The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1898-10-19

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strnction at the Omaha
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in the government building is attract
I ing b good deal OF attention from all
classes of visitors. Among the most
| interesting Of the exhibits are the
models Of naval vessels, including bat
.tleships, armored and unarmored
cruisers, gunboats, monitors, rams,
dispatch boats, and the terrible dyna-
miter, Vesuvius. These models are
all built exactly to scale and cost an
average of $4,000 each. One Of the
/ finest of these models, that Of the new
| type Of battleship, the Illinois, Is
exhibited in connection with model
dry dock, such as is used in repairing
ships. This dry dock was built es-
pecially for the Trans Mississippi ex-
position, and cost $4,000 1t is per-
feet in every detail, and exhibitions
| of docking the Illinois are given
daily.
| In the exhibit of ordnance for fight
| ing these ships is one-half model of
q 13-inch gun, 40 feet long. A view Of
this monster and consideration Of
the fact that battleships carry four
of these guns, each weighing SS tons
and hurting projectiles weighing 1,10O
pounds each, gives one some idea of
the massive strength Of a tirst-class
war vessel. The breech and breech
mechanism Of this gun are the most
wonderful parts of it. Although the
breech plug is subjected to pressure
of Is tons to the square inch when the
gun is fred, it is loosened and opened
by single motion of the crank, which
visitors are free. to operate. There is
also one of those wicked rapid-fre
guns which drove the Spanish from
their guns and swept their ships to
destruction at Manila and Santiago.
On this gun are shown the telescope
sight and range finder, as well as the
pointing mechanism, by which 35
aimed shots per minute may be made.
This, however, seems slow when com
pared with the automatic rapid-fire
gun, which throws $50 one-pound shells |
per minute--the terror of torpedo
boats. Projectiles Of all sizes for the
various guns are exhibited, from the
monster 13-inch shell to the small but |
terribly penetrating bullet fired from
the rife used by the marines when
ever they are called upon to make a
landing and do military duty. Some
very convincing evidences of the
penetrating power of these bullets
are shown.
There is full-sized Whitehead tor
pedo, with its "war-head" and ready
for business, which cost the govern
ment about $4,000 to produce. AL
though torpedoes were not much used
in the late war, owing to the watch
fulness of the lookouts and the power
Of the searchlight, they are still much
to be dreaded for the work they can
do under certain circumstances.
Resting near the big 13-inch gun ard
forming fitting companion for it is
a model of 14,O00-pound anchor. Its
simplicity does not prevent it from
attracting much attention.
Near by is a complete divers outfit,
including an air pump and telephone.
At first glance it seems little strange
that a man needs heayily-weighted |
shoes and heavy belt of lead to en-
able him to sink in the water, but they
are very necessary parts of divers
outfit.
A striking example of the compact
ness of a naval vessel is shown in
completely furnished stateroo1n, as ac-
cupied by commissioned officer on
one of the larger vessels. While it
is only few feet each way, it con
tains everything necessary, from a
tub to a fair-sized writing desk, and
there is room to spare.
The pinnacle compass seems Chi
nese puzzle to the uninitiated, but
when explained by one Of the attend
ants, it appears very simple indeed
and is most interesting.
Samples of the signal code flags
hang from the ceiling, and visitors al
ways wonder at the simple but perfect
means by which ships communicate
and orders are given at sea. There
. also shown the distinctive flag Of
The president of the United States
interesting because 50 rarely seen. 1t
q carried on all ships. but is hoisted
,nly when the president is on board.
The uniforms worn by the ".Jack-
es" attract much attention as per-
aiming exclusively to the men who
lave done such valiant service during
he past few months.
Besides these more notable exhibits
here are countless smaller but no less
objects which are worthy