Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-11-09
SHORT LIVED.
Big Coast Defence Guns
Would Not Last z Hours.
Report Submitted by Chief Of
Ordinance to War Department.
Initial Velocity So Great RlfIlng Of
Gun Is Soon Worn Out.

Washington, Nov. S.-That the IL
itch gun now in use at most OF the
coast Notifications Of the United States
would not last through an engagement
of two hours, the period that would
elapse from the time the leading YES
Sci Of fleet would come within the
range. until the last vessel would pass
beyond the range Of the guns, Is the
statement made by Brigadier General
William Crozier chief of ordnance.
whose annual report was made public
al the war department today.
General Crozier thinks that it is OF
the utmost Importance that some meth
cd be devised whereby the necessary
gun power can be secured with less ex-
pense than that involved in using the
very high velocties Of projectiles now
employed, with the accompanying rap
id wearing away of the rifing in such
a manner as to destroy the accuracy of
the gun after a few rounds. The r.
inch gun will last for about 60 rounds
and as the gun is capable Of firing for
a considerable interval at the rate of
As rounds per hour. it can be seen that
the limit of the life of this gun could
be reached in less than an hour and
half,
Similar statements can be made with
regard to guns of smaller calibers. says
the report. although as the caliber di-
mnishes. the admissible velocity in
creases. BY lowering the velocity Of the
12-inc h projectiles from $500 feet to 225O
feet per second. the life of the gun is
increased to 200 rounds. The penetra-
ton of armor is reduced by the pro-
| cess. that of the 12-inch gun at 10000
yards coming down from about 1OE
| inches to about inches and the range
at which it's projectiles would pene-
| trate u 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 situations
| requiring the greatest power 14-inch
gun with 2150 feet per second velocity
of proiectile. instead Of the 12-inch
gun. with $500 feet per second initial
velocity, the army would secure bet
ter gun and a gun which would last
four times as long. General Crozier
states that the Taft board for the revi-
sion of the report of the Endicott board
| or coast defenceS recommended this
gun and that the department has de-
cided to use it in place Of the 12-inch
gun in situations where, the highest
power is required and the 12-inch gun
as a maximum caliber has been ADAM
| doned.
| Gen. Crozier says that plans and
specifications are in preparation for the
army smokeless powder factory. for
which Congress at its last session APP
propriated s165, 900. In speaking of small
arms. the general states the magazine
rifle, 1908 model was supplied to the
regular troops in the United States for
their use during the target practice ana
| that the improved rifle Of 1905 model
| with knife bayonet and rear sights has
been issued to the troops in the Philip
pines and will be issued to the troops
| in the states and the first issue recalled.
AS a result of tests during the year.
| some changes have been made in auto
loading magazine rifles which may
eventually render them satisfactory for
service use The manufacture Of small
| arms ammunition is somewhat more
expensive than formerly, due to the in
crease in the cost Of brass and lead.
General Crozier states that NUM-
Der of militia batteries have been sup
piled with the new 3-inch field artillery
material and others are being rapidly
| furnished with it.