The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-03-17
navy TO lombard
OLD BATTLE SHIP
Monday, Guns of Modern
Fighter to Be Turned
Against Old Texas"

Washington. March 1.-THE most
notable experiment of the navy depart
ment will take place on Monday in
Lower Chesapeake bay. when the mod
ern battleship New Hampshire will
endeavor to sink the San Marcos, un-
der which name the old battleship
Texas now masquerades.
The Texas is to be stationed 10000
to 10000 yards from the New Hamp-
shire and Is to be anchored in shoal
water. The New Hampshire will use
her four twelve-inch guns against the
broadside Of the Texas. The shells
are to be loaded SO that there will be
two great tests, the ability of the New
Hampshire's guns to penetrate into
the interior OF the Texas and the eff
feet of the explosion inside.
Texas Armor Belt.
The armor belt of the Texas at the
water line and her citadel armor are
IL inches thick In order to make the
tests equivalent to battle conditions
the New Hampshire while firing Is to
steam past the Texas at battle speed.
This OF course makes the problem one
of extreme difficulty, but in the opin-
ion of the naval officials II is well
worth the money.
The possible cost however, may run
up into scores of thousands of dollars.
II Is not proposed to take the guns of
the Texas off while she Is undergoing
her martyrdom for the sake of naval
science. She has on board two twelve
inch guns, six siX-inch guns. twelve
six Founders, four one-pounders and
some other small guns in her second
AIRY battery. The contract price for her
hull and machinery was $2.5OO.OOO.
The guns may be destroyed. or some
Of them, and the target" may be
sunk. II the old battleship is sunk, il
will require anything from $1,000 to
$4,000 TO float her again, but the ex.
perts assert that no money will be
wasted. The navy department has re.
moved from the Texas its fine antique
furniture and other weights which
have been removed have been replac.
ed by equivalent substitute articles.
A Crew Of Dummies.
The crew is to be represented by
lay Rgurcs. dummies. mannikins.
which at "A distance will look like a
collection of Mrs. Jarley's wax works
These will stand at attention like the
spoOks In q shooting gallery.
The only living witnesses on board
the Texas will be some sheep, cats,
pigs and other animals. which are to
prove the extent of the shocks in the
turrcts or In the interior wherever a
twelve inch shell may explode.
The Texas has two military masts
and the value of these masts will also
be determined II the shells. from the
New Hampshire should hit these feat
urcs OF the superstructure.
II is not predicted that the New
Hampshire will make many hits.
There Is only one instance of a hit at
$4,000 yards, and the experts today
said that that fact indicates 1t was
largely accidental
The San Marcos or Texas will be in
Command OF Lieutenant Commander
Dayton and the trials will be conduct
cd by tho ordnance board of which
Captain Kni Oht is the head and which
conducted the Puritan and Katahdir
tests.
Whether or not Captain knight will
act In the case of the San Marcos
trial will rcpend upon the outcome OF
his court martial now In progress a,
Norfolk. Lieutenant Commanders
Hasbrouck, Jackson and McNealey
ordnance officers have been sent dowr
the bay to inspect the San Marcos be
fore and after the firing tests.
II Is hoped that the ship will not be
sunk. but the tests will take place In
the bay instead OF outside. SO that she
may be more readily foated II this
hope is not realized.