A New Menace to Torpedo Craft
One of the latest inventions, called "a new menace to torpedo craft," is a new pattern shell which when it bursts sets free hundreds of bullets, which continue in the same direction as the shell, but spread out fanwise, covering a wide angle and carrying destruction to whatever they may strike. These it is thought would pierce torpedo craft, the side plating of which is very thin, never exceeding half an inch in thickness, while the bullets of the new shrapnel shell will penetrate an inch of steel at 2,000 yards. The chances of a torpedo-boat's getting near enough to a ship for a direct hit in face of such a defense seems small. Thus far it has been made only in 4 7-10ths and 6-inch size calibers; in future it is to be made for and supplied to the guns of the largest calibers, even up to the 13 1/2-inch. The problem still is an armor-plate which will render nugatory any missile directed against it, and a missile which will pierce the strongest armor-plate.