The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-05
Use of Marine Mines,

High explosives, like guncotton, dyna-
mite or explosive gelatine, are used in
submarine mines at present. They are
superior to gunpowder in that they are
not seriously affected by moisture.
leak in the case containing the charge
will not render it useless as would be
the case with gunpowder mines. Besides,
the high explosives are from four TO six
times as powerful as gunpowder. The
pressure necessary to blow a hole through
the double bottom of a modern ship has
been estimated to be between 5000 and
L. 900 pounds per square inch. To find
the distance at which a given charge OF
high explosive will be fatal against a
ships bottom, the rough rule is 10 divide
the weight of the charge in pounds by
ten, which will give the distance in feet
at which the charge viii destroy double
bottom. supposing that the charge is well
immersed That is, 80 pounds OF explo-
sive gelatine would be fatal at a distance
of about fifty feet In practice, however,
this distance is considered too great, and
a less range is expected Of mines. In case
a hole is not blown through ship, the
shock may cause serious damange by
throwing delicate machinery out OF &C
ton. injuring electric appliances or stop
ping a ships engines, thus placing her
in a position OF great danger. AND the
tremendous shock or conclusion may pos
sibly cause the defamation of high eXplo-
sives within a ship, resulting in her COM
plete destruction. Each one of the high
explosives is more sensitive to q certain
kind of shock or vibration than TO any
other. and when it is subjected TO this
peculiar shock it is more liable TO explode
1t is particularly important, therefore
from shook
or violent vibration.
The important function of the subma-
rine mine defence is to check the first ad-
vance of a naval enemy against seaport
thus giving the defenders time TO concen-
trate their ships TO meet the attack. &C.
lerity of movement is the vital principle
IN modern offensive warfare. As soor
as war is declared battle ships and cruis-
ers will be massed against the ports OF
a country whose coast defences are weak
Two weeks may bring the enemy's guns
within range. There may be little time
TO prepare for an attack. It will not be
known what ports will be first attacked
and a country like the United States. with
a very extensive coast and comparatively
few ships, can not be prepared for as
sault at all points. If the few defend
ing ships are scattered they may be beat
en- in detail If they are massed at one
or two points other ports may be bonn
barded before the defenders can reach
the scene of action, unless the attack car
be delayed by some auxiliary defence.
Here is the use for mines. They may
keep the enemy beyond bombarding dis
lance for a few days at least, and thi:
delay may enable the coast defence squad
ron to reach the point assailed.
To the United States this subject is o1
vital importance. The home squadron
could not safely be disturbed along the
whole coast It would, in great part be
kept together to beat off the enemy, and
the latter must, therefore, be delayed a
the point of attack until our squadron
can arrive.
tenn Of mines for the protection of eacf
port, and everything should be ir
readiness for planting the mines at the
first alarm. In Italy and other countries
the mines the cables and all fittings are
kept in storehouses at each seaport, and
every preparation is made to plant then
in the proper positions at a moments no
tice.
The submarine mine defence entails M
very great expense, but it must be ready
for instant use. If the United States
makes the most of this auxiliary defence
our enemy will find at least one obstacle
in his path at nearly every point along
our course, which can not be defended By
mines, owing TO the fact that they are
too near the open sea-