As a result of these trials orders have been placed with the firms mentioned for armor suf ficient to cove• the battle-ships, monitors, and armored cruisers now in course of construction in this country, and ftweign govermnents that had not already ordered armor for new vessels have quite generally adopted the newer type. Other experiments arc in progress to still further develop the ies of nickel steel, as well as the process by which additional hard ness is given to its surface.
The most powerful armored vessels of the United States at present (1892) being built are the Indiana (see fnll-page plate), the 'Massachusetts, and the Oregon. Each of these vessels has a water-line armor-belt 71 ft. wide, and 18 in. thick. Armored redoubts 17 in. thick at each end of the belt extend 31 ft. above the main deck, and thus give an armored free-board of 15 ft. 2 in. These redoubts protect the turning-gear of the turrets, and all operations of loading. The turrets have 17-m. inclined armor, The 8-in. guns have harbettes of 10 in,. inclined turrets of 81 in., and loading tubes of 3 in. The side an•nuo• is backed by 6 in. of wood, two # in. plates, and a 10-ft. belt of coal. Above the ladt armor the side is protected by 5 in. of steel. The protective deck is from 21- to 3 in. thick.
It is not alone to ships that armor is being applied ; its use has been extended to the pro tection of gulls on shore, particularly by France and Germany. Of late years great revolu tions have taken place in the principles upon which such forts are constructed, and in the Oruson system is seen one of the most approved types of ;Innored fortilleat ions. In this sys
tent the conditions kept in view are that the protection must insure the most perfect freedom of action to the gun; the necessary men must he kept its low as possible. the construction must be light and easily movable, and there must be the utmost reduction of the interior space, The Comet system differs in details from the above. although the conditions to be fulfilled •are practically the saute. In both there is heavy armor, I'or offering on efficient resistance to heavy projectiles, even when charged with melinite or other high explosive, heavy not to he injured by the recoil energy set up by the tiring of the guns. The latter are to he as far as possible independent of the turrets, and are mounted upon disappearing carriages, so that their crews lire protected during the operation of loading. The plan is circular, and it masonry-lined pit is sunk as a basement for the gun-platfortn. A shield of steel or wrought iron protects the pit, a metal roof covering the whole, All the joints are made with mortises and dovetails, and are filled in with molten lead, the use of bolts being avoided. In addition to forts for permanent defenses, there are others made for use of rapid-fire guns in the field, which are transported from place to place by horses. See Tempering and Hardening, also Publications of Office of Naval Intelligence, States Navy Department, 1892, and pre ceding years.
Bagger: see Thrashing Machines.