The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-07-15

charged from high power buns with hign
velocity The pneumatic guns located at
Sandy Hook and San Francisco and
those originally placed on board the
dynamite cruiser Vesuvius were design
ed especially for firing large charges OF
dynamite, an explosive peculiarly SEN
sit!ve TO shock The shells containing
the explosive are carefully pushed out
Of the pneumatic gun by air and in such
an easy manner that there is no danger
of an explosion before they pass out of
the muzzle The trouble with the pneu-
matte gun, according to naval experts,
is the comparatively short distance 1t
is able 20 throw a projectile and the lack
OF speed made by the projectile after its
discharge.
To the naval mind, therefore, the
pneumatic system OF firing projectiles is
useless. and IL has been abandoned on
board of the Vesuvius. Naval ordnance
experts have given their most serious
consideration 10 firing high explosives
from high power guns. Almost every
product OF high explosive character
which has been brought TO the attention
OF the navy department and which gave
any promise Of furnishing valuable re-
suits has been fired. Dynamite has been
successfully fired from high power guns,
but such an element of risk enters into
its employment that the authorities have
decided to leave it alone.
.Emmensfte is high explosive. which
has given good results. 1t is recalled
that in 1892 en- INFUSED cast iron shell
containing forty-two pounds Of emmen-
site was discharged from an 11-inch
mortar. The gun burst, it's walls break
ing into very large pieces, with a frac-
ture of inferior appearance. The shell
also broke into large fragments. The
emmensite, however, did not explode. but
was scattered in all directions. little be-
ing burned Subsequently shells loaded
with emmensite We're fired from a g.
inch wirewound gun with a service We
locity of 1000 feet per second. and ex-
pioded upon impact with the water at a
rarge of about six thousand yards. So
successful We're these tests that a naval
ordnance expert advanced the opinion
that the batteries of vessels Of the fu-
ture would be composed OF two classes
Of guns; the first, as at present, of great
length and power, using armor piercing
projectiies. and the second. shorter
guns, Of very large bore and firing pro-
jectiles containing charges Of powerful
high explosives. the latter being inten-
ded for use against the uparmored por-
tons Of SHIPS.
The Board Of Ordnance and Fortifca-
tons has made some successful expert
ments with emmensite. On one occa sion.
however, a gun loaded with a 15-inch
shell, containing 230 pounds of emmen-
site, burst, the fragments being scatter
ed in all directions. While this explo-
sion tended to lessen confidence IN this
product, the board declared that II was
still the most promising high explosive
il had experimental with. So satisfied
was the board with the showing made
by this explosive that ii secured the
right 20 manufacture it from its inventor.
Melenite, which is believed 10 be prac-
tically similar 70 jovite. the high explo-
sive in which the Naval Ordnance Bu-
reau has considerable confidence, is
largely used oy the French military and
naval services. Jovite is a patented
ret by its manufacturers. Il is said 10
consist of nitronapthalenes and nitro
phenols, mixed with either nitrate OF
soda or nitrate Of ammonia. Recent
tests with iovite al the indian Head
proving grounds have demonstrated that
il Is one OF the safest high explosives
yet tested. A 4-inch armor piercing shell.
also loaded with jovite, perforated cof-
fer dam, protected by four inches of
armor, and burst into minute fragments
ilfteen feet back OF the target. Further
tests made with the explosive produced
such promising results that Commander
O'Ne,l has ordered that armor piercing
shells OF s, 10 and IL inch calibres be
loaded with i; and discharged.
Ii is proposed 70 move slowly in this
matter. however. The caution OF the
officials in this respect "a due 10 the re-
cent explosion OF 315 pounds OF gun COT
ton in a Gashmann shell. A number
of inventors have turned their attention
20 guns and shells in the hope OF turn
:ng out projectils and a gun which
could safely fire high explosives. using
powder as the propelling charge Be
i4SN4HS TIA an llNcIt4pu PdtrI.N0 oN
Mr.. Louis Ga;hmann. OF Chicago. might
produce favorable results. congress was
induced TO appropriate $50, 10 make a
number OF tests. The.e tests eliminated
some weeks ago. when a Gathmaun shell
burs; in she breech OF the gun. badly
damaging the weapon and the hydraulic
mount upon which IL was located. tear
:ng Up the railroad tracks a. he proving
grounds, destroying one Of the bomb
proofs and causing damage 70 other
property IN the immediate neighborhood
OF the explosion Fragments % the shell
were hurled a mile away AMI fell In The
river short distance from tug5oa;.
board Of which was party Of exper:s
VINO had gone 20 that poiDs 20 witness
the result OF the trial
For the present there is reason 20 be-
iievs that the American navy. ike tina.
OF England. VII hold 20 gunPox!er as
Ihe safes. substance to- losding semi
srmor piercing shells While the acton
OF guapowier Is nc; 50 strong as thu.
OF higa explosives ye. the danger accUm-
panying tSe Use OF the later vii prona-
by prevent their use Until a higher
stage % development has been reached
Th-a this sage xiIi soon be AZ hand 10
ordnance expert doubts for EaonenS
The substitution 0. one arsicle for an
other Is kind q green goods game tha;
the public can PAT an end % BY re.us-
ing 20 trade a. stores where ]. 3 p-a--
ticed-