The San Francisco call., 1896-08-13
The North Atlantic Squadron Is
Ordered to Prepare for
the Event.
THE OREGON's POWDER SUPPLY
The New Batt1e.Ship's Fighting Ability
Diminished Through Lack OF
Proper Munitions.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. 12.-Rear-
Admiral Bunce, commanding the North
Atlantic Squadron, stopped at Washing
ton to-day Ell route to Hampton Roads
from New York, where he had been in
Secretary had ordered him to come TO
New York to discuss squadron matters
with him before his departure for Europe.
1t is understood that one OF the subjects
discussed by the two officials was the par
ticipation of the North Atlantic Squadron
in the reception to be accorded Ii Hung
Chang.
Under the program me which has been
arranged the squadron will leave Hamp-
ton Roads on Saturday next for week
or ten days on the drill grounds, after
which 1t will sail for Tompkinsville, S. L.,
where it will take on board stores and
other supplies, and will wait for the ar
rivalof Ii.
Upon his arrival the squadron will be
drawn up in line and will belch forth
salutes as the steamer st. Louis, bearing
the distinguished Chinese diplomat, passes
by. This, so far as can be learned, is the
rough feature of the programme which
the navy Is to perform.
Admiral Bunce, while at the department
to-day, talked with Acting Secretary
McAdoo about squadron matters, and that
official states that Ii Hung Chang's recep-
ton was not referred to during the con-
versation. 1t is expected, however, that
the dispatch boat Dolphin will be detailed
to carry Ii to the shore from Quarantine
where the ST. Louis will be detained.
Although the battleshin Oregon is ready
for sea her fighting ability is very much
diminished by the fact thar she has no
powder for her 13-inch guns that will in
any way come up to the naval standard.
The Navy Department has accepted a few
thousand pounds of 13-inch powder for
that vessel, but this is far below the re-
quirements. There was none other avail
able, however, and the authorities had to
take the supply. But even with the
amount on hand, the Oregon is very badly
crippled from lack of ammunition for her
heavy guns.
Some time ago the department gave an
order to the California Powder Company
for the manufacture Of sufficient 13-inch
powder for the Oregon. Since the con-
tract was made that firm has been expert
menting with the powder and has SUBJ
mitted lot after lot TO the department for
trial, only to have it rejected. The fault
lay either in the low variety given or the
high pressure.
Under the departments contract the
powder must give velocity of 2100 feet
per second and fifteen tons pressure. The
California company it is understood has
not yet been able to pass these require
ments. Another lot is expected at the de-
partment within few weeks and will be
tried at the Indian Head proving grounds.
1t is possible, in case it should not give
the desired results, that the authorities
will ship to the west coast some of the
powder manufactured for the battleships
Indiana and Massachusetts. The supply
on hand for these vessels is very small,
however, and the authorities do not care
to reduce it if they can possibly help.
In addition, it is their desire to make
the Oregon essentially Western coast
vessel in all things possible, and for this
reason they desire that she should, when
first she puts to sea, be supplied with pow
der manufactured on the Pacific Coast
It is stated in the Naval Bureau of Ord
nance that for small guns the California
company has been manufacturing excel
lent powder, and no one can understand
why it cannot with equal facility manu-
facture powder for heavy guns.