The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-18
A FLOATING POWDER MAGAZINE
Plans 10 Load Navy Ammunition on m Oh
Vyarrhip I'm the Elarbor.

Warahip I'm the Harbor.
The Navy Department will establish soon ito
first floating powder magazine in New York
harbor. The step has been contemplated for
some time. as the present facilities for loading
ammunition for the big guns OF the new navy
are altogether inadequate. Some time ago the
officers in charge of the work suggested that
one of the unused vessels of the old wooden navy
be turned into a floating magazine, TO be an
chored somewhere noar Tompkinsville. The
suggestion was approved by the officers OF the
department. and it was intimated that it would
be carried out as soon as the warm weather
made the task Of moving a little less uncoTtort.
able. The wheels of the Government depa-t.
ments move with proverbial slownes>, but ii 10
expected that within the next few weeks the
order will come from Washington for the loca.
ton of the new station. 1t will not he known
until the order is issued which of the old vessels
will be devoted to the work.
The new powder station will be probably soma
point of the Jersey meadows. where the powder
llightships now anchor. II will then be removed
from the danger of interference with traffic and
will still be within convenient reach OF the
naval anchorage. Another advantage of this
the interference of curious visitors.
The mounting of ammunition for the big
guns is a minor branch of the naval service. but
its Importance is increasing as additions are
made TO the number and armament OF the new
AMMUNITION Mnrsnihisii Al i r CARRIED In on " in Fort OF 'H T"mEki I'M.
which is the property OF the army, but has been
turned over 10 the navy by an arrsnscmsnt he.
OF Gunner Soule. who has about a dozen men
under him, all that the cramped quarters OF the
Tompkins never was intended for such work,
and q more exposed or undesirable spot for q
II hostilitics were imminent, or even threatened.
the army would require thc i2rt Tor It's own use
which to carry on the work Mt the time when il
would he most necessary.
The process OF converting one OF Inc Ola
be comparatively simple. Tho deck will DO
rooted over and lifted up with the loading
titioncd OFT into storcrooms for the powder and
the loaded shells; The work Of transterrins the
powder can be taken aboard directly from tho
iightcrss. and when the ammunition is loaded
warships. and the transfer can be made without
the use of IA lighter. Tho chief advantage OF the
new arEangSms Q Is that I to VIII give about ,T'ss
present, and will enable him TO keep VI with ID"
demands Of the warships. At present the cham
munition intended for the Iowa, and orders have
accumulated which will keep the workmen busy
Gunner soule, when questioned about the new
magazine, said:
matter a ! eo Sns I ! VIII At s n9t t In z p9s arc r 20 disG to- mo 5Ts
Mt any time when tho order comes. The new,
plan will have many advantages besides that OF
giving us q home of our own. II will. enable us
to carry on the work more rapidly and TO trans
fer our stock more readily and promptly. At
present most OF the powder used by the navy cN'
cept that for the smallest guns is loaded hero.
and we have on hand orders from the South
American station. from the Pacific coast, and
from various other points.
We are very careful and there really is not
much danger of explosion. 1t certainly wont no
any greater under the new arrangement, A I pres:
ent the powder Is kept In sixteen separate snS
magazines in different spots near The fort. There
are about 100000 pounds of u altogether. IN
the floating magazine there will be an. arrange
mcnt similar to that on the new warships sothat
tho ynrions compartments can be flooded in case
OF any danger
Tho navy regulations require each vessel 10
carry at all times 100 rounds OF ammunition Tor
each gun. For vessels OF tho Indiana, Oregon,
and Iowa class this means about 800, 900 pounds
or powder. and this, OF course, Is only the peace
armament. In case of war tho supply woulni
have to be increased greatly. II requires about
300 pounds to carry n single charge from mo
l3,ineh gums Of the indiana. This means abon,
GOO grains of tho largest size OF hcNasouhs
powder. These blocks are all laid by hand m
form graduated to tho bore o; the gun. ana ~"
task is one OF such nicely and care that II rai;i.n'
be hurried without danger OF scriouH inlsii'kro,
II il expected that the new floating inagaIlhe
Will supplant In a great measure the cNlstliig
land maRazines and loading stations at Nqrioik,
Fort Mullen and Snrragansett. II Will be tho
first of its kind. and IL IL comes up TO expecta'
lions the navy may establish one or two othsTss