The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-01-05

nv RANf VI s'NL'~N'
YOU want any more hoss flesh come up and
see your Uncle Isaac
DISAPPEARING GUN-CARRIAGE.
improvements In Its Mechanism and I'm Ex-
plosi,es Tbat Make II Very Valuable.
The question OF a disappearing carriage
for our large calibre coast guns has been
much discussed, and the Board Of Ord
nance and Fertilization has recommended
that no more be constructed; but as this
recommendation has not yet received
the approval OF the Secretary Of War the
Ordnance Department is making designs
for great improvements in this carriage.
The effect Of a young, able and energetic
officer AZ the head OF this department is
already making itself felt in new life and
energy, a. well as broader views. lnven-
tors Of new systems of artillery are re-
ferTcd now 70 the Artillery Corps, and II
the officers of that corps approve OF any
change OF system the Ordnance Depart
mcnt will make no opposition, but will
endcavor to introduce and perfect such
now material as the artillery may find
necessary. This is n great change from
the old methods, under which the artillery
had no voice at all as to the kind OF weapon
it needed for its most efficient So rvice,
and promises well for the future OF both
branches of the service, as well as the ooun-
try at large.
The objections raised against the disap-
po1ring carriage a been mainly that
II Is impossible to keep the gun on the tar
get in direct fire, that the mechanism Is
complicated and delicate, and that the
rate of fire is comparatively slow. The
first objection Is inherent 10 the system.
but Is undoubtedly counterbala nced by
tn" advantages Of the latter; the second
is met by the statement that all modern
machinery is necessarily more compll-
Gated than the older and crudcr forms,
and that the delGclcy has been greatly
exaggerated a. will appear below. tho
third las been largely overcome by IL"
improvements in the latest model.
f1e great advaIt tGNS of toe dis1p-
pc ming c1rtilgo alC tie perfect security
Of men and Material against tie enemy :
Ere, and the tactical udvdnt of being
all" readily % conceal %" empllcement
and is armament from Tire enemy until
il Is uacass try To- bring tse guns into acton.
In a battle on land tae struggle always
swings around tie strong points Of toe
field a Hill. a wood, a village, or the pprl-
tiou # a field battery there the hcrcest
contest il fought $50 II will br in a baltic
bet ycen forts aud SHIPS tne cmpllcemeEts
f,r the guns with ~dis1upe1fiLg carriages
will Boo the Key points where tie main battle
will rage Ihcse empllrcmrnts, lhe 20"
strong points Of au uraiuiry battlefield,
Coz fer an olomout Of security ard safety,
and when all else IL destroyed they vii
remain. tie last strDasIpids 90 pe uenoI-
i-''i or tt.ru.
Nuou q icrr enters a harb0r for attack.
II will frrt gudclNOT 20 reuov" the outer
t,f,sduos md teen make "A ccohuoissanoe
Of lie fpIti cations 81 tie hgrblr During
I ur-. two - g-r = tI' afignt ~ Is Of iu-
usu-n import ..o" - b. able TO conceal
a portion uf g." arm Hn"n' pu shore, -
that the enemy canu,t lI'Hin n and deter
mipc lu- clira.ie ard that u Nay come
into play UNEXPECTEDLY whoa tae c1su y
tH.r o. force the tlIrtTrr lhl- b. the