The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-01

ing AS there may be many of these so
called "stadimeters" at hand. the des-
tructiOn of the range-finder becomes no
irreparable loss.
Then another difficulty suggests itself
in the fallibnity of the gunners. and the
errors which they are likely to make In
range were correctly told to them they
might wrongly adjust the gun-slghts. But
this also is forestalled By the simple ex-
pedient of never sighting the gun at all,
There is a telescope, however, connected
electrically with the gun, and there Is a
dial near the gun which Is set Tor the
range. One biuejacket works the elevating
screw and another looks through the tele-
scope at the enemy, and when the position
of the dial index corresponds to that OF
the range-drector, the gun is lald right Tor
the proiectie TO go to its mark, and no
body knows or cares anything about ele-
waiting angles or sight adjustments. or the
telescope may be connected TO the gun me-
chemically to accomplish the same results.
This Is a long way different from crouch
ing behind an od-fashioned Dahlgren with
the lock-string held taut ana trying 70
balance ones self on. a rolling deck, and
at the same time to catch a glimpse of the
target through the sight notches.
1t being assured that the loaded guns
will be properly directed, there Is nothing
left to do but fire them The electrical
firing circuits are ready, the guns are
connected, and the captain in the con-
telegraph his orders to the men In charge
of them, or fire them himself in such or
der as he pleases by the row OF marked
prosecutions which is in front Of him.
SO much for the handling of the guns.
To manage the ship herself means imme-
diate control OF engines and OF helm; The
latest form of engine-room telegraph not
only signals by dial indication such or
ders as stop" back" etc, which are
sufficient for the control of the engines
of ships cruising alone, but convey to the
engineers explicit direction as to the NUM-
Der of revolutions of the propelling screws
corresponding approximately 70 certain
& CDing a
cruise in fleet formation, and then auto
matically repeats back its message and
the fact that IL has been obeyed to the
sending station The helm indicator Is
even more ingenious. 1t enables the cap
tain not only to inform the helmsman the
exact angle al which the rudder is to be
put but it makes the rudder itself auto
inatically signal back to him the infor-
nation that It has been put there, 50 that
he can now control both the speed and
the movements Of the vessel rapidly and
with a degree Of certainty which has
hitherto been unknown. The latest of all
these inventions is an electrical device
for accurately measuring and Instantly
indicating a ships speed, and this is or
vital necessity for such knowledge is a
most Important factor at every moment
of a conflict. 1t is so arranged that an
index before the officers eyes shows him
the speed of his vessel at all times.
Then there is that great eye the search
light, operated perhaps by an electric mo-
tor, and this in turn again governed by
the commander from his post, so that he
directs It's glare at VIII upon the HQKdnc-
ing enemy, or sends it flying around the
horizon in search Of the ever-menacing
| torpedo boat And down far below the
water there is another motor which sets
in operation the mechanism of the fish
| torpedo, which a touch of the captain s
| finger can also release from the leash +;
or there may be greater electric engines
which he can direct as he pleases to ro-
tate the turrets, and so train the weap-
ons In them.
Much, 10 Is true has been accomplished,
| but much more still remains to be done.
| Electricity has been applied to controlling
| the rudder. but not to actually moving it.
| Perhaps practicable electric steering en-
| gines may be devised which can be con-
| trolled directly, and so do away with in
/ termediate helmsmen. What is wanted Is
| the obliteration of everybody and every
/ thing except the electric nerves between
| the commander and the parts of the ma
chine which he is to manage. Men must
make the latter ready for use, and see
/ that they work I'm the best possible way
but the supreme power of instant control
ought to be concentrated under one brain
| through apparatus of great facility, rap
| idity. and precision of operation.
| Green Ito Black. who is preparing for
a continental trip)-How do you get on
with your language, old fellow?
| Capitally. Why, I've got so far now
/ that / can think in French.
| Greenwich, that's a blessing, for it's
more than you could ever do in English.
I --Tit-Bits.