Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 29, Number 5, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 30 July 1898 — Page 6

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MAKING HEAVY GUNS

WONDERFUL WORK AT THE NAVY YARD IN WASHINGTON.

Expert Mechanic* Employed In Relays Day and Night—How Our Navy Has Been Revolutionized—What It Costs to Fire

Modern Cannons.

[Special Correspondence.]

WASHINGTON, July 25.—The activity in the Washington navy yard is in keeping with the gigantic movements of the United States throughout Ihe world. In the naval gun factory the "peacemakers" are being cast, drilled, jacketed, breeched and mounted, engaging the constant services, by relays, day and night, of the most expert mechanics in

GUH FACTORY AT "WASHINGTON NAVY YABD.

the country. The mechanical process is similar to that of other gun factories, with half nude men working in tiie blazing heat of forges and furnaces, but these are the days when the visitor, unless authorized by some high dignitary, is not permitted to see the conversion of molted iron and steel into death dealing tubes. From the war of 1812—the yard being rebuilt in 1814—to 1861, even including the period of the Mexican war, the work at the "yard" was largely of a routine nature. There was a cessation of activity from 1867 for nearly 20 years, but during the past 12 years, and especially in the last 12 weeks, the gun factory has been afield of the liveliest operations.

While foreign observers have frequently in bygone days qualified their praise of our cruisers and battleships, they have been unstinted in their commendation of the ordnance supplied by the government factory. JEt is a building wide and massive, thoroughly equipped with marvelously intricate, ingenious and accurate mechanism, manipulated with delioate skill and at constantly decreasing expense under the direction of naval offioers who have thorough familiarity with the scientific, theoretical and practical aspects of the process, many of them at times having displayed a degree of inventive ability that has resulted in decided advantage to the service. Gun casings and gun mountings have been devised by them. Commodore John A. Howell designed tJo Howell torpedo Admiral Sampson,^ a noted ordnance expert, helped to orig-' inate anew form of the revolving turret, Commodore Sobley has made many valuable suggestions, Captain Theodore F. Jewell largely aided in this special work, and the services of Captain Charles O'Neil, the present chief of the bureau of ordnance, are of inestimable valuo.

The armnment of our ships in 1885 was comprised in the 9 inch smoothbores, 8 inch muzzle loading rifles (Dahigren's) and converted 80 pounder and 60 pounder breechloading rifled guns, which were modified Parrott guns of largo caliber. The change to the new and model guns began in 1886, aud the accepfcuico of up to dato ideas was hastened by the then secretary of the navy, William C. Whitney. In 1887 the navy yard was withdrawn from use as a ship constructing station, new buildings were constructed, proving grounds were obtained by purchase at Indian Head, on the Potomac river, and contracts woro signed with the Bethlehem (Pa.) company for a supply of gun forgings. Rear Admiral (then Captain) Montgomery Sicard was made chief of the bureau of ordnance, aud the present captain, Alexander H. McCormick, was appointed inspector in immediate charge of the factory in its first stages of transition from a shop for the tinkering of old guns to a mammoth establishment for the manufacture of modern ordnance.

By the end of 1889, when Commander William M. Folger, who has since risen to tho grade of captain, was chief of ordnance, the development of the gun factory was rapid and systematic. The 8 inch guns, the largest and most powerful thou made, were being assembled for the batteries of the Charleston and tho Baltimore, and designs had been made for 13 inch gnus, while projoe tiles of excellent quality were being turned out. Toward the close of 1890 the government ceased to depend upon outside contractors for guns, the yard factory having been found more than capable of handling all the forgijigs from tho Bethlehem aud Midvale steel works. It had then been decided that the IS inch guu would be the largest to bo used for naval purposes. The manufacture of 4 iuch and 5 inch rapid fire gnus had commenced and the supply of high class armor piercing shells was being rapidly augmented. In November, 1891, there was a very important trial at the proving grounds of armor plates, the resistance of harveyiied nickel cteel demonstrating to the satisfaction of experts the superiority of American armor to anything that had been produced.

