Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-06-04
BIG GUNS SHORT LIVED.
CHIEF OF ORDNANCE UTTERS
AN OFFICIAL WARNING.


Says That the 12-inch Gun Now in
Use at Most of the Coast Fortifi-
cations Would Wear Away Its
Rifiing in a Two-Hours Engage
ment.
That the twelve-inch 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 vessel OF feet
would come within the range until
the last vessel would pass beyond the
range of the guns, is the statement
made by Brig. Gen. William Crozier,
chief of ordnance
Gen. Crozier thinks that it is of the
utmost Importance that some method
be devised whereby the necessary
gun power may be secured with less
expense THAN that involved in using
the very high velocities of projectiles
now employed with the accompany
ing rapid wearing away of the rifiing,
in such manner as to destroy the
accuracy of the gun after a few
rounds. The twelvs-inch gun will last
for about sixty rounds, and, as the
gun is capable of firing for con-
siderable interval at the rate of for
ty-five 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 may be made
with regard to guns of smaller cali
bre, says the report, although as the
calibre diminishes, the admissible
velocity of the twelve-inch projectile
from $500 feet to $3.50 feet per sec
ond, the life of the gun is increased
to 200 rounds. The penetration of
arnior is reduced by the process, that
of the twelve-inch gun at 10000 yards
coming down from about 101s inches
to about 9 inches; and the range at
which its 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-
tions requiring the greatest power, a
fourteen-inoh gun with 2,150 feet per
second velocity of projectile, instead
of the twelve-inch gun, with $500 feet
per second initial velocity, the army
would secure better gun and gun
which would last four times as long.
Gen. Crozier states that the Taft
board for the revision of the report OF
the Endicott board on coast defences
recommended this gun, and that the
department has decided to use it in
place of the twelve-inch gun in situa-
lions where the highest power is re-
CURED and the twelve-inch gun as
a maximum calibre has been aban-
doned.
Gen. Crozier says that plans and
specifications are in preparation for
the army smokeless powder factory,
for which Congress, last session, ap-
propriated $165,000, and that upon
the selection of the site the work of
erection will be pushed vigorously to
completion, but the site has not been
selected.
In speaking of small arms the gen
eral says the magazine rifle, 1913
model, was supplied to the regular
troops in the United States for their
use during the target practice, and
that the improved rifle of 1906 model,
with knife bayonet and rear sights,
has been issued to the troops in the
Philippine Islands, and will be is
sued 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 aIto-loading maya
zine rifles, which may eventually rem
der them satisfactory for service use.
The manufacture OF small-arms am
munition is somewhat more expensive
than formerly, due 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 of the cup, which was formerly
made of steel, heavily timed and
which is now made of aluminium,
adopted after an extensive service
trial
Gen. Crozier states that number
of militia batteries have been sup
piled with the new three-inch field
artillery material, and others are be-
ing rapidly furnished with it.
In a chapter in regard to the per
sonnet Gen. Crozier refers to the act
of June % last, authorizing details
from the line to that department af-
ter examination, and says that under
the stimulus of that law the person
mel will be recruited as rapidly as is
rendered desirable by the considera-
ton that too any officers shall not
go out at the same time by expira-
ton of detail