PART II.

NAVAL ORDNANCE.

AUSTRIA.

A = Calibre. B = Over all. C = Rifled Bore. D = Powder Chamber. E = Number of Grooves. F = Twist of Rifling. G = Gun, including Breech-block. H = Breech-block. I = Preponderance. ---------------+-----+---------------+----+------+------------+----- NAME, NATURE, | | LENGTH. | | | WEIGHT. | AND | +---+-----+-----+ | +------+-----+ CLASSIFICATION.| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I ---------------+-----+---+-----+-----+----+------+------+-----+----- | In.|In.| In. | In. | |Calib.| Lbs. | Lbs.| Lbs. Krupp Pattern Steel Breech-loaders. 28 cm |11 |240|170.7|36.41| 64 | 45 |60,500|2,266| 26 ” |10.24|225|148.4|46.06| 32 | 70 |48,400|1,947| 24 ” | 9.27|206|136 |41.7 | 32 | 70 |34,100|1,408| 24 ” | 9.27|185|115.3|41.7 | 32 | 64.7 |32,450|1,419| 21 ” | 8.24|165|105 |37 | 30 | 59 |19,400|1,078| Wahrendorff Breech-loader. 15 ” | 5.87|152|112.4|22.6 | 36 | 45 | 8,800| 321|248 Armstrong Muzzle-loaders.| 23 ” | 9 |156|104 |20.9 | 6 | 45 |27,900| |255 18 ” | 7 |130| 85.5|18.7 | 3 | 35 |14,500| |394 Cast-Iron Breech-loaders. 15 ” | 5.87|121| 89.8|16.9 | 30 | 63 | 6,300| 178|299 12 ” | 4.74|109| 84.4|12.4 | 24 | 52 | 3,300| 106|273 Bronze Breech-loaders. 9 ” | 3.43| 81| 57.5|16.5 | 24 | 45 | 1,070| 55|103 7 ” | 2.6 | 39| 23.8|11 | 18 | 30 | 196| 49| 48.4

AUSTRIAN ORDNANCE—(CONTINUED)

A = Carriage. B = Slide. C = Height of Axis of Bore above Deck. D = Steel. E = Chilled. F = Common.

---------------+-------------+--------------------------------------- NAME, NATURE, | CARRIAGES. | PROJECTILES. AND +------+------+----+-----------------+---------------- CLASSIFICATION.| | | | Full Weight. |Bursting Charge. | | | +-----+-----+-----+----+----+------ | A | B | C | D | E | F | D | E | F ---------------+------+------+----+-----+-----+-----+----+----+------ | Lbs. | Lbs. | In.| Lbs.| Lbs.|Lbs. |Lbs.|Lbs.| Lbs. Krupp Pattern Steel Breech-loaders. 28 cm. |29,260|29,260| 53 |559 | 574 |473 |14.3|7.7 | 25.3 26 ” | 6,140|12,617| 46 |395 | |354 | 8.8| | 20.2 24 ” | 4,900| 9,845| 46 |292 | |263 | 6.6|3.7 | 14.9 24 ” | 5,814| 7,528| 45 |292 | 308 |263 | 6.6|3.7 | 14.9 21 ” | 6,194|10,412| 45 |206 | 196 |172 | 4.4|3.1 | 14.9 Wahrendorff Breech-loader. 15 ” | 1,878| 3,740| 39 | 84.7| | 69 | 2.1| | 5.1 Armstrong Muzzle-loaders. 23 ” | 4,188| 6,917| 44 | | 249 |257 | |5.9 | 18.5 18 ” | 2,956| 3,757| 45 | | 114 |118 | |1.1 | 7.9 Cast-iron Breech-loaders. 15 ” | 1,047| 1,207| 39 | | | 61 | | | 1.9 12 ” | 715| | 32 | | | 32 | | | 1.1 Bronze Breech-loaders. 9 ” | 836| | 38 | | | 14 | | | .4 7 ” | 294| | 21 | | | 6.4| | | .16 ---------------+------+------+----+-----+-----+-----+----+----+------

G = For Steel and Chilled Shot. H = For Common Shell.

-------------------+--------------- NAME, NATURE, | POWDER CHARGE. AND +------+-------- CLASSIFICATION. | G | H -------------------+------+-------- | Lbs. | Lbs. Krupp Pattern Steel Breech-loaders. 28 cm. | 121 |121 26 ” | 70.4| 59.4 24 ” | 52.8| 44 24 ” | 52.8| 44 21 ” | 37.4| 30.8 Wahrendorff Breech-loader. 15 ” | 17.6| 14.3 Armstrong Muzzle-loaders. 23 ” | 50.6| 30.8 18 ” | 28.6| 13.2 Cast-iron Breech-loaders. 15 ” | | 4.7 12 ” | | 2.4 Bronze Breech-loaders. 9 ” | | .9 7 ” | | .35 -------------------+---------------

AUSTRIAN ORDNANCE—(CONTINUED) A = Ordinary. B = Saluting. C = Steel. D = Chilled. E = Common. ---------------+-------------+----------------------- NAME, NATURE, | POWDER | INITIAL VELOCITY. AND | CHARGE. | CLASSIFICATION.+------+------+-------+-------+------- | A | B | C | D | E ---------------+------+------+-------+-------+------- | Lbs. | Lbs. | Ft. | Ft. | Ft. | | | | | Krupp Pattern Steel Breech-loaders. 28 cm. | | | | 1,542 | 1,673 26 ” | 59.4 | 19.8 | 1,404 | | 1,378 24 ” | 44 | 15.4 | 1,420 | | 1,378 24 ” | 44 | 15.4 | 1,378 | 1,345 | 1,329 21 ” | 30.8 | 8.8 | 1,394 | 1,253 | 1,345 Wahrendorff Breech-loader. 15 ” | 14.3 | 4.7 | 1,608 | | 1,509 Armstrong Muzzle-loaders. 23 ” | 30.8 | 15.4 | | 1,411 | 1,000 18 ” | 13.2 | 8.8 | | 1,493 | 1,066 Cast-iron Breech-loaders. 15 ” | 4.7 | 4.7 | | | 1,017 12 ” | 2.4 | 2.4 | | | 1,000 Bronze Breech-loaders. 9 ” | .9 | .9 | | | 1,469 7 ” | .35| .35| | | 977

C = Steel. D = Chilled. E = Common. F = Penetrating Power. ---------------+-----------------------+------ NAME, NATURE, | WORKING EFFECT. | AND | | CLASSIFICATION.+-------+-------+-------+ | C | D | E | F ---------------+-------+-------+-------+------ | Foot | Foot | Foot | In. | Tons. | Tons. | Tons. | Krupp Pattern Steel Breech-loaders. 28 cm. | | 9,473 | | 14.8 26 ” | 5,404 | | 4,666 | 11.6 24 ” | 4,087 | | 3,464 | 10.6 24 ” | 3,838 | 3,223 | 3,867 | 10.25 21 ” | 2,781 | 2,198 | 2,153 | 9.3 Wahrendorff Breech-loader. 15 ” | 1,379 | | 1,060 | 7.8 Armstrong Muzzle-loaders. 23 ” | | 3,429 | 1,788 | 9.9 18 ” | | 1,766 | 928 | 8.1 Cast-iron Breech-loaders. 15 ” | | | 438 | 12 ” | | | 222 | Bronze Breech-loaders. 9 ” | | | 209 | 7 ” | | | 42 |

The first type of rifled ordnance regularly introduced into the Austrian naval service was the old-type Armstrong muzzle-loader. In addition there are still found a few guns of present obsolete types which never passed the experimental stage. Within the past five years (1876) the Krupp breech-loader has been adopted as the standard pattern, and all guns of a higher calibre than 15-cm. are now of this type, although many complete Armstrong batteries are now found on board ship in the wooden fleet. The boat-guns are of the Krupp type breech-loaders, but are all manufactured of bronze, or what is generally known as Uchatius metal from its method of manufacture.

_The Uchatius Construction._

The peculiarity of the Uchatius construction is the method of manipulating the bronze of which the gun is made, by which the metal is given all the advantageous qualities of steel. The body of the gun is cast in a chill mould, by which the cooling is so rapid that the mechanical mixture of tin and copper has no opportunity of separating and forming tin spots as is the case with ordinary bronze castings. After boring the gun, a succession of steel mandrels is driven through the bore, putting the whole casing in a condition of extreme tension on the exterior and compression on the interior, so that the different strata of metal are in proper condition for resisting tangential strains.

ARGENTINE ORDNANCE.

In the Argentine navy the heavy calibres (used on gun-boats of the Andes class) are Armstrong muzzle-loaders of the modified pattern (see page 195), the medium calibres are divided between old-type Armstrong muzzle-loaders and Krupp breech-loaders. The machine-guns used are Gatlings (see page 308). There is no regular gun factory in the country, the armament being entirely purchased abroad.

BRAZILIAN ORDNANCE.

The standard ordnance adopted in the Brazilian navy is the Whitworth (see page 218), both muzzle and breech-loaders. Machine-guns are of the Gatling type (see page 308).

CHILIAN ORDNANCE.

There is no standard ordnance in the Chilian navy, although the iron-clads are provided with Krupp guns, whilst the wooden fleet is armed with Armstrong muzzle-loaders. It is probable that the Krupp breech-loader will gradually supersede other types. The machine-guns are of the Gatling type.

CHINESE ORDNANCE.

The greater part of the rifled ordnance used in China is of the Armstrong muzzle-loading pattern. Some of their wooden vessels carry batteries of Krupp guns, and others Vavasseurs (see page 219). The Gatling machine-gun has been introduced into this service.

DANISH ORDNANCE.

There are three separate patterns of rifled ordnance found in the Danish navy. The favorite appears to be the Krupp breech-loader, whilst there are many guns of the Finspong pattern (see page 276, “Swedish Ordnance”). The Armstrong muzzle-loader has apparently the numerical superiority.

ENGLISH ORDNANCE.

A = Over all. B = Rifled Bore. C = Powder Chamber. D = Number of Grooves. ---------------------------+-------------------+---- NAME, NATURE, AND | LENGTH. | CLASSIFICATION. +-----+-------+-----+ | A | B | C | D ---------------------------+-----+-------+-----+---- | In. | In. | In. | 17-inch, 100-ton |392 | 308 | 55 | 27 ---------------------------+-----+-------+-----+---- Muzzle-loading, built-up Guns. Woolwich pattern. Armor-piercing. 16-inch, 80-ton |321 | 231.5 | 56.5| 12.5-in., 38-ton |230 | 170.5 | 27.5| 9 12-inch, 35-ton |195 | 135 | 27.5| 9 12-inch, 25-ton |182.5| 127 | 18 | 9 11-inch, 25-ton |180 | 119 | 26 | 9 10-inch, 18-ton |180 | 119 | 26.5| 7 9-inch, 12-ton |156 | 104 | 21 | 6 8-inch, 9-ton |144 | 99.5 | 18.5| 4 7-inch, 90-cwt |131 | 95.5 | 15.5| 3 7-inch, 6½-ton |133 | 95.5 | 15.5| 3 64-pdr., 64-cwt., shell |118 | 90 | 7.5| 3 ---------------------------+-----+-------+-----+---- Boat. 9-pdr., 8-cwt | 72 | 59.8 | 3.7| 3 9-pdr., 6-cwt | 61 | 49.3 | 3.7| 3 7 pdr., 200-lb., steel| 41 | 34 | 2 | 3 64-pdr., 71-cwt., converted|122.7| 96.27| 7 | 3 ---------------------------------+-------+-----+---- Breech-loaders. Armstrong pattern. Shell. 7-inch, 82 cwt. |126 | 83.5 | 16 | 76 40-pdr., 32-cwt. |126 | 92.87| 13.5| 56 40-pdr., 35-cwt. |127 | 92.87| 13.5| 56 20-pdr., 15-cwt. | 72 | 43.12| 11 | 44 20-pdr., 18-cwt. | 72 | 43.12| 11 | 44 Boat. 9-pdr., 6-cwt. | 68 | 45.5 | 7 | 38 6-pdr., 8-cwt. | 66 | 46 | 7 | 32 12-pdr., 8-cwt. | 78 | 52.87| 8.5| 38 ---------------------------+-----+-------+-----+----

E = Twist of Rifling. F = Weight of Guns. G = Preponderance. ---------------------------+-------+---------+-------- NAME, NATURE, AND | | | CLASSIFICATION. | | | | E | F | G ---------------------------+-------+---------+-------- | Calib.| Lbs. | Lbs. 17-inch, 100-ton | 0/40 | 229,000 | 8,960 ---------------------------+-------+---------+-------- Muzzle-loading, built-up Guns. Woolwich pattern. Armor-piercing. 16-inch, 80-ton | | 179,200 | 12.5-in., 38-ton | 0/35 | 85,120 | 12-inch, 35-ton | 0/35 | 78,400 | 120 12-inch, 25-ton | 100/50| 56,000 | 616 11-inch, 25-ton | 0/35 | 56,000 | 168 10-inch, 18-ton | 100/40| 40,300 | 952 9-inch, 12-ton | 0/45 | 26,900 | 560 8-inch, 9-ton | 0/40 | 20,100 | 448 7-inch, 90-cwt | 35 | 10,100 | 560 7-inch, 6½-ton | 35 | 14,500 | 336 64-pdr., 64-cwt., shell | 40 | 7,160 | 336 ---------------------------+-------+---------+-------- Boat. 9-pdr., 8-cwt | 30 | 896 | 7 9-pdr., 6-cwt | 30 | 672 | 29.5 7 pdr., 200-lb., steel| 20 | 200 | 5 64-pdr., 71-cwt., converted| 40 | 7,950 | 714 ---------------------------+-------+---------+--------- Breech-loaders. Armstrong pattern. Shell. 7-inch, 82 cwt. | 37 | 9,184 | 776 40-pdr., 32-cwt. | 36.5 | 3,584 | 607 40-pdr., 35-cwt. | 36.5 | 3,920 | 532 20-pdr., 15-cwt. | 38 | 1,680 | 108 20-pdr., 18-cwt. | 38 | 1,456 | 164 Boat. 9-pdr., 6-cwt. | 38 | 672 | 82 6-pdr., 8-cwt. | 30 | 886 | 55 12-pdr., 8-cwt. | 38 | 896 | 199 ---------------------------+-------+---------+--------

A = Carriages. B = Slide. C = Height of Axis of Bore above Deck. -------------------------------+------------------ NAME, NATURE, AND | CARRIAGES. CLASSIFICATION. +-------------+---- | Weight. | +------+------+ | A | B | C -------------------------------+------+------+---- | Lbs. | Lbs. | In. 17-inch, 100-ton | |Turret| Muzzle-loading, built-up Guns. Woolwich pattern. Armor-piercing. | | | 16-inch, 80-ton | |Turret| 12.5-in., 38-ton | |Turret| 12-inch, 35-ton |25,000|Turret| 45 -------------------------------+------+------+---- 12-inch, 25-ton |11,800|19,712| 60 |23,100|Turret| -------------------------------+------+------+---- 11-inch, 25-ton |21,120|Turret| 49 |10,700|18,500| -------------------------------+------+------+---- 10-inch, 18-ton |21,000|Turret| 49 | 8,940| 8,680| -------------------------------+------+------+---- 9-inch, 12-ton | 4,800| 7,400| 44 8-inch, 9-ton | 4,780| 6,710| 44 7-inch, 90-cwt. | 2,700| 3,900| 41 7-inch, 6½-ton | 3,500| 4,700| 41 64-pdr., 64-cwt., shell | 1,430| 2,600|41.5 Boat. 9-pdr., 8-cwt. | 532| 356|41.5 9-pdr., 6-cwt. | 532| 336| 7-pdr., 200-lb., steel | 112| 252| -------------------------------+------+------+---- 64-pdr., 71-cwt., converted | 1,600| 2,700| -------------------------------+------+------+---- Breech-loaders. Armstrong pattern. Shell. 7-inch, 82-cwt. | 1,760| 2,796|42.5 40-pdr., 32-cwt. | 1,595| 1,425| 42 40-pdr., 35-cwt. | 1,595| 1,425| 42 20-pdr., 15-cwt. | 616| 977| 29 20-pdr., 13-cwt. | 616| 977| 29 Boat. | | | 9-pdr., 6-cwt. | 298| 504| 6-pdr., 3-cwt. | 560| | 12-pdr., 8-cwt. | 364| 336| -------------------------------+------+------+----

