Evening star., 1898-07-08
TERRIBLE MODERN SHELLS
froJectfles That Work an Immense
Amount of Destruction.
From phladeInbIa Tp,,,ira-

VI
From the Philadelphia Inquirer
Now that the thunder of the big guns
on the American battle ships has awak-
ened the echoes of the Cuban hills, it is
interesting to know something of the pro-
Jectiles which have been fired from the
American guns and something of their de-
now in Cuban waters have been equipped
at League Island, and Philadelphia firms
have assisted in their equipment
"A nrm IN this city has supplied the
brooklyn and the Minneapolis with shells
The Brooklyn has been taking part in the
pombafdment of the fortifications and
was equipped to her full capacity with ex-
plosive shells.
The Brooklyn carries eight eight-fnch
preech-loading rifles, twelve five-inch rapid
fire guns, twelve six-pounders and four
one-pounders.
The projectiles used in the six and eight
inch guns are all explosive shells carrying
dynamite.
Each fve-inch shell carries twenty
pounds of dynamite, while each eight-inch
shell carries nearly fifty pounds.
The Brooklyn was equipped with 32l
eight-inca shells and 63S five-inch shells
The amount of explosives in these shells
therefore is the enormous quantity of over
2o.OoC pounds of dynamite.
Notwithstanding the great destructive
force as represented by these shells, it is
entirely overshadowed by the shells of the
tWelve-inch guns Of the Iowa and the thir-
teen-inch guns of the Indiana.
Each shell of the thirteel-nch guns on
the Indiana weighs 1850 pounds unloaded
| and can carry 175 pounds of dynamite.
When 1t is considered that the mine
which SO completely wrecked the Maine is
believed to have contained not over 400
pounds of dynamite, and probably not
nearly so much, it can be readily compre-
hended what destruction IS wrought by a
shell from thirteen-inch gun which the
american gunners can so accurately place
just where it will do the most good.
The method by which these shells are
exploded differs very materially from that
employed several years ago.
The old form of shell was exploded by
Illuminating cap, on the extreme point
OF the shell. If shell OF this descrip
explode. But the shells now in use are ex-
plcded by retardatiop. By simply pass
ing through some light obstruction, like the
body Of a man, The Shell will be exploded.
This effect is produced by inner me-
| chanism which. when the outer part of the
shell Is retarded by, ANY means. piunges
| forward and expfoaes the dynamite.
Ihere Is no danger, of an explosion in
the gun at the moment of discharge be-
cause the movement is in the opposite di-
rection, the inner pIunger being forced
backward instead Of forward The outer
surface of the shell IS as finely turned aud
| polished as that Of an armor-piercing solid
shot BY having mp percussion cap on
the point it allows # to be made nearly
as fine as the point Of a needle.
This perfect symmetry of the outer sur
race means more than would appear at
hrst sight. The course of the projectile
through the air is more rapid and accu-
rate than that of the older form. Its
power of penetration is greater ami there
fore more destruction is wrought.
| twelve or thirteen-inch shell exploding
against the side of even the heavy a-nnored
bi:ttle ships. as shown by tests made at
| the proving grounds, will cSick and twist
the plates and tear them loosS from their
fastenings.
For armor-piercing purposes, however,
it has been found that solid shot of small
diameter are the most effectivs. A hall
from a six-pounder has pierced thirteen
inches OF solid steel at a range of a mile.
| The projectiie was apparently uninjured,
ITS points being sharp as before the
test.