The Washington times., 1909-12-24
Test of Fourteen-Inch Piece
Will Start Discussion
In Service.
MAY REQUIRE
LARGER WARSHIPS
Aim Is Made More Dificult-Has
Small Velocity.

The tests Of the great fourseen-inch
naval gun, recently completed for ex-
Detrimental purposes by the ordnance
authorities Of tho navy, have already
gone far enough to assure that tbev
VIII start most important discussion
in naval circles, Of both this and other
countries
VIII the new gun render obsolete the
ships and guns now in service, provided
IL is declared a success?
Aud will IL necessitate the building OF
still larger battleships to carry it7
These two questions have been asked,
and they must be answered. One of the
greatest naval authorities explained to-
day the points involved in this debate
OF the fourteen and the twelvc-inch
suns
General Crozier. head OF the Ord
nance Bureau, L. S. A." he said, has
believed that a fourteen-inch gun might
make it possible to throw a heavier
projectile just as far with a smaller
initial velocity. That would have the
effect of greatly reducing the wear on
the guns. The additional weight of the
proiectile would give IL just as great
penetrating power as the lighter projec-
tile could have with greater velocity;
and IL IL struck, and penetrated the
enemy. It would carry a greater charge
10 explode inside. That is the theory Of
the fourteen-inch gun. IT isn't intend
81 primarily 10 shoot farther than the
twelve-inch gun.
Interests Roosevelt.
Admiral Mason Interested Roosevelt
in the matter. and ne cut the knot by
giving an order.
Go and build a fourteen-inch gun
and try it; that's the way to settle the
matter" he declared. And so the gun
has been built.
''rhe naval people are not by any
means certain about the results. The
danger Is that the. fourteen-inch gun, by
reason Of the lower initial velocity. Will
require a higher trajectory. That is be
cause the projectile doesn't start at
such a high speed. the gun will have to
he pointed higher in the air, and the
proiectile given a course with a wider
curve. That always makes It vastly
more difficult to hit the mark. With
a perfectly fat trajectory. there isn't
any excuse for ever missing the target.
Tho misses come when the distance is
50 great as 10 compel the curve. Now,
with the lower initial velocity, then il
must be fired with the higher trajec-
tory: and its chance OF hitting is
promptly reduced far below that of the
twelve-inch gun. The problem is to fig
lire out the relative Importance to be
given to the advantages and dis1dvant-
ages Of that condition. II the efectlve
bittine- range is TO be actually reduced
With the bigger gun, II viii not De very
strongly advocated. OF course, its hit
ting range could be made as great ana
Greater than that Of the twelve-inch
gun. II as heavy a charge or poWoer'
in proportion, were used But 10 10
that would make the wear on the bigger
gun lust as great as on the smaller
and the very economy which was org
inallv designed would be prevented
British Navy Figures.
..r,o british navy has been figuring
for long time on the desHaDlhty Yl
4ryina out A thirteen and a-hai men
,,1n. hut they haven't gone 20 the point
t,,,udino one. and the new one Just
t,a,,c tried for our Government is the
s,.t Of the kind actually built and
tested.
"tt isn't true that TO use these four
tecn-inch rifles would reQtire TO build
ebips Of greater tonnage. We are build
ing battleships % 5000 tons now, and
they will be large enough 90 carry ten
OF the fourJecn-inch guns in perfect
security and satisfaction The larger
gun will not necessitate heavier battle
snips. though without mucI doubt We
will for other reasons, presently go up
10 The 30.OO-ton ship
This statement represents tie sub
stance Of discussion between the adVO-
Gates and the opponents OF the bigger
guns. II Is expected that the whole
matter Will receive attention before the
naval committees Of Congress this win
ter Alarm Is expressed by opponents
1f heavier naval appropriations. lest
me move for still heavier guns and
shiDs NAV add TO the annual naval bill
The navy expansion people arc de-
termined TO secure two additional bat
1leships this year III ~ can be done, and
many Of them think that IL would be
unfortunate 10 project a discussion OF
heavier ships and ordnance into the
consideration Of the naval approDria-
lion bill But the discussion is aIread,
on, I'm naval circles, with every indfca-
lion that Do viii Zct TO the committees