The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-10-16
FIREPRooF WOOD FOR SHIPS.
Some of the Advantages and Disnd.
vnntaEeS Incident to Its Use

SnntaEes Incident to Its UssA
Noninfiammable wood, or fireprooi
wood, as it is commonly spoken of put
side of the circle of experts, has re-
ceived considerable attention from
naval constructors and naval engineers
since the Yaloo river fight in the China
Japan war. and more especially at the
recent international congress of naval
architects and marine engineers at
London. and from the naval authorities
of the United States and Japan. The
chief of the bureau of ordnance of the
United States navy recently made some
tests of f%ireproof wood for the purpose
of reporting upon its value for use in
making boxes for fixed ammunition.
His report declares that the wood. by
being treated with the chemicals used
in the fireproof process. lost consider
able strength and was difficult to work;
that it also corroded a piece of brass
placed between two pieces of it, abb
sorbed moisture to unmarked extent and
refused to receive paint. This report
resulted in instructions by Secretary
Long to the board of bureau chiefs to
make n thorough investigation of the
use of fireproof wood. and the result IS
predicted that the government will find
it advisable to cancel contracts that
have been made for fitting vessels under
construction with wood thus treated.
The board of bureau chiefs has re-
ceived several reports already. The
Columbian iron works at Baltimore re-
ports that five coats of paint were tried
on n single section of f%ireproof wood,
and it refused to receive any of them.
Of the experimenting constructors at
the various naval stations one report
declares hat the tools employed in
working the wood have been badly cor
roded by the chemicals used in the fire
proofing treatment. Another makes
n report upon the corrosive effect upon
the steel and iron in the ship. 1t is also
reported that the wood is exceedingly
porous and is apt to make the decks of
a ship spongy. An article recently ap-
peared in an English service paper writ
ten by ian expert" in which the writer
describes the decks of the armored
cruiser Brooklyn as of noninflammable
wood, and, he contrasted their appear
ance disadvantageously with those of
the British men-Of-war. He also pre-
dicted that the decks would not wear
we'll ard was generally uncompliment-
airy 10 noninfiammable wood.
Prof. BiieS, the well-knowr English
expert. has corrected this statement by
declaring the decks of the Brooklyn are
not Of noninflammabie wood, but that
they are thoroughly sound and tho
roughly durable"aGdinev every respectup
to the mark. The decks of the Brooklyn
are of Oregon pine. The gunboat Helena
is fitted with a deck made of fireproof
wood. and the board of bureau chiefs is
to make a close inspection of the ma
terial and it's effect upon the ship and
report upon the ACCESSIBILITY of its use
IN the future. The only large vessel in
the navy the decks of which are built
with the fireproof wood is the battle
ship Iowa.
The subject of nonirflammabie wood
was discussed at much length by the
international congress of naval archi-
tects and marine engineers. Charles T..
Ellis. describing the process of making
wood noncombustible, said that it in.
creased the weight from eight to fifteen
per cent. and that the arguments for its
use rested upon two grounds Only-i.e G.,
because it is noninflammable and be-
cause. by reason of its low conductivity
of heat. it may be employed in substi-
tuition for material of greater conduct
i've power. Others spoke favorably of the
material. Its chief drawbacks were
represented to be its weight and cost.
Prof. Biles suggested that the effect of
weather on the wood might be nullified
if the decks were washed with n soiu-
ton of the chemicals used in the fire.
proofing process. The system is really
an American invention. and so much
discussion was given the subject by the
congress that the British admiralty
has ordered a series of experiments to
be made at the Chatham dockyard in
order to obtain additional ard valuable
information of the advantages or dis
advantages of the freproof wood.-N
Y. Tribune.