The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-19
GUNS SUCCESS PROVEN.
sixtsen-Inch Coast Defense Piece Of
ficially Tested.

New York, Jan. 19.-The most power
full gun ever built in America. q huge
l6-inch coast defense rifle was success
fully tested at the government proving
ground, Sandy Hook, Saturday. The
gun was fired three times in the course
of the afternoon ia the presence of sew
eral hundred army officers, a few civil
ans and one representative of the legis-
lative branch of the government, Con
gresham Gillett of Massachusetts who
was invited as member of the apprO-
priatiOn committee. Among the officers
present was Gen. Chanee, who was re-
ceived with a salute as commander of
the department of the east: Gen. Gro
zier, chief of ordnance; Col. Greenough
Major Pratt, Gen. Burlington, retired;
Col. Thomas H Parry. Col. G.. p, Suffer-
Col. r. j. Mansfield of the army board
of engineers and Col. Farley Of the
ordnance department. who superintend-
ed the construction of the gun at the
Watervliet arsenal in West Troy.
The three tests were marked by the
wonderful accuracy with which they
filled the mathematical calculations of
the army experts, who have had charge
of the guns construction. The three
shots also proved that the present
smOkeless DOWder made for 16-inch
guns had been accurately prepared
The first shot was Il sort of warmer"
The charge was $50 pounds of smokeless
powder, and the velocity of the 2,400
pound nrojectile when it left the muzzle
of the great charge of powder in ex-
plOding was %, 600 pounds to the square
inch. For the second shot the full
charge of $40 pounds of powder was
used, and the velocity was 2.30s, or 6
feet more than calculated. The pres
sure was 5000 pounds to the square
/ inch. The elevation of the guns muzzie
for the first and second shots was lie
/ degrees and the ranges were 5000 ana
/ $500 yards
Fer the final shot the muzzle was ele-
waited to Az degrees, increasing the
range to 1000 Yards. The velocity OF
this shot was not taken. The charge
was $40 pounds of smokeless powder and
! the pressure was IS. 500 pounds to the
square inch All the shots ricOcheted
two or three times on the water send.
ing up great fountains Of spray.
Gen CrOzier says the tests showed
that the guns were an absolute success.
and proved that 16-inch guns could be
I furnished whenever the country want
ed them. Whether any more viii be
built is question. Congressman Gil
lette and several officers present doubt
ed Jhat any more ever would be built,
number Ct smaller guns being con-
sidered more effective than one enor-
nous weapon. The gun fired today
cost 800 600. It was said at the tests
today that the gun undoubtedly would
be mounted at Sandy Hook. Gen
Crozier said that. while its range at its
highest elevation was about twenty
miles. 1t could be used to hit objects
only a distance of four or five miles.
OBJECTS further away could not be seen
Gen. Crozier made a speech just before
the first shot was fired in which he
said the gun was planned sixteen
years ago. and was authorized by con-
gress to ascertain if guns Of that size
could be built if needed. He warned
those present that the gun might burst
as the charge of smokeless powder was
by far the largest ever fired. The gur
was the greatest step in advance vet
taken in ordnance. he said