D = Chilled. E = Common. F = Shrapnel. G = Burster for Chilled. H = Burster for Common. -------------------------------+--------------------------------- NAME, NATURE, AND | PROJECTILES. CLASSIFICATION. +---------------------+----------- | Entire Weight. | Weight. +-----+-------+-------+-----+----- | D | E | F | G | H -------------------------------+-----+-------+-------+-----+----- | Lbs.|Lbs. | Lbs. | Lbs.| Lbs. 17-inch, 100-ton |2,000| | |11.25| Muzzle-loading, built-up Guns. Woolwich pattern. Armor-piercing. 16-inch, 80-ton |1,700| | | 9.9 | 12.5-in., 38-ton | 800|843 | |14 |43 12-inch, 35-ton | 700|615 | 612 | 6.5 |40 12-inch, 25-ton | 600|497 | 497 | 6.9 |37.7 11-inch, 25-ton | 535|536 | | 5.5 |29.7 10-inch, 18-ton | 400|398 | 404 | 4.5 |20.25 9-inch, 12-ton | 250|250 | 255 | 2.5 |19 8-inch, 9-ton | 180|182 | 180 | 2.5 |14.5 7-inch, 90-cwt. | 115|117 | 116 | | 8.75 7-inch, 6½-ton | 115|117 | 116 | | 8.75 64-pdr., 64-cwt., shell | | 64 | 66 | | 7.2 Boat. 9-pdr., 8-cwt. | | 9 | 9.75 | | .5 9-pdr., 6-cwt. | | 9 | 9.75 | | .5 7-pdr., 200-lb., steel | | 7 | 7.5 | | .4 +-----+-------+-------+-----+----- | | | 66 | | 64-pdr., 71-cwt., converted | | 64 |Segment| | 7.2 | | | shell.| | -------------------------------+-----+-------+-------+-----+----- Breech-loaders. Armstrong pattern. Shell. 7-inch, 82-cwt. | | 90 | 102 | | 7.6 40-pdr., 32-cwt. | | 38 | 40 | | .25 40-pdr., 35-cwt. | | 38 | 40 | | .25 20-pdr., 15-cwt. | | 20.5 | 20 | | 1.2 20-pdr., 13-cwt. | | 20.5 | 20 | | 1.2 Boat. 9-pdr., 6-cwt. | | 9.5 | 8.5 | | .4 6-pdr., 3-cwt. | | 6 | 5.5 | | 12-pdr., 8-cwt. | | 11.25| 11 | | .5 -------------------------------+-----+-------+-------+-----+-----

A = For Steel and Chilled Shot. B = For Common Shell. C = Ordinary Firing. D = Saluting. E = Chilled Shot. F = Common Shell. ---------------------------+-----------------------+----------------- NAME, NATURE, AND | POWDER CHARGE. |INITIAL VELOCITY. CLASSIFICATION. +----+-----+------+-----+-----+----------- | A | B | C | D | E | F | | | | | | ---------------------------+----+-----+------+-----+-----+----------- |Lbs.|Lbs. | Lbs. |Lbs. |Ft. | Ft. 17-inch, 100-ton |440 | | | |1,590| Muzzle-loading, built-up Guns. Woolwich pattern. Armor-piercing. | | | | | | 16-inch, 80-ton |370 | | | |1,520| 12.5-in., 83-ton |130 | | | |1,451| 12-inch, 35-ton |110 | | 85 | |1,300| 12-inch, 25-ton | 85 |67 | 55 | |1,180| 11-inch, 25-ton | 85 |70 | 60 | |1,315| 10-inch, 18-ton | 70 |60 | 44 | |1,364| 9-inch, 12-ton | 50 |43 | 30 |15 |1,420| 8-inch, 9-ton | 35 |30 | 20 |12 |1,413| 7-inch, 90-cwt | 30 |22 | 14 |10 |1,525| 7-inch, 6½-ton | 30 |22 | 14 |10 | | 1,250 64-pdr., 64-cwt | |10 | 10 | 6 | | 1,383 Boat. | | | | | | 9-pdr., 8-cwt. | | 1.75| 1.75| 1.5 | | 1,380 9-pdr., 6-cwt. | | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1 | | 1,390 7-pdr., 200-lb., steel| | .75 | .75| .25| | 968 64-pdr., 71-cwt., converted| | 8 | 8 | 6 | | 1,230 ---------------------------+----+-----+------+-----+-----+----------- Breech-loaders. Armstrong pattern. Shell. | | | | | | 7-inch, 82 cwt. | |11 | 11 | 7 | | 1,165 40-pdr., 32-cwt. | | 5 | 5 | 3 | | 1,180 40-pdr., 35-cwt. | | 5 | 5 | 3 | | 1,180 20-pdr., 15-cwt. | | 2.5 | 2.5 | 1.5 | | 1,000 20-pdr., 13-cwt. | | 2.5 | 2.5 | 1.5 | | 1,000 Boat. 9-pdr., 6-cwt. | | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1 | | 1,035 6-pdr., 3-cwt. | | .75| .75| .7 | | 1,046 12-pdr., 8-cwt. | | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1 | | 1,239 ---------------------------+----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----------

------------------------------+---------------+---------------- NAME, NATURE, AND | MUZZLE ENERGY.| PENETRATION. CLASSIFICATION. | | (IRON.) +-------+-------+-------+-------- |Chilled|Common |At 500 |At 1000 | Shot. | Shell.| Yards.| Yards. ------------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------- | Foot | Foot | In. | In. | Tons. | Tons. | | | | | | 17-inch, 100-ton |37,700 | | | ------------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------- Muzzle-loading, built-up Guns. Woolwich pattern. Armor piercing. 16-inch, 80-ton |27,213 | | 27.5 | 26.4 12.5-in., 38-ton |11,676 | | 18.7 | 17.7 12-inch, 35-ton | 8,200 | | 15.4 | 14.6 12-inch, 25-ton | 7,030 | | 13.9 | 13.1 11 inch, 25-ton | 6,415 | | 13.8 | 13.1 10-inch, 18-ton | 5,160 | | 12.7 | 12 9-inch, 12-ton | 3,496 | | 10.4 | 9.6 8-inch, 9-ton | 2,492 | | 9.8 | 9.5 +-------+-------+-------+-------- 7-inch, 90-cwt. | 1,855 | | 8.8 | 8.6 7-inch, 6½-ton | | 1,246 | 7.7 | 7.1 +-------+-------+-------+-------- 64-pdr., 64-cwt shell | | 848 | | ------------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------- Boat. | | | | 9-pdr., 8-cwt. | | 528 | | 9-pdr., 6-cwt. | | 120 | | +-------+-------+-------+-------- 7-pdr., 200-lb., steel | | 45.5| | 64-pdr., 71-cwt., converted | | 670 | | ------------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------- Breech-loaders. Armstrong pattern. | | | Steel. | | | | 7-inch, 82-cwt. | | 847 | | 40-pdr., 32-cwt. | | 378 | | 40-pdr., 35-cwt. | | 378 | | 20-pdr., 15-cwt. | | 142 | | 20-pdr., 13-cwt. | | 142 | | ------------------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------- Boat. | | | | 9-pdr., 6-cwt. | | 64 | | 6-pdr., 3-cwt. | | 45.6| | 12-pdr., 8-cwt. | | 117 | | ------------------------------+-------+-------+-------+--------

----------------------------+------------------------------- NAME, NATURE, AND | REMARKS. CLASSIFICATION. | ----------------------------+------------------------------- 17-inch, 100-ton | ----------------------------+------------------------------- Muzzle-loading, built-up Guns. Woolwich pattern. Armor piercing. 16-inch, 80-ton | 12.5-in., 38-ton | 12-inch, 35-ton | 12-inch, 25-ton | Woolwich 11 inch, 25-ton | groove. 10-inch, 18-ton | Increasing 9-inch, 12-ton | twist. 8-inch, 9-ton | +------------------------------- 7-inch, 90-cwt. | Woolwich groove. 7-inch, 6½-ton | Uniform twist +------------------------------- 64-pdr., 64-cwt shell | Shunt groove. Uniform twist. ----------------------------+------------------------------- Boat. 9-pdr., 8-cwt. | Modern French groove. 9-pdr., 6-cwt. | Uniform twist. +------------------------------- 7-pdr., 200-lb., steel |French groove. Uniform twist. 64-pdr., 71-cwt., converted |Plain groove. Uniform twist. ----------------------------+------------------------------- Breech-loaders. Armstrong pattern. Steel. 7-inch, 82-cwt. +------------------------------- 40-pdr., 32-cwt. | 40-pdr., 35-cwt. | 20-pdr., 15-cwt. | Armstrong 20-pdr., 13-cwt. | multigroove. Boat. | Uniform 9-pdr., 6-cwt. | twist. 6-pdr., 3-cwt. | 12-pdr., 8-cwt. | ----------------------------+-------------------------------

GUNS.

The old cast and wrought iron smooth-bore guns are now obsolete, and only found in service at dock-yards for saluting and experiment, and forming the broadside batteries of some of the training ships.

The rifled ordnance consists of the Woolwich muzzle-loader, the Palliser converted muzzle-loader, the Armstrong breech-loader, and the Gatling machine-gun.

The Woolwich type is subdivided into marks or patterns of each calibre corresponding to the gradual improvements in manufacture. Mark I. is in most cases the original Armstrong pattern, in which the jacket is composed of a large number of small coils or bands. In the other marks the number of the coils is decreased, whilst each one is increased in size.

The Palliser converted type is confined to the 64-pdr. calibre.

The Armstrong breech-loader is no longer manufactured, but there are many guns of this type in service. These breech-loaders were originally of two types, known as the screw and the wedge gun. The latter was designed especially for naval use, but it has been entirely withdrawn from service, leaving only the screw type. It is not improbable that another type of breech-loaders will eventually find its way into service, having a breech-closing arrangement similar to the French type in principle.

Various systems of grooves will be found in these guns, corresponding to different stages of development. In the 7-pdr. the French groove is used, having sharp angles, the loading side being at a sharper pitch than the driving. In the 9-pdrs. appears the modified French groove, in which the angles are rounded off and the loading side is at right angles to the driving side. In the 64-pdr. converted gun the plain groove is used. This groove is almost rectangular, the driving side being canted but little. In the 64-pdr. of 64 cwt. the shunt groove is used. This is a double groove, one half being deeper than the other, the rear end of the groove having a shunt by which the studs are turned into the shallow half. The 7-inch muzzle-loaders have the Woolwich groove with a uniform twist. This groove is the final modification of the original French groove. The higher calibres up to the 16-inch gun have the Woolwich groove with an increasing twist. The 16-inch calibre will have the plain multigroove, or the groove ordinarily used for expanding projectiles. The breech-loaders have the Armstrong multigroove, a groove which in section is not unlike a saw-tooth.

_7-pdr. Steel R. M. L. 200 lbs._

Introduced into service in 1873. Made of a single block of steel, having no swell at the muzzle, but a small dispart patch into which the fore sight screws. Copper vent bouch. The sight is a plain, centre hind sight set at a permanent angle of deflection of 3°. It seats in a hole bored in the metal of the gun, having a simple clamp-screw to hold it in position. Two sight-bars are used with the gun, one graduated to 6° and the other to 12°, the graduations on both being for intervals of 3´. This gun may be distinguished from the 9-pdr. by the slope at the junction of the reinforce and chase, which is gradual.

_9-pdr. Wrought Iron R. M. L. 6 and 8 cwt._

Introduced into service in 1871 and 1873. It consists of two parts—a toughened steel tube, and a jacket composed of two single coils and a trunnion-ring welded together. The cascabel is cut out of the solid end of the steel tube, and is recessed to receive the head of the elevating screw, which is fastened to it by a bolt and keep-pin. The 6 cwt. and 8 cwt. guns differ only in length and weight, the latter being 10½ inches longer. The 7-pdr. and the 9-pdr. are of the same calibre, but the same projectiles cannot be used in both, as the twist is different and the studs on the 7-pdr. projectile are much wider than those of the 9-pdr. The arrangement of the sights is the same for both guns. It is easily distinguished by the abrupt step at the forward end of the jacket.

_64-pdr. Wrought Iron R. M. L. 64 cwt._

There are three marks or patterns of this gun. Mark I. was adopted in 1864 to replace the Armstrong wedge breech-loaders. It belongs to the Armstrong type of construction, and consists of a wrought-iron coiled A tube, a forged breech-piece, a trunnion-ring, several outer coiled tubes, and a muzzle-ring. The A tube being bored all the way through, the joints at the bottom of the bore were closed by means of a heavy copper gas-check. The calibre is 6.3 inches, in order to permit firing 32-pdr. round shot from it. The greater part of these guns have been retubed with a steel A tube. In these, the plain groove is found, whilst the iron-tubed ones have the shunt groove. This gun is easily recognizable by its raised trunnion-ring and also by the combination of the stepped breech with the muzzle-ring. Mark II. was adopted in 1866. It is made up of a coiled wrought-iron A tube, double at the chase, a forged breech-piece, a breech-coil composed of a double coil and trunnion-hoop welded together, a coil in front of the trunnions, and a cascabel block. The end of the bore of the A tube is reduced and forms a gomer chamber. These guns may be recognized either by the shunt rifling combined with the Woolwich form of gun or by the letter B marked on the left trunnion. Mark III. is made up of a solid-ended steel A tube, a breech-coil made up of a triple coil, trunnion-ring and coil in front of the trunnions welded together, and a forged cascabel block. These guns are similar in appearance to the 7-inch, but the sea-service guns of this mark have iron A tubes, and may be recognized by the shunt rifling.

_64-pdr. R. M. L. 71 cwt. (Converted.)_

Adopted in 1864. This gun is the old cast-iron 8-inch gun, which is bored out and tubed on the Palliser plan. The tube is coiled and double at the rear, and, being through bored, the bottom joints are closed by a screw cup. After insertion the tube is held in place by a muzzle screw-collar and a pin tapped through the casing just forward of the trunnions. The gun is easily recognized from its old-fashioned shape.

_7-inch R. M. L. 6½ tons and 90 cwt._

Adopted in 1865. There are three patterns of the 6½-ton guns, the first being of the old Armstrong construction, recognizable by its soda-water bottle shape. The other two marks are of the improved construction. The 90-cwt. gun was adopted in 1874 for use in the armament of unarmored vessels. It is similar to the Mark III. 6½-ton gun, except that it is lighter, the outside being turned down to get the required lightness. These guns are very similar in build and exterior appearance to the 64-pdr.

