Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-11-29

That the Pinch gun in use at
most Of the coast Notifications OF
the United States would not last
through an engagement OF. two hours,
the period that void alapse from
the time the LEAKING vessel Of a
heet would come within the range
until the last vessel would pass be-
yond the range Of thu guns. is the
statement made by Brig. Gen. William
Crozier, chief of ordnance, whose an
nual report has been made public by
the war department.
Gen. Crozier believes that it is of
the utmost importance that a method
be devised whereby the necessary gun
powder can be obtained at less ex-
pense than that involved in using the
high velocities of projectiles now en-
ployed, with the accompanying rapid
wearing away Of the rifiing in such a
manner as to destroy the accuracy OF
the gun after few rounds. The IL
inch gun will last about 60 rounds,
and as it is capable of firing for a
considerable interval at the rate of
As rounds an hour, it can be seen that
the limit of the life of this gun could
be reached in less than an hour and
a half.
Similar statements can be made
with regard to guns of smaller cali
bers, says the report, although as the
caliber diminisbes the admissible We
locity increases. BY lowering the
velocity of the 12inch projectile from
$500 to 2,20 feet second the life of
the gun is increased to 200 rounds.
The penetration of armor is reduced
by the process, that of the 1-inch gun
at 10000 yards coming down from
about ten and one-half inches to about
nine inches and the range at which
it's projectile would penetrate IL
inches of armor plate being reduced
from about 5000 yards to about 5000
yards.
The chief of ordnance states that it
appears that by using in the situa-
lions requiring the greatest power a
14-inch gun with 2,150 feet second
velocity of projectile, instead of the
12-inch gun, with $500 feet second
initial velocity, the army would have
a better gun and one which would
last four times as long, Gen. Crozier
says that the Taft board for the revi-
sion Of the report of the Fndicott
acf
mended this gun and that the depart
ment has decided to use it in place of
the Pinch weapon in situations in
which the highest power is required
Gen. Crozier says that plans and
specifications are in preparation for
the army smokeless powder factory,
for which congress at its last session
appropriated $4,000, and that upon
the selection Of the site the work of
construction will be pushed to COM
pletion. but the site has not been Sc
lected.
In speaking of small arms the gen
eral states that the magazine rife.
1903 model, was supplied to the regu-
lar troops In the United States for
their use in target practice. The i'm
proved rifle Of 1906 model, with knife
bayonet and rear sights, has been is
sued to the troops in the Philippine
islands and will be issued to the
troops tn the states and the ffrst B.
sue will be recalled. AS a result OF
tests during the year some changes
have been made in auto-loading
magazine rifles which may render
them satisfactory for service use. The
manufacture of small arms ammuni-
ton is somewhat more expensive
than formerly, owing to the increase
in the cost of brass and lead.
Among the changes made in the
equipment issued to cavalry, infantry
and artillery during the year was that
in the cup, which formerly was made
of steel heavily timed and which now
is made Of aluminium, adopted after
an extensive service trial.
He states that number of militia
batteries have been provided with
the new three-inch field artillery ma
terial and others are being rapidly
furnished with it.