The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-30
DYNAMITE CRUISER vEsuv1us.
The Power and Range of the Pneu-
matte Guns.
From the Baltimore Sun.

From the Baltimore Sun.
Washington, March 22--The decision
of the navy department to prepare the
dynamite cruiser Vesuvius for service and
the arrival of the ship at the Washington
navy yard, where her guns are to be over
hauled, Is very welcome news TO many
naval officers. who are acquainted with
the important uses to which this craft
can be put in the event of war with
Spain.
Great surprise had been felt that moth
ing had been done to prepare the Vesuvms
for active service with her guns Many
naval officers have secuted the idea that
this ship and her battery would pe effect
i've In fights between ships at sea owing
to the high angle. on mortar fire. of her
guns and the comparatively small veloci-
~ of her project'es, which would reduce
to minimum the proba bility of hitting
rapidly moving object. But there has
never been any difference of opinion re-
garding the value of the ship in bonn
harding fortified places
1t has been concusively demonstrated
In repeated trials of the so-called dynamite
gun that IL Is wonderfully accurate and
effective when the range or distance of
the target is known, and that its de-
structive effect IS terrible. Four protec-
tiles out of five have been landed with
IN rectangle one hundred and fifty feet
long and fifty feet wide.
1t is also known that ordinary high
powered guns are not as effective as
might he supposed against earthworxs or
against forts situated on high ground.
The projecties lack I'm mine power. and
many of them will pass completely over
the target and explode hagmlessly far be-
yond. Such was the case IN the lombard
ment of Alexandria by the English fleet a
few years ago. The damage done was
astonishlngly small, and the forts could
have been easily repaired.
On the other hand. the guns of the
Vesuvius will throw shells and land them
inside the forts, where they will explode
with destructive effect and paralyze the
defenders. These guns are about fifty
feet long, fixed at an agile of elevation
of eighteen degrees. The projectle is
fired from the guns by compressed air at
a pressure of 1000 pounds per square inch.
Ihey are pneumatic guns. therefore, ana
the danger from firing high explosives is
thus reduced 10 minimum. The shells
are charged with gun cotton, which il
much safer than dynamite while its ex
plosive force Is about the same The term
dynamite gun" is, therefore, misnomer.
Sun-cotton Is the explosive used in the
NaeAF , ny iNasDll VI IT'S SfdDtJlLY and safety
There are three shells provided for tho
guns Of the Vesuvlus. One carries one
hundred pounds of gun-cotton. equal to
4VO pounds of powder and can be thrown
20 distance of two and one-half miles
me second carries 200 pounds OF gnn-cot-
ton, equivalent to 800 pounds Of powder
and can be thrown one mile and n half
The heaviest shell carries 500 pounds of
sun-cotton, equivalent 10 1000 pounds OF
powder, and can be thrown three-ouarters
of a mile.
the effect of exploding such a shell in.
SIDE fort can be easily imagined. Cboos
ing her range the Vesuyius conId throw,
these projectiles and land them accurately
within fort situated on a high blur
against which ordinary guns would no a,
great disadvantage. To protect m.
Vesuvius from destruction she would work
at night She could easily get her nosi
ton by bearings, and as there "a no dash
IN the discharge of her guns. the enemy
would not be able to get her range In
the daytime she could take position he
from fire.
Another important use of the Vesu,,,,,.,
guns, recognized by all naval officers ia
IN countermining, or removing the mines
IN harbor Her shells, fitted with a
delayed action fuse, will sink before ex-
exploding, and then the conclusion will
cause the enemy's mines to explode nv
shocks, or render them useless by Destroy
ing the delicate electrical connections. bv
which they are fired. This is called coun-
termining, and Is very difficult and dan
gerous operation under ordinary circun-
stances. The Vesuvius, however, al a safe
distance would throw her shells to DIFF
ferent points along a ship channel and
clear IL OF distractions ready for the pas
sage OF feet. And such shells thrown into
harbor would completely destroy a de-
Tending squadron Of ships or render their
anchorage untenable
In case Of war with Spain the VesuvIus
would be Of inestimable value in the bonn
bardment OF Havana, .4dIanzas. Santiago
and San Juan de Porto Rico These four
seaports would be seized at once by our
feet. and there Is no ship in the squadron
which could reduce a fort as qulcly as
the Vesuvius, II her guns are put In good
condition. The moral effect OF these
weapons must not be overlooked. High
explosives are greatly dreaded in warfare
ahoat and ashore-far more than gun.
powder.
The pneumatic gun and IT'S projectiles
are of cast iron and can be manufactured
quickly. This Is one great advantage In
war times. The United States should be
prepared to utilize this system to the full