The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-07

and are being armed; of the four-pound
howitzer manufactured expressly for
submarine destruction, and of the depth
charge a chemical explosive which ex-
erts its force under water at depths
which NAV be accurate gagged and
determined.
Each demonstration exemplified the
desperate extent to which genius by
the demand for modern warfare has
been driven-how man has been able
to respond to the necessity of greater
power. to defend himself. on the one
hand. against a novel invention by an
enemy, and to strike, on the other, that
same enemy with weapon unknown
perhaps undreamed.
1t was late afternoon when the
depth charge was demonstrated The
visitors were first given view of the
chemical yellowish, slothfu1 sub
stance, which, until energized in the
proper manner is absolutely harm
less. 1t is called r. N. T.--tri -nitrated
toluol. Into the charge. a rifle was
fired with no result. Later the charge
was subjected to the fire of a 14-inch
cannon. 1t was literally. destroyed
but responded in no positive manner
The divine spark" was lacking, and
the charge was apparently as help
less against attack as the steel sheet
ing which responds only with submits
sive whine to the penetration of a
shell.
PLACED ON RAFT
And then the charge was borne Out
upon the Potomac and placed upon 8
raft. Its machinery was properly ad-
justed 1t was gagged to explode al
depth under water of so feet. But
for the limitation of the river, il
might have been guaged to explode a.
a depth of $50 feet. At any point il
explodes it carries destruction for sub
and fatal injury to all within a radiu:
of 200 yards.
In war the charge is carried upon al
merchant vessels. When a submarine
appears it is attached in the hope thai
Its commander will find it imperative
to ssubmerge. Then the vessel has its
opportunity. Under full steam it races
to where the submarine went under
Engineers figure the depth to which
the submarine has submerged in the
tine it required the vessel to make its
distance. The charge is gagged to ex.
plode at the proper depth. 1t is Their
tossed into the Internationally on the
head of the sub The vessel, however
is compelled to continue it's great speed
in order that 1t. itself, may escape
the subsequent shock. The charge Il
used by all nations and with fine eff
feet, it is claimed.
In the demonstration on the river
the inspectors stood on the deck of &
yacht at half mile distance. To the
charge. resting inertly on the raft, 6
nd ,6 -
ing the other end of the cable. rowet
to land. There they slowly pulled the
charge from the raft. Inspectors saw
the charge move, then glide for sec
ond, and then dive into the water
Breathlessly they awaited results. Re
suits were noted in a moment-a sec
ond, it seemed. There was a thunder,
Gus defamation. The raft smashed t.
splinters. was tossed in 1000 directions
Water was lifted skyward to an eleva
ton of 100 feet, and in a whirling cir.
Gle of SO feet diameter Fishing smacks
scattered on the river, were tossed
about with more than trifling dangel
to fishermen. The yacht on which tn,
visitors stood at great distance trem
bled convulsively for several seconds
FISH CAME TO SURFACE
The water for a radius Of half mil,
was covered with the dead bodies of fish
-thousansd of them of all sizes. Sc;
gulls, in great droves, swooped dowl
to a greedy and garrulous feast. /
gave one the impression of wanton
ruthless destruction of life
The depth charge is vitalized whel
two insulated wires are brought to
gether by hydrostatic pressure. 1t i
the result of the development of tn,
principle that corked bottle may b.
be crushed by sheer weight of water
Its power Is no more astounding thar
its simplicity OF construction. 1t ex
emplfies the fact that mans geniu
Will find counter irritant for an.
new device his enemies may brins
against him.
As result of the demonstrations
the party was given fine opportunit,
to appreciate the cost of modern war.
fare. Each Of the big guns represent:
sum OF money sufficient to make
any family independent. The 14-incf
weapons cost between $50, 900 and $50.
zee, while the 16-inch cost approx.
mately 100000. In firing a 14-incr
gun 46S pounds of powder is con.
sumed. Seven hundred and eight-eigh-
pounds go behind the shell of the JIG.
inch. lnasmuch as more than a poun6
of cotton enters into the manufacture
of pound of powder, each explosion
of the 16-inch gun burns approximate
~ two bales of cotton.
While the 16-inch gun was being
loaded the visitors stood immediately
to the rear of the giant weapon. The
powder was contained in ordinary can
vas bags and the bags were lifted