The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-30

o-inch guns have failed under practise
tests. The Grdphie also alleged that IN
seven out ofsixteen British guns mounted
on Japanese battleships premature OK
plosions OF shells have occurred. Even
in this latter allegation were true, how
ever, Il would prove nothing in regard
20 the ordnance, but would merely I'M
peach the character OF the projectilee'
II Is the former charge that Is the grave
one, and IL 3 10 . certain extent con-
Rrmed by the official statement issued
on Thursday, April q, by the Admiralty.
Il Ia admitted in this statement that one
Pinch gun on board the Ma estic had
cracked at the muzzle, and that q
second gun showed . crack in the
inner tube, after they had fired sixty
six and ssventy-fve full charges re-
spectively. The Admiralty was only able
TO cite one Pinch gun which had been
fred with 1852 full charges before being
refined. Il added, however, some mega
tive evidence to the effect that the guns
on board three battleships had fired
more than sixty full charges apiece, and
appeared still to be serviceable.
Such negative evidence, OF course,
does not counterbalance the positive
proof Of the Grdphic's charge AFFORDED
by the Admiralty's previous admis-
sion. It has generally been taken Tor
granted that not less than one hum
dred and fifty rounds was the life
limit Of large gun, and II might OBJ
viously prove q matter Of portentous
import TO a naval commander engaged
in battle, II 1t should turn out that the
life limit Of such piece does not exceed
fifty or seventy rounds.
|. II will be remembered that on the
United States battleship Iowa the mug
tiles OF three S-inch and one 12-inch gun
were blown Oh, although the propellAnt
used was smokeless powder, which is
believed TO be less wearing on gun Innings
than cordits, the ammunition preferred
in the British Navy. Whether, in the
case Of the Iowa, the fracture was due
to the excessive pressure exerted by the
smokeless powder was disputed at the
time, but the ordnance experts Of our
navy now seem inclined to think that
| guns built whom old fashioned powder
was employed are too weak in the muzzle
10 withstand the immense pressure eI-
erted by the smokeless propellant, and
consequently, where this type Of ord
nance is retained, the powder charges
ought TO be reduced, though from such
reduction would, Of course. result a
smaller velocity nd diminished striking
powOr.
lit is true that much Of the ordnance
on the japanese battleshipa consists Of
thirty-hve oafber i34noh gJms, II IL
plain from the Britain Admdralty's ad-
missions that they might be fractured
after firing some seventy full charges.
Now, there is reason 10 think that In the
operations before Port Arthur some Of
these guns were discharged many times,
and must therefore be approaching their
life limit. IL Il therefore conceivable
that, at q turning point Of the impend-
ing naval battle, much Of the japanese
ordnance might turn Quito be unService-
able. OF what avail, then, would be
Admiral Tooo's tactical ability, or the
skill Of his gunners, OF the Sfoienoy Of
his seamen7
Il is probable that the great naval
fight between TOGO and RoJEsTvKNsKT,
Of which We may expect TO hear at any
hour. will throw light on many a problem
connected with ordnance, with propel-
lants and with projectiles. II may be
that the japanese Admiral is destined
TO be handicapped by some material
defect Of armament, but, in all hkeli-
hood, his Russian opponent has quite as
much TO fear from the chapter Of Gcci-
| dents