New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-13
A WARSHIP IN ACTION.
SIGHTS. SOUNDS. SMELLS AND SENSA-
TIONS WITHOUT PARALLEL.
THE IDEA OF IT GAINED FROM NAVAL RE-
stpv,, rrAc~rIc.D-TIIE EFFECT TIE
FIRING OF EI0 GUNS HAS ON
MEN AND SURROUNDINGS.

People who read about modern warships in ac-
hon of the thunder ana deafeninS noise made
nv the ponlerous guns and the clouds Of smoke
and steam by which he iron fighting inachihes
nre cnvcloped. have only n faint idea at best of
the real state Of affairs, and no picture can do
the matter full justice il the reports OF those
who have been there may be believed.
4 member of the Naval Reserve who has stud
led the subject and is thoroughly posted and
equally enthusiastic said that a well-conducted
target practice on one Of the batt!eshps Is Sim
liar in many respects to naval engagement
Everything is made shipshape, decks are cleared,
end the same precautions are taken as in actual
contests. and although there is full assurance
that no enemy will appear the decks present a
warlike appearance. ard soon after the exercises
have begun the ship resembles anything more
than pleasure craft.
To the novice the discharge Of big gun Is
startling thing. and may be followed by un-
pleasant results unless the usual precautions are
taken The men brace themselves for the shock
which follows the discharge of big gun 10y
holding .he arms rigid and the hands well away
from the body. to give the lungs free play Ihey
also keep the mouth open, and 10y that means
equaIlze the pressure the lungs head and
eaydrums:
1T is a question which admits of some arsu-
ment," said the Naval Reserve man, whether
the discomfort comes from outward pressure in
consequence OF the conclusion or from the vac
uum created after the shock. The fact that men
who use cotton in their ears experience more
trouble than those who use no external protec-
ton shows that there is much to fear from
vacuum and the natural pressure from within.
BlrsteG earirums and ruptured blood-vessels
when those who stand near by keep their
mouths open and their arms extended from the
body"
To illustrate the force of air conclusion 1t was
stated that during target practice on board
the Atlanta some time ago a sheep killed
outright by the shock following the discharge Of
an S-inch gun. although the gun was behind a
barbette and the sheep thirty feet away. At an
other time. also on board the Atlanta. two
G-inch broadsde guns were discharged several
times. and then il was discovered that the cut
tiers and whacboats which were suspended on
davits fifteen feet over the guns and to the rear
OF the muzzles opened in the joints. although
they were well built and seaworthy small craft.
Another similar circumstance was mentioned
In connection with target practice on board
the New-York. The two S-inch guns in the for
ward turret have range of about 40 degrees
either side of the keel, and on this occasion
OF the guns vas ranged about 80 degrees
forward Of the beam and fired with a reduced
charge. Twenty feet away were several signals,
and near these was a signal chest with Ill the
ships sigral para phernalia All Of these, chest
and all, were scattered in all directions by the
discharge Of the gun and rendered useless.
The noise made by the Gischarging Of heavy
pieces is less painful to the sense Of hearing
than that produced by smaller arms. THE roar
seems to envelop one" said the enthusiast,
land the man who stands in the turret. which
shields him to some extent. becomes OblviOus to
y. The excitement Connected with handling the
guns passing tine charges does much to make
one forget the noise. and the smell Of the burn
ing powder has intoxicating effect which
lends charm to the situation. a man who has
charge of an S-inch gun is allowed about three
minutes to load and fire his piece. and ne and
those who form the guns crew are kept con-
stantly busy. Smaller guns are fired more rap
idly and | have seen a 5-nch gun shoot at a
target two miles away rapidly that five shots
were in the air before the first struck. That
Is work over which any will forget his sur
roundings.
But the surroundings change the
first shot has been fired. Immediately after the
smoke from the first shot has cleared away all
the exposed brasswork on board the ship, which
few minutes before bright as a new
doa-. turnJ green and gives the ship a bust
JcEsli!io appearance. But the change becomes
greater IS the shooting continues Immediately
after piece has been discharged a man opens
the breech. which leches smoke and SCOT. and
when this has cleared away the whole inside APP
pears covered with a red mass which looks like
so much clotted blood. This is the rcsduum from
tn burnt powder. Small PARTICLES of slow burn
Ing HoMder aye Iiablc 20 be left in the hrecch-