The Washington times., 1908-01-19
NEW BATTLESHIPS
TO HAVE NO GUNS.
EXPERTS DECLARE
Maximite Will Make Tor
pedoeS Principal Weap-
onS of OffenSe.

Torpedo battleships," carrying neither
guns. turrets. armored barbettes nor
weapons Of offense OF any character
save torpedOes. are Contsmp ated for
the navy IN the near future.
IL the ideas now under discussion ~
officials o. the Navy Department are
fulfilled. the navies Of the world vii
undergo as great a revolution as was
caused by the appearance in Hampton
Roads of the Monitor and the Merrimsc C.
Battleships win carry no other weap-
ons than torpedoes. and their equip
ment of torpedo tubes viii constitute
the sole means of attack. They will,
on the other hand. be armored t. the
extreme, particularly on the watt line,
all the weight now put in armament
being transpOsed to armor designed TO
repel tOrpedOes.
TOIpedOes More Powerful.
Recent improvements in The effective
ness Of tOrpedOes as a means OF at
tack has brought about this plan. 1t
IS agreed that, with tOrpedoes of high
velocity, accuracy, and wide range, bat
tleships Of the future must be so con-
structed as to utilize as well as to repel
these powerful weapons.
'MaNimite,' q new discovery so far
as thesprcpulsion of torpedoes IS con-
cerned, and its vast possibilities when
used for that purpose, viii be respon-
siDle for the change.
1t is claimed for this substance that
II will give torpedoes remarkable speed.
or more properly, velocity, and a range
of front 10000 10 12.C0O yards. This
torpedo defense batteries, on the now
modern warships. The three-inch guns
used in the past have not sufficient
range even now. 10 successfully repeI
a torpedo attack In view of this
ract, it has been practically decided BIZ
the general board Of the navy, the
board on construction and other design
ers Of naval vessels that all ships Of
tie future must have much heavier sec
ondary batteries.
Accuracy Insured.
II the claims Of maximite are real
lied, the torpedo battleship' can IRE
broadsides Of torpedoes at high We
locity with Il range that would make
useless the famed Dreadnought. The
high velocity will insure accuracy. ana
the powerful missiles charged with
Aish explosives will blow up any vessel
with which they come In contact.
These torpedo battleships will be ex-
tFenleIy heavily armOred, particularly
ON the water line, and will develop high
speed II possible-Jhirty knots an hour
or mora speed that will put them ON
a par With the swift little torpedo YES
sells OF today.
Destroyers viii probably become obso-
lele when this degree OF perfection is
reached and there will be but two
classes Of vessels, these open sea fight
ers. and the floating fortresses. designed
Tor offensive battle against land fortif-
cations and those Of d similar type for
coast defense, The little submarine will
become The terror of the seas.
Maximite's Power.
This discussion has been stimulated
by the announcement Of the perfection
OF maSimite d species Of sloyy-buruing.
smokeless powder, the gas from which.
1t IS claimed, VIII propeI terpedoes at
rapid rate, with accurate aim for from
ten to twelve thousand yards.
Commander Simpson, L. s. N vas
yesterday ordered to take command of
the old cruiser Montgomery, which has
just been reftted at the League Island
navy yard as a torpedo practice shin.
The vessel Is fitted With above water
and submerged tubes and will be used
for experimental purposes and for the
training Of seamen in the use Of tor
pedoes ami their firing.
Particular attention viii be paid to
torpedo craftsmanship, and it is prob
able the Montgomery Will participate in
the rnaneuvers TO be held in Chesapeake
bay the coming summer.