The Washington herald., 1909-08-15

For the first time in the history Of the
Navy Department a corps Of experts
from the drafting bureau OF the Wash
ing-0U Navy Yard. who design all Of the
ordnance. gun sights. and other equip
ment for the United States navy. will be
sent 20 join the fleet at Fort Monroe
The order has been issued 20 enable the
experts I'm theory 10 obtain a practical
knowledge Of the workings OF the large
and small guns they design When IN
actual service.
Heretofore only one man has been as
signed 70 this work, and then only on two
occasions. AS a result when he came
back 10 report only a general outline of
the target practice could be given. as
the work has been Of such a wide scope
and covering so many days that II was
impossible FOR one man to bring back
many valuable personal observations OF
the workings of The big guns Practically
little or nothing was learned of the work
or efficiency Of the smaller guns.
Six Men Detailed.
The corps Of experts assigned 10 at
tend the battle-ship target practice are
Chief Craftsman +. A Muir and these
leading craftsmen: 5. c. Cross. A. !
Schwarts, $. V. Kemp. a. H. Chase. and
w. c. Thorn. They leave Washington to-
day for Norfolk. where they viii join the
battle ships which are scheduled 10 begin
the annual target practice of the Virginia
Capes tomorrow
Each Of these men is an expert in the
designing Of naval ordnance, but. Ike all
OF the men who do this technical work.
they are deficient in a personal knowledge
of the practical workings OF the guns
they design
Many OF these expert craftsmen who
produce the highest class or work. have
never seen big naval gun IN operation.
The suggestion for this new policy il
due 10 Lieut. Commander L. T. Holmes.
L. = y. who has recently been assigned
and placed in charge Of the drafting bu-
reau OF the ordnance section OF the
Washington Navy Yard.
Lieut.. Commander Holmes. appreclat-
ing that the men who design the ordnance
for the navy know nothing Of the practi-
cal workings OF the big guns. which In
large measure handicapped them in
their work OF making improvements. sug-
gested 20 Rear Admiral T.. H. G. Leutze.
commandant Of the Washington Navy
Yard. that as many men as could be
spared from the drafting force be sent
with the battle ships 20 see how the guns
are operated.
Rear Admiral Leutze at once made the
recommendation 90 Secretary Of the
Navy Meyer. who approved and issued
the necessary instructions and orders
that have resulted In delegating these
men 90 board the battle ships for
thorough course Of practical observa-
tiOns Of the guns at target practice.
Those connected with the drafting bu-
reau Of the navy yard say that this step
of the Navy Department Is an advanced
one and a policy that will result IN fur
nishing the designers with fund OF prac-
tical knowledge Of gun work aboard
ships. which viii enable them from year
TO year 20 accumulate ideas that will
ultimately result IN improvements and In
ventions for increasing the efficiency OF
the shooting powers Of naval guns.
Depended on Reports.
Heretofore these craftsmen have In
large measure depended for information
as to how gun works. or what IS defect
I've. or where improvements could be
made from reports made TO them by
naval officials who have been TO sea, and
who have either been in real action or
in attendance upon target practice.
This Information, the craftsmen say.
has been unsatisfactory, particularly as
TO suggestions for Improvements IN sights.
sight-finders. and other OF the important
features OF the guns.