New-York tribune., 1901-08-31
SHEATHING OF SHIPS

II appears that the practice of sheathing steel
ships with wood and copper, which had in recent
years become so common. especially in England is
on the point of being altogether abandoned the ex-
cessve cost and practical complications due TO
galvansm and the difficulty OF repairs far offset
the advantage gained by the device. The Ger
mans have found that recent improvements in anti
foul!ng paint will render IL unnecessary dock a
snip ofteneE than once year and have discon-
tinued the copper protection. Italy. too. has de-
cided TO sheathe no more battleships armored
cruisers. hut will continue to sheathe small vessels
destined for distant service.
In regard 10 ordnance and armOr the report says:
Opinion abroad is tending, to the reduction in the
calibres, too close together, exist. This idea has
hsen e,-11yesIad a. tSn'Iard - IT, rn.,,I{rcs tjor ~
calibres makes it difficult in times to efficiently
multitude OF accessories II is also recommended
in this connection that than three classes
or guns be allowed on any vessel, and that these
be uniform for the same class far possible.
me British advances in ordnance include new l.
men Wire wound guns or greater length than the
old guns. These guns are being delivered and
The new a2meh inc gums are being is mounted in the
Cressy class OF armored cruisers. This gun is to
on eacb yeasI T1b Inch rapid fire re gun has
been successfully tried and approved The Weiin
breech screw has been adopted for the 5-inch rapid
fire gun. The old 5-inch and finch guns being
converted into rapid The efforts Of the Brit
ish are being exercised toward large reserve of
The magazine rifle is still being developed in sew
eral OF the navies of the world, Several of the
ones have arrived at the issuing period. The Beers
Mauser OF seven mimetres carried by them.
Although several inventions have appeared TO
Fosbery it appears that revolvers are being finally
displaced by the magazine pistol at least for war
~ The he, German officers are armed with the self
@ad ps9 is ow Ps aDdsr Hgt a fhe % au Of
TINS arm is 765 millimetres; II has a detachable
case which. like tho Mauser. forms a stock AT
twenty metres it penetrates liz inches OF fir. 1t
1acture. easily dismounted and assembled.
DEVELOPMENT OF FIELD GUNS
According TO the views or a noted German ex-
pert. the development of modern rapid fire guns
confronting the military authorities of all coun-
Tca Ts Is said that the British forces In South
OF OF over 1000 yards; and with some effect SO tina
extreme ranges is held to be important great
foreign field artillery maker said recently that his
which at 10000 yards would be capable of attain,
the rounds within 1O-metre square the gun.
after recong. to return exactly TO It's position SO
The Studies s or de IN Europe to fulfil
conditions have resulted in oT
now changing its field piece Il rs Was shoS at 5he baRs
been well armed, but when war was INN imminent t
they purchased extensively in Europe Ihe S most most
remarkably demonstrated Its & efficiency has b oesn
mimetre Maxim automatic gun. using metallic
cartridges similar to those used in small arms.
throwing a shell weighing one pound
TARGET PRACTICE.
The question of good shooting is regarded
s of paramount Importance by every nation which
possesses warships- Naval battles are decided by
the accuracy and rapidity OF firing more than by
anything else. The ACCOUNTS OF the battle OF san
tiago and OF that OF the Yalu snow the terrible
effect of modern ordnance when the deadly shell
finds its mark Fires started Wherever ShellS
strike the woodwork, and men are driven from
their batteries by the hail of projectiles from the
of the secondary armament
The leading naves of the world are paying great
attention the subject of target nring and Varl-
results and also to make conditions conform TO
those of actual combat the sea; actual hits
only count, and rapidty of hre ngures largely IN
the result.
In the French navy long range target practice
has been the rule for time. French officers
long ago realized that battles In the future VIII
not be fought merely at ZOO yards-the Iavotite
practice range-but at the very utmost limit.
Their idea according to the technical papers,
seems to be that it is doubtful whether ships in
the future will get inside 1000 yards. save by
the zone at which armor is likely to fail: that az
5000 or 5000 yards the heavily armored snip VIII
feel the advantage of her armor, and the tast.
lightly protected craft get most benefit out or her
shot will be made, and the lucky shot Is not the
product of chance so much as OF skill To acquire
that skill, practice is necessary.
The navy of Great Britain has held an elaborate
series of prize target frings. and the results are
said to show a steady improvement over those
of previous years Telescope sights have recen.4y
been introduced in the British navy, and nave
much improved the recent results The ehure
sights.
THE ARMOR QUESTION
The struggle for supremacy between guns and
nprn