Long Beach (CGN 9) - Naval Cruise Book

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'- V, W-.--- , ,. - , ,,71T -i ......- -- i H E E I In I l Weapons Department 'iThere is no subject more intimately connected with the history of the world, from the remotest period, than the history of arms, the fate of na- tions having always depended either on the su- periority ofthe arms employed, or on the supe- rior discipline and dexterity of those who used them, wholly independent of the numbers by which they were opposed. These words, written by Henry Wilkinson in 1841 in his book, Engine of War, have been reproven many times in the intervening decades. The weapons aboard Long Beach, from the conventional 5 guns to the Talos and Terrier missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, promote confidence in ship's offensive and de- fensive capabilities. The research and develop- ment which is continuously taking place world- wide to create more efficient and potent vehicles of destruction makes many of today's weapons obsolete almost before they can be installed upon the ships for which they have been designed. This desire for better engines of warn' has raged since the dawn of pre-history, resulting in a fascinating evolution. One of the earliest weapons adaptable for nau- tical employment was the sling. This invention, tracing back to biblical days, is credited by various sources to the inhabitants of the Balearic Islands Qin which Majorca liesj or to thegreat empire of Phoenicia, whose powerful naviescon- trolled the Mediterranean so long ago. -If' the latter civilization didn't actually invent the sling, they certainly used it effectively as a weapon in their naval battles. In later centuries the bow and finally the cross- bow were developed, and while suited particular- ly well for land operations, they also proved effective as one sailing vessel closed another for boarding and capture. An interesting sidelight in the history of naval weaponry, although out of the field of ordnance, was a kind of crane described by Plutarch, which Hhoisted Roman vessels by the prow, and plunged them to the bottom of the sea. The crane on the fantail of Long Beach has never, at least intentionally, so dispatched any craft, be 14 . .ihilw ZLv.f'A4-x vl ' .. ...-.ma they foes or liberty boats. A unique piece of naval ordnance was reported- ly used by Richard I for when he H. . .set out against the Holy Land, he had in his barges and galleys mills turned by the wind, which, by the force of the sails, threw fire and stones. Gunpowder, as it was introduced into one civili- zation after another, provided a revolution in weaponry. According to the Encyclolbedia Bri- tannica, gunpowder is HA mechanical mixture of saltpetre, charcoal and sulphur. Prepared in the correct proportions it will, when ignited, burn with great rapidity, evolving large quantities of gas. Inflamed in a confined space, the expansile force of the pent-up gases so produced can be used for the propulsion of missiles. There is no certainty as to the actual date of the invention of gunpowder, which was probably somewhat related to the history of the Greek fire. There is evidence that the Chinese knew of the effects of gunpowder several centuries before our era. The common assumption that one Berthold Schwartz invented gunpowder cannot be sub- stantially substantiated. Roger Bacon, who is also frequently mentioned in this connection, was apparently unaware of the propellent qualities of the powder which he described. In fact, saltpetre, the most important ingredient of gunpowder, was not available in refined form Qand the crude vari- ety is useless for military purposesj prior to Bacon's time. It seems, however, that since the second half of the 13th century' gunpowder was employed to expel missiles from projectile weapons. The evolution of weapons during the iweniieth century has been remarkable. Long Beachis Terrier missile system is the shzjnis primary defense against air- borne attack. In the background is the worldfs first nuclear-powered jrzgate USS Bainbridge. . . .. . .W - ....

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