In 1893 the first set of forgings for a 18 inch gun was received, and the complete gun was assembled by September. Steady progress had been made in the production of guns of all calibers and in Iran mounts for vessels completed or in progress of constructioa. New buildings and machinery were constantly being added until the former grass grown auiet yard was changed into a gigantic bustling workshop. Experience and unmoved machinery bad wducod the time required to manufacture a 12 inch gun from 10 to 84' months, but with the production of gnn® we« the casting and

finishing of gun projectiles and the making of ammunition hoists. At this time of 453 guns ordered—from 4 to 13 inch caliber—298 had been completed, and 188 were already afloat. By 1895 the forgings ordered for guns of all sizes had been delivered. The United States navy, which did not possess a modern gun in 1885, had ten years later been supplied with 380 of the finest type, and 232 of them were in place on board warships. There was a lull In the rapidity of work for awhile, and then renewed operations, as the vessels of our new navy began steadily going into commission. For the past three months the rush can only be aptly described as enormous—one allegorically against time and death.

Apropos of the remarkable gunnery displayed by American seamen and explanatory, in part at least, of their proficiency it is well to state that one very important duty of the superintendent of the gun factory has been the instruction of seamen gunners. There is always a class, varying in number, but averaging 25 or 80, under his tuition. The men are drilled in the use of guns of all calibers, including the manipulation of mounts, range finders, ammunition hoists and hydraulic and electrical motors. In addition they are taught the use of machine tools. They are also generally qualified through familiarity with the work of construction to render valuable servioe on shipboard in making repairs.

The largest naval gun is the new 16 inch, one of which was lately completed and sent to Watervliet for polishing and finishing. It is to be set up in New York harbor for coast defense purposes. Its cost was $390,000 and its range is 16 miles. Fifty feet long, its weight is 126 tons, while the projectile of 16 inches diameter weighs 2,370 pounds. The powder charge is 1,060 pounds, and the expense of firing each shot will be $1,300. The next in size is the 13 inch gun, which is 40 feet long and weighs 60 tons, and costs to manufacture $84,000. The projectile has a weight of 1,100 pounds, is fired with a powder charge of 550 pounds, the cost of each shot fired being* $680. These guns on shore have a range of from 12 to 13 miles, with a velocity to the shot of 2,000 feet per second, but when mounted on ship only a certain assured range of 7)4 miles. They oan pierce a plate of 22 inch thickness. The Kearsarge, Kentucky, Alabama, Illinois and Wisconsin will each carry four of these destructive monsters, and the Indiana, Massachusetts and Oregon are already armed with the same number. It was the 18 inch guns of the Oregon that settled the career of the Cristobal Colon 60

mileB

west of Santiago de Cuba on

July 3 and those of the Massachusetts and Indiana that riddled the Almirant-e Oquendo and the Infanta Maria Teresa. In the first bombardment of Santiago 50 tons of this metal was thrown at the forta

The 12 inch gun has a length of 87 feet, a weight of 45 tons and a range of seven miles. The cost of the gun is $66, 000, while that of each shot fired is $500. The projeotile weighs 850 pounds and the powder charge is 425 pounds. Of these guns the Iowa and the Puritan have both four, while the Texas and Monterey have two each. While the Iowa and the Texas at first engaged all

JACKETING A THIRTEEN INCH GUN. the four ships of Cervera's squadron it is probable that most of their 12 inch shells were poured into the Vizcaya. The Monterey at Manila maybe required later to furnish a practical illustration of the force of these destructive shells.

The 10 inch gun, with a weight of 28 tons and a length of 31 feet, has a range of 6H miles. The projectile weighs 500 pounds and the powder charge about half as much, the cost of each shot fired being $880. The gun is built at an expense of $39,000. Four of these guns are on board the Monadnock, Miantonomoh, Amphitrite and Terror and two of them on the Monterey. The 8 inch gun fires a projectile weighing 250 pounds with a powder charge of 150 pounds, the cost of each shot being about $300. The gun, which is 29 feet long, weighs 15 tons. The battle of Manila bay was fought principally with these guns, and it was an 8 inch shell from the Baltimore that went crashing throught he Spanish admiral's flagship, the Reina Cristina, from stern to amidships, rending the vessel, exploding in its magazine and killing more than 100 seamen. That was the most powerful, effective shot ever fired in a naval cootest. It is the consensus of opinion among American naval officers that the 8 inch shell is all

sufficient

in a battle

between ships, the sice and weight and easier manipulation of the gun being taken into consideration, the heavier guns and larger projectiles being only necessary tcr use in the bombardment of fortifications.

