The Washington times., 1902-01-09
TO TEST STEEL
GUN SHIELDS.
Efficiency to Be Tried at
Bethlehem.
GENERAL MILES TO BE PRESENT.
Innovation in American Ordnance
for the Protection of the Men
Behind the Gun-Used With Sue
cess AbrOad-A Substitute for the
Disappearing CarriaEe.

The Board of Ordnance and Forti-
Miles is the president, has gone to
Bethlehem, Pa, TO conduct an important
test of steel un-shields. designed for
tfe use of all rapid firing guns forming
part of the seacoast defences of this
country
In many respects this test will be of
the most far-reaching Importance to the
army, and, incidentally. to the country at
large. The shield of steel atta.hed to
modern guns of high power and large
calibre as a protection for the men is
an innovation in this country, although
1t has for many years been employed
with much success by Great Britain and
Germany.
Views of Ordnance Board.
over year ago the Board of Ordnance
and Fortifcations put itself on record as
opposing the further equipment of the
Notifications on the seacoast with guns
mounted on the disappearing type of car
riase. In lieu, 1t proposed that all rapid
firing guns should be provided with a
large steel shield of four inches thick
ness, and that the gun itself should be
mounted zen barbette" The Secretary
of War has never acted upon the ad-
verse recommendation regarding the dis
appearing carriage, but has approved the
project of the board to equip new guns
with steel Shields
In order that the efficiency of the
shields might be adequately determined
before any guns were provided with them
the Board of Ordnance and Fortifica tions
several months ago allotted sum suffi-
cient to have constructed two dummy
SiX-inch guns with carriages and shields,
one of cast iron and one of steel. These
will be used by the board this week in
its tests.
A Thorough Test.
It IS proposed that these dummies be
subjected to the fire of prcjectiles fired
from service guns Of all calibres and of
the armor-piercing kind. The protection
that would be afforded to gunners behind
such shields will be determined. and the
impact of the shells fired will be careful
ly ascertained.
There is also another important matter
pertaining to ordnance for the army which
will be settled in the near future. The
tests of field guns with a view to the
adoption of the best type submitted is
now being conducted by the Ordnance
Board at the Sandy Hook proving grounds.
Several guns of domestic and foreign de-
sign have been submitted to the board.
among them being the sc-called French
field gun, which is the invention of Capt.
!. N. Lewis, of the Artillery Corps.
A Notable Piece of Ordnance.
1t will be remembered that this gun
caused considerable talk in official circles
during the past year, and at one time it
looked as If international complications
might ensue as a result OF the discoveries
made by Captain Lewis. 1t is said upon
excellent authority that Captain Lewis
gun combines all the best features of the
French gun with certain material improve
ments made by himself.
After the tests of these guns at Sandy
Hook it is the intention of the Board of
Ordnance and Fortifications to have them
sent to Fort Riley. Kan, where they will
receive an additional test to determine
their endurance under service conditions.