_8-inch R. M. L. 9 Tons._

Introduced in 1866. There are three marks of this gun, similar to the 7-inch patterns. The only way in which the 8-inch can be distinguished from the 7-inch without measuring the diameter of the bore is by the fact of its having four grooves in place of three.

_9-inch R. M. L. 12 Tons._

Introduced in 1865. There are five marks of this gun, the first one being of the old Armstrong construction, and the others of the Woolwich developments. The distinctive mark of this calibre is the grooving, there being six grooves.

_10-inch R. M. L. 18 Tons._

Introduced in 1868. There are two patterns of this gun, both of the Woolwich design. The distinguishing marks are the nine grooves.

_11-inch R. M. L. 25 Tons._

Introduced in 1867. There are two patterns of this calibre, both Woolwich. But few of them are used in the navy. This calibre cannot be distinguished from the 12-inch, except by measurement.

_12-inch R. M. L. 25 Tons and 35 Tons._

The 25-ton gun was introduced in 1864. There are two patterns, the first built on the old Armstrong pattern, there being but four in service. The second mark is Woolwich. The 35-ton gun was introduced in 1871. There is but one mark of this gun corresponding to the Woolwich.

_12½-inch R. M. L. 38 Tons._

Introduced in 1875. There is but one mark of this calibre, and it exactly resembles the 35-ton 12-inch.

_16-inch R. M. L. 80 Tons._

Introduced in 1878. There is but one mark of this calibre. These guns have a chamber one inch greater in diameter than the bore, and the form of rifling is that used with expanding projectiles, being multigroove with shallow grooves. The construction corresponds to the latest development of the Woolwich pattern.

_Armstrong Construction._

The first type of rifled guns introduced into the English naval service was the Armstrong, for both breech and muzzle loaders. Fabrication of original breech-loader ceased in 1864, but many of this type still remain in service. The original construction of the muzzle-loader was modified in 1864, but the general type and principles were preserved and are still used. The present type of modified Armstrong construction is used by many foreign services, and the 100-ton gun has been introduced in the English service. The modified Armstrong breech-loading system for the 100-ton gun has been adopted in Italy.

The grooves of the breech-loader (original) are saw-toothed in shape, vanishing at the shot-chamber for use with a lead-coated projectile.

The grooves of the muzzle-loader (original) are of the shunt or double type, being cut to the full depth for the entire length and _one half the width_ of the groove. The other half of the width is cut on an incline from the muzzle towards the chamber, this half being the driving side. The loading edge of the groove near the bottom is cut at a sharp angle so as to throw the studs of the projectile against the driving edges of the groove, and give it a close bearing. In coming out the studs ride up the incline of the driving side and are pinched, centring the projectile. This groove is now obsolete. The groove of the improved muzzle and breech-loaders is the plain groove.

BREECH-LOADING GUNS (ORIGINAL).

_7-inch B. L. R. 82 cwt._

This calibre has been totally withdrawn from service, and has been replaced by the muzzle-loader. The body of the gun consists of an A tube, a breech-piece and B tube, a trunnion-ring and six coils. A vertical slot pierces the gun at the base of the chamber, into which fits a block called the vent-piece. This block is quite light and is easily lifted out or replaced by means of handles. The forward face of the block fits the rear of the chamber, and the escape of gas is prevented by means of a tin-cup gas-check. This vent-piece is held in position when in the gun by a block termed a breech-screw. This block is provided with a full screw-thread, and works longitudinally, the forward end of the block seating against the back of the vent-piece. This breech-screw is provided with a handle for turning, the handle being weighted at the end, and having a lost-motion movement by which the block may be driven close home when screwed up. The vent is bored in the vent-piece, piercing it vertically to the centre, and then turning at right angles. The breech-screw is hollow, the hole being of slightly less diameter than the powder-chamber. When the vent-piece is out, the gun is cleaned and loaded through the breech-screw.

_40-pdr. B. L. R. 32 and 35 cwt._

The same general type as the larger calibre. In this and smaller calibres there is no separate gas-check, the joint consisting of two bevelled copper facings, one on the vent-piece and the other in the powder-chamber, which form a close contact and seal the joint by expansion.

_20-pdr. B. L. R., 15 and 13 cwt.; 12-pdr. B. L. R., 8 cwt.; 9-pdr. B. L. R., 6 cwt.; 6-pdr. B. L. R., 3 cwt._

Same construction as the 40-pdr., except that the coils are fewer.

_Modified Breech-Loaders._

Although these guns are not yet introduced into service, they probably will be. The construction is the same in principle for the body of the gun as in the old breech-loaders, with slight modifications. The breech mechanism is almost identical with the French, the modifications being in the gas-check, which is of the general Broadwell type.

MUZZLE-LOADERS (ORIGINAL).

These guns consist of a steel solid-ended tube, reinforced by a number of coils connected by hook-joints. The coils are of wrought-iron bars, rolled into hollow cylinders and the turns welded in order to give a circumferential direction to the grain. Over the breech and powder-chamber a forged breech-piece fits, the grain of the iron running longitudinally. The base of the A tube is supported by a solid wrought-iron piece screwing into the forged breech-piece. A narrow spiral gutter is cut around the A tube throughout its length, and carried out at the cascabel screw-thread. By means of this, in case that the steel tube gets cracked through, the leakage of gas gives warning by blowing out at the breech. Some of these guns (7-inch) have the shunt groove, and the later ones the Woolwich groove.

_Modified._

The modified construction consists in abolishing the forged breech-piece, giving the steel tube a greater thickness over the powder-chamber, and decreasing the number of coils, whilst their thickness is increased individually. The guns are also given a greatly increased length of bore, and the powder-chamber is enlarged in diameter to permit the insertion of a heavier charge. Plain grooves.

At present the Elswick Company is engaged in supplying the Italian Government with breech-loading 100-ton guns. The breech-block is of the French type, and arrangements are made for moving the block as well as loading by hydraulic or steam power. The 100-ton gun has no carriage proper, its trunnions resting in heavy blocks on the fixed slide, being connected in rear with hydraulic recoil pistons which are themselves connected in such a manner as to equalize the strain of recoil. The movements of running out and in and loading are all performed by hydraulic power. The vent of the 100-ton gun is axial both in the breech and muzzle loader.

_Armstrong Projectiles_ (see page 209). _Armstrong Fuze_ (see page 211).

_Armstrong Breech Mechanism and Rotating Belt._

The points of peculiarity of the Armstrong breech mechanism are: 1st. The face of the breech-block is made slightly convex so that the gas-check springs back when the pressure comes on it, throwing the edge outwards, and making a wedged joint. This comes free again the moment that the block is started. 2d. The rear of the shaft holding the gas-check in place is held by a spiral spring, so that in turning the block to lock it the gas-check is not revolved in its seat.

CARRIAGES.

Naval gun carriages and slides, as a rule, are built of plate-iron, although many of the wooden ones are still retained in service for the lighter calibres. The lighter carriages are worked by tackles, and the heavy ones by gearing. Breechings are no longer used with slide carriages, the recoil being checked by friction compressors or hydraulic recoil cylinders and buffers.

Wooden carriages are furnished for all smooth-bores and breech-loading rifles, and for 64-pdr. muzzle-loaders. Iron carriages may be furnished for these guns, but wooden ones are never furnished for others.

The wooden standing carriage is the old-fashioned four-truck one. The wooden rear-chock carriage is similar to what is known elsewhere as the Marsilly. Breechings are rove through holes in these carriages, and are not attached to the guns. The wooden slide-carriages and their slides are of the ordinary old-fashioned type. The compressor for these carriages consists on each bracket of the carriage of two iron plates with hinged pieces on their lower ends. They are suspended on iron bolts passing through the bracket so that their lower ends hang down and overlap the side of the slide. Through the upper ends of the plates and the bracket an iron screw and lever passes, whose motion separates or approaches the pieces, allowing them to release or grip the slide. Some slide-carriages are provided with hydraulic recoil cylinders.

_Iron Field-Carriage._

This carriage consists of two ¼-inch plate-iron brackets recessed to receive the axle-tree. These plates are strengthened by angle-irons riveted along the upper edge on the outer side from the trunnion-holes to the point. The brackets are lightened as much as possible by having pieces cut out of them. A front transom of plate-iron, having angle-irons riveted to it each side to connect it with the brackets; a similar transom about half way down the brackets; an iron trail-plate and axle-tree, and wooden wheels. The carriage makes a load for a mule, and the wheels another load. The elevating-gear consists of an iron stool-bed formed in front to hook loosely over a cross-bar, while the rear end, provided with two small studs, rests in racks riveted to the brackets. This is for getting rapid elevations. For fine sighting a sliding quoin is fitted to the stool-bed by clips, and is worked by a hand-wheel. Check-ropes are applied to the trail-eye and lashed to the wheels in firing. The Gatling gun is provided with a curved ratchet projecting down from the bottom of the gun-case, giving elevations by means of a hand-wheel and pinion.

_Iron Boat-Carriage._

The boat-carriage is made up of two ⅝-inch plate brackets, having narrow stiffening pieces along the front and upper edges. The brackets are riveted to a bottom plate by angle-irons on the outer sides, and are connected in front by a transom of plate riveted to angle-irons, and in rear by another transom. It has two outside holding-down clips on each side. The elevating-screw admits of 10° elevation and 2° depression. The slide consists of two sides of girder-iron, 6½ inches deep, and are joined by a connecting plate, three bottom plates, and a rear transom. These bottom plates have metal friction-plates attached beneath them. The centre as well as the front is fitted with a pivot-bolt. The transporting axle bolts beneath the slide. The hydraulic buffer lies upon the centre and rear transoms, to each of which it is secured by a band. This buffer is nothing more than the ordinary type of long cylinder and piston.[3] The cylinder is nearly filled with oil through a hole in the upper rear part. In case it is desired to empty the cylinder, there is a hole for the purpose in the lower forward end. Holes of a certain diameter are bored through the piston, and the recoil is checked in proportion to the resistance of the oil in passing through these holes. The cylinder not being quite full leaves an air-cushion to ease the strain. The piston-rod is secured to the carriage, and a slight vertical play is allowed in its fastenings to prevent the jump of the gun from bending it.

[3] See cut, page 203.

_Carriage for Light Upper-Deck Guns._

The carriage consists of two ½-inch plate brackets connected by a bottom plate and transom. This carriage has no rollers. It is fitted with the elevating hand-wheel, pinion, and ratchet in use with the heavier calibre.[4] The toothed ratchet bolts to the side of the breech of the gun. The toothed edge of the ratchet gears to a pinion, while the back is supported by a friction-roller attached to the bracket. The pinion being inside the bracket connects with a hand-wheel on the outside, which is held by a friction-brake. The peculiarity of the slide is that it slopes to the front at an angle of 10°. It is provided with a hydraulic recoil buffer (see Boat-Carriage), and also with plate compressors. There are two rubber buffers at the front of the slide to catch the gun in running out, and an in-tackle is fitted underneath the slide. A pivot-flap projects from the front of the slide, the pivot-bolt being close to the gun-port.

[4] See cut, page 199.

_Carriage and Slide for 7-inch M. L. R._

The carriage is a single-plate one, having two brackets, two transoms, and a bottom plate assembled by angle-irons. The bottom plate is slotted for the Elswick compressor.[5] This compressor is a modification of the American 15-inch one. It is made up of six bars of plate-iron, all of which are movable and which are placed lengthwise in the slide like the wooden balks in the American type. Seven plates hang through the slot in the bottom plate of the carriage, being loosely secured to it. The plates and bars are pressed together by rocking levers worked by screw-shafts, the shafts being worked by levers. The screws on the shafts are of different pitch. That on the right is called the compressing, having a quick pitch; when it is moved it presses the plates against the other lever, which, having a finer-pitched screw, is called the adjusting. The lower end of the adjusting lever is prolonged to form a trip-stop so that the recoil of the gun will throw the lever down automatically.

[5] See cut, page 201.

The front rollers of the carriage are permanently in action, whilst the rear ones are on eccentrics. The elevating-gear is the wheel and ratchet. The slide has a slope to the front of 3°. The slide-rollers are on eccentric axles. Attached to the rear of the slide is a simple system of winch-gear for running in and training. This is nothing more than a spur-wheel and windlass revolved by a pinion and crank. In using it, the fall of the in-tackle or training-tackle is caught over the windlass which is turned by the crank. In revolving slides, or slides which shift from one port to another, there is a separate attachment under the forward end, which is nothing more than a centre roller which when thrown into action raises the forward rollers clear of the deck; the after-end of the slide being held by a pivot-bolt, the forward one is swung to a new pivot-centre. This centre roller is thrown into action by gearing. Two ordinary bollard-heads are attached to the rear of the slide, so that the carriage may be held back or veered out in a seaway by turns of the in-tackle falls about them.

_Carriage and Slide for 8-inch M. L. R._

The carriage is similar to the 7-inch, except that instead of being fitted for tackles it is provided with Scott’s nipping-gear and endless chain.[6] The chain is a slide attachment. The nipping-gear consists of a heavy iron stirrup, movable in a vertical direction by means of an eccentric and lever. The chain passes freely through this stirrup when it is down, but on throwing it up the links of the chain are caught in the teeth of a sprocket-plate fastened to the bed-plate of the carriage, so that the movement of the chain carries the carriage with it. The slide is similar to the 7-inch, except that the Scott chain and gearing is used, which also traverses the slide. There are two chains, one at each side of the slide, which are revolved by pinions at either end. At the rear end the pinions are on a heavy axle, which is revolved by a crank and gearing. For training, this gearing is connected to a short shaft, having a pinion at its forward end, which gears in a metal rack on the deck; this shaft may be revolved or fixed at will by means of a pawl-wheel and screw-break, so that in training the slide can be traversed or fixed as desired. When the slide is a shifting one, the same gearing is used to swing the forward end of it around, by means of another pinion which is shipped just in front of the forward end of the slide. The compressor is the Elswick pattern.

[6] See cut, page 202.

_Carriage and Slide for 9-inch M. L. R._

The broadside 9-inch carriage is the same as the 8-inch; that for ships of the Sultan class differs in several particulars. The carriage is very low, its bottom plate coming well down inside of the slide. It is a double-plate carriage built on a cast-iron frame, the outer plate coming to the top of the slide, whilst the inner one is carried down inside. The rollers are completely hidden in their recesses, the forward ones being permanently in action, whilst the rear ones are on eccentrics. The rear axle between the rollers is bent down so as to give room for the breech of the gun in elevating.

The compressor fitted to this carriage is called the bow-compressor. It consists, on each side, of a bow or cramp pivoted at the centre, so that one arm projects inside the carriage through the bracket. A hinged plate is secured to the inner end, while the outer one holds an adjusting-screw which is worked by a hand-wheel, the latter having a pawl to hold it in any desired position. A brass arc near the face of this wheel graduated up to 17° shows the amount of compression. Two projecting pieces are attached to the side of the carriage to support the compressor-plates which hang upon them. These plates are three in number, the two inner ones being tapered, whilst the outer one is square-faced and much heavier. When the carriage is mounted on the slide, these tapering plates lie between the outer side of the slide (the T of which is filled out with wood) and two compressor-bars, which are tapered to correspond with the plates. The adjusting-screw takes against the outer plate, and by turning it the plates and bars are jammed together. The advantage of this compressor is that when once set it is self-acting, going out of action when the carriage is raised on its rear rollers, and coming into action by the weight of gun and carriage when the rollers are down.

