The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-31
POWDER FOE THE NAVY.
Superior Nitro-CeIIuIose Used by the
United States.

In consequence OF the reports received
from the ordnance officers of warships, the
naval officials have practically decided to
adhere to nitro-cellulose powder for the
future use Of the navy. Fer the last two
years the new smokeless powder has been
under the closest scrutiny, and notwith
standing frequent employment no wear has
been perceived in the bores of the heavy
caiibred guns.
1t is an interesting fact, and one which Is
I now admitted in foreign official circles,
that the naval guns OF the United States
are subjec: TO more full-service charges
firing in peace times than the guns of any
other naval power. Because OF this reason,
the seryiceabilty of the new celluiose
powder has been readily determined.
Ordnance men say that the position Of
the United States with regard TO its pow
der for heavy guns is the most favorable
of any country in the world with Germany
a close second England. according TO the
best reports is in the worst possible shape
with its cordite powder. Cordite, like
NEST European s1nOkeless powders, has for
its basis gun cotton combined with nitro
glycerine. The proportion OF Ditro-glyce-
riue is slightly under GO per cent The
German powder has about % per cent
nitro-giycerine. The nitrO-glycerine serves
as an oxydizing agent, and is requisite to
make gun-cotton work satisfactorily. The
trouble with nitro glycerine is that it
works havoc with the bore Of gun,
soaring 1t in positively frightful manner
just forward OF the powder chamber. In
a very short time the erosive effect be-
comes so pronounced that accuracy OF
fire becomes practically an impossibility.
The gun is rendered useless, unless re-
course is had TO boring out the rifiing,
inserting a steel tube, and rerifiing this
tube
To obyiate the employment of nitro
glycerine France and Russia have, 1t is
reported, been endeayoring to use nitrate
OF barita or its equivalent, with the reE'
suit that the powder Is only partially
smokeless.
The new powder of the United States
Navy is referred to as soluble nitro-cellu-
lose dissolved in ether alcohol. The for
muia for this pOwdo. vas evolved by the
Bureau of Ordnance of the Navy Depart
ment, and is the result of study and ex-
perimenting of many years. The erosive
effects of powder gases, which. ii is pointed
out, constitute the great danger TO modern
guns. is caused by ne eating out of the
surface OF the bore by the charge. Still
another wearing effect. termed wash is
produced by the rush OF the powder gases
past the projectile wherever an opening is
found.
OF all the smokeless powders in service
cordite. the English powder appears to be
the most trying on guns; and from reports
lately received by the naval officials in this
country the British orGnon = authorities
are keenly exercised over tie subject Cor
ttite. it has been found. will -fand climatic
changes. and varying temperatures OF cold
and heat most admirably. 1t will also give
high veloeities on compsratiy ,ly low cham
Der pressure but it demands in compensa-
ton for all these advantages short life en-
the part of the gun. This short-liyed fea-
ture is the reason now advanced, why the
British navy has not in late years been as
liberal in target-practice as the United
States. II is because OF the frightful eros
i've effect of cordite hat the six-irch Brit
ish naval guns Of the latest pattern are
not permitted to employ charges yielding
more than 2.6C0 foot seconds velocity.
According to one OF the very highest ord
nance experts in England. the seryiceable
life, having reference to accuracy. OF a six
inch gun would not extend beyond 400
rounds, If $500 foot-seconds velocity and
over were employed. To preserve the guns
for service recourse OF necessity Is had to
j relatively low velocity and energy.
IS a comparison, the new six-inch naval
guns Of the United States are to b. en-
ployed. in service, at veloeities approxiuat-
ing 5000 foot-seconds. The sights for tie
new siX-inch guns, it is asserted. are &C
tually cut for this tremendous velocity
To understand what an advance 5000 foot
seconds means. it need only be borne Ia
mind that the siX-inCh guns in the Amer
lean fleet at Manila did not yield more than
800 foot-seconds yelocities. The projec-
tile for the siX-iDch gun weighs 100 pounds.