ALBERT P. SOCTHWIC*.

KEY WEST ON WATCH

WAR VESSELS AND GUNBOATS NOW IN THE HARBOR.

The 'Wave of Prosperity That Has Struck the Town—Everything Is Now Under Military Rale, and a Strict Watch Is

Maintained Night and Day. [Special Correspondence.] Sgf JCL

There are at present anchored here the monitors Terror, Puritan and Miantonomoh, the gunboats Machias, Wilmington and Nashville and the receiving ship Lancaster. In addition to these there are a great many supply ships, steamers and sailing ships of all sizes which carry coal, provisions and other articles required for the fleet. All the men -of-war are lying off between the old fort (Fort Taylor) and the government docks. Everything seems very quiet, but a sharp lookout is being kept on all the ships both day and night, and a powerful searchlight on the top of Fort Taylor sweeps the harbor, the docks, and the war vessels. The lighthouses are still lighted as formerly and at night the bay is quiet and peaceful as if there were no such terrible circumstance as war so near our border.

Yesterday I had a long talk with a "noncom" on the receiving ship Lancaster. He said there were 500 men on the vessel and that they were all eager

W

FROLIC ON SHIPBOARD.

to be sent to one of the blockading squadrons. They were badly overcrowded, the man said, and the food given to them the worst he had ever been fed on during his six years of service in the United States navy. On the way to Key West they had fared luxuriously, but once aboard the Lancaster they were placed on short commons. Their first supper on the ship, he stated, consisted of hard tack and coffee. They had the same for breakfast and dinner the next day, but for supper the bill of fare was varied by the addition of corn beef. "For my own part," the man further remarked, "I would prefer to leave here at once for any one of the blockading ships. I don't expect delicacies in these times, but I think the officers should interest themselves a little for the benefit and comfort of those that are willing to give their lives for their country."

I fancy that the noncommissioned officer told me the truth, but as they were only restricted to such meager fare for a few days, according to his own admission, there was not much cause for complaint. Men in the navy, as in the army, are often fond of airing their grievances, real or apparent They do not do this in any spirit of disloyalty or insubordination. Some men are never contented without something to complain ot, and when they discover a grievance, however slight, we should not grudge to them who have but few pleasures the satisfaction of making the most of one.

That the volunteer regiments at Tampa and Key West and elsewhere had good cause for complaint at one time is unquestionable. I fancy that the most of those have, however, been since removed. In hurriedly equipping a large army, as has been done in this country wfthin a brief space of time, it was inevitable that some departments, the commissary especially, should be inadequate to meet the demands made upon it until it was in proper working order. The surprise is, not that there have been any mistakes, but that there have been so few in view of the exigencies of the case. 11

I neglected to mention that the gunboat Dolphin was in collision with the Newark and damaged her stern. She left a few days ago, I was told, for a northern drydock to have her injuries repaired. Her pumps were kept constantly going to relieve her of water.

Key Wast is under military rule and at night if one approaches the docks on the water front he is sure to be halted by sentries. NEIL MACBONALDL

TEBKE HAUTE SAT 0RDAY EVENING- MAIL, JULY 30, 1898.

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KET WEST, July 25.—I was nere A few days after the opening of the war and the town at that time seemed to be stagnant There was but little business of any kind done, unless runong the principal hotels, which were frequented by naval officers from the warships in the harbor. Now business is booming, apd from the general aspect of affairs it is quite evident that a great wave of prosperity has swept over the place. The hotels, stores, taverns, even the cigar dealers, are coining money, and spendthrift jackies and free handed, lavish soldiers spend their cash as if the contingencies of wartime obviated all necessity for saving. Perhaps even the most frugal, after joining the army and navy, display this reckless disregard for money. The country provides them with their food and clothing, and they have no care on that score. Their sole business is to obey orders and fight, and doubtless the nearer they approach to being free and careless parts of a fighting mechanism the better for both branches of the service.

