Charlevoix county herald., 1916-03-11
NAVY GUNS SHOW
GREAT ADVANCE
AMERICAN f4-lN. WEAPON EQUAL
TO EUROPEAN 15-IN. SAYS
REAR ADMIRAL STRAUSS
SUBMARINE GUN BIG SUCCESS
New 14-lnch AntLAircraft Weapon
Passes Test--Destroyers to be
Fitted for Mine Sweeping

TdsSeS icSt--OeStroyerS 10 DC
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
have the advantage of a flatter traiec-
tory and of a greater volume Of fire.
According to the annual report OF the
Rear Admiral Joseph Strauss, chief Of
the Bureau of Ordinance of the Navy,
who also states that a new finch anti
aircraft gun, designed by ordnance of
f.cers has proved a great success, and
that the new 3-inch submarine gun
has been tested and found to be a
splendid weapon.
In part, the report says:
with the object of keeping pace
with the increased range of modern
naval warfare, the bureau has increas-
ed the power of the 14-inch guns for
the California, Mississippi and Idaho
to so calibers and enlarging its cham
Der capacity. In order that these lat
est additions to the navy should car
ry the highest type of artillery. the bu-
reau took the bold step of ordering
their guns without manufacturing
trial gun.
1.-THE bureaus confidence in its de-
sign has been fully justified. The first
gun proved not only gave the desired
velocity and pressure exactly, but its
additional longitudinal strength which
has been provided for has resulted in
these guns having less droop than any
guns of large caliber heretofore pro-
duced. AS it stands these guns, al
though of lesser caliber and weight
than the Is 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
of 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
calibers length was tested. This gun
fulfilled the highest expectations of
it's design, and the bureau believes it
to be as powerful a gun as is in exis-
tence today.
preparation Of anti-aircraft guns
likewise has proceeded. The bureau
has designed and built inch SO
caliber anti-aircraft gun and mount.
It has been proved and found to be
highly satisfactory. Three inch SO
Galiber anti-aircraft guns and mounts
are being manufactured 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
year 1914 was due in most part to in-
proved methods of operation. and not
to factory increase, while the facilities
for the producing of smokeless pow
der and other explosives have been
enormously increased as result Of
the demands of European beligerants.
The report goes on:
at 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 OF |
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 ceasedr
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 to the civ
ilian service. The reason for the re
call of the guns is to make these guns
available for mounting on merchant
vessels with the least possible delay.
should that necessity ever arise.
1t is also stated that all destroyers
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 to their utiliza-
ton 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