Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-11-29

warfare the mortars are fired eithe
by pits or batteries, either four, eigh
or sixteen being discharged at th'
same time. In target practice sin
gle mortar acting alone has attained
to an accuracy of 80 per cent Of hit!
at a distance Of over 1900 yards
range, with a target moving obliquely
across the line of fire at rate o.
from eight to twelve miles an hour
Each mortar pit Is manned by ont
company, which is divided into foul
gun detachments, one for each mortar
an ammunition detachment, a range
detachment and a reserve. The gen.
] eral command is vested In an EN-.
placement officer. The gun detach.
ment for a mortar consists Of a CUR
commander and q gunner, who are
nom commissioned officers. and ter
privates, to each Of whom certain
number Is assigned. Nos. to con-
stitute the breach detail, and do the
loading, and constitute the eleva.
ton detail, and the traversing de-
tail, whose duty 1t Is to give the re-
quired horizontal direction, and 9 and
10 the shot truck detail.
No one outside the military service
is allowed to inspect the details Of the
coast defenses themselves, but at the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition there
is perfectly constructed and equipped
mortar pit In the model coast defense
Notifications built under the direction
Of the war department at the south
west end of the Government Palace
These works were planned by their
commanding officer, Captain Archibald
Campbell, and erected under his per-
sonal supervision.
For the convenience Of sight-seers
one side Of the model in the pit has
been left open by the removal Of q
section Of 120 degrees. 1t otherwise
differs from those actually in use on
the sea coast only in containing but
one mortar instead Of four.
The piece itself Is Of the standard
variety, a breechloading, built up,Q
E.. jacketed or concentric tube) gun,
with a calibre Of IL inches, on a
spring-return carriage.
Its immense weight Of nearly Is tons
Is sustained by the five great double
springs on the forty-ton carriage
which takes up the recoil. Four shots
can be fired In six minutes, with q
muzzle velocity Of 1925 feet per Sec
ond, and capable Of penetrating solid
steel to a depth Of Ills inches at a
distance Of two miles.
The muzzle is loaded while in a
horizontal position, but in order to be
fired 1t must be given an elevation OF
45 degrees. When desired any higher
elevation may be given to 1t up to 81
degrees. At no time is there the
slightest degree Of exposure Of men ol
mortar to the enemys observation OF
fire. The piece is aimed according to the
instructions from the commander OF
the fort or firing district" the gun.
ner ascertaining the horizontal direc.
tion needed by means Of graded All.
muth circle surrounding the edge o.
the movable platform to which the
carriage is attached, while the gur
commander makes with quadrant tht
observations necessary for determin'
ing the required elevation.
For a range Of from four to sever
miles a projectile weighing 800 pound.
Is used, and for lesser ranges one o,
1000. pounds. The projectiles uset
are she'll piercing shots, piercing
shots, deck-piercing shells, which are
more explosive, and torpedo shells
which have a very thin crust ant
contain a large quantity Of moximite
and are designed especially for de-
stroying the men on the decks Of the
enemies ships.-Washington Post.