Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 June 1893 — TOPICS OF THESE TIMES. [ARTICLE]

TOPICS OF THESE TIMES.

NAVAL WARFARE. * j * The great uaval Devie** which reCiintly took place in New York harbor called the attention of the world to the monsters that Save bf late years been the product of the won- 1 derful progress in marine .architecture. The armored cruisers of foreign nations were indeed marvelous —wonderful examples of man’s triumph over wind and wave, and strikingly impressive and suggestive of the strength and resources of the far-off kingdoms that they represented in that peaceful pageant. Reflecting people have been somewhat disturbed as to the possible outcome of any warlike dispute that might in the future arise between the United States and foreign countries thus equipped for sanguinary strife with vessels apparently irresistible on sea and shore. But while foreign architects have busied themselves in constructing such ponderous engines of offense, our army engineers have been equally busy in devising means for their annihilation, and their efforts have been crowned with perfect success. At the Government Vesting ground at Sandy Hook, on the 10th the most satisfactory trials were made ot_the Wheeling-Sterling deok-destroying shell. The purpose of this projectile is to bore a hole through the armored deck or sides of a war ship and still preserve its shape, in order that it may explode where it will “do the most good." A 12-inch mortar was used for throwing the deck-destroy-er. The target was composed of 4£ inches of steel with a pine backing of three feet. Sixty pounds of powder were put behind the projectile, which weighed 700 pounds, and it was sent crashing through the target at a distance of 146 feet 8 inches. The contact of the first attempt broke the shell and the explosion expected did not occur, but the business end of the shell was buried in the earth to such a depth behind the target that a gang of men consumed two days in digging it out. The second attempt was a perfect success, the shell passing through the target intact, and the happy inventor threw up his hat and shouted for joy. The shell it is believed will pierce the most modern decks now in use by any navy in the world. The Ordnance Department will accept the projectile and large orders for its manufacture will be given. When in a few years our system of coast defenses are complete, there will be batteries of these mortars and tremendous deck-piercing shells at all important harbors sufficient to sink all the navies of the world that might be sent against us. Thus does the science of one man counteract the science of another, and thus let us hope will progress in the art of war, offensive and defensive, keep step with progress in all countries, thus assuring a permanent and abiding peace throughout the civilized world. * ■ . : - ’ . -