The Scott nipping-gear is used, but it is single, the chain traversing the middle of the slide. The slide has no peculiarities except its height, which is greater than that of the 8-inch.

_Carriage and Slide for 10-inch M. L. R._

The carriages for ships of the Sultan class are the same as those for the 9-inch, except that the rear rollers are thrown in action by means of a hydraulic jack attached to the left bracket, there being a capstan-head arrangement at the other end of the axle for use in case the jack should break down. (For turret-carriage, see turret-carriage of 11-inch.) The slide is similar to that of the 9-inch, except that instead of the bow-compressor two hydraulic recoil cylinders are used, one at each side of the slide.

_Carriage and Slide for 11-inch M. L. R._

The carriages for ships of the Temeraire or Hotspur class are the same as the 9-inch ones. The turret-carriage is of the muzzle-pivoting type. This carriage presents the peculiarity of having one bracket larger than the other, in order to allow for the circular shape of the turret. The general frame of the carriage is similar in shape to the ordinary type, being double plate on a cast-iron frame, with an interior wrought-iron frame which serves as a guide for the saddle. The gun is supported by the trunnions in a saddle which is nothing more than a massive fork, the leg of which is a hydraulic piston-rod. The arms, containing the trunnion-holes, are supported in the framework of the brackets. The hydraulic cylinder projects through and is secured to the bottom plate of the carriage, and the double-acting pump-brake is attached to a spindle passing through the bracket.

The gun does not rest permanently on the hydraulic, but when at the middle or top of its elevation the saddle-arms are supported by iron blocks, which are put in place through slits in the brackets. When the gun is down the saddle rests on the bottom of its slots. At the low level the gun gets 13° elevation, and at the high level 6° depression. The rear rollers are thrown in action by means of a double-acting hydraulic. The elevating-gear for this gun is different from that of the smaller calibres. Instead of having a curved ratchet attached to the gun, the ratchet in this case is pivoted to the carriage, and a gearing and traveller being clamped to the cascabel of the gun, the breech elevates or depresses up and down the stationary ratchet. This carriage is provided with Scott’s nipping-gear and the bow-compressor, the latter being heavier and double, working on both sides of the slide-plates. These carriages are provided with breechings which pass around a fitting bolted to the inside of the front transom. Additional hydraulic jacks are placed underneath the arms of the saddle for use in case the central one gives out. The slide is similar to the 10-inch, where traversing slides are used. In turrets the slide is a fixture. (See 12-inch slide.)

_Carriage and Slide for 12-inch and 12½-inch M. L. R._

The carriage for turrets of the Devastation class is similar in general to that of the 11-inch. The hydraulic lift for the saddle is not a part of the carriage, however, but a part of the ship, there being two rams, one for raising the gun when run out, and one for raising it when run in. The elevating-gear is also different, in having an arrangement for altering the height of the stationary ratchet to correspond with the different levels of the trunnions. The slide is provided with hydraulic recoil cylinders, which also act as the running in and out power. The piston-head has no holes bored in it, but when the gun recoils the oil is driven out of the cylinder, the flow being regulated by a balanced valve. The pump to move the hydraulic is worked by steam, the direction of the movement being controlled by a lever in the turret.

_Carriage and Slide for 16-inch M. L. R._

There is no carriage proper for the 16-inch gun, the trunnions resting in saddles on beams fixed in the turret. Hydraulic piston-rods are attached to each saddle, the two cylinders being connected by a pipe to equalize the strain. The breech of the gun rests on a third block which travels in guides. These guides are hinged at the rear, the forward ends resting by means of a cross-head on the piston of a vertical hydraulic cylinder. By means of this the gun is elevated or depressed. The gun is run in or out, elevated, and loaded by hydraulic power.

_Loading Arrangements._

With the lighter calibres and broadside guns the usual loading methods are used, the heavy charges and projectiles being transported by means of railways either on deck or under the beams (the projectile in the latter case being slung to a traveller), and raised to the muzzle of the gun by a small davit shipped at the proper point on the slide. With the heavy turret-guns, automatic loading is resorted to. To accomplish this, a hole the size of the bore of the gun is worked in the turret underneath the port. Athwartship openings are left in the turret casing of the main-deck, in front of which are placed a hydraulic lift and the hydraulic extension rammer. The gun being run in, the turret is revoved until the port comes over the station of the rammer. The muzzle is then depressed, and the gun started out until it rests at the loading-hole. The rammer, which is also the sponge, being fixed permanently at the proper angle, is started ahead by a lever and is pushed to the bottom of the bore. On bringing up, a small spring at one side of the rammer-head is pressed, which opens a valve and turns on a stream of water. The rammer being withdrawn, the charge is run up in a hand-car on to the hydraulic lift, by which it is raised to the muzzle. A wad is shipped on the head of the rammer, and the latter, being started ahead, pushes the charge home. Owing to the shape of the rammer-head, the valve-spring cannot be pressed in pushing the charge down, so there is no danger of turning on the water. The position of the rammer-head in the bore is denoted by a simple pointer worked by a string, the other end being attached to the rammer-head. This crude arrangement is frequently out of order, and but little attention was paid to it until its importance was brought forcibly into notice by the double loading and consequent explosion of one of the Thunderer’s guns. One drawback to this system of loading is the care necessary to put the projectile on its car in one exact position, in order that the studs may come opposite their grooves. The car itself must be built at a certain fixed angle to bring the charge exactly in line for loading.

GUNPOWDER.

Gunpowder is graduated, according to size of grain and type, into seven distinct classes.

_Service Pistol Powder_ is used for Colts’ and Adams’ pistols and for the bursting charges of shrapnel. It passes through a 44 and rests on a 72 mesh sieve.

_Service R. F. G. Powder_ is used for rifled small-arms, except the Martini-Henry, Gatling guns, and pistols. It passes through a 12 and rests on a 20 mesh sieve. Density, 1.6.

_Service R. F. G.² Powder_ is used for Martini-Henry rifles and Gatling guns. It is of the same size as the R. F. G., but greater density—1.72.

_L. G. Powder_ is used in smooth-bores, and in rifled guns below 7 inches. This powder is being withdrawn as of inferior quality.

_R. L. G. Powder_ is used for full charges in guns of 7 inches and upward where the weight of charge does not exceed forty pounds. It passes through the 4 and rests on the 8 mesh sieve.

_P. Powder_ is used for battering-charges of all rifled guns of 7 inches and above, up to 12½ inches, and for all service charges of forty pounds and upward. The grain is cubical, ⅝ of an inch on a side.

_P.² Powder_ is used with the 12½-inch and upward. This powder is cubical, 1½ inches on a side.

Gunpowder is graduated according to its fitness for use into six classes:

Class I. _Service._—All new powder. All returned powder found to be uninjured.

Class II. _Blank._—Powder from broken-up cannon-charges too dusty for Class I. Powder from broken-up small-arm ammunition. Service powder found too dusty for use in cartridges.

Class III. _Shell._—Powder found too dusty for Class II.

Class IV. _Doubtful._—All powder returned into store and waiting examination.

Class V. _Condemned for Sale._—Powder too much deteriorated for the higher classes.

Class VI. _Condemned for Extraction._—Powder obtained from shells, and powder found to have been too much damaged for any use except for the extraction of the saltpetre.

CARTRIDGES.

Cartridge-bags are made either of serge or of silk cloth.

Serge is used in all smooth-bores and breech-loading rifles, except for the blank cartridges of smooth-bores, which are of silk.

Silk is used for all muzzle-loading rifles.

Cartridges are always filled by weight and not by measure.

All cartridges are both choked and hooped, the number of hoops depending on the length of the cartridge. These hoops are either of twine or braid, according to the size and weight of cartridge and the stiffness required.

All cartridges are marked in black with the nature of the gun for which they are intended, the weight of powder, and the monogram of the station where they were filled.

Cartridges are packed in magazines, in corrugated brass tanks which are either rectangular or pentagonal.

Cartridges for calibres above 8 inches are not transported about the ship’s decks in passing-boxes, but in zinc cylinders with a lock cover.

PROJECTILES.

The projectiles used are shot, shell, shrapnel, and case-shot.

The Palliser chilled shot is used with the muzzle-loading guns of 7 inches and upward. It is of cast-iron, the head as far as the shoulder being cast in a chill, while the rest is in a sand-mould. This shot is never solid, but a space is left large enough to contain a bursting-charge if desirable. By this means a better casting is obtained. With the larger calibres, the cylindrical part of the shot is reduced slightly in diameter to allow for setting up when the projectile first starts. There are four kinds of shells: the segment, common, double, and Palliser. The segment shells are only used with breech-loaders. This shell consists of a thin cast-iron cylindro-conoidal case lined with cast-iron segments built up in layers and leaving a cylindrical powder-chamber in the centre. The base is closed by a cast-iron disc. It is provided with a thin jacket of alloy, which takes in the rifling and gives the twist to the projectile.

The common shell is the ordinary cast-iron projectile. In addition to its fuse-hole it is provided with a loading-hole opening on the shoulder.

The double shell is similar to the common shell, except that it is nearly four calibres long and its chamber is provided with longitudinal strengthening ribs. It is only used in the 7-inch gun.

The Palliser shell is similar to the Palliser shot, except that it is slightly longer and has a larger chamber. Fuses are never used with the Palliser shot or shell.

The shrapnel consists of two main parts—the cast-iron body and the wooden head. The body is nearly as thick as that of the common shell, and is scored longitudinally in order to permit it to break up easily. The wooden head is covered with a light sheet-iron case which rivets to the body. The bottom of the chamber is the powder-chamber proper, over the mouth of which rests a wrought-iron disc having a hole in the centre, tapped to take a wrought-iron tube. The upper chamber is filled with lead bullets which are set fast with resin. The fuse screws into a hole in the head, and projects into the wrought-iron tube communicating with the powder-chamber. Both the chamber and the tube are filled with powder.

Case-shot are of the ordinary form. Up to the 7-inch calibre the body is made of tin, beyond that it is of tinned sheet-iron. For the smaller calibres the bottom is of tin, for the larger it is a wrought-iron disc. The top is in all cases tinned iron. The contents of the case are packed in clay and sand, and there is an interior lining made up of three loose-fitting wrought-iron segments.

Shot and shell used with muzzle-loading rifles are now provided with a copper disc attached to the base, called a gas-check. This disc is slightly convex to the rear to enable it to spread and stop the windage on firing. It is attached to the projectile by means of a screw-plug and nut. On firing, it is expanded into the rifling and completely stops the windage. It gains a grip on the base of the shell by means of an undercut rim, whilst radial scores on the base prevent it from gaining an independent rotary motion, and enable it to assist in rotating the projectile.

All muzzle-loading projectiles are provided with studs for rotation. They are of gun-metal, swedged into countersunk holes, in two rows. The loading side of all grooves is cut back so as to double the width of the groove at the muzzle, in order to facilitate the insertion of the projectile.

Papier-maché wads are used in front of the heavier projectiles to keep them from slipping forward out of place. These wads are very slightly less than the calibre of the gun, and about an inch in thickness. A hole is bored through the centre, large enough to leave a clear space for the fuse. A short papier-maché tube projects from the forward side of the wad, which serves to attach it to the rammer when loading, and hold it vertical while the charge is going home.

Shell-charges for Palliser projectiles are introduced in serge bags to prevent premature explosions.

FUSES.

Both time and percussion fuses are used in the navy. The time-fuses are the Boxer and the Armstrong; the latter used only with breech-loading segment shell. The percussion fuse is the Pettman.

The Boxer time-fuse has a beech-wood body and is conical in shape. The fuse composition is a vertical column in a centre channel which is not bored entirely through the bottom, a base being left to receive the set-back of the column on firing. Two side channels are bored from the bottom nearly to the top, and are filled with mealed powder. Holes are bored from the outside into these channels one tenth of an inch apart, and the composition burns at the rate of one inch in five seconds, so that each hole represents a half-second. The head of the fuse is closed by a safety-cap, which is removed before loading. The time of burning is set by boring through the desired hole into the composition. The bottom hole is always bored through.

The Armstrong time-fuse is made of gun-metal. A ring of fuse composition similar to that of the old Bormann fuse is pressed in a channel whose outer wall is marked in inches and tenths. This fuse composition is covered by a movable collar which is kept in place by a nut. Attached to this movable collar is a small chamber containing a detonator. When the gun is fired, this detonator ignites the composition at the point at which it is set, and the flame travels around until it meets the magazine, or blowing-chamber, which communicates the flame to the shell-charge.

The Pettman percussion fuse is made up of seven principal parts—the body, top plug, steady plug, detonating ball, cone plug, lead cap, and bottom plug. The top and bottom plugs are set fast; the shock of firing sets back all the other parts, crushing the lead cap over the cone and bottom plugs, which by their shape are all held fast when jammed together. The detonating ball, whose surface is covered with a detonating composition, is carried straight back and prevented from coming in contact with the sides of the chamber by the steady plug. When the projectile strikes, however, the steady plug starts forward and releases the ball, which, coming in contact with the sides of the fuse, explodes the detonating powder and the flame is carried by holes through the lower plugs to the charge.

PRIMERS.

Gun-locks are no longer used in the navy. Guns are fired by means of either the friction or the electric tube. The quill friction-tube is used exclusively for the navy. This tube is of two sizes, the short and the long, the latter being used with the heavy calibres. The quill is driven with mealed powder, and a hole is pierced through the centre. The top and bottom are stopped with shellac putty. In the upper part of the tube an iron-wire friction-bar is inserted, having a sprinkling of detonating composition and mealed powder on one side. The top of the tube is strengthened by a thread woolding and a leather loop, which slip over a pin placed forward of the vent.

The naval electric tube consists of a quill body and a xylonite bottom, the quill being of a diameter to slip completely into the vent. Within this quill are insulated terminals of wire connected by a platinum-silver wire bridge surrounded by priming composition. The whole tube goes into the vent, a stop on the insulating wires preventing it from going too far.

SIGHTS.

All muzzle-loading guns, except turret-guns and boat-guns, have six sights—three hind-sights (two tangent and one centre) and three trunnion-sights. Boat-guns have one centre hind and one fore sight, and turret-guns have turret-sights. All guns except boat-guns have wood scales, and all guns in covered batteries, except turret-guns, have graduated arcs on the pivot-circles.

The tangent-sight is a rectangular steel bar rounded off on two sides, and having a gun-metal head in which slides a gun-metal leaf. The gun-metal leaf slides in a socket, and is provided with a simple clamp-screw. These sights are graduated on the four sides. In general, the forward side is graduated to 10´ from 0 up to 12°. The right side is marked from 100 up to 4000 yards, and for seconds of fuse from 1 to 30—both graduations for common shell with the full charge; the rear side from 100 to 4800 yards for Palliser shot or shell with the battering-charge; the left side from 100 to 4800 yards, and from 1 second to 34 seconds, for common shell with battering-charge.

The centre hind-sight is a hexagonal gun-metal bar with the sliding leaf marked like the tangent-sights, but shorter.

All hind-sights are set at a permanent angle of deflection.

The fore or trunnion sights consist of a pillar and collar of gun-metal, a small steel leaf, and a screw for fixing the leaf. A gun-metal socket is fixed in the gun, and the sight secured in this socket by a double bayonet-joint, so that it may be readily removed or replaced without requiring a special adjustment.

With turret-guns the sights are placed on top of the turret. Each turret is provided with a number of man-holes large enough to admit the head and shoulders. For each man-hole a pair of sights is adjusted, the line of sight being parallel to the axis of the gun. In some turrets, in order to prevent exposure, mirrors are arranged so that these sights may be used by persons in the turret.

