New-York tribune., 1909-10-10
TO TEST 14-INCH GUNS.
-Army-Nary Riualry in Matter
Ram To Be Shot 10 Pieces.


Rivalry between the army and the navy in
times Of peace. which has become traditional
receives new incentive from race between the
men ~ these departments in the manufacture
and testing Of new 14-inch guns. which seem
destined 10 outclass existing foreign armament
Already the War Department has five l4-inch
guns under construction. two OF which have been
rushed 10 completion. The officers Of the Sandy
Hook proving ground have been expecting n
trlal as early as November /. In view Of this
expectancy placement has been set for the re-
oeptiOn Of one Of the monster rifles. but reports
from Washington intimate that the initial trial
may not occur before the first Of the year In
addition 10 these five rifles. four others of like
pattern have been authorized by Congress also
for the army.
surrounded with every precautiOn for secrecy
the naval gun factory at Washington and the
Midvale Steel Company. contractors. have been
preparing single 14-inch gun for the navy,
and. despite The progress Of the five army rifles
The naval ordnance men are in hopes that their
test, scheduled 10 take place al the Indian Head
proving grounds, viii precede the army test at
Sandy Hook
The 14-inch type Of gun measures 53Ik feet
in length and weighs more than 63 tons. being
heavier by ten tons than the 12-inch guns of
Tie new batteshps North Dakota and Della
ware and six tons heavier than those Of the
Arkansas and the Wyoming. II is designed TO
send l4o0-pound projecte at speed Of 2,G0O
feet second. and VIII have an extreme range
= > miles Its effective range in battle viii
measure more than five miles The cost Of this
.Eeacemaker' is Sl0oO00 Those Of this type
allotted 10 the navy viii be placed aboard bat
1leshiTs Of two different styles planned by the
Board OF Naval Construction, each calling for
main battery Of eight 14-inch rifles.
The most expert and careful mechanical labor
las been expended in the construction Of the
gun The boring Of the tube. surface finishing.
jacketing. heating lathe work and kindred
operations have been directed by most approved
plans. L is interesting 10 know that the pro
jecrle VIII travel 30 inches through the bore
before leaving the muzzle, and that # there is
z variation Of more than two ne-thousandrhs
OF inch IN the bore the gun viii fail TO meet
requirements The ffty-two rihing grooves de-
crease II width as they approach the muzzles so
as 10 irnpart the usual rotary motion 10 the pro-
jecJile This viii prevent the missile from turn
ing lengtLwise in flight The capacity Of the
chamber is 5,S43 cubic inches, and it is de-
signed 10 accommodate 365 pounds Of smoke
less powder.
The destructive powers Of the new riLee are
such that no modern arnaOr, il is estimated.
survive the impact Of the projectile.
on the Indian Head proving grounds where
the l4-inch gun test for the navy i 70 De made,
the famous katahdin which cost the
government more than million dollars is soon
10 serve as a floating target. Clad in z new
coat Of steel. as II robed for the sacrifice. she
viii De shot 70 pieces. The experiment viii be
conducted secretly according TO custom. and
..lu be witnessed by the ordnance experts Of
the navy, with Rear Admiral Mason, chief OF
ordnance, N charge.
orders have been received al the League
Island Navy Yard 20 send the ram to Washing
ION There she will be divested of her
Tnent Of G-pound rapid firing guns, her ma
chinery and useful material, and towed TO
Hampton Roads.
The opportunity never came Tor the hatahdln
10 use her rnenacing steel PROV. for modern
warfare mas removed ships Of TINS type from
the sphere Of seryicea bility. The British navy
started the practice Of utilizing out-of-date war
vessels for ordnance tests and the Katahdin
viii follow il the wake Of the monitor Florida
and lie torpedo boats Nicholson and o Br7en
earlier victims Of this peaceful tragedy in Amer
lean waters.
The arrnor Of the ram being only six inches
-rfrEz she viii be strengthened by the heaviest
Of flod I'm plate and, placed in line with the
Afa-.-ai shore. viii receive the projectiles sent
FROM the proving ground.