The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-04
DIR. GATLING's NEW GUN.
A Triumphant Test Which Prefgures
"a Revolution in Gun-BuiIdfng.
Nauy Vorlr TN1yepiDoy DOet

New York Evening Post
The entire system of building modern great
guns promises to be changed as the result
of a remarkable exhibition of power dis
played on the Sandy Hook proving grounds
yesterday by an eight-inch gun made of cast
steel. The weapon was built at the Otis
works. of Cleveland, o., after a design of
DR.. Calling of Gatling-gun fame In yes
terday's test the new piece successfully with
stood pressure in the chamber of approx
mately 81 900 pounds to the square inch. The
service preSsUres demap~7ed of the present
army built-up gun are sixteen tons to the
square inch, and the navy weapons are sub
jected to preSsureS of fifteen tons to the
square inch. 1t will be observed that the
new cast-iron gun far exceeded the army
Six shots were fired from Dr. Gatling's
weapon, the first powder charge weighing 1872
pounds, the next two 135 pounds each and
each of the last three 142 pounds, with the
result that the new gun exhibited no sign of
STRAIN. 1t IS proposed to fire, in all, 300
at various stages of the trial. 1t is not I'M
likely that the gun will be tested to de-
struction. Now that the weapon has with
stood pressure of $1,000 pounds, it will be
desirable to know what is the remaining fac
tor OF safety.
Dr. Calling cast his new gun in an ordi-
nary gun mold. After boring, the piece was
subjected to an enormous heat pressure on
the exterior surface something like 1000 de-
grees Fair During the application of the
heat a column of cold air was projected
through the bore of the gun. After two
hours of the air application a slight discoIor-
alton of the metal was observed along the
bore. Six hours later the same discoloration
was noticed on the exterior surface 1t was
evident that the cooling effect had pene-
trated from the bore outwards. During the
process of casting a radial twist was given
to the mold. The secret part Of the opera
ton is in connection with the alloy used in
the steel.
According to DR.. Gatling's estimate a cast
steel gun can be made for about so per cent.
less cost than a built-up gun, and while one
built-up weapon is in process of construction
eight cast-Steel pieces can be turned out
When one considers the large number of guns
necessary for the defense of the coast line,
this estimate of 80 per cent reduction
means very great deal.
Yesterdays test was conducted before the
Board of FOrtifications. of which General
Miles is the head. He was so astonshed and
pleased at the remarkable showing of the
cast-Steel gun that he seized DIR. Calling by
both hands and congratulated him warmly.
The results obtained are Il complete surprise
to many ordnance and artillery officers.
The object aimed al in all modern coast
guns is to obtain range and penetration. In
order TO effect these results high veiocities
are necessary. The latter call for tremendous
powers of propulsion, which are accompanied
by correspondingly heavy pressures in the
gun at the time of firing. Until yesterday
no gun made of cast-steel had been produced
capable of withstanding the service pressure
of to-day. In consequence, recourse has been
had to guns built up from forged steel ingots.
In the built-up weapon there is tube over
which are shrunk in succession hoops and
bands. The process Is slow and costly. The
government pays, approximately, $l000 per
ton for built-up guns. Dr. Calling proposes