The wood scale is a wooden bar used in connection with marks on the rear face of the cascabel. This face is marked from 0 to 3½° for both elevation and depression. The wood scale is a square bar having its four sides marked to yards for different charges. When the gun is placed in position aboard ship, this scale is cut so that its zero and the cascabel zero shall coincide with the guns at level, on an even keel.

The sights for breech-loaders are similar to those of muzzle-loaders, except that what is known as the barrel-headed sliding leaf is used, and there are no centre-sights.

DISTINGUISHING MARKS OF PROJECTILES.

The common shell is known from its carrying a fuse in the point which is cut off for that purpose.

The double shell is known by its disproportion of length to diameter.

The Palliser projectile is known from its sharp point.

The shrapnel is known from the joint which connects the head to the body.

Fragments of a copper disc would denote that Palliser projectiles were used, and a fragment of the head of a Palliser projectile is easily recognizable by the grain of the iron.

PALLISER CONSTRUCTION.

The Palliser construction is entirely applied to the conversion of old cast-iron smooth-bore guns into efficient rifles. In this system the bore of the gun is reamed out to a sufficient diameter to permit the insertion of a coiled wrought-iron tube. This tube is made up of a number of short coiled sections end-welded together. The rear of the tube is planed down, and a jacket (coiled with the spirals opposite in direction to the tube) is shrunk on. The breech end of the tube is closed by a wrought-iron disc screwed into place. The surface of the tube is then turned to a snug but not tight fit in the casing or gun, and is inserted, being held in place by a muzzle screw-collar. A screw is tapped through the chase into the tube to keep it from turning. The old vent is bored through and the gun is submitted to a course of proof-firing with full charges, to expand the tube against the wall of the casing, making a snug fit. A spiral slot is cut around the tube from front to rear, and carried through the cascabel as a tell-tale for the escape of gas in case the tube is split or cracked through at a weld. These guns are extraordinarily long-lived, and have been extensively used by the governments of Great Britain and the United States.

_Palliser Projectiles._ See Pages 208-210.

WHITWORTH CONSTRUCTION.

Whitworth ordnance is used almost exclusively in the Brazilian Navy, and is the regulation type. The Whitworth construction belongs to the all-steel type, and differs in almost every particular from the other types. The guns are both muzzle and breech-loaders. The body of the gun consists of a steel tube reinforced by steel hoops. The tube is cast solid and submitted to a heavy hydraulic pressure while in a molten state, giving the metal as it solidifies a perfectly homogeneous crystallization throughout. This tube is bored completely through, and in the muzzle-loaders the breech end is closed by a steel screw-plug. The hoops are hollow cast and forged on a mandrel, the lengths in the different layers being accurately turned and screwed together; the layers are then put on the gun _cold_ and forced home (from the muzzle end) by hydraulic pressure, the forcing being carefully gauged so as not to crush the metal of the tube.

The breech-loaders are slotted across the rear face in such a manner that the rear face of the block is entirely exposed, thus saving in length of breech of gun. The breech-block is cubical, and is traversed along the upper and lower surfaces by heavy threads set at an angle with the face of the block. These threads travel in heavy male threads in the slot, the system forming the support for the thrust on the block. Attached to the rear face of the block is a weighted crank which revolves a cogged wheel housed in the block and travelling in a rack in the rear of the lower side of the block-seat. In guns of heavy calibre the system is reversed, the crank and wheel housing in the rear of the gun and the rack in the block. By means of this gearing the block is moved transversely, masking and unmasking the bore, the left end of the block being cut for a loading-hole. A stop on the face of the breech locks the block when home and catches it at the proper point when open.

The Whitworth groove is of a peculiar nature, being almost a perfect hexagon, and having an extremely sharp twist of from one turn in 2 feet in the 2-pdr. to one turn in 13 feet in the 9-inch.

The projectiles are cut to fit the grooves, the armor-punching ones being of compressed steel.

THE VAVASSEUR CONSTRUCTION.

Vavasseur ordnance is used considerably in China, and has found some use in other quarters of the world. The gun belongs to the steel type. It consists of a mild-steel oil-tempered tube, reinforced by steel hoops, the hoops being narrow and numerous and shrunk on. The trunnion-hoop is of wrought iron. The gun has, properly speaking, ribs instead of grooves, the grooves being cut in the projectiles. The twist is a constant one.

The gun-carriage possesses a peculiar recoil arrangement, consisting of a heavy screw-shaft traversing the middle of the slide and carrying at its forward end a wrought-iron friction-wheel with a metal strap worked by a lever, by which any desired amount of friction may be applied. Attached to the carriage is a sleeve or clutch grasping the screw-shaft. When the gun recoils, the motion of the sleeve along the shaft causes the latter to revolve, the friction being regulated by the friction-band. For running in and out a large cog-wheel is fixed to the inside of each carriage-bracket, the cogs taking in racks along the sides of the slide. In starting the gun out, the motion of starting slacks the friction-band on the screw-shaft, allowing the gun to run freely; for controlling the motion in a seaway, a small friction-brake on the rear of the slide is used. The carriage is mounted on eccentric rollers, and the movement of throwing them out of or into action ungears or gears the running-out cranks outside of the brackets, so that in recoiling the cranks are not thrown around. The chamber of the Vavasseur gun, as originally constructed, is smaller than the bore, being in this a reversal of the present accepted true principle, and limiting the guns to small charges and low velocities.

FRENCH ORDNANCE.

A = Over all. B = Bore. C = Number of Grooves. -----------------------+--------+---------------+---- NAME, NATURE, AND | | LENGTH. | CLASSIFICATION. | +-------+-------+ |Calibre.| A | B | C -----------------------+--------+-------+-------+---- | In. | In. | In. | French pattern, cast-iron, steel-lined Breech-loaders. Model of 1870. | | | | 32 cm. | 12.6 | 264 | 244 | 32 27 ” | 10.8 | 212 | 194 | 28 24 ” | 9.46 | 195 | 179 | 24 19 ” | 7.64 | 164 | 151 | 20 16 ” | 6.49 | 146 | 135 | 16 14 ” | 5.46 | 123 | 115 | 14 Model of 1864-67. | | | | 27 ” | 10.8 | 184 | 167 | 5 24 ” | 9.46 | 180 | 165 | 5 19 ” | 7.64 | 150 | 138 | 5 16 ” | 6.49 | 133 | 124 | 3 14 ” | 5.46 | 81 | 73.6 | 3 Bronze Muzzle-loaders. | | | | 12 cm. | 4.78 | 81.4 | 71.5 | 6 4 ” | 3.41 | 37.8 | 31.7 | 6 Hotchkiss Machine-gun. | 1.46 | 51.2 | 29.1 | Model of 1858-60 Muzzle-loaders. 22 cm. | | | | 16 ” | | | | 14 ” | | | | -----------------------+--------+-------+-------+----

D = Twist of Rifling. E = Gun, including Breech-block. F = Breech-block. G = Preponderance. -----------------------+------+----------------+---- NAME, NATURE, AND | | WEIGHT. | CLASSIFICATION. | +--------+-------+ | D | E | F | G -----------------------+------+--------+-------+---- | Cal. | Lbs. | Lbs. | Lbs. French pattern, cast-iron, steel-lined Breech-loaders. Model of 1870. | | | | 32 cm. | 0/45 | 85,800 | 1,540 | 396 27 ” | 0/45 | 51,040 | 1,100 | 88 24 ” | 0/45 | 34,400 | 726 | 88 19 ” | 0/45 | 17,500 | 352 | 88 16 ” | 0/30 | 12,000 | | 103 14 ” | 0/30 | 5,900 | 176 | 103 Model of 1864-67. | | | | 27 ” | 0/30 | 45,100 | 704 | 24 ” | 0/30 | 31,900 | 567 | 19 ” | 0/30 | 17,610 | 295 | 16 ” | 0/30 | 11,000 | 191 | 330 14 ” | 0/30 | 4,100 | 103 | 165 -----------------------+------+--------+-------+---- Bronze Muzzle-loaders. | | | | 12 cm. | | 1,360 | | 176 4 ” | | 220 | | 33 Hotchkiss Machine-gun. | | 440 | | -----------------------+------+--------+-------+---- Model of 1858-60 Muzzle-loaders. 22 cm. | | | | 16 ” | | | | 14 ” | | | | -----------------------+------+--------+-------+----

A = Carriage. B = Slide. C = Steel. D = Chilled. E = Common. F = Canister. G = Bursting Charge Common Shell. ------------------+-------------+-----------------------+-------------- NAME, NATURE, AND | Carriage. | Projectiles. | CLASSIFICATION. +-------------+-----------------------+-------------- | Weight. | Complete Weight. | Weight. +------+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-------------- | A | B | C | D | E | F | G ------------------+------+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-------------- | Lbs. | Lbs. | Lbs.| Lbs.| Lbs.| Lbs.| Lbs. French pattern, cast-iron, steel-lined Breech-loaders. Model of 1870. 32 cm. | | | 770 | 770 |630 | | 37.4 27 ” |10,230|12,960| 475 | 475 |396 | 317 | 24 +------+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+----- 24 ” | 7,304| 8,140| 317 | 317 |264 | 220 | 17 | 5,720| | | | | | +------+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+----- | 4,664|11,550| | | | | 19 ” | 4,400| 3,410| 165 | 165 |137.5| 114| 7 +------+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+----- 16 ” | 3,520| 9,460| 99 | 99 | 84 | 69| 14 ” | 2,085| 1,287| | | 46 | 41| 2.4 Model of 1864-67. 27 ” |10,230|12,980| | 475 | 317 | 321| 14.6 +------+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+----- | | | | | | 211| 24 ” | 5,720| 8,140| | 817 | 220 | 220| 10.3 +------+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+----- 19 ” | 4,400| 3,410| | 165 | 115 | 105| 4.8 +------+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+----- 16 ” | 3,520| 9,460| | | | | | 2,639| 1,260| | 99 | 69 | 66| 3 +------+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+----- 14 ” | 1,540| 1,100| | | 41 | 27 | 2.1 | | | | | | 39.6| ------------------+------+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+----- Bronze Muzzle-loaders. 12 cm. | 1,023| | | | 25 | 24.6| 1.1 | 385| | | | | | +------+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+----- | 352| | | | | | 4 ” | 319|231 | | | 10 | 10| .17 ------------------+------+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------ Hotchkiss Machine-gun. Model of 1858-60 Muzzle-loaders. 22 cm. | | | | | | | 16 ” | | | | | | | 14 ” | | | | | | | ------------------+------+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----

A = Steel and Chilled Shot. B = Common Shell. C = Ordinary. D = Saluting. E = Steel. F = Chilled. G = Common. ------------------+------------------------+-------------------- NAME, NATURE, AND | POWDER CHARGE. | INITIAL VELOCITY. CLASSIFICATION. +-----+------+-----+-----+-----+-------+------ | A | B | C | D | E | F | G ------------------+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+-------+------ |Lbs. |Lbs. |Lbs. | Lbs.|Feet.| Feet.| Feet. French pattern, cast-iron, steel-lined Breech-loaders. Model of 1870. | | | | | | | 32 cm. |132 |132 | | |1,394| 1,394 | 1,496 27 ” | 92.4| 92.4 |52.8 |19.8 |1,417| 1,417 | 1,542 24 ” | 61.6| 61.6 |35.2 |13.2 |1,443| 1,443 | 1,555 19 ” | 33 | 33 |17.6 | 7.7 |1,456| 1,456 | 1,726 16 ” | 20.9| 20.9 | | |1,575| 1,575 | 1,660 14 ” | | 9 | 9 | 3.3 | | | 1,493 Model of 1864-67. 27 ” | 79.2| 52.8 |52.8 |19.8 | | 1,086 | 1,188 24 ” | 52.8| 35.2 |35.2 |13.2 | | 1,115 | 1,188 19 ” | 27.5| 17.6 |17.6 | 7.7 | | 1,128 | 1,168 16 ” | 16.5| 11 |11 | 5.5 | | 1,132 | 1,197 14 ” | | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 | | | 1,053 ------------------+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+-------+------ Bronze Muzzle-loaders. 12 cm. | | 2.2 | 2.2 | 2.2 | | | 1,007 4 ” | | .66| .66| .66| | | 738 Hotchkiss Machine-gun. | .18| | | | | 1,318 ------------------+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+-------+------ Model of 1858-60 Muzzle-loaders. 22 cm. | | | | | | | 16 ” | | | | | | | 14 ” | | | | | | | ------------------+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+-------+------

-------------------+------------------------------+----------------- NAME, NATURE, AND | MUZZLE ENERGY. | PENETRATION. CLASSIFICATION. +---------+----------+---------+-------+--------- | Steel. | Chilled. |Common. | Steel.| Chilled. -------------------+---------+----------+---------+-------+--------- |Ft. Tons.| Ft. Tons.|Ft. Tons.| In. | In. French pattern, cast-iron, steel-lined Breech-loaders. Model of 1870. 32 cm. | 10,390 | 10,390 |9,730 | 14.5 | 14.5 27 ” | 6,596 | 6,596 |6,506 | 12.5 | 12.5 24 ” | 4,561 | 4,561 |4,414 | 11.1 | 11.1 19 ” | 2,330 | 2,330 |1,828 | 9 | 9 16 ” | 1,698 | 1,698 |1,598 | 8.2 | 8.2 14 ” | | | 712 | | Model of 1864-67. 27 ” | | 3,871 |3,088 | | 9.6 24 ” | | 2,821 |2,144 | | 8.75 19 ” | | 1,451 |1,081 | | 7.0 16 ” | | 876 | 687 | | 5.87 14 ” | | | 314 | | -------------------+---------+----------+---------+-------+--------- Bronze Muzzle-loaders. 12 cm. | | | 176 | | 4 ” | | | 39 | | Hotchkiss Machine-gun. | | | | .94 -------------------+---------+----------+---------+-------+--------- Model of 1858-60 Muzzle-loaders. 22 cm. | | | | | 16 ” | | | | | 14 ” | | | | | -------------------+---------+----------+---------+-------+---------

GUNS.

Smooth-bore guns are entirely obsolete, except for saluting purposes at dock-yards.

The rifled ordnance consists of the cast-iron breech-loader, model 1870, the cast-iron breech-loader, model 1864-67, the cast-iron muzzle-loader, model 1858-60, the bronze muzzle-loader, the mitrailleuse, and the Hotchkiss machine-gun. A new all-steel pattern is being introduced into the service, whose attachments are quite similar to the model of 1870.

The two models of breech-loaders differ radically in the style of rifling, and although the breech mechanism is the same in principle in both types, it is quite different in detail.

_Breech-Loader, Model 1870._

Guns of this type consist of a cast-iron body strengthened by a steel tube and steel hoops. The steel tube, which is about one quarter of a calibre in thickness, is inserted into the bore from the rear, and is set fast by a heavy male screw-thread worked at its rear end. It extends a short distance forward of the trunnions. The steel hoops are shrunk on over the cast-iron body, and cover all that part occupied by the tube. For the 14-cm. calibre there is but one row of hoops; for the higher calibres two rows breaking joints. The trunnions form a part of the hoop next to the forward one. In all calibres above 16-cm. this trunnion-hoop is thicker than the others, and forms a salient on the surface of the gun.

