BETTER THAN CANNON BALLS. An Export Who Thinks That Rams are Most Valuable

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 200, 23 April 1887, Page 3

BETTER THAN CANNON BALLS. An Export Who Thinks That Rams are Most Valuable

"If Lhe limit in size ha-> probably been reached in the construction of the guns that throw a projectile weighing a ton, and if the limit in armour has probably been reached in the vessel that measure its thick nes-. by the foot, and if the utmost limit of speed in the unarmour cruisers with present engines is likely to be about twenty one knot-*, as you say, what will be the next thing for (lovernments to construct for use in war at m>;i v " asked a reporter who had been talking with a naval officer about, modem ships. "Armoured uiras," be replied. "The ram has been neglected for yearn in the race for superiority between armour and guns, but the usefulness of an armoured ram in defending a port against the attacks of an enemy must soon attract attention once more, and then we will have a dihcussion on the proper model and power to be given such a vessel.'' " It is commonly believed that all modern war vessels are built with bows constructed strong enough to ram cm enemy," -was suggested. " Yes ; but the belief is for the most part erroneous. It is true that the lines of the stems of the ships project out to a sharp angle below the watei line, and that tne plates and framing thereabouts are stronger than in other parts of lhe ship. If one of these ships should happen to hit low on another one in the side it would probably make a hole in her, but there is every reason to believe that the vessel striking would be about as seriously damaged as the vessel struck, particularly if the latter were running at full speed when struck. The attacking vessel would get its nose twisted oiF, and perhaps she would be rolled clear over just as the coal schooner was that rammed the Oregon. Neither the unarmourod cruiser nor the heavy-armoured harbour defence warship is adapted for a ram. The cruiser ib not strong enough for one thing, and has not beam enough for another. Besides, a big shell from the enemy would destroy her before she got near enough to ram. The armoured warship is so big and unwieldy that she could only hope to ram an enemy through a piece of good luck. The shape of the bows of bheso vessels is all wi'ong for ramming. An I said, the ram on them is simply a knuckle joint in the stem. A cross section through this part of the vessel would hhow that it was much better adapted to stand a strain fiom above or below than from either side. Now a ram must needs stand a vertical strain, for in a seaway, as she and the enemy pitched and rolled about, the ram would be apt to plunge down into the enemy's side with meat-axe stroke, but it must be remembered that the enemy is sure to be in motion probably going ahead at full speed, and that the side wrench she gave the ram would be much more disastrous than any resistance of her side pl.iting. It is difficult for a landsman to conceive the awful strain which the ram would receive as the vessels rolled and plunged together in a seaway. The proper form for the bow of a ram is a modification of a duck t bill, wider than it is deep, with stout but sharp edges on each side. ; Then as the enemy rushed by, dragging the ram along with her, the broad nose of the ram would simply rip the whole side out of the strongest ship made, and she'd sink like lead with her next roll. The destructive force of a projectile weighing a ton, when moving with an initial velocity of 2,000 feet, is awful ; but the power of a projectile weighing 3,000 tons moving at twenty-one knots an hour is almost infinitely greater. The shot may miss the mark, .so may the ram ; but the ram is an animated projectile thfit can try and try again." " But where would the ram be if the enemy's ton projectile sUuck it?" " Right on its way for the enemy. A well-built ram would expose only a steel turtle-back above the water. This could be made so thick that it would resist any projectile, particularly as the projectile must necessarily strike iit at such an angle as to glance off. The num would nob be safe from attack beyond peradventure, but its chances of coming out of a conflict uninjured would be much more numerous than thoso of any form of vessels. She would have no gun turret nor other exposed or angular parts to stop a projectile. A torpedo might reach nor, but the chances would be against that. Destined only for coast defence, the ram would need to carry but a small amount of coal. She would not be lumbered up with guns and their attendant machinery and ammunition. Her sole mission is to run rapidly and to turn quickly, so as to keep bow on to the enemy. She would have to be broad enough to give stability to carry the weight of her steel deck and to carry powerful engines and s rews. She would be cheap to build, saife to handle and thoroughly effective in time of battle. We ought to begin to discuss the plan of a new ram, to be built for use solely as a ram." —New York " Sun j