Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-28

mower has largely superseded the use of
steam, new branches of industry have been
successfully introduced, and the establish
ment has now become one of large proper
TONS second to none in this country and to
few abroad in its capacity for turning out
expeditiously and economically all classes
of work for which it is adapted.
Full Time the Past Year.
During the past year the gun factory
has been running on full time, and the more
innDortant machines have been running on
double time, with two shifts of men. The
average number of employees was 2,115.
Two hundred and thirty-four guns Of va
rious calibers have been completed during
the wear and many more are in different
stages OF completion. TWO hundreo ana
seventy-five mounts for guns OF various
calfbers have been completed, and a large
number are in process of manufacture.
Modifcat lions and improvements have been
made to a considerable number OF rapld-nre
gun mounts, with view to increasing their
efficiency. A great amount OF miscellaneous
work on sights, firing locks. gun equip
ments subcaliber alta chments, powder
tanks brass cartridge cases, cartridge bags,
etc. has also been performed.
1.-The total value of finished work curing
the year was s., $3.50 21O, of which $1,S5S, $50
was expended for labor and $2,01O. 400 for
material.
..The fact that at this establishment alone
sum of S137, 800 SO for leaves Of absence.
holidays, etc, granted in accordance with
law, is worthy of the departments atten-
ton.
'tSince the manufacture of modern guns
was begun at the Washington navy yard
1.21O guns Of various calibers have been
completed and PSI are now in process OF
manufacture, and the gun mounts, turret
fittings and miscellaneous details of the
ordnance outfits of new vessels nave also
been manufactured.
improvements Necessary.
Additional improvements are necessary
to improve the condition and increase the
facilities Of the naval gun factory, and the
following are recommended.
New power house and boiler plant.
the increase of late years in the number
of shops and new machinery has taxed the
present boiler plant to the utmost, and the
time has now arrived when 1t is absolutely
necessary to make provision for an Increase
of boiler power. This is an important ana
very necessary Improvement WINCH II is
hoped, will be authorized.
New and improved machinery Tor existing
shops.
ut is proposed to convert the heavy gun
lathes from steam to electric drive ana a
moderate sum has been estimated for to
commence this work. The lathes referred
to are now driven by belts and by rope
transmission, which entails great waste
of power and Is Anticipated in the extreme;
hence 1t is desired to apply electric motors
to the principal machines, In accordance
with modern practice.
"A small sum has been estimated for for
the extension of the steel-casting plant, as
the sum originally asked for for the erec-
tion Of the plant was too small
Estimates Submitted.
Other improvements recommended, for
which estimates are submitted, are: New
roof for the foundry, alterations and i'm
provements to store No. TO- to provide add
tional storage room, new breech-mechan1sm
shops, with necessary machinery; locomo-
tive and locomotive crane house, timber
shed and balanced landing bridge and slip.
In reference to the last-named items, Ad-
miral O'Neil says:
"All guns made at the naval gun factory
are sent by water to Indian Head for PROOF
and return. They are carried on float or
barge on which the truck carrying the gun
Ia placed by means OF pair OF steel rails
on the float. used as brow. The opera
ton of getting heavy gun on or Off the
float Is attended with considerable danger
and frequently with delay, and the matter
of balanced landing bridge, such as is
used to place railroad cars on ferry boats,
has long been under consideration, and the
bureau believes that the time has now ar
rived when definite action should be taken.
A large caliber gun costs In the neighbor-
hood OF $4O,OO, ana It's loss overheard
would be a serious matter. The operation
can 20 on as heretofore, but the improve
ment recommended is a legitimate one. A
similar landing bridge will also be recon-
mended for Indian Head
As a Measure of Precaution.
"a tract Of land at Stump Neck, just be-
low Indian Head, and containing about 10S4
acres, has been purchased during the year
as a measure Of precaution, as on one occa-
sion a thirteen-inch projectile fired from
Indian Head landed on the property, the
land lying nearly in line of fire when firing
at long range
The smokeless powder factory has been
in successful operation all the past year.
| No attempt has been made as yet to obtain
| Its maximum output, though at times II
! has reached 24O0 pounds per day. The
| average yield. however, has been about
| 1850 pounds per day.
| The total quantity of powder made at
| these works during the year was 496,S53
pounds; 37S, 500 pounds Of ether, 1876, 432
| pounds of nitric acid and 516, 57b pounds of
gun cotton, to be used in the manufactur
Of smokeless powder. were also produced
| The total number Of guns proved at In
| dian Head since It's establishment as a
| proving ground to October /, 1909. is !, 1874
| and the number OF armor tests made Is 20S
| United States navy ballistic plat IS and II
| for the Russian government, total of 20
Practical Powder Maker Required.
The bureau believes that foreman who
is practical powder maker should be al