New-York tribune., 1908-05-29
THE TTRRET T'RTUMPHANT-

Between guns and armor plate there has beeh
a vigorous competition for more than quarter
of :, century In that interval guns have III
creased in power and the processes by which
armor is hardened have been sensiby improved.
1t is extremely desirable. therefore. that the
relative merits of offensive and defensive arni-
mcnt should be subjected to an occasional test
In the one Just made in Hampton Roads the
verdict of its historic predecessor III looZ mas
been reaffirIned Armor again comes cut anedd.
As the outcome of the Monitors encounter
, with the AIerrmac double revolution ID ha'ai
warfare was effected Not only was the Naiue
of armor plate then demonstrated for the hrSt
time but the world also received an oblect
lesson in q new way OF mounting the guns OF
a warship-puttng them in a turret. 1he sec
ond of the reforms then initiated by Ericsson is
to-day destined to a wider application than ever
before Until about a year ago only part OF
the main battery of bntteship was installed
in turrets The whole of it is now to lie ar
ranged in that manner. two changes in its COM
position being made meanwhile. The number
of 12-inch guns is to be increased and all
smaller sizes are being discarded.
One OF the latest batreships of the old de-
sign built for England. the Hibernia, carries
four 12-inch guns. four with a calibre OF "
inches and ten 6nch rifles. That the Dread
nought which went into commission early in
for offensive purposes is already such an old
story that repetition of it is needless. In the
Michigan and the South Carolina America adopts
the one-calibre principle for the first time
When each of these ships is finished 1t VIII rely
exclusively on eight guns, identical in size with
the biggest of the ConneCticuts. 10 the Dela-
ware and the North Dakota, put under contract
last year. will he given slightly larger batteries.
They will each be provided with ten guns.
.t Of fhn Ir
the South Carolina. The efficiency of the turret,
which was splendidly demonstrated by the
FIorida's resistance to attack, has for the coun-
trv an importance hitherto unapproached, and
the result of the trial is a matter for public
congratulation.
Another of the tests just made in Hampton
Roads also resulted in gratifying success.
The practice of finding ranges from ships
tops for the benefit of the gunners below has
naturally provoked the question. What would
be the effect on accuracy of aim if the masts
were prostrated by a concentration OF the
enemy's fire? To obviate anxiety on this score
special observation tower has been invented
the omen frame of which seems TO render it i'm
mune The device is adapted TO service on bat
tleships and armored cruisers-on all vessels
designed for hard fighting in fact-and 1T marks
an appreciable advance OH past usage.
One experiment which was to have been
tried this week but which has been temporarily
postponed will. it is hoped. throw further light
on the feasibility of protecting big vessel
from automobile torpedoes. 1t was once be-
feved that net stretched around a ship at
anchor might prove sufficient safeguard, but
there is less reason for trusting such means now
than formerly. The modern Whitehead travels
much further than the old one did. Moreover,
since submarines have come into vogue the dan
ger from sef-propelled torpedoes is believed 10
have increased. Lying az anchor for purposes
of blockade is practically out of the question.
Even cruising at low speed did not seem judi
cious to Admiral Togo while he was co-operat-
ing in the siege of Port Arthur. If in the bulk
head which it is proposed to test few days
hence a distinct Improvement on the net should
be found, perhaps new modification OF usage
in reference to blUckades might ensue