THE NAVAL SCARE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2668, 3 May 1905, Page 19

THE NAVAL SCARE.

LONDON, April 27.

A summary of the Graphic's article alleging that the wire guns on a number of British warships were ineffective was communicated to the newspapers in advance, but was quoted only in one instance. Evidently the majority considers it to be alarmist, and as calling for further inquiry.

April 28.

I The Admiralty has issued the following : "One 12in mark-8 gun cracked at the muzzle aboard the Majestic. A second gun. showed signs of a crack in the inner A tube. They had fired equivalent to 66 and 75 full charges. The settle of the inner A tubes was found 1 to be soft. This is probably the cause of the weakness. J.he two guns are being repaired, and will shortly be reissued. Regarding the statements published, it is sufficient to quote the past. The first 12-in march 8 gun fired 162 full charges before being relinedi It is added that the guns afloat that have fired the greatest number of rounds are aboard the -Mars, Caesar, and Jupiter. These have fired equivalent to over 60 full charges, and are still perfectly serviceable.

Two "big wire guns aboard the battleship Albion and one on the Glory have been replaced.

The Naval and Military Record states that all the Atlantic fleet battleships have had their barbette guns changed.

The Admiralty has decided) to try Forbes's course and distance recorded hi a torpedoer destroyer.