Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-19
SEA COAST DEFENSES
Disappearing Gun Carriages
approved.
ARMY BOARDS REPORT
r
RESULT OF EXTENSIVE TESTS
UNDER TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES.
More Pay for Gunners Recommended
The Class Of Men Desired by
the Department.
ARMY BOARDS REPORT

sAAo e~SkAA tA4Ao0ts
Secretary Root has approved the findings
and recommendations of the joint board ap-
pointed to conduct tests and report upon
| the value Of disappearing gun carriages for
sea coast defenses.
| During the recent session of Congress the
value of eur modern coast defense was
brought into question, and after much dis
| cussion in the Senate proviso was adopted
| making the further use. of the appropria-
ton for the manufacture of gun carriages
dependent upon a thorough practical test
by board to be appointed by the Secre-
tary of War. These tests were conducted
during the summer by a mixed board of
officers of the engineer corps, ordnance de-
partment, artillery corps and one civilian
expert, composed follows: Col Wallace
F. Randolph, chief of artillery; Capt. Eu-
gene H. C. Loutze, U. s. navy, detailed for
| that purpose by the Secretary of the Navy
Maj. John G. D. Knight, engineer corps;
Maj. Charles Shaler. ordnance department.:
| Maj. Albert 8. Cummins, artillery corps;
| Maj. BENJAMIN H. Randolph, artillery
corps, and Mr.. John R. Freeman of Provi-
dence, r. l. rr.
The System Approved.
After most extensive tests, during which
the guns and carriages were subjected to
the greatest possible strain that could be
applied under the most trying circum-
| stances, the system has been found to he
entirely worthy Of the confidence Of the
| country. The finding Of the board is unani-
| nous, and 1t has recommended that the
manufacture of disappearing gun carriages
| for the S-inch. 1O-inch and Pinch guns be
continued. The board however recon-
| mends that no more 6-inch guns be mount
| ed on disappearing gun carriages. This
| latter Is not unexpected, since the develop
| ment of rap:d-fire guns of finch caliber
has made 1t quite essential that those guns
| should be mounted on barbette carriages.
| The gun carriages were carefully inspect
| ed both before and after each series of
| firing and after each deliberate round, and
| the only breakage during the tests were
| two throttling pipes for the disappearing
| carriages for the 12-inch breech-loading
rifles.
| The board decided in positive terms that
| the elevation sof the site above the sea
| level does not materially affect the choice
| of the style of carriage. With the larger
| calber of guns 90 and 12-inch) greater
| rapidty of fire was obtained with the dis
appearing type with great advantage in the
saving Of time and with less fatigue of men
over the barbette mount. AS far as the g.
inch gun is concerned the rapidity of oper-
alton with the two carriages appears to be
substantially the same. Much better pro-
lection is secured for the gun detachment
riages contain parts of substantially equal
complication in the hydraulic cylinders,
with pistons, piston rods, throttling bars
and equalizfng pipes The traversing mech
anism and the gearing mechanism is little,
If any more, liable to arrangement in one
type than in another. The mechanical diff
ference Of the two types of mount are not
in themselves sufficient to determine the
choice of type So FAR as quick, direct aim
ing is concerned, neither style of carriage
has direct advantage
The Disappearing Gun Carriage.
In conclusion the board says: 1.-The board
desires to record its opinion that the gen.
eral mechanical principles involved in the
chief elements and movements of the Buff
flngton-Crozier disappearing carriage are
admirably adapted to their purpose"
In making it's recommendation for tie
continuance of the manufacture of the dis
appearing carriages, the board states that
the recommendation is made regardless of
the question of high or low sites.
The board furnishes an accurate and de-
tailed report of the action Of each gun and
carriage tested in its presence, and makes
specific recommendation for correction of
some defects and Experimentation with a
view to improvement in some details. These
relate particularly to gas check pads, etc.
More Pay for Gunners.
The board draws a very favorable COM
parison between the allowance of pay to
81 nners in the navy and those in the
tiilery, and earnestly recommends increased
pay for the latter, in order that expert me-
chanics may be induced to engage in this
very important branch of government work.
The board suggests that more protection be
given to the gunnerS, who are the only men
serving who are much exposed. 1t is pro-
posed to provide this protection by small
movable shields.
Comment on the allowance of ammunition
G = q
board, which recommends the abandon
ment of all target practice with reduced
charges as tending to create false i'm
preston in the minds of officers and men.
The suggestion is made that subcaliber
practice be continued and encouraged, and
that when firing for target practice that
the full service charge should be used, and
that the allowance should be increased to
not less than fifteen shots per gun each
year.
Taking No Chances.
What with the tests Of the mortar bat
teries recently had at Portland, the severe
tests of various guns comprising the sea-
coast armament by this board, and the re-
cent thorough trials by the artillery gen.
orally during the maneuvers on the New
England coast the army and the country
may feel thoroughly content that nothing
Is being left to chance or to await the ar
rival of the enemy on our coast before set
Ting all disputed points and adding every
improvement which experience seems to
demand to complete our well defined sys-
tenn of coast defense.
The proceedings, findings and various
recommendations Of the board have been
approved by Ithe Secretary of War. and
immediate steps will be taken to carry out
such recommendations as do not require
further action of Congress. The construc-
ton of guns and carriages being already
authorized, dependent upon these tests, no
further legislation Is required. but the cub
ject Of increasing the compensation for
gunners is something which will have to
be laid before the military committee be-
fore any practical results can be obtained
instruction Of Gunners.
The Secretary of War has in the mean
time approved requisition for necessary
books instruments and materials for pro-
ceeding with the training Of the gunners
who are to be ordered to Fort Monroe for
the course which begins next month.
1t Is said at the War Department that the
requirements for modern Notifications in
volve the use of mechanics and electricity
to such an extent That much time has to
be devoted to- the training Of those young
men who enlist in the artillery and are