The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-10-09
ORDNANCE TESTS
AT INDIAN HEAD
Seeking to Improve Smoke
less Powder.
WOULD OBvIATE ACCIDENTS
New Kind Of Torpedoes Being Expert.
mented With By Army Ex-
perts.

Important experiments are being con-
Quoted by the Ordnance Bureau OF lne
Navy with a view TO improving the
smokeless powder now iu use ia the
navy. and, II possible, 10 prevent the
recurrence OF any such catastrophes as
have visited the navy during the last
two years by. explosions ia guns ut tar
set practice
Everything taken into consideration
there is excellent ground for the belief
that the ordnance OF the United States
Navy is equal TO, II not better than. the
ordnance OF any other navy in the
world II the truth were known. IL is
said by naval officers who are in a posi-
ton 10 know, foreign navias have had
just as many serious accidents from
premature explosions in guns as has the
navy OF the United States.
Ordnance Experts.
Omcars at the head Of ordnance at
fairs are conducting most important and
interesting experiments at the Indian
Head (Ad.) proving ground with pow
deras powder bags. ana guns for the
purpose OF bringing Jhem up TO the high
est stage OF efficiency ana eliminating
danger.
Rear Admiral George Converse, re-
Gently appointed chief of the Bureau Of
Navigation but generally recognized as
one OF the leading ordnance experts in
the world Instituted these experiments.
He was prominently identified with the
invention OF the smokeIess powder used
IA the United States Navy. III Is desir-
ed 10 obtain a. powder ia which uniform
combustion can always be depended
upon so that there VIII be no danger OF
after explosion or blow-bacz. The pres
ent powder consists or small tubes. with
only one hole through the center. 1t is
thought that by shortening the length
OF these tubes and 10y boring several
holes through them the ignition would
be more Uniform
Cause Of Explosions.
One OF the suggested causes Of the ex-
plosion on the batueship Missouri,
which resulted in the death OF several
omcers and many men. was that piece
OF the bag containing the powder Tor
the charge was not completely burned
when the charge was fred and remain
ed in the chamber OF the gun on nre,
prematurely igniung the next charge
when IL was placed In the Breech or tho
gun.
Experiments are now being conducted
by the Ordnance Department. under the
direction OF Rear admiral Newton j..
Mason, chief OF the Bureau OF Ordnance,
with powder bags made OF various mate
rails, which il is believed would be Ger
tain 10 entirely burn when the powder
IN The chamber Is iguited.
New Iorpedoes.
Experiments are also being conducted
by the Ordnance Department with new
kinds VI L0rpedOes- Although these eS-
perImenJs are being Kept secret, il is ad-
miLted at the department that there is
every reason 10 hope that the United
states Navy VIII soon have % torpedo
lar Ia advance Of the Whitehead. uov I'm
general use at home and abroad.
Recently. AZ the urgent suggestion of
Rear Adml'aI Converse and other Off
GERS OF the navy, the work of resiehtfua
naval guns In the navy was begun. This
Is mammoth proposition. but fl is
stated at the department that it win
De accomplished soon and VIII do much
% add 20 the general efficiency or marks
Ilanshlp. As the matter now stands the
United States Navy is probably the best
III POINT OF proficiency ia marksmausHfU