, 1lppt
of steel canal boats arises not SO much
from The use Uf metal in their constructor
rs from The attention which the success
rs freight carriers has directed toward tn,
possibilities Of Erie canal and the results
IN The way of water transport alton through
out the United States which are sure Il
follow.
Tie third paper, which was to have been
read by SOmmers n Smith, the manager oi
the Newport News Ship5uiiding Company
was omitted, as Mr.. Smith was unable t,
be present. Naval practice in ship rivets
and riveting," was the title of an abb,
paper by Naval Constructor J. H. Linnard
ofthe Navy Department. Mr. Linnard wen
largely into details OF this part OF shir
construction, which he said had been almos
altogether overlooked by naval architects S
STEAM FIRE BOATS.
The afternoon session was opened with
paper by Mr.. II. Deb. Parsons, and its
subject was the efficiency of steam fire
boats. Some details of construction were
given by MIR. Parsons to show that as a
rule small boats We're more efficient
than large ones, beside having greater
room for maneuvering. The New York
fire stations came in for some praise
as being tine most complete in the country.
Mr.. Henry w. Cramp, vice president of
the famous ship building concern, then
spoke about corn-pith cellulose, a new
product, which is being used by the Navy
for the protection of war vessels below the
water line, both from shot and from leak
age. This oeiiu;osj: is made from the pith
of cornstalks and is placed just inside The
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