Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-28
Efficiency Of the Fort Washington
Batteries.
TESTING fEN-NCH RAPID FIRING GUNS.
Much Interest Shown by the Con-
gressionaI Spectators.
DEFENSES OF THE COAST

ineton against the approach Of a hostile
fleet in the event war follows the report OF
the board Of inquiry now investigating the
Maine disaster. The test was made under
the supervision of General Flagler chief
or the bureau of ordnance and a detach-
n.ent from the engineer corps. and was
witnessed by Senators Hawley. Carter ana
Mitchell OF the Senate committee on mill
tary affairs; Senator Pettigrew OF the ap-
preparations committee. Representative
Hull OF the House committee on military
anairs. Representatives Hemenway and
fithey OF the subcommittee of the House
on appropriations for fortifications and
Representative George Il. Mcclellan
As q result OF the test the congressional
party was eminently satisfied with the
powerful weapon, and felt confident that
should hostilities disturb the pcac, of this
nation the guns of like caliber and those
sun larger would afford splendid protec-
ton for the coast cities. After the exhihi-
ton OF the power and possibility OF the
gun, one OF the senators said that IL was
with reluctance that he voted for the an
preparation for these coast defense guns
as ne regarded IL too much in the line of
expermenting on some fancy proposition,
but after he had seen the splendid per-
fcrmance he was proud that he had voted
money for such a purpose.
The party left the city about 40 o'clock
Saturday afternoon in misrepresentation
Reyburn's yacht, which was placed at
their disposal. Landing at the fort they
found everything in readiness for the trials
when the detachment of artillerymen at
once set the machinery In motion. As one
OF the congressman said IT, the ammuni-
ton lift quickly charged the large piece
and then the carriage arose until the gun
was on level. and in an instant had dis
charged the projectile and quickly descend
ed ready to receive a second charge. The
machinery is all operated by electricity.
The gun was sighted and aimed while
down at the lowest level, the work being
done by reference N tho charts he 01ln-
rers have, so II was not necessary for any
one connected with the operation OF the
piece to expose himself to the fire of an
enemy. All that is necessary is TO locate
the oil ject to be hit and the gun can be set
so as to strike with almost absolute ac-
curacy, In a purely mechanical manner.
For the first shot a spot was selected as
the objective point, about seven miles down
the river, on from the channel, and where
no beats were in the way. The projecule
vent straight to the spot selected. and
when il struck a huge pillar of water arose.
The second and third shots were aimed at
different objects. the results being the
same, and showing the accuracy with
which the ponderous pieces can be manipu-
lated and fired.
For the experimental firing only cheap
powder and cast-iron projectiles were used.
and with the smokeless powder and the
most approved projecties now used the
results would be still better.
1t is believed that projectile fired from
one OF those ten-inch guns would pierce
the armor OF any vessel of the draft that
could come up the Potomac far the
forts, and Immediately sink il. None or
the big battle ships OF deep draft could
PASS up the Potomac within range OF WASH
irgton. at least. and for that reason a ten
frch gun is deemed sufficient. These guns
are mounted on disappearing carriages.
and can be fired with great rapidity. IL
requires twenty men to handle one of the
guns in action. and in times of war three
shifts OF twenty men each required.
There are now only 1900 artillerymen IN
the service of the United States. and by
the first Of next July there will be all told
pa of the high-power guns and I'D NOR
tars.
Notwithstanding the intricacy and APP
parent complication of the machinery OF
one Of these guns and its carriage, every
thing is so perfectly arranged that there
is not the slightest hitch, and SO slight is
the force of the recol that IL one should
receive the full effect Of IT not even
bruise would be made. The conclusion or
recoil is taken up by means Of oil in tubes.
The battery In which the two ten-inch
guns are located Is so situated that d.
rect shot cannot be fired at IL. and to do
any damage IL would be necessary to drop
a shell directly on top Of 1t, something that
gunners on board a vessel could hardly
accomplish.
The men stationed at Fort Washington
showed remarkable proficiency I'm handling
the guns, and the congressional delegation
commented most favorably upon their skill
and knowledge OF the duties devolving upon
them. 1ney are nOt Only dble 10 lnhlnpu-
late the guns, but have a perfect knowl-
edge of the river, and have charts showing
every foot of it. The range of the guns is
eleven miles. and the battery is so located
as to command the river several miles
down stream and all the way to Washing
ton up stream. The moment a hostile fleet
came within range a volley would be fired,
and the monsters would pour tons Of armor-
piercing projectiles into the hulls of the in
vading vessels. unquestionably with disas-
trous effect 10 the invaders, before the
enemy could return the fire with any DAM
aging results. This fire would be kept up
unremittingly until the vessels passed the
fort-if It were possible for them to slip
by-when red-hot fire would follow the
ships as they passed on up the river: but.
I'm the opinion OF naval experts, the two
1o-inch guns at Fort Washington and the
battery at Sheridan's Point on the Vir-
ginia side of the river could stop any
1T Is simply marvellous" said one of the
congressional party, what one OF these
huge coast-defense guns can do. and. judg
ing from the execution Of a 10-inch rifle. a
fair idea may be gained Of what II or a
13-inch gun will do This test just at this
time is most important and will receive far
more attention than any tests made here
tofore. The people are now interested in
the subject Of guns and projectiles as they
have not been since the modern engines of
war have been brought. For myself, /
know 1 attached far more Significance TO
the experiments made Saturday than here
tofore, as 1 more thoroughly appreciate
what must be accomplished through the
agency of these weapons, and il is highly
important that they be as perfect and pow
erful as the modern genius can devise"
baltimore is protected similarly to WASH
ington, but a larger battery is needed. 1t
is important to Washington that the city
on the bay is well protected. for troops
could be landed there and marched here
IL there was not sufficient force to repei
them.
The principal Notifications on the At
lantic coast are at Portland. Me-, Ports
mouth, n. H, Boston, Narragansett. the
entrances to New York harbor. the
trance to the Delaware river, mouth of the
Chesapeake bay, Hampton Roads. Fort
Monroe, on the coast of the Caroinas
Georgia, Florida and at points I'm the gulf
waters. On the Pacific coast the princi-
pal batteries are at the entrance to the
harbors at San Francisco and at San Diego
and at the mouth of the Columbia river.
The batteries at the coast fortifications
are composed chiefly of the larger guns,
from TO 12-inch guns and 12-inch mortars.
At points like Sandy Hook still larger guns
are planted and in addition huge dyna-
mite guns and secondary batteries OF small
err rapid-flre guns are located.
While naval eyperfa regard fieae shorn