A Brilliant Fraud.

••A

small weekly magazine was started 'here 11 years ago by two hustling young men. One was editor, the other "writer and paster." They clipped, extracted and rewrote. An advertising agent was employed on a commission of 25 per cent, and it was a caution the way he filled up the pages with black type and cuts. Some contracts were made for a month, some for three months, some for a year. The only cash in advance was half of the commission, which was paid as soon as the contract was turned IN A. in*

Prosperity peeped from its pages. The magazine rapidly grew fat In the second week the American News company ordered 14,000 copies. Money flowed out like corn from a hopper and not a cent came in. The writer and paster went around at the end of the month to collect from the 80 day advertisers and what do you suppose happened? He failed to find one! Every advertisement was a fraud. There were no such names, no Buoh. businesses, no such addresses as the agent brought in for publication. He happened to have an engagement in New Jersey on that fateful day and never has been seen. since. Contracts supposed to be worth $10,000 were not worth a cent The magazine died.— New York Press.

In Baddhlit Nunnery.

Sir Charles Gordon's "Recollections of Thirty-nine Years In the Army" contains this anecdote: "In 1860, at Tien-tsin, tne two Gordons, when seeking for hospital sites, came across a Buddhist nunnery. Despite the warnings of one of the inmates, who appeared in boy's clothes, they entered the building and found that the inmates all wore male clothing. The Buddhist women were greatly shocked at the intrusion. 'Our regret,' says Sir Charles, 'was real. Explanations were exchanged. We were informed that the community yrithin adopted male costume as an indication that they not only renounced the world, but with it the emblems of their sex. We were 'received' by the lady superior, tea and cakes offered to and partaken of by us. We were then permitted to visit the 'private chapel,' and finally we parted .from the religieuses on the test of terms."

What Italy Needed.

Shortly before his death, which occurred in 1866, Massimo d'Azeglio, statesman, orator, poet, the painter ol "Orlando Furioso," but, above all, the trusty friend and valued counselor of Victor Emmanuel, was talking to a Frenchman, who congratulated him upon the unification of Italy. "Yes," was the reply, "we have made a new. Italy: now we must endeavor to make new Italians." »,*

Providing For an Emergency.

"What will you have?" inquired the waiter as Mr. Heyroob scanned the French bill of fare. "Waal," he answered, placing hie finger over an item, "ye kin bring me some o' that. But don't go away, 'cause if it tastes like it looks in print I'll have to try somethin else."—Detroit Free Press.

A Jenerar"*Proposition.

-""Wickwire (looking at board with "Pity the Blind" on it)—You are no more blind than I am.

isst,,®.

1

Dismal Dawson—Well, what's it to you? Wickwire—What, business have you wearing that card?

Dismal Dawson—Jist as much right as anybody. 1 don't say I'm blind. This here is jist a abstract proposition. See} —London Tit-Bits.

Carries Hla Hatchet In His Boot L«g.

In some places men carry bowie knives and guns in their boot legs. One may meet in Fulton fish market in this city a man carrying a hatchet in his boot leg, but the hatchet is for peaceful purposes. It is an implement much used in the market for opening and for nailing up boxes and barrels in which fish are packed, and the boot leg seems to be the handiest place to carry it—New York Sun. .'

Behind every great man you will find a great mother. Behind every great man you will find a healthy mother. A ^child's physical and mental welfare depend to a tremendous degree upon the mother's condition during the period of gestation. If, during these critical months, the mother suffers from weakness and disease of the deli[A jSKj cate and important or­

gans that bear the burdens of maternity, the chances are that her child will be weak, puny and sickly, with the seeds of serious disease already implanted in its little body at birth. If the mother, during the interesting period, suffers from the abnormal mental states which recur periodically with women who are weak #n a womanly way, these conditions will Impress themselves upon lha mind of the child.