The bore is rifled on the multigroove system, with an increasing twist of from 0° at the breech to 4° at the muzzle, the direction of the twist being from right to left (contrary to the invariable rule in other countries). The chamber proper is divided into four parts: the shot-chamber, the powder-chamber, the gas-check seat, and the breech-block seat.

The shot-chamber is conical in shape, small end forward, the rifling vanishing at this point in an easy slope. The diameter of this end is the same as that of the bore measured across the grooves. The rear end is joined to the powder-chamber by a second small cone, against which the rear ring of the projectile takes when home.

The powder-chamber is cylindrical, and of a diameter slightly greater than that of the bore.

The gas-check seat is of considerably greater diameter than the powder-chamber. It is conical in shape, small end forward.

The breech-block seat is cylindrical, having a heavy screw-thread around its wall, which is cut into three equal sectors, leaving three blanks of the same width. One of these blanks comes at the bottom of the seat, in order to allow the breech-block to slide back and forth.

The breech mechanism consists of two main parts, the block and the console or bracket, which is hinged to the face of the breech and holds the block when it is withdrawn from its seat.

The breech-block is a steel cylinder having heavy screw-sectors about its surface to correspond with those in the seat. The last turn of screw-thread is left entire in order to relieve the shock of closing the breech. The forward face is made movable in order that when it becomes worn and scored by the action of the powder-gas it may be changed. This face is a steel disc which sets flat against the face of the block, and is of the same diameter. It seats in the face of the block by means of a smaller cylinder or trunnion, and projecting from the rear of this trunnion is a steel rod, which passes completely through the axis of the block and carries the vent. In order to prevent the disc from having any independent motion, a small tenon on its rear face enters a socket in the face of the block. The disc is keyed fast by a small pin which is screwed radially through the block near the middle, the end of the pin taking in a score cut in the vent-rod. A small catch, projecting from the rear lower side of the block, holds the console in place when the breech is closed. The rear face of the block is provided with two parallel handles screwed to it, to assist in moving it, and a long crank-handle between them for revolving the block. At the end of this crank-handle there is a slight projection made to receive the blows of any instrument that may be used to drive the block around when it works stiffly. Along the two lower blanks of the block slots are cut, in which traverse small projections of the console to hold the block steady. About the middle of the lower screw-sector a small hole is cut into which a small stop springs when the block is withdrawn to its limit on the console. The vent is provided with a copper bush at its forward end and a steel one at its rear.

The console is semi-cylindrical, and is hinged to the face of the breech so that when the breech-block is withdrawn it may be swung to the right and unmask the bore. It is provided with a spring stop and two small projections taking in the block, which limit the movement of the latter and hold it steady when resting on the console.

Two small pins, screwed into the face of the breech, limit the arc of movement of the crank-handle, one at the vertical point and the other 60° to the right.

A small stop attached to the face of the breech holds the crank-handle fast when the breech is closed. This stop allows the handle to pass in closing, but must be raised by hand in opening.

The gas-check is of copper, and is a fixture in its seat. It is a ring in reality, the centre being cut out to permit the passage of the charge through it in loading; the edge is turned up, forming a cup, the outer part being conical to fit the seat. The bend of the rim is quite thick, and a gutter is cut around it in order to make the powder-gas seal the joint properly. The bottom of this ring is provided with three concentric grooves to break the force of the gas that may escape through the joints. When the breech is closed the face of the block presses directly on the gas-check, and a copper ring is countersunk in the face of the block which forms the contact with the check. This ring has grooves to correspond with the grooves on the back of the gas-check.

The vent is horizontal, and is situated in the axis of the breech-block. Its outer end is formed in double-cone shape (throughout the steel bush), the small ends of the cone being joined. Percussion primers are used in connection with a spring gun-lock. (See Primers.)

_Breech-Loader, Model 1864-67._

These guns are hooped like the model of 1870, but are not tubed.

The vent is pierced vertically near the bottom of the powder-chamber, instead of being in the breech-block.

The grooves are of the pattern known as the “basket-handle,” for mechanical fit projectiles (see French Groove, English Ordnance), having an increasing twist of from 0° to 6°. The 14-cm. and 16-cm. guns have three grooves, the others five. The width of the grooves is the same throughout the length of the bore, being cut back on the loading side near the powder-chamber to facilitate loading. The depth of the groove, however, diminishes towards the muzzle in order to pinch the studs and steady the projectile. At the powder-chamber and running forward for a short distance in the centre of each band is a supplementary groove, in which travel the rear studs of the projectiles, which are made so small as to easily sheer off. These secondary grooves prevent the projectile from being pushed too far into the bore. With the 19-cm. gun, the supplementary groove is made by cutting back the loading side of the regular groove. There is no shot-chamber proper.

The powder-chamber is cylindrical, of the same diameter as that of the bore across the grooves. The bottom groove is produced through the powder-chamber, to serve as a directing groove for the projectile in loading.

In rear of the powder-chamber there are two gas-check seats, conical in shape, with the small diameter forward. The rear and larger one is intended for service in case of accident to the other.

The breech-plug seat is similar to the model 1870.

The breech-closing mechanism consists of two main parts like that of the model 1870, the breech-plug and the console or bracket.

The breech-plug differs from the model 1870 in being lighter, by having the interior cut away as much as possible consistent with strength. It has two movable faces or discs to correspond with the two gas-check seats. These discs are secured to the face of the plug in a similar manner to the model 1870, except that the disc in this case is allowed to revolve freely. The gas-check is carried on the face of the disc instead of being a fixture of the gun.

It is quite similar to the model 1870, except that the hole in the centre is smaller and serves to secure it to the face of the disc. The centre of the disc being slightly raised carries two ears which receive the inner edge of the gas-check and centre it. Over these a solid-headed nut screws, which fixes the gas-check and makes a tight joint. The gas-check is made of steel.

The console is similar to the model 1870.

_Muzzle-Loader, Model 1858-60._

These guns are hooped, but have no tubes. The trunnions are cast with the body of the gun, the hoops not coming so far forward. The vent is vertical near the bottom of the powder-chamber, like the model 1864.

The grooves are of the “basket-handle” type, three in number, with an increasing twist of from 0° to 6°. These grooves, near the chamber, are cut back and prolonged to form seats for the rear studs.

All guns of this model are converted from old smooth-bores.

_Bronze Muzzle-Loader._

These guns are of the ordinary bronze type. The 23-pdr. (canon de 12) has six common grooves having a _regular_ twist from _left_ to _right_. The bottom groove is narrowed on the loading side near the powder-chamber in order to force the studs into close contact with the driving side. The 8-pdr. (canon de 4) has six grooves with a regular twist similar to the 23-pdr.

The vent is pierced vertically near the bottom of the powder-chamber.

_The Mitrailleuse._

The exterior of the mitrailleuse has the appearance of a bronze cannon. This case encloses 25 rifled tubes brazed together. The rear part of the cannon presents a vertical cavity, very large and nearly rectangular in shape. This cavity is called the cage, and is intended to receive the breech-block and firing mechanism. The breech-block is a cubical block containing prolongations of the 25 barrels which serve as chambers for the cartridges. When loaded, this block drops into the forward part of the cage. The lock mechanism is a box containing 25 firing-pins, arranged with guides and springs on the ordinary system. This box is movable longitudinally by the motion of a breech-screw, which also sets up the breech-block when in place. The motion forward of this box retracts the firing-pins, which are then held until released in rapid succession by a turn of the crank. After firing, the breech-screw is backed, the block taken out and a loaded one is put in its place, the screw is set up retracting the locks, and the piece is ready for firing again.

_Hotchkiss Machine-Gun._

(See United States Ordnance.) This gun is an American invention, but was first introduced into the French Navy.

CARRIAGES.

Gun-carriages in the French Navy are classified as follows:

Slide-carriages for heavy broadside-guns.

Turret-carriages and revolving-slide carriages for heavy guns.

Directing-bar carriages for broadside-guns.

Four-truck and rear-chock carriages for broadside-guns.

Gun-boat carriages for bronze guns.

Boat-carriages for bronze guns.

Mountain carriages for bronze guns.

Mitrailleuse saddle or fork for machine-guns.

_Slide-Carriage for 27-cm. and 24-cm. Guns._

The rails of the slide are of heavy double =T= iron, connected by =T= and plate iron transoms. The slide rests on a pair of conical rollers, with concentric axles forward and a double pair of rear rollers (concentric) at the rear. The forward pair of the rear rollers and the front rollers travel on smooth tracks, while the rear pair of rollers are pinions working in a rack on deck. The slide is traversed by tackles, except in fine pointing, when levers are shipped on the rear rollers and the fine traversing is done by heaving on them. A pawl working on the rear rollers secures the slide in any desired position. The recoil is checked by friction compressors. There are eight iron compressor-bars on each side of the slide, just inside of the rails, resting on the front and rear transoms. On top of the front transom is a heavy iron dumb-sheave, which receives the bight of a rope breeching. The carriage is of the ordinary form of double plate, mounted on rollers, the forward pair being in permanent action and the rear pair on eccentric axles. Tackles are used for running out and in. The compressor-plates are nine in number on each side, suspended on an axle. The outer plates are heavier than the others. The ones next to the brackets are backed by steel disc-springs. Rocking levers working in screw-threads on the axle press against the inner plates. The levers are worked by a ratchet-lever on the exterior right side, this lever being provided with a trip for throwing it down automatically in firing. Railway buffers are placed at the rear of the slide to act in case of over-recoil. The elevating-gear consists of a flat-linked chain passing underneath and supporting the breech of the gun. The ends of the chain wind about axles in the carriage-brackets, the axles being revolved by endless-screw gearing. Levers for turning this gearing ship outside the brackets. In elevating or depressing, it is necessary to turn the gearing alike on both sides in order to keep the centre link, which is marked, in its place under the breech. In elevating, the gearing must be worked slowly in order to allow the breech to follow down by its preponderance. With the 24-cm. gun, the compressor-plates, 12 in number, are all in the centre instead of being at the sides.

_Slide-Carriage for 19-cm. Gun._

The fixtures for the slide and carriage differ in several particulars from the heavier ones. The slide travels on four _pairs_ of rollers, the rear rollers of the rear pairs being cogged for fine pointing as in the heavier ones. The slide rests on iron pillars with screw-threads at the upper extremities, the lower ones resting on the axles between the rollers, forming a pair. The threaded top has a capstan-head, so that, by turning, the front or rear of the slide may be elevated or depressed. These rollers are also arranged for transporting the slide from port to port. For this they may be turned to run in the desired direction, similar to the principle of chair-rollers (casters). Clamps are provided to hold them in the desired position.

The carriage has only one in-tackle. The rocking-lever compressor is changed to the ordinary bow-compressor. (See English Ordnance, Compressor for wooden-slide carriages.)

_Turret-Carriage and Slide for Heavy Guns._[7]

The turret-slide, instead of being provided with rollers for traversing, is mounted on a centre-pivoting turn-table. The turret itself is fixed, the gun firing over it “en barbette.” The turn-table is mounted on sixteen conical rollers, and is revolved by means of a fixed rack, to which gears a pinion worked by a crank attachment on the slide. This attachment consists of a horizontal axle revolving in bearings through the rear of the slide-plates, having a crank at each end and a chain-wheel in the middle. An endless chain transmits the motion to gearing at the forward end of the slide, which connects with the rack on the floor of the turret. A locking arrangement holds the turn-table in the desired direction. The slide resting on its supports rises to a much greater height than with broadside-carriages, and is provided with a short stairway from the turn-table to the slide-top. The carriage is similar to the ones heretofore described, except that extra gearing is applied to the elevating apparatus to enable it to be reached by the men standing on the turn-table. Chain-gear similar to Scott’s in and out gear is used with the carriage. Instead of a movable stirrup used to catch the chain, the upper part passes through a slit in the rear transom of the carriage, so that when the rear trucks are thrown in action teeth in it catch the chain. The same style of compressor is used as is found with the 24-cm. carriage previously described, except for the 19 cm. gun, which has the ordinary cramp-compressor.

[7] See plate Part IV. French Barbette Turret.

_Revolving-Slide Carriage._

The slide is a centre-pivot resting on a circular track and on four rollers. It is traversed by a crank revolving gearing which works in a circular rack around the outside of the roller-circle. The carriage is similar to the ordinary type, except that it is much higher, in order to allow a greater angle of depression to the gun. Instead of in and out tackles, a runner is used which passes over a windlass fixed on the rear slide-transom. This runner throws the rear trucks in action, and then, according to its lead, runs the gun in or out. The elevating-gear for the 16-cm. gun consists of a heavy cross-bar underneath the breech, having sleeves at the extremities which clasp heavy upright screws. By revolving these screws, the bar is carried up or down. The elevating-gear for the 14-cm. gun is the old-fashioned telescopic elevating-screw.

_Directing-Bar Carriage._

The carriage proper is of the ordinary rear-chock or Marsilly type, which when run out for firing is lifted from the deck on a slide or chariot, so that it may be easily and quickly trained. The chariot consists of a broad, short front-piece, mounted on two rollers; projecting forward from it is a pivot-flap which secures by a pivot-bolt just underneath the port, the rollers being canted for traversing about the pivot. Projecting to the rear from this front-piece is a tongue made of =T= iron, which is supported at its rear end on two trucks which are canted like the forward ones for traversing. When the carriage is run in, its rear end comes flush with the end of this tongue, and the forward trucks rest on the deck. In running out, however, two small rollers on the axle, inside of the brackets, catch on and mount two inclined planes which slope back from the top rear of the chariot, thus lifting the carriage completely from the deck. A breeching is used with this carriage, its bight going around a =B= block on the front of the chariot. There is also a friction compressor at the rear of the brackets, the compressor plates taking against the sides of the =T= iron, which are filled out with wood for that purpose. The forward edge of the =B= block serves as a hurter in running out. In all other respects the carriage is similar to the ordinary broadside rear-chock carriage. It is used on upper decks of large ships for light guns.

_Four-Truck Carriage and Rear-Chock Carriage._

These are of the general type of old-fashioned wooden carriages.

_Gun-Boat Carriages and Boat-Carriages._

These carriages are of the old-fashioned type. The former is the slide pattern, its only peculiarity being that its forward and rear rollers can be revolved for transportation on a vertical pivot. The carriage has no rear trucks.

The carriage is provided with holding-down clips, and the recoil is checked by a breeching whose ends are made fast to the brackets, the bight passing around a bollard on the forward transom of the slide.

_Mountain-Carriage._

The mountain-carriage is similar to the English field-carriage except the elevating-gear, which consists of a plain elevating-screw to which a hand-wheel and pinion gear.

_Mitrailleuse Saddle._

This consists of a pillar whose lower end ships in a socket in the ship’s rail, and whose upper end branches into a fork to support the trunnions. A longitudinal support projects from the pillar, which holds a pivoted arm by means of a clamp. This gives a quick motion for elevating or depressing. The end of the pivoted arm holds an ordinary elevating-screw for slow motion.

_Hotchkiss Saddle._ See United States Gun-Carriages.

GUNPOWDER.

The gunpowder used in the French service is classified according to the size of grain.

_Wetteren powder_, named from the place of manufacture in Belgium, is a large-grained cubical powder used in guns of the model 1870.

_Ripault powder_, named from its place of manufacture in France, is an ordinary-sized cannon powder used in all guns, except the above.

_Hunting powder_ is a small-grained, highly-glazed powder used in revolver cartridges.

_B powder_, of a slightly larger grain than the hunting, is used in Chassepot rifle cartridges.

_Musket powder_ is used in the manufacture of primers, fuses, and signals.

CARTRIDGES.

