i6 NOTES ON THE ARMAMENTS OF BATTLESHIPS. 



initial stability in order to possess sufficient range of stability. As a con- 

 sequence they have proportionately shorter periods of oscillation, as well 

 as lessened steadiness under unfavorable conditions of sea. It is a matter 

 of common knowledge also that some of the steadiest warships ever built 

 have been vessels which were of small dimensions when judged by present 

 standards. This feature in behavior, of course, is distinct from the power 

 of maintaining speed in a sea-way; that quality is undoubtedly favored 

 by increase in length and weight. 



No claim is made that new statements of the case have been embodied 

 in the foregoing summary of points in favor of or adverse to the adoption 

 of battleship armaments comprising a large number of heavy guns in each 

 vessel. All that has been attempted is to bring such points into view, 

 fairly and briefly. Having done so the writer desires to place on record his 

 personal opinion that in no case is it desirable to carry more than eight 

 heavy guns in a single ship, that these guns are best arranged in four 

 positions as in the Michigan class, and that they should be supplemented 

 by a powerful and well protected secondary armament. 



INCREASE IN CALIBER OF NAVAL GUNS. 



Allusion has been made to the movement now in progress for using 

 guns of larger caliber in battleships and armored cruisers. In the United 

 States the 14-inch gun has found favor; in Great Britain the 13.5-inch 

 has been reintroduced; in Germany the 12 -inch has been adopted instead 

 of 1 1 -inch, and an experimental 13. 5 -inch gun has been made and tested. 

 The reasons given for this departure from long-established usage may be 

 summarized as follows: — 



1. With larger calibers it becomes possible to reduce muzzle velocity 

 and to diminish erosion in the interior of guns, and yet to secure ample 

 penetrating power against armor and superior maintenance of energy at 

 long ranges. 



2. A flatter trajectory and increased accuracy at long ranges can be 

 obtained with guns of larger caliber. 



' 3. Increased capacity of bursting charges can also be secured for all 

 descriptions of shells. 



4. If it be assumed that a certain total striking energy and a certain 

 total shell-burster effect are to be obtained by one discharge of all the heavy 

 guns mounted in a ship, then it is possible to diminish the number of guns 

 carried if tlie calibers are increased, and to obtain more efficient control of fire. 



All these arguments in favor of larger guns are, in principle, identical 



