Omaha daily bee., 1897-12-02

plant in connection with an armOr factory,
capable of producing steel lngots needed II
making piates the chief d'sadvantag5 being
the first cost of $5l9, 1873. and the force OF
labor that would nave to be emp.oyed, the
board says:
The board considers that the capacity to
produce the steel ngots is so Important to
tac successful and economic administration
of an armor factory that it does not recon-
mend an establishment designed TO obtain
the ingots by purchase, casting depart
ment Tor the moulds, anvils and such cast
inss as need occasional replacement Is nee
essary In either case and can be protitably
combined with an open hearth steel plant
as herein outlined.
lined ana Notwithstanding the greater cost,
the board recommends that the government
armor factory include n plant for the pro-
duct!on of open hearth steel ingots.
SUBMITS LIST or SITES.
On tho subject Of sites the board says:
"1he board In it's instructions was not
charged with the selection of a site or oca-
ticn for the armor factory. 1t, however, ap-
pends to this report q list of places recon-
mended to the board as sites, and showing
also the names of the persons SO recon-
mendng them"
Upon the subject OF new processes the re-
pert Gays:
The board has received several commune
cations in regard to the new processes for
making both steel ingOts and armor. As
none of these Mcrc accompanied by any tam
exact estimates OF their value for making
armor, the writers were informed that Ow-
Ing TO the short time allowed the board to
mako It's report, II would be Impossible to
consider any methods for the manufacture
of steel for armor except those IN general
use mt tins time.
press and from reliable armor experts, that
certain improvements IN the methods of
manufacture, not fully known in this coun-
try, have been introduced abroad which
greatly improves the ballistic properties
OF the plates. The board has also ob,ainel
sone knowledge of an experimental armor
plate IN progress of moGing in this country
by method quite different from the Har-
vey oemcntotiop process, from which the
manufacturers seem 10 expect good re-
suits
CAPABLE OF EXPANSION.
These facts are mentioned to show taat an
armor plant, equipped as provided In this
sion 10 suit the introduction of ndE improve
merts, looking 10 increased ballstic prop
critics or 10 decreased cost of production.
The board cannot say that the introduction
OF such new improvements In thu future Will
radically change the plans OF the report sub
Any changes IN favor OF improved ballistic
properties Of nrmor have a very serious
bearing on the science Of naval architecture,
but II IL evident that In any factory while .
may be established IT must be held In con-
Temptation that changes Till have to be
made therein from time to time to keep It
up to date In it's processes and products.
Although n proving ground for testing
armOr plates Is not essentially a part oil an
nrnlor plant we take this opportunity to
ground AT or near the site Of the proposed
armor factory of sufficient capacity 10 per
NIT OF the necessary tests, both for final ac-
ceptance and for eNp- rlmen;atl1n.
The ropcrt c0n'uins mucl In the way OF
appendices There are thirty-eight drawings
besides the specifications, details OF estl-
rates, list OF pieces recommended for sites
form OF proposals besides much other mat