Cartridge-bags are made either of parchment or serge. For the smaller calibres they are of parchment.

Each cartridge is marked in black with the calibre of the gun for which it is intended, the weight of charge, monogram of the place where it was filled, and date of filling.

Cartridges are kept aboard ship in brass or copper tanks of various forms having water-tight covers.

PROJECTILES.

The projectiles used in the French Navy are shot, shell and case-shot. There are two kinds of shot, cylindrical and ogivo-cylindrical, corresponding to the shape of the head; the cylindrical being used only in the calibres above 19 cm. They are all steel. The ogivo-cylindrical shot are used in all calibres above 14 cm., and are either of steel or chilled cast-iron. Shell are of cast-iron, and are similar in shape to the ogival shot.

These projectiles are differently mounted for the different models. For the model 1870 the mounting consists of a forward ring of zinc or cast-iron just back of the shoulder of the shell, slightly smaller than the diameter of the bore across the lands. Its object is simply to keep the forward end of the projectile centred. A rear ring of copper, of a diameter slightly greater than that of the bore across the grooves. This ring brings up in its seat in the shot-chamber, and on firing the bands are scored and rotate the projectile. Around the surface of this ring are two or three grooves, cut to receive the metal displaced by the lands on firing. These projectiles carry at their base a light wire grommet to facilitate handling them.

For the model 1864-67 the projectiles are provided with studs, there being two rows. The forward studs take in the grooves and give the twist to the projectile; the rear ones hold the base of the projectile centred, and according to the calibre of the piece they travel in the grooves or on the lands. For the heavy projectiles, where the rear studs travel on the lands, there are provided three small intermediate studs which bring up in false grooves provided for the purpose, keeping the projectile from going too far forward in the bore when loading. These studs are sheared off on firing. The studs are made either of zinc or bronze. Projectiles for the bronze muzzle-loaders are similar to the model 1864.

Case-shot are of the ordinary type, and have neither studs nor belts.

Sea-weed wads are used with all projectiles except those of the model 1870. These are used in order that the powder-charge may act with a more gradual effect on the projectile at the start. Placed between the charge and the projectile, their rapid compression gives room for the powder to expand and burn more slowly at the first instant.

FUSES.

Percussion fuses are used in all shell except the 25-pdr. and 8-pdr. boat-guns, which use time-fuses.

The percussion fuse consists of a hollow cylindrical bronze body having a solid conical head. At the bottom of the cylinder is screwed a copper firing-pin. The centre of the cylinder is occupied by a brass plunger carrying a charge of hunting powder. The forward end of this plunger carries a wooden plug which is hollow and filled with detonating composition. The plunger is held in position by two iron pins upon which the base rests, and two leaden stops through the wall of the fuse entering the shell of the plunger. These stops are not broken by the start of the projectile, but by its shock on striking an object. The bottom of the fuse, being covered by shellac-paper, is blown away by the charge of powder in the plunger, and the flame is communicated to the charge.

The time-fuse for boat-guns consists of a brass body having two longitudinal chambers for fuse-composition columns of different times of burning. For the 23-pdr. the times correspond to 1500 and 3000 metres; for the 8-pdr. they correspond to 1100 and 2200 metres. The longer column is always uncapped on loading. The different times are distinguishable by the difference in the caps. That for the long time is of wire; for the short time it is of leather covered with a red wafer.

PRIMERS.

The primers are of two kinds, percussion and friction. The former seal the vent entirely on firing, and are only used in guns having vents through the breech-block (Model 1870). Friction primers are used in all guns having vertical vents.

The percussion primer consists of a body of brass or copper, slightly conical and having a solid head. Into this body screws a small steel anvil carrying an ordinary percussion-cap, which, when the anvil is screwed home, bears against the primer-head. The remainder of the body is filled with fine hunting powder, and the bottom is closed by a shellacked wafer.

The friction primer consists of two quill tubes, the lower and larger one being filled with fine musket powder, the bottom being sealed with wax. The upper is filled with fulminating composition, and has passing through its centre a brass friction-wire corrugated along its length. The exterior of the wire is formed in a loop for hooking on the firing laniard. The upper part of the primer is closed by a block of wood forming a fairleader for the friction-wire. A small independent loop is attached to the head of the primer, by which it may be withdrawn from the vent without touching the friction-wire.

SIGHTS.

The sights used in the French Navy are all side-sights, and for the most part the tangent-sights are inclined at a permanent angle.

The front-sights are conical in shape, and are screwed into the rim-bases.

The tangent-sights are square in section, working in boxes screwed to the face of the breech. They are graduated to full and half cable-lengths (200 and 100 metres). As a rule, guns are sighted on the left side, although provision is made for a right tangent and front sight. Sights are graduated on the left side for shell and on the right for shot, the graduations being all carried across the rear face. In general there is a short and a long sight, the long one being used for distances greater than 30 cables (6000 metres).

ACCESSORIES.

The loading-plate is a plate which attaches to the breech of the gun when the breech-block is open; along the bottom of this plate is a groove which forms a prolongation of the bottom groove of the gun (not applicable to model 1870); the projectile being hoisted to the level of the bore is landed on this plate, and is then in position to be rammed home. For small projectiles this plate serves as a shell-bearer for transporting projectiles, being provided with side handles.

The shell is brought to the loading-plate on covered decks by means of a tackle appended to a roller working on a traveller. The projectile being hoisted from the deck is pushed along on the traveller to the plate. In turrets the projectile is hoisted and swung by means of a davit.

The passing-box for the cartridge is made of leather with an ordinary close leather cover.

The rammer and sponge are of the old-fashioned type.

In calibres of a nature above 16-cm. a leather guard is always used in loading, to cover the gas-check and prevent injury from shocks in loading.

A system of guards against firing the gun before the breech-block is entirely closed is attached to the breech or the breech-block. In guns of the model 1864 the guard consists of a small hollow cylinder with funnel-shaped ends, acting as a sort of fairleader for the firing laniard. On the laniard itself are worked three turk’s-heads which, when the laniard is rove through the fairleader and hooked to the primer, come forward of the forward edge. A small spring is attached to the closing-stop of the handle, which projects into the funnel and will not permit the laniard to pass. When the breech is closed, the crank pressing against the closing-stop pushes back the spring and allows a free passage to the laniard. In guns of the model 1870 the guard consists of a small disc which slides over the vent when the breech-block is opened, and remains there so that a primer cannot be inserted until the block is closed _and locked_.

GERMAN ORDNANCE.

A = Over all. B = Rifled Bore. C = Powder Chamber. ---------------------------+--------+-------------------- NAME, NATURE, AND | | LENGTH. CLASSIFICATION. | +-----+-------+------ |Calibre.| A | B | C | | | | ---------------------------+--------+-----+-------+------ | In. | In. | In. | In. Krupp’s pattern steel Breech-loaders. 30½ cm. hooped | 12 | 264 | 172 | 54.7 28 cm., hooped and tubed| 11.15 | 240 | 171 | 46.1 28 ” hooped | 10.34 | 240 | 171 | 46.1 26 ” long hooped | 10.24 | 225 | 138.5 | 55.3 26 ” short ” | 10.24 | 205 | 128 | 42.1 24 ” long ” | 9.27 | 206 | 136 | 38.4 24 ” short ” | 9.27 | 185 | 115.4 | 38.4 21 ” long ” | 8.24 | 185 | 124.6 | 33.7 21 ” short ” | 8.24 | 154 | 96.8 | 31.4 17 ” long ” | 6.8 | 167 | 107.5 | 40.8 17 ” short ” | 6.8 | 134 | 92.0 | 24.7 17 ” short, light hooped| 6.8 | 136 | 92.7 | 25.7 15 ” long hooped | 5.87 | 152 | 105.8 | 27 15 ” short ” | 5.87 | 129 | 86.8 | 28.5 15 ” tubed | 5.87 | 128 | 86.8 | 23.5 12 ” hooped | 4.74 | 115 | 85.7 | 14.7 8 ” heavy | 3.19 | 76 | 57.6 | 8.4 8 ” light | 3.19 | 76 | 57.6 | 8.4 8 ” | 2.20 | 62 | 45.9 | 7.7 4 ” | 1.54 | 69 | 54.7 | 9 ---------------------------+--------+-----+-------+------

D = Number of Grooves. E = Twist of Rifling. F = Gun, including Breech-block. G = Breech-block. ---------------------------+----+------+------------ NAME, NATURE, AND | | | WEIGHT. CLASSIFICATION. | | +------+----- | D | E | F | G | | | | ---------------------------+----+------+------+------ | |Calib.| Lbs. | Lbs. Krupp’s pattern steel Breech-loaders. 30½ cm. hooped | 72 | 45 |78,980|2,970 28 cm., hooped and tubed| 36 | 70 |60,500|2,244 28 ” hooped | 36 | 70 |60,500|2,244 26 ” long hooped | 36 | 50 |48,400|1,980 26 ” short ” | 36 | 50 |39,600|1,980 24 ” long ” | 32 | 70 |34,100|1,375 24 ” short ” | 32 | 65 |31,900|1,375 21 ” long ” | 30 | 68 |21,450| 858 21 ” short ” | 30 | 59 |19,800| 858 17 ” long ” | 30 | 45 |12,320| 495 17 ” short ” | 30 | 59 |11,000| 484 17 ” short, light hooped| 30 | 45 | 7,590| 411 15 ” long hooped | 24 | 45 | 8,800| 319 15 ” short ” | 24 | 68 | 7,700| 319 15 ” tubed | 24 | 65 | 7,040| 391 12 ” hooped | 18 | 60 | 3,014| 178 8 ” heavy | 12 | 46 | 714| 64 8 ” light | 12 | 46 | 650| 64 8 ” | 12 | 46 | 500| 55 4 ” | 12 | 70 | 156| 9 ---------------------------+----+------+------+-----

A = Preponderance. B = Carriage. C = Slide. D = Height of Axis of Bore above Deck. E = Chilled. F = Common. ----------------------+----+-----------------+--------------------- NAME, NATURE, AND | | CARRIAGES. | PROJECTILES. CLASSIFICATION. | +------+------+---+----+-----+---------- | | | | | Full |Bursting | | | | | Weight. |Charge. | | | | +----+-----+----+----- | A | B | C | D | E | F | E | F ----------------------+----+------+------+---+----+-----+----+----- |Lbs.|Lbs. | Lbs. |In.|Lbs.|Lbs. |Lbs.|Lbs. Krupp’s pattern steel Breech-loaders. 30½ cm., hooped | |51,040| |102|715 |609.5|8 |22 28 cm., hooped | |24,200| |102|561 |477 |7.7 |25.3 and tubed | | | | | | | | 28 ” hooped | |24,200| |102|561 |477 |7.7 |25.3 26 ” long hooped | |16,500|18,075| 67|411 |367 |5.28|17.27 26 ” short ” | | 8,849|13,831| 48|411 |367 |5.28|17.27 24 ” long ” | | 8,349|13,831| 48|308 |261 |3.19|15.4 24 ” short ” | | 5,082| 8,756| 39|308 |261 |3.19|15.4 21 ” long ” | | 4,290| 6,556| 40|216 |175 |2.75|10.45 21 ” short ” | | 4,114| 6,402| 42|216 |175 |2.75|10.45 17 ” long ” | | 2,772| 4,576| 41|123 |112 |1.21| 9.24 17 ” short ” | | 2,321| 3,400| 33|121 | 99 |1.21| 6.6 17 ” short, | | 2,156| 2,068| 34|117 |112 |1.32| 5.94 light hooped | | | | | | | | 15 ” long hooped |16.5| 2,057| 3,806| 38| 78 | 78 |7.7 | 6.5 15 ” short ” |48.4| 1,947| 2,530| 34| 78 | 61 |7.7 | 4.4 15 ” tubed |62.7| 1,908| 2,640| 35| 78 | 61 |7.7 | 4.4 12 ” hooped |22.2| 1,595| 2,750| 47| 38 | 33 | | 2.48 8 ” heavy |15.4| 1,100| | 33| | 9.5| | .6 8 ” light |14.7| 880| | 35| | 9.5| | .6 8 ” |14 | 246| 246| 35| | 6.7| | .6 4 ” | | Turntable. | | |125 | | .28 ----------------------+----+------+------+---+----+-----+----+-----

A = For Steel and Chilled Shot. B = For Common Shell. C = Saluting. D = Penetrating Power. ----------------------+----------------------+------- NAME, NATURE, AND | POWDER CHARGE. | CLASSIFICATION. | | +-------+-------+------+ | A | B | C | D ----------------------+-------+-------+------+------- | Lbs. | Lbs. | Lbs. | In. | | | | Krupp’s pattern steel Breech-loaders. 30½ cm., hooped | 158.4 | 158.4 | | 16.4 28 cm., hooped | 132 | 132 | | 14.4 and tubed | | | | 28 ” hooped | 132 | 132 | | 13.3 26 ” long hooped | 107.8 | 107.8 | 17.6 | 13 26 ” short ” | 107.8 | 107.8 | 17.6 | 11.5 24 ” long ” | 59.4 | 44 | 17.6 | 11.27 24 ” short ” | 59.4 | 44 | 17.6 | 10.05 21 ” long ” | 41.8 | 30.8 | 13.2 | 8.9 21 ” short ” | 35.2 | 26.4 | 13.2 | 8.55 17 ” long ” | 26.4 | 22 | 6.6 | 7.25 17 ” short ” | 17.6 | 14.3 | 6.6 | 7.33 17 ” short, | 16.5 | 16.5 | 6.6 | 7.88 light hooped | | | | 15 ” long hooped | 18.7 | 15.4 | 4.4 | 6.7 15 ” short ” | 13.2 | 12.1 | 4.4 | 6.58 15 ” tubed | 13.2 | 12.1 | 4.4 | 5.6 12 ” hooped | 7.7 | 4.62| 2.31| 5.6 8 ” heavy | | 1.1 | 1.1 | 8 ” light | | 1.1 | 1.1 | 8 ” | | .98| 1.1 | 4 ” | | .41| | ----------------------+-------+-------+------+-------

E = Chilled. F = Common. ----------------------+---------------+------------------- NAME, NATURE, AND | INITIAL | WORKING EFFECT. CLASSIFICATION. | VELOCITY. | +-------+-------+--------+--------- | E | F | E | F ----------------------+-------+-------+--------+------- | Ft. | Ft. | Foot | Foot | | | Tons. | Tons. Krupp’s pattern steel Breech-loaders. 30½ cm., hooped | 1,591 | 1,623 | 12,584 | 11,176 28 cm., hooped | 1,515 | 1,640 | 8,960 | 8,931 and tubed | | | | 28 ” hooped | 1,515 | 1,640 | 7,210 | 8,931 26 ” long hooped | 1,587 | 1,640 | 6,802 | 6,876 26 ” short ” | 1,430 | 1,387 | 4,835 | 6,466 24 ” long ” | 1,502 | 1,391 | 4,625 | 3,511 24 ” short ” | 1,469 | 1,355 | 4,625 | 3,327 21 ” long ” | 1,476 | 1,394 | 3,275 | 2,348 21 ” short ” | 1,312 | 1,394 | 2,587 | 1,970 17 ” long ” | 1,548 | 1,525 | 1,944 | 1,809 17 ” short ” | 1,279 | 1,279 | 1,399 | 1,127 17 ” short, | 1,325 | 1,341 | 1,437 | 1,411 light hooped | | | | 15 ” long hooped | 1,623 | 1,615 | 1,431 | 1,172 15 ” short ” | 1,477 | 1,591 | 1,030 | 1,072 15 ” tubed | 1,358 | 1,446 | 1,001 | 888 12 ” hooped | 1,476 | 1,230 | 584 | 345 8 ” heavy | | 1,118 | | 84 8 ” light | | 1,118 | | 84 8 ” | | 1,135 | | 66.5 4 ” | | 1,837 | | ----------------------+-------+-------+--------+---------

GUNS.

