The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-08-11
.A BESONE Of DESTRUCTION.
APT DESCRIPTION OF A
MODERN PROJECTILE.
Something About the Shell and
Shot that Sent Cervera's Fleet to
the Bottom of the Sea.

hdS dWdhSuSu lue eC0OeS OF the VI
ban hills, it is interesting to know
something of the projectiles which
have been fired from the American
guns and something of their de-
structive power, says the Philade!-
phia Inquirer. A number of the
ships now in Cuban waters have
been equipped at League Island,
and Philadelphia firms have assisted
in their equipment.
A firm in this city has supplied
the Brooklyn and the Minneapolis
with shells. The Brooklyn has
been taking part in the lombard
ment of the Notifications, and was
equipped to her full capacity with
explosive shells.
The Brooklyn carries eight eight
inch breech-loading rifles, twelve
five-inch rapid fire guns, twelve
six Founders and four one-pound-
ers.
The projectiIes used in the six
and eight-inch guns are all explo-
sive shells carrying dynamite.
Each five inch shell carries TWEEN :
ty pounds of dynamite, while each
eight-inch shell carries nearly fifty
pounds.
The Brooklyn was equipped with
324 eight-inch shells and Gas five
inch shells, The amount of ex-
plo2ives in these shells therefore is
the enormous quantity of over 25,-
900 pounds of dynamite.
Notwithstanding the great de-
structive force as represented by
these shells, it is entirely over
Swallowed by the shells of the
twelveinch guns of the Iowa and
the thirteen-inch guns of the Indi-
ana.
Each shell of the thirteen inch
guns of the Indiana weighs I $50
pounds unloaded and can carry
IT'S pounds of dynamite.
When it is considered that the
mine which so completely wrecked
the Maine is believed to have con-
tanned not over 400 pounds of dyna-
mite, and probably not nearly so
much, it can be readily compre-
hended what destruction is wrought
by shell from a 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 sew
eral years ago.
The old form Of shell was ex-
ploded by Illuminating cap, on the
extreme point of the shell. If a
shell Of this description struck a
glancing blow it would not explode.
But the shells now in use are ex-
ploded by retardation. By simply
passing through some light obstruc-
ton, like the body of a man, the
she'll will be exploded. This effect
is produced by an inner mechanism
which, when the outer part of the
shell is retarded by any means,
plunges forward and explodes the
dynamite.
There is no danger of an explo-
sion in the gun at the moment of
discharge because the movement
is in the opposite direction, the in
ner plunger being forced backward |
instead of forward. The outer
surface Of the shell is as finely turn
ed and polished as that of an armor-
solid shot. By having no
percussion cap on the point it al
lows it to be made nearly as fine as
the point Of needle.
This perfect symmetry of the out
er surface means more than would
appear at first sight. The course of
the projectile through the air is
more rapid and accurate than that
of the older form. It's power of
is greater and therefore
more destruction is wrought. A
twelve or thirteen-inch shell ex-
ploding against the side of even the
heavy arrnored battle ships, as
shown by tests made at the prov
ing grounds, will crack and twist
the plates and tear them loose from
their fastenings.
For armor piercing purposes,
however, it has been found that
solid shot of small diameter are the
most effective. A ball from six
FOUNDER has pierced thirteen inches
Of solid steel at range of a mile.
The projectile was apparently un-
its points being as sharp
as before the test.