The times., 1899-10-17
POWDER SUPPLY SHOR?
A Condition Which Is Somewhat
Serious, But Not Alarming.
The Ordnance Department Practical
Iy without smokeIess Ammunition
for the Large Calibre Coast De-
fence Guns-DimcuIty Experienced
in Obtaining n Satisfactory Article

The forthcoming annual report of Gen.
A. R. Burlington, chief of the Bureau of
Ordnance. will probably contain some ref
erence to the difficulty experienced by the
department in its efforts to secure salts
factory smokeless powder for the 10 and
12-inch coast defence rifles. The Ordnance
Department OF the Army Is practically
without any smokeless ammunition for use
in these guns, and there is but a small
supply of black powder in proper condi-
ton. While the officials of the War De-
partment regaris this condition of the
coast defences as somewhat serious they
do not consider that there is any occasion
for alarm. There is now nearly ready for
delivery a large supply of brown prismatic
powder, which, while not smokeless. is
considered superior to the ordinary service
black powder.
There are several causes for the pres
ent condition of the ammunition supply
for the large guns OF the army The
principal one is that no suitable smoke
less powder has yet been discovered. Sew
eral years ago ordnance experts considered
that they had finally secured powder that
would answer all of the requirements of
stability low pressure and high velocity.
A long series of tests was conducted at
Sandy Hook, and 1t was believed that the
powder then decided upon would be per-
fectly satisfactory. 1t was known as a
nitro cotton powder, and contained a
small percentage Of nitro-glycerine.
large supply was purchased by the
War Department for use by the coast de-
fence guns. TO test its stability 1t was
stored away and some of it kept on hand
for nearly two years. Then another series
OF tests was conducted at Sandy Hook.
At one of these tests it was discovered
that certain charge of powder, less than
the required charge, had given a higher
pressure than a full charge would. This
was the first indication that the powder
might give trouble BY degrees the charges
were increased until the full service
charge was reached, and this was placed
in 10-inch gun at Sandy Hook. When
fired the powder burst the gun. The pres
sure gauge rose to its limit and registered
pressure nearly three times as high as
| it should have been. Examination of spec
| linens of this srnokeless powder showed
| that a serious chemical change had taken
| place so that 5theE large grains would
crumble and burn teo quickly. 1t was con-
| sidered necessary to call in from all OF
the magazines the supply Of this smoke
| less powder for the 10 and 12-inch guns.
| Since then ordnance officers and powder
| experts have been seeking to perfect a
| powder for use in the large rifles. They
/ have met with practically no success. This
same powder gives good results in the
small calibre guns, but this is explained
| by the fact that the grains are already
! small and, therefore, do not easily break,
| France and Germany are experiencing
| the same difficulty as the United States in
/ endeavoring to secure stable and safe
powder that viii. at the same time. give
| low pressure and high velocity. England
| has contented herself with the use of cor
| dite. Ordnance officers agree that cordite
| is very suitable powder but it has ons
| defect. Guns from which eordite is fired
| quickly corrode,, and the heat is so intense
| that the life of the gun is considerably
lessened. These rifles are very expensive
| and it would take considerable money Il
keep them in condition should the United
| States decide to use cordite.
| officers of the Ordnance Department are
| authority for the statement that there is nc
| reason to be alarmed because of the lack
| OF smokeless powder, as the War Depart
| ment has already secured an option or
cordite, and, in case of emergency, could
secure an ample supply. One of the causes
| for the low supply of black powder is thai
| few of the magazines are properly equipped
| for the care of ammunition. DampnesS pre-
| walls in nearly all Of them. Reports re-
| ceived at the War Department show thu
magazines at Fort Hamilton and Fort Han
cock to be particularly defective, as they
| are located well under ground. Reports
| from ordnance officers show large per-
| centage Of black powder spoiled because
of the dampness, and this has greatly re.
duced the general supply on hand