Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-30
AN IMPORTANT TEST
FULL. COMPARISON BETWEEN GATH
MANN AND SERVICE GUNS PLANNED.
The Trial Ordered by Congress at
Sandy HOok-Mr. Gathmann Con-
Adent of the Result.

Congress has appropriated SJ0550 for the
purpose of enabling the Secretary Of War
to make comparative test of destruc-
tive energy between the Gathmann torpedo
gun. now at Sandy Hook, and the army
twelve-inch service rifle, such tests to be
made against two similar targets repre-
senting the side construction of the latest
type of battle ship; each Of the side struc-
lures to be faced with a Kruppized armor
plate eight feet by sixteen feet and twelve
inches thick, and at least ten shots to be
fired from the army rifle against one struc-
ture and one or more Gathmann torpedoes
against the other. There have been so
many different opinions between ordnance
officers that Congress wants to know who
is right, and what the difference will be
between the Gathmann system and the
present service guns.
Various government authorities and
their experts, here as we'll as in Europe.
have given their opinions frequently and
voluntarily that the Gathmann torpedo
shell will fail to penetrate armor.
Congress, therefore ordered that the
pest ana hea West krupp armor shall be
used for target to settle this dispute be-
tween the Gathmann gun and the present
most powerful service gun, and between
gun and armor itself.
1T is not reasonable to think that the
Gathmann gun will penetrate armor like
our armor-piercing Shots said Mr.. Louis
Gathmann, speaking of this matter, that is
to say putting round small hole through
the armor corresponding to the diameter
of the shell. This / have never claimed
to be able to do but this 1 am claiming
that instead of merely penetrating the
armor the entire plate will be destroyed
and the fragments driven to the rear or
into the ship, and the armor belt
tends below the water line, it, well
the protective deck, will be partly demol-
ished. Therefore, one shot will be suffi-
clent to render of from fifteen to
twenty feet in diameter. AS part of this
gap extends below the water line, it will
be impossible to mend it. and such ship
cannot keep afloat.
Many experts seem to think that heavy
guns are for the purpose of shooting small
holes through armor, but l think differ
emily. / hold that guns are for the pur-
pose of destroying, or at least silencing an
enemy as quickly as possible. This 1 hold
is the first duty in the event of war.
AT fighting range of say two miles
our service guns with their shot or shell
cannot penetrate or demolish twelve-inch
Krupp armor at all. With the Gathmann
system the destructive energy Is carried
within the shell itself, and distance does
not reduce it's efficiency materially.
Il predict that this comparative test will
prove, first, one structure will be COM
pletely demolished with one effective round
from the Gathman gun; second. ten rounds
from the army rife win not do equal dam
age to the other structure
Il go one step further and predict that
before the one structure is demolished to
the same extent by ore service gun there
will be ample time for me to sink all our
first and second-class battleshps and pro-
tectve cruisers if they were put up as
targets for the Gathmann torpedo gun.
Il hold that it was wise step of Con-
gress to stop the building of more war ships
for the present, as a complete change in
the construction of ships and armament
must follow. We are IN the age of me-
chanical revolution, ard the same calam-
hat hefa he S,N.1r1 oh, n
ticularly its navy, threatens any other
though they least expect it. Neither bra
very nor good will can successfully com
pete with superior implements of war or
machines. This many individual business
houses, as well as whole nations, have
found to be correct, often only when 1t
too late.
About twelve years ago / delivered
lecture before the board of ordnance and
fertilization. wherein | showed that our
guns then were obsolete, as fast they
were manufactured, when compared with
the steel built-up guns abroad. The con-
ditiOns are again the same as before. 1t Is
but small satisfaction to know that the
appropriations of Congress were then and
are again wasted in building war mate
rails which are not in harmony with the
developed science of the day
The comparative test will take place at
the army proving ground at Sandy Hook,
and then there will be a clear demonstra-
ton of whether Mr.. Gathmann is right or
wrong. If the former, modern war
fare will be revolutionized from the date
of this test.
The plans of the structures of the tar
gets to be used are prepared by the chief
of the bureau Of construction, Capt. Fran
els T. Bowles, and q board of army and
navy officers. consisting Of Major John G.
D. Knight. Corps of Engineers; Capt. P.
Birnie, ordnance department.; Capt. John
P. Wiser. 7th U. 8. Artillery: Lieut.. Jos.
Strauss, commanding officer of the naval
proving ground. and Lieut.. Cleand Davis,
Z. S. N, ordnance department. These Of
ficers have been appointed by the Secreta-
RES of War nd NaIA, 10 M llnf &c. tocf