The San Francisco call., 1897-11-07

hill at Lime Point to closely inspect the
highest battery in the world, but con tent
ed himself with the view of the 12-inch
rifles afforded from the deck of the vessel.
Leaving the Marin shore the steamer
sailed around Angel Island, taking in a
view OF Belvedere, passed AlcatraZ and
put back to the Presidio. At the wharf
of the big reservation the party disem-
barked.
Army vehicles conveyed the visitors to
the Preside parade plain, where Captain
Potts, Light Battery of the Third Artil-
lery. fired a salute of fifteen guns in honor
of Secretary Mekle john. Some figured
that only fourteen guns were fired for the
secretary. and that one was for Colonel
Sanborn of the National Guard. The
battery was not up to its usual form in
coming on the field.
The battery of sixteen mortors was next
visited. The method of firing at unseen
targets, by directing guns according to
points transmitted by the range finder,
was freely demonstrated to the visitors.
The Secretary manifested the keenest
interest in the dynamite guns and the ad-
jacent power plant for COMPRISING air.
Three charges of air were fired from each
of the three long guns, but no projectile
was used. The guns were elevated, de-
pressed and swung from one ooint to an
other 20 illustrate the perfect ease with
which they can be manipulated. Later in
the day the 12-inch breech-loading rifles
and the 10-inch disappearing rifles were
inspected.
at the 12-inch battery the range
finder was called up to give an angle.
The corporal transmitting the message
at the telephone was told to tell the officer
at the grange finder" that the "angle''
was wanted for the Secretary of War.
This instantly brought the signals, re-
peated three times at an interval of
twenty seconds, signifying that a ship
was 1000 yards distant in a certain direc-
ton. Quick calculation was made, taking
into account diversion by force of the
wind, time for flight of the projectile and
the distance the ship would travel during
the flight.
The problem was solved according to
this modern theory of gun practice. and
the ship had she been where she was re-
ported, would have been sunk had the
gun been loaded. The system is beauti-
time gunners never like to sight gun
point blank at the incoming ironclad.
The disappearing guns engaged the close
attention of the Secretary. One was ele-
vated clear of the parapet in quick fashion.
From the outer batteries the inspecting
party passed over the ground where the
new mortar battery is to be placed. The
Then the range finder" was visited.
The contrivance is simple, but wonderful.
When the glass is adjusted to allow the
eye to see the magnitied vessel the exact
position of the ship is registered on the
chart. Through the telephone certain
numbers tell the gunners the elevation.
distance ana angle.
Returning from the big guns overlook
ing the ocean the party, guided by Colonel
WIliston, Third Artillery, visited the
camp of that regiment, the tents of
which are pitched in eucalyptus grove
of the reserve. There around a general
cam pfire the officers loitered and o Sex-
changed jokes. The halt was timely, as
the inspectors had had no refreshments
since partaking of the ample luncheon
aboard the steamer Mcdowell.
The next stop was made presently at the
Presidio Club, so no fault was found with
the length of time between-stops.
At the terminal station of the Union
street car line at the Presidio General
Shafter surrendered escort duty to Colo.
mel Sanborn.
To-day Secretary Meiklejohn. Captain
Chase, Chief Clerk Scofeld and the ST..
Louis colonels-Dean and Ware-will visit
Monterey, returning tomorrow.