The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-15

Guns Of the vesuyius Create a Sensa.
ton at Santiago.

On Monday, the 18th Of June, the
United States dynamite cruiser Vesu-
vius for the first time was brought
into active operation at the entrance
Of Santiago harbor. II fired three
shells, each containing 200 pounds OF
gun cotton, on the western headland,
at the entrance to Santiago, each
missile starting silently on its de-
structive flight AMI creating a tremen-
dous explosion when it fell.
No small amount Of satisfaction is
evinced by the people in the fact that
the government is in possession OF
several heavy dynamite guns 10 be
used also in coast defense. AT Sandy
Hook there are two 15-inch guns and
one s-inch caliber. The first named
are fifteen inches in diameter OF bore,
the very largest cannon which the ar
my mas for action. AT San Francisco
there are three guns OF the same big
calibre, which are so placed about
three miles from the city as To assist
materially in defending that harbor.
Dynamite guns are operated upon an
entirely different principle from ordi-
nary powder guns, n air compressors
and coolers, and all sorts of intricate
machinery, in a house not far way.
by which the prOjectiles are fired. The
dynamite, or gun cotton, or explosive
gelatlne, or whatever the explosive
material may be. is contained in the
projectile only. The projectile is call
ed an aerial torpedo by the manu-
f~acturers, and is exploded by means
of a fuse, similar to any powder guns.
Dynamite or any other high explo-
sive canot be used in an ordinary ear
non, because the powder would ex-
plode the dynamite before it left the
gum, therefore the system of using
compressed air came into vogue as the
only method Of throwing dynamite TO
any distance. The system is popular
ly known as Zalinski's, although the
naval officer is not connected with the
manufauture of the projectiles or the
guns. The air is compressed and pass
ed along through various tubes before
eaching the gum, and is used at about
1000 pounds pressure to the square
inch, which is much less than the
power Of powder. Dynamite will be
exploded at about 5000 pounds pres
sure to the square inch, which is much
less than the power of powder. These
guns are enormous affairs, smooth
more, fifty feet in length, made of the
best iron, in three sections, fanged
and bolted together, and supported on
a steel carriage. The carriage is
mounted uDon a stel racing-ring, 50
called, and the system of handling is
by means of an electric motor. AS
these guns are covered by a large
number Of patients, they are very eX
pensive, costing the government many
thousands of dollars each. Fifteen
men, in relays, are required to work
them.
= The gunner stands on a platform or
the left side of the carriage, uses q
fine te' ascope sight, and when all is
ready ; pulls. a lever, which allows
the compressed air to enter the gun
and the discharge takes place. Thest
guns are all loaded at the breech, anC
the projectile is handled by a separ.
ate carriage. The projectile is abour
10 feet in length for the f~ifteen-incI
gun, and when charged with so
pounds of dynamite, OF gun-cotton
weighs fully 1000 pounds. It is a stee
tube, composed of walls three-siX
teenths Of an inch thick. and has
| spiral vane at the rear. The fuse is
foot in length, and weighs twent!
pounds. This fuse contains two pound
and a half of dry gun-cotton and
few grains of illuminate of mercury
as a detonatOr. 1t is set to explode a
impact, or as the gunne may desirt
as to time.-Leslie'S Weekly.