Evening star., 1915-11-08
Contracts for Powder Tanks.

| Contracts have been placed for a large
reserve of powder tanks for use in the
preservation of ammunition to accom-
pany the fleets in time of war. Similar
ly the cartridge case shop at the
! Washington navy yard has been put
into three shifts in order to increase
| the reserve of cartridge cases for war
| needs. Admiral Strauss says that the
quality of the cartridge cases now being
| turned out by the Washington yard is
excellent, and promably superior to any
cartridge cases previously manufactur-
| ed for the navy.
| According to the report. the manufac-
ture' of torpedoes at the Washington
navy yard is progressing very satisfac-
| torily. He says that the bureau will
place an order for additional torpedoes.
1t is planned by the bureau to manufac-
| ture about 100 torpedoes year at the
local yard.
| It Is probable that an additional
barge will be required for testing these
| torpedoes at the mouth OF the Potomac
Fffver.
Admiral Strauss says that the geogra-
ply OF the naval proving grounds at
| Indian Head on the Potomac river lis
| totally unsuited to modern conditions,
and the bureau has made proposition
| to establish a proving ground for long
| range firing and fuse work at more
| suitable place.
! says 0NCSSSS4Iy - a. o4A2S0ASs
The necessity for this is paramount" :"
says he, "and the establishment of such
range should no longer be delayed.
| 1t is not proposed to do away with the
existing proving ground. Armor plate
| and shell tests may still be conducted
there. and the product of the powder
works proved and charges established
as heretofore. The proving ground was
| fwenty-f1Ve
| when the velocity and range of high
| caliber guns were greatly less than
| they are today. We are principally
| hampered in length of range. the in
ability to recover projectiles fired to a
distance, and the great danger accom-
panying the tests of high-explosive
shell.
| .HThe establishment of the marine tar
get range at Stump Neck. also hampers
the work, and it's existence in the line
of fire for long-range work is bound
sooner or later to result in an acci-
dent The work at the proving grounds
ingly difficult conditions that have OBJ
tanned there for years. A marked in
crease in the amount of experimental
work is noted for the year. Many i'm
provements in the facilities OF the
proving ground have been instituted. A
small sawmill has been installed at
small cost A new chronoscope has been
acquired which will measure time to
the one-millionth of second. A new
coal hosting apparatus has been inr
stalled which reduces the cost of hand
ling coal by one-third.
Serious and Costly Burden.
The transportation of tank cars be-
tween Washington and Indian Head on
barges down the Potomac has become
a serious and costly burden. In severe
winter weather such transportation
may be interrupted by Ice in the river.
In that event it may be necessary to
shut down the powder factory, with a
resulting loss Of hundred of dollars
per day. We should by all means man
ufacture our own acid at the powder
works and have ample stores of the
raw material always on hand. Forty
seven accidents were reported at the
proving ground and powder factory for
the year. One of these accidents.
fuse explosion, caused the death of a
valued employe. The other accidents
were not Of a serious nature"