Show WHY NOT TRY THE VfSUVIS A DESTROYER TAT DOES NOT V DESTROY I I Surprise > Expressed That the Dyna mite Cruiser I Not Given a Chance Officials Afraid Of It Washington June 9The advocates of the dynamite gun as a weapon of warfare are urging the authorities hereto here-to bring the dynamite cruiser Vesuvius into more active service where she can demonstrate her ability against the fortifications at Santiago and other points of attack The Vesuvius has j I on board three sizes of dynamite projectiles pro-jectiles namely those carrying 500 pounds of dynamite 200 pounds and 100 pounds Another projectile carrying carry-ing 50 pounds is available but none of these are carried by the Vesuvius at present She was equipped by the I heavier class of dynamite shells as it i was designed to give her real experience experi-ence as a factor in warfare The i claims made for her have never been I subjugated to the practical test of real war but it was believed that the present pres-ent war would afford an opportunity I for showing whether this mode of I using dynamite was practical THUS far however the Vesuvius has not figured I fig-ured in any of the attacks in West Indian In-dian waters nor have the reports from that quarter shown that she was among the ships available for active work The friends of the gun believe that one or two of the shells containing contain-ing 100 or 200 pounds of dynamite each i landed in Morro Castle would make I short work of that fortress They say a single dynamite projectile would have more destructive effect than the broadside of an entire fleet It is pointed out also that the elevation eleva-tion of the dynamite guns suits them for sending dynamite shells high into the air and then dropping it like a mortar ball in the midst of the fortifications fications These views were called to the attention of the naval officials to V t y and the desire was expressed that I the Vesuvius be given a chance to throw a few hundred pounds of dynamite dyna-mite into Santiago I Some of the naval officers think that the Vesuvius has not trained her guns i i upon Santiago thus far because of the I feeling of danger which attends the I handling of these guns I is said that if a Spanish shot pierced the Vesuvius and got into her dynamite magazine I it would result in a terrific explosion and the wiping out ofhip officers and I j crew There is considerable hesitancy I i also over firing these huge masses of I dynamite as naval officers believe that it has not yet been proved that they I will not explode before getting underway under-way These are some of the causes I leading up to the lack of service of 1 I this cruiser There is a desire however how-ever to find out one way or the other what dynamite will accomplish in warfare l war-fare and the appeals which have been made probably will result in bringing J I the Vesuvius into the ranks of the i fighting ships |