The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-11
INV GUN FOR THE NAVY
Much Expected Of the Improved
Three-Inch Weapon.
One Of the Type Intended for the
Larger Battleships md Torpedo
Boats Received in Washington
Progress i'm Naval Ordnance Noted
"A Comparison of Projectiles.

A new S-inch naval gun has been re-
reived al the Washington gun foundry
during the last week from which great
things are expected. The new piece repre-
sents the first of the 1i-pounder battery
guns proposed for the larger-class battle
ships and for the torpedo-boat destroyers.
AS matter OF fact the gun is chambered
to use the i5-pound shell, but the under
standing is that the chamber will be al
tered to conform with the views of the
naval ordnance officials. AS the gun
stands now il is in the same class as the
new 15-pounder mine-defence guns de-
signed for the army coast defence system.
Using navy smokeless powder, the new
3-inch weapon is expected TO yield muzzie
velocities of 3.lo0 foot-seconds. For a
secondary battery piece the resulting en-
ergy of impact is enormous. Ii is not so
very far below the showing of the short
, caiibred 4-inch gun. In length the new
3-inch piece measures 1855 inches and it.
weight is only 1880 pounds. The fact
that the navy 3inch gun will use diff
ferent weight projectile from the army
piece OF the same calibre is but another
eHelduCe Oh Tue Ol the Two
services. The Navy. in the interest Of
high velocities and iatter trajectories.
has, calibre for caibre been employing
lighter projectiles than the Army. The s.
inch naval shell weighs $50 pounds, and
only few years ago a 2l5-pouDd navy
shell was employed. The army S-inch
shell weighs 800 pounds.
The navy 1c-inch shell weighs $50
pounds. while the army Pinch shell
.g<xt,, 1 sa,x hnxr-e H..
tendency has been to increase the weight
OF navy shells, owing to the increased We
lecities afforded by the introduction of
smokeless powder. The 5-inch shells en-
ployed in the American feet on July 3,
lsgS. weighed about IS pounds. The new g.
inch shells weigh GO pounds. In this con-
nection 1t may be noted that the new A.
finch, 5o-calibre long guns. using 33-pound
shells. yield an energy of impact, at point
blank range, practically the equivalent of
the early 5-inch guns. This fact is to be
credited TO smokeless powder.
The tendency in the American service ap-
pears to be in the direction Of an increased
number Of guns on ships of the smaller
class. This tendency is in keeping with
the latest practices in European services,
and before long s-inch guns may be an ac-
1uality in the broadside batteries of the
bsttleships OF this country.
Since 1898. however. the United States
has made enormous strides in the develop
ment of ordnance material and the fact
that American manufacturers are now
selling war equipment all over the world
is tribute TO the excellence OF their work
The ammunition fer naval guns in partic
rlar, has been improved, and far better
fuses are in use today than were available
in 1898. The shrapnel fuse has been
greatly simplited and II now consists OF
q combination time and percussion ele-
ment. In other words, If the time feature
falls to function, the shell will burst as a
result of striking the ground. The new
fuse has a ratchet attachment which ope-
rates much after the manner of the lock
on the door OF safe. The new fuse, how
ever, does not require to be punctured A
turn of the ratchet TO the designated num-
Der OF seconds. and the fuse is ready.
Case-shot seems destined TO come in for
more general use. and ammunition is now
being issued to naval guns OF this variety
up to and including the eight-inch calibre
The new case-shot is put up In brass
cases, having metal base. For the
larger calibres cast-iron balls are en-
ployed OF nearly three-fourths inch diam
eter. The balls are shaped SO as TO af-
ford support in piling For the one
FOUNDER. two FOUNDER three FOUNDER and
eN-pounder guns leaden balls are used
The brass case merely serves to hold the
balls together. When passing through the
bore the rifing rips open the body Of the
shell. leaving IL SO weakened that when
once clear OF the muzzle the case falls
apart Because Of the high velocities now
attainable, case-shot can be used over
greater ranges than heretofore believed
possible.
The close working In the manufacture of
American guns never ceases to elicit the |
admiration OF foreigners. It is a weu-es-
tabhshed fact that the measurements on |
American guns are closer than in the for !
eign pieces. Some of the English guns bur- |
chased by the Army Just prior to the |
breaking out OF war, and which are at
present mounted In the coast defepces Of |
the United States. exhibit variations in |
particularly along the bore
which under ordinary circumstances would |
have caused their rejection had the pieces
beer fabricated in this country. As it is a |