Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-04-20
NAVY GUNS show
GREAT ADVANCE
AMERICAN 14-lN. WEAPON EQUAL
TO EUROPEAN 15.IN., SAYS
REAR ADMIRAL STRAUSS
SUBMARINE GUN BIG SUCCESS
New 11.lnch Anti-Aircraft Weapon
Pasoes Test-De5troyer to be
Fitted for Mine Sweeping


Pasoes Test-Destroyer to be
Fitted for Mine Sweeping
Washington, d. C.-The new United
States 14-inch naval guns are the
equal in every respect of the 15-inch
guns that comprise the main batter
les of new British battleships of the
superdreadnaught type, while they
Rave the advantage of flatter traieG-
tory and Of greater volume OF fire.
According to the annual report oi the
Rear Admiral Joseph Strauss, chief Of
the Bureau of Ordinance of the Navy.
who also states that a new inch anti
aircraft gun, designed by ordnance OF
f.cers has proved great success, and
that the new 3-inch submarine gun
has been tested and found TO be n
splendid weapon.
In part, the report says:
with the object of keeping pace
with the increased range OF modern
naval warfare, the bureau has incrcas-
ed the power of the 1i-inch guns for
,he California, Mississippi and Idaho
by increasing the length Of the gun
to 50 calibers and enlarginS its cham
| b6r capacity. In order that these lat
est additions to the navy should car
~ the highest type of artillery. the bu-
| reau took the bold step of ordering
| their guns without manufacturing 4
| trial gun.
The bureaus confidence in its de-
sign has been fully justified. The first
run proved not only gave the desired
velocity and pressure exactly, but its
additional longitudinal strength which
has been provided Tor has resulted i'll
lhcSe guns having less droop than any
guns of large Caliher heretofore pro-
Guctd. AS it stands these guns, al
though of lesser caliber and weight
than the u inch guns NOW mounted
abroad are capable of penetrating the
heaviest side armor at obliQue impacts
and at the greatest effective battle
range. and give us the advantage OF
flatter trajectory, with greater volume
o. fire, due to the increased number
! that we are permitted to mount on
any ship of equal displacement. IN
August last, type 16 inch gun of so
calibors length was tested. This gun
fulfilled the highest expectations OF
its design, and the bureau believes it
to be as powerful gun as is in eXis-
tence today.
preparation of anti-aircraft guns
likewise has proceeded. The bureau
has designed and built inch SO
ralibcr anti-aircraft gun and mount.
II has been proved and found TO be
highly satisfactory. Three inch 30
aliber anti-arcraft guns and mounts
are being p,al !lGclureG for the bat
.leships."
The report states that the increase
of 100000 pounds in the total output
of new powder during the fiscal year
1915 over that produced in the fiscal
wear 1914 was due III most part TO im-
proved methods of operation. and not
to factory increase. while the facilities
for the producing OF smokelesS pow
der and other eNI losives have been
; enormously increased as result OF
the demands of European beligerants.
The report goes on:
"lt has taken many months of time
and enormous expenditures OF money
to develop these facilities, and their
conservation for the benefit of the
, United States Government in time or
war is a problem which will require
the most careful consideration of the
department when the European war /
over and the present demand from
abroad has ceaSed.'
Plans have been prepared and in
sructions issued. says admiral Strauss
for the mobilization at various navy
yards of all guns loaned to naval mill
tia organizations, exclusive of guns
mounted on vessels loaned 10 The CIV
ilian service. The reason for the re-
call of the guns is 10 make these guns
available for mounting on merchant
vessels with the least possible delay.
should that necessity ever arise.
IT is also stated that all destIoyers
are being fitted for mine sweeping
and that list of steam fishing vessels
of over 100 tons has been prepared
and arrangements made for their in
spection with view 10 their utiiiza-
tion as mine sweepers in the event OF
war, and that recommendations have
been made and approved that six gun
boats be fitted for mine sweeping
work.