New-York tribune., 1909-07-07
TESTS TO BE SECRET
Important Experiments IN NdUdt
Ordnance Planned.
[From The Tribune bureau.

Washington July e.-The experiments in naval
ordnance. for which the last naval appropria ticn
act contains appropriation of S1G9e00. avail
able. will be conducted I'm secret. For time
the naval ordnance officers have been anxious to
conduct certain tests which require much expense
and which could be made of the usual al
lotment for the naval bureau of ordnance. II was
not expected that Congress would make provision
for such purpose. largely for the reason that
objection prevailed In some quarters to the expen-
diture Of public funds in directions which did not
always show tangible results 1t pointed out.
however, that the beneficial effect of the tests
would be no less real merely because new material
was not being acquired. There much I'm the
way of theory which IL desired supplant by
actual knowledge obtainabe only by tests So
many questions have arisen among the experts as
10 the relative efficiency of various elements of
offence and defence that they highly gratihed
to have opportunity to settle them
One of the most important tests is that which
will show whether the armor now being placed on
American battleshps will resist the projectiies of
high power guns at battle ranges. Guns now
fired In tests short range with velocities which
estimated 10 equal that which would exist If
the distance what is known a battle range.
1t is asserted by many that the will not
serve its purpose. Actual experiments in firing at
such ranges against supported in the same
manner as on a battleship have never been carried
out, and knows what the actual effect
viii be.
Another question is whether high explosive shells
will have the effect claimed for them and whether
the pressure of the gas OF such violent eXplo
sion will blow in the armor side of battleship
Then. too. 1t is desired know what will be the
material effect of such explosives the personnel
and whether the structure of the ship will stand IT,
Connected with such experiment is the determi-
nation of the maximum depth which a Pinch
shell will penetrate the water at battle ranges and
the effect of the explosion the underwater body
Tests will also he conducted determine the re-
sistance Of exterior Rrmor to the attack Of 2l-
inch torpedoes. II may develop that the armor now
used will exclude torpedoes in which event the
disclosure would be disconcertine to say the least
1t would have its value. however in showing to
what and I'm what direction Improvements
be installed give exterior armor its neces-
sary power 20 resist such form of attack.
IT is also proposed TO ascertain whether the t1r-
s constructed and equipped on battleships
will Withstand the impact of heavy projectiies at
battle ranges. It is a question whether there will
under such an attack material damage to the
itself sights. the electric and other
gun gear contained in the turrets II is important
in this connection to ascertain whether the sights
now installed the Pinch turret would be per
manently disabled by 6-inch gun fire, which dem
onstration would show whether it is necessary to
design turret thet can be disabled only by heavy
gun f1r.
Onr Of the important experiments will be with
movable water planes installed the sides OF a
battlesnip. operated automatically to iinlin-
ish roll of vessel. and improve the accuracy
of gun fire in time battle. The record target
practice OF the Atlantic feet this summer will be
with the vessels rolling. so ascertain II the
target could be hit under the most adverse condi-
tions AT sea In time OF 1t is also desirable To
ascertain II under such unfayorabie conditions. II
possible offset the influence OF the sea
contribute to the stability OF the ship gun
platform 1t appreciated that anything which
improves craftsmanship board ship Is direct
and vital contribution TO the fighting power Of the
navy.
These are only few of the subjects which will
be taken up by the naval ordnance officers during
this fiscal year. No previous announcement viii be
made Of the experiments most of which are likely
10 be conducted a the naval proving ground at
Indian Head MARYLAND The tests VIII be made
solely witt the view ~ obtaining information for
the Navy Department. and announcement of the
will made.