Brery woman wants children who are both physically and mentally healthy. Every woman may have that kind of children if she will take proper care of herself In a womanly way. Dr. Pierce's Favonte Prescription is the best of all medicines for prospective mothers. It acts directly on the delicate and important organs that bear the brant of maternity. It makes them strong, healthy, vigorous, virile and elastic. It allays inflammation, heals ulceration, soothes pain and tones and builds op the shattered nerve*. It banishes the usual discomforts of the critical period, and makes baby's introduction to the world easy ana almost painless. It insures the little new comer's health and a bountiful supply of nourishment.

A book about keeping well. Dr. Pierce's fmnman Sense Medical Adviser. For •pa-per-covered copy send one-cent stamp* to cover mailing only. Cloth binding, 31 stamps. Dr. B. V. Pierce, Buffalo, N. Y.

An Old Mans Last Hope.?,

Sawing wood, working in his garden, walking three times a day to and from his place 3 business—these fonnpart of the daily routine of Edwin R. Tripp, Postmaster of Middlcfkld Centre, N. Y. He is past his seventieth birthday.

Nearly fifty yean a blacksmith thirtytwo years Justice of the Peace three years town clerk, then postmaster forty-six years a resident of the town he now lives in— these are the bate outlines of a useful life.

Mr* Tripp's career is a type* Hk story will be read with heartfelt sympathy by thousands. His hearty endorsement of Dr. 'Williams' Pink Puis far Pale People will be echoed by tens of thousands.

He saidt "In March, J892, I was attacked by what I afterwards learned was locomotor ataxia. "Two skillful doctors did everything they could far me. I steadily became worse. Was unable to dress myself. "Later I could not move even about the room, but was carried in my chair.

MI

gave up hope. The doctors gave me no encouragement I did not expect to live very long. I was more helpless than a baby. I sank lower and lower. "In June the tide turned 1 From the lowest ebb, it began to set toward health and vigor. "The turning point vas a newspaper article.:

fp-

Up! Up I Up-to-date

Mode helpless as a baby by a dreadful nervous dishe read of a case like his own, and had enough faith to follow the example it set him. Now he is himself an example to others who are suffering from disorders of the nervous system.

B. G. HUDNUT, President. WILLARD KIDDER, Vice-President. G. A. CONZMAN. Cashier.

Vigo County National

624 Main Street* TERRE HAUTE, IND.

Printing

TABLE

"It told how a man, who suffered as I had suffered, had been cured by Dr. "Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People. "It gave me faith and hope. I took two boxes of the pills then four more boxes. "My gain was steady my return to health was a source of daily gratification. "In all I took eighteen boxes of the pills before I wis entirely wefl. At first I paid 50 cents a box, but afterwards I saved money by setting six boxes at a time, paying $±50. "I owe my cure entirely to Dr.Willianuf Pink PUls far Pale People."

To clinch his remarkable story and add to its helpfulness to others, Mr. Tripp made affidavit to its truthfulness before Homer Hanna, a local Notary Public.

From helplessness, suffering and despair Mr. Tripp was restored to the healthful, useful activity suggested at the beginning of this skctch. His experience like others.

While locomotor ataxia is one of the most baffling nervous diseases with which physicians are called to contend, its cure by Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People has become a matter of almost daily occurrence. Smaller nervous troubles yield much more readily to the powerful influence these vegetable pills exert in restoring wasted nerve force and in purifying and enriching the blood.

Druggists everywhere sell Dr. Williams*1 Pink Puis for Pale People*

Capital $150,000. Surplus $30,000.

O E I -2ST/ IE3 IXL :E3I -A. 33" G- IE

At

When You Order Your

Get the very best, and that is the product of the

TERRE HAUTE BREWING CO.

LOOK HERE!

If you are going to build, what is the use of going to see three or four different kinds of contractors? Why not go and see

A.FROMMB,

General Contractor

416 "WILLOW BTEBBT,

As he employs the best of mechanics in Brick Work, Plastering, Carpentering, Painting, etc., and will furnish you plans and specifications if wanted.

MOTJDY & COFFIN, Artificial Stone "Walks j||pt§l§ and Plastering ...

£eave order* at 1511 Poplar, Cor. 6th and Willow or 001 tfafn Street.

S. L. FENNER, BUILDERS' HARWARE, FURNACES andllV'.'

1 2 0 0 A TST STBB 2CT- p-

Moore & Langen's

FIRST-CLASS TIN WORK