Smooth-bore guns are now entirely obsolete. The rifled ordnance is constructed entirely on the Krupp system of steel breech-loaders. Although the Krupp system taken as a whole is represented by three distinct types of guns corresponding to different developments of the breech-closing mechanism, but one, the latest development, appears in the armament of war vessels. There are also two types corresponding to the building of the body of the guns, but these are quite similar, the difference being simply in the use of a number of thin hoops in the later guns to replace a few thick hoops in the earlier construction. All guns except the 9-pdr. bronze breech-loader are built entirely of steel. The broadside-guns of medium calibre are divided into two classes, the long and the short gun, the latter being intended for vessels whose beam or displacement will not permit the use of the longer and heavier gun. The short gun of one calibre is, however, in all cases a more powerful gun than the long one of the next lower calibre.

All naval guns except the converted 15-cm. calibre have a steel body strengthened by hoops. The converted gun has no hoops, it having been strengthened by boring the body up to form a casing, which was shrank over a steel tube. This tube extends from the breech-block to about one calibre beyond the muzzle.

The 30½-cm. gun has three tiers of hoops, the 26-cm. and 24-cm. guns have two tiers, and the remainder one tier. The trunnions in all cases are in one with one of the hoops. The hoops are prolonged forward of the trunnions, diminishing rapidly in thickness.

The bore is rifled on the multigroove plan, the rifling differing slightly according to the projectile which the gun was intended to fire. Formerly all projectiles were provided with a zinc rifling-jacket, and for such, a smooth shot-chamber was necessary, the rifling stopping at its forward end. The French style of copper bands being now used, the rifling is continued through the shot-chamber to the opening of the powder-chamber. With the zinc jackets, the grooves decreased in width from the breech towards the muzzle in order to keep a firm grip on the easily yielding metal throughout the bore. With the copper rotating belt the grooves are of the same width throughout.

The powder-chamber is cylindrical, and about the depth of a groove wider than the diameter of the bore across the grooves. It is connected with the shot-chamber by a short cone which brings up the rear rifling-belt of the projectile in loading. In general the powder-chamber is concentric, but there are two calibres (26 cm. and 15 cm.) in which it is eccentric, its axis being slightly above that of the bore. The powder-chamber ends in a gas-check seat, which is coned and slightly countersunk forward to receive the Broadwell gas-check.

Just behind the gas-check seat is the transverse breech-block seat, three of its sides being flat, and the rear or bearing side being hollowed out to a semicircular wall.

The bore of the gun is continued straight through the breech, forming a loading-hole in rear of the breech-block.

The breech-blocks of all guns traverse the breech transversely, and they are all single blocks. There are two patterns, differing only in the shape of the rear portion, one being cylindrical and the other flat. The latter type is found only in guns where formerly a double wedge (the Kreiner system) was used, so that in changing to the single wedge there was not metal enough left in rear to permit hollowing out that face.

The breech mechanism consists of the breech-block, the covering-plate, the transporting-screw, the locking-screw, the curb-chain, the gas-check, the face-plate, and the vent.

The breech-block is a heavy solid steel block, generally cylindro-prismatic, sometimes square in section. The rear of this block is not parallel to the front, but inclined in wedge shape at an angle of 1° 55´. The prismatic part of the block is slightly wider than the diameter of the cylindrical part, forming at the junction an edge at the top and bottom, which serves as a guide for the block in sliding in and out. The block is much shorter than the width of its seat, so that it is not necessary to entirely withdraw it in order to unmask the bore. Except for special guns, the breech-block always draws out to the left, and its left end has bolted to it a steel plate of the same size, called the covering-plate.

This plate merely serves as a holder for the locking and moving mechanism. With light breech-blocks a shackle-handle bolts to the centre of this plate for withdrawing the block. With the heavier calibre, where the block cannot be moved by hand it is worked in and out by a screw.

This transporting-screw lies along the top of the block from end to end, revolving in journals; one half of the circumference only lies in the block, the other half, projecting, takes in a half-female thread in the upper wall of the gun. The end of the screw projecting beyond the covering-plate is squared so as to permit a crank to be shipped. In this manner, by revolving the screw, the block is worked out or in.

The locking-screw, as its name implies, serves to lock the block. It is on the rear part of the block, placed like the transporting-screw only half in the block, so that its thread will take in the gun-wall. Besides locking the breech, it forces the block close home and releases it, taking the strain from the transporting-screw, which might otherwise be bent by the shock of firing. The threads of the locking-screw, except the first or outer turn, are cut away for one third of the circumference, so that the action of locking and unlocking is similar to that of the French mechanism. The outer thread is left full to cover the joint when the breech is closed. A stop on this thread limits the revolution of this screw by catching on the covering-plate, so that when brought up at one point it shows the breech to be locked, and at the other that it is unlocked. The same crank is used to work the transporting-screw and the locking-screw.

The curb-chain is a short chain which limits the withdrawal of the block and prevents it from being pulled all the way out. One end is fast to the lower end of the covering-plate, and the other to the gun just underneath.

The Broadwell gas-check is a steel ring, fixed in the gun semi-permanently; that is, it does not move with the breech-block, although it may easily be knocked out. This ring is coned around its outer edge, which is turned up cup-shaped. The inner side of this cup-rim is shaped in gutter form, in order to make the best distribution of the gas pressure. The whole middle is cut away, of the same size as the powder-chamber, so that the charge can be passed through it. Three concentric scores are cut around the back of the check, the idea being to break the force of any gas that may escape by making it suddenly expand and contract as it forces its way by them. The rear of the gas-check projects slightly beyond the rear of its seat.

The face-plate is a steel disc attached to the forward face of the block, and forming the bearing surface for the gas-check. This plate has a slightly greater diameter than the height of the block. It fits into a seat cut for it, and is prevented from turning or falling out by a little dowel and a spring-catch on the upper part of the block. As this plate wears, thin washers of brass or copper are fitted behind it. The rear face of this plate is fitted with grooves, which, from the shock of firing, attach and hold fast these washers. Each gun is provided with a spare face-plate and gas-check, and aboard ship a reserve gas-check is supplied in addition for each pair of guns.

The vent is pierced in a steel vent-bush, which traverses the breech-block in the axis of the bore. The forward part of the vent is provided with a simple arrangement for preventing the escape of gas. A small vertical chamber contains a steel ball, which in its normal position covers the vent completely. When the primer is fired, the flame drives the ball up and passes on to the cartridge, but the back-flame also striking the ball drives it down over the mouth of the vent again and seals it. The rear end of the vent-bush is provided with a hook for holding the primer in place for firing. The hook itself completely covers the mouth of the vent, having a slit for the friction-bar of the primer. It is so shaped on the rear side that the back-flame through the vent throws it back. A small knob is fixed to it for convenience in hooking and unhooking. This hook is so screwed on the end of the vent-bush that it may be easily removed, and after removing the vent-bush itself may be easily backed out of the block. Aboard ship each gun is provided with two reserve vent-bushes.

The vent of the 8-cm. boat-gun is a right-angled one, pierced from the face of the block to its centre, and then, turning at right angles, passes up through the block and the wall of the gun. The joint at the top of the block is made tight by copper bearing surfaces. This vent has neither the ball for checking back-fire nor the primer-hook.

All guns except boat-guns are provided with a loading-box. This is a hollow steel cylinder fitting in the loading-hole. When in place, its forward end rests against the back of the gas-check, while the rear end comes to the end of the cascabel, being provided with steadying hooks that hook into the cascabel. The charge being entered in this loading-box is pushed directly home. The boat-guns have no loading-box, but instead the right end of the breech-block is prolonged and a loading-hole is cut through it.

The transporting-screw removes the block by about one and three quarter turns, as it has a very sharp pitch. Below the calibre of seventeen centimetres there is no transporting-screw, the locking-screw serving both purposes.

CARRIAGES

_Broadside-Carriage for the Heavy and Light 8-cm. Guns._

This carriage is of the simplest construction. It consists of two plate-iron brackets connected and braced by through-bolts. It is mounted on two trucks forward, and a single broad wooden rear chock. For the light gun, breeching-holes are made in the forward part of the carriage, the ends of the breeching shackling to bolts in the ship’s side; for the heavy gun, the ends of the breeching shackle to the brackets, the bight being shackled under the centre of the port. These carriages are provided with breast-pieces for training, a training handspike, and tackles for running out and in. The light gun is provided with the ordinary elevating-screw, but the heavy one has a rack, pinion, and hand-wheel for rapid and extreme elevating. The pinion is held by a compressing lever. The trucks are of cast-iron with brass journals.

_Broadside-Carriage for 12-cm. and 15-cm. Guns._

This carriage consists of two plate-iron brackets, a forward transom, and two bottom plates. The trunnion-holes, as in all other carriages, are broadened by brass journal-plates. It rests on two cast-iron trucks forward, and in rear on a rear chock. A swivel roller is fixed in the middle of this chock with a forked attachment, by which a trail handspike may be shipped at an angle of about 45°. Heaving down on this handspike lifts the rear of the carriage on the roller, and the lateral movement permitted to the handspike enables the carriage to be steered out. Bolted to the forward transom is a fork which, projecting forwards, forms a pivoting point. In running out it is necessary to run the end of this fork (which has jaws for the purpose) against the bolt provided for it to pivot about. The rear chock is of plate-iron with a brass shoe.

The recoil is governed by what is called the Brookwell apparatus. This consists of a drum with a friction-band controlled by a lever at the left side. Turns of a breeching are wrapped around the drum, the ends being fast to it, and the bight shackling to the pivot-bolt in the centre of the port. In running out, cranks ship on the ends of the axle, and the breeching is in this manner wound on the drum by heaving down the brake, the friction-band is tightened on the periphery of the drum, thus easing the recoil. The power of the cranks is not sufficient to enable the gun to be run out by this arrangement, and side tackles have to be used. A reserve breeching is also kept rove, through breeching-holes in the forward part of the brackets.

The ordinary elevating-screw is used, working in a screw-box through the rear transom.

_Slide-Carriages._

Slide-carriages are used with all guns of seventeen centimetres and upwards. These carriages are classified as either carriages with fixed or with movable slides; and each of these is subdivided into slides for firing from ports or over the rail. As the necessities have arisen for modifications, changes have been made in the details of these carriages and slides, although the general form has remained the same. As a rule, the pivot centre of the slides is either in the middle of the gun-port or close to the spirketing, always forward of the body of the slide.

_Slide and Carriage for Short 24-cm. and 21-cm. Guns, Pattern 1868._

The carriage-brackets are of the double-plate pattern, having a wrought-iron frame, and, connected by a bottom plate, forward and rear transoms secured by angle-irons. The carriage rests on rollers, both front and rear being on eccentric axles. The rear rollers are thrown into action by means of levers, and the act of lifting the rear of the carriage on the axle throws the front rollers into action. The bottoms of the brackets are shod with brass friction-plates for travelling on the slide. The elevating-gear consists of a metal rack and pinion. The front edge of the rack is kept against the pinion by a smooth roller against the rear edge. The pinion is worked by means of a lever and capstan-head outside of the bracket. A screw-brake holds the gear fast, it being worked by a lever. When this lever is thrown up the brake is off, when down it is set fast. The carriage is run out and in by means of tackles, but one tackle being used on each side. The carriage-block for this tackle is a double block working on a hinge midway on the forward end of the bracket. The compressing arrangement is the Elswick pattern (see English Ordnance) of iron bars and plates worked by rocking levers, and having a compressing lever outside of one bracket and a regulating lever outside of the other, the former being provided with a trip for automatic compression. The carriage has also front and rear holding-down clips bolted to the bottom plate.

The slide consists of two heavy double T-iron rails bent in front. They are connected by three bottom plates, and an angle-iron joining the front ends. Seven compressor-bars are laid in the centre of the slide, and from the middle to the rear bottom plate a wooden platform is laid. Two railway buffers are provided at either end for taking up the shock in violent running in or out. The fighting pivot-flap is a stout bar hinged to the front end of the slide so as to have vertical motion; a single eye in the end enters the jaws of the pivot-shackle in the centre of the port. The slide rests on front and rear rollers, the front ones being permanently in action and the rear ones, on eccentric axles, being thrown into action by levers. The 24-cm.-gun slide is provided with a windlass for running in and out and training. This consists on each side of the slide of a pinion turned by crank and gearing in a spur-wheel which carries the bollard. The out and in tackles are carried directly to the windlass. For training, the fall of the tackle is rove through a leading-block hooked just forward of the windlass to give a fair lead. Housing pivot-flaps are hinged at each end of the slide, which drop and key over bolts projecting from the deck. Bow and stern pivot-slides are provided with transporting rollers, which ship just inside the traversing rollers and work on eccentric axles. There are three traversing circles on the deck: the front and rear are for the front and rear rollers, the centre one holds the slide when it buckles from the position of the gun on it.

_Carriage and Slide for the Long 21-cm. Gun, Pattern 1869._

This pattern only differs from the former in being heavier braced. The fighting pivot-flap is not hinged, but is three-armed and secures to the slide by shackle-bolts. Shifting slides are provided with a third pair of rollers just forward of the centre of the slide, which are thrown in action when pivoting around the rear pivot-bolt; from their position, they lift the forward rollers clear of the deck when in action.

_Cabin-Carriage for the Long 21-cm. Gun._

Owing to the cramped space for training bow and stern-guns, and the necessity for rapid training, geared train-wheels are used in this slide in place of the regular training-tackle. A sunken rack in the deck, midway of the slide, forms the track for a heave mitre-wheel, the axle of which cants up to the rear and is held by a journal in the rear transom. On its outer end a large spur-wheel gears in an endless screw which is revolved by cranks. The axle of this endless screw also carries the windlass-drum for aiding the in and out tackle; it is therefore necessary that the screw and spur-wheel can ungear. For this purpose the main axle is in two parts, the rear one carrying a heavy sleeve which is free to revolve, and has a female screw-thread worked in it and handles outside for turning. A male screw-thread is worked on the forward axle, and the end is also slotted to allow a tenon on the after axle to fit it. By revolving the sleeve, then, the rear axle is pushed to the rear through the rear journal, thus releasing the spur-wheel from the screw. In this carriage there is also a slight modification of the arrangement for jamming the elevating-gear. There is also but one compressor-lever working as a ratchet-lever in a ratchet-wheel on the compressor-axle. The slide-rollers of this type are on concentric axles in action permanently.

_Slide-Carriage for the Long 21-cm. Gun, Pattern 1873._

This pattern differs from the 1868 one in having a higher slide and lower carriage, gearing for training the gun, and the Scott endless chain for running out and in. The forward rollers work automatically as in the former pattern. The levers for the rear rollers ship inside the brackets, and heave down instead of up for putting in action. The chain-clamp consists of a stirrup moving vertically, which carries the chain freely when down, but when hove up by a lever jams the links in a toothed rack. A stop on the outside of the brackets holds the stirrup when lifted by the lever. An endless chain travels on each side, but only one is used, the other one being kept as a reserve. The slide-rollers are constantly in action, and are arranged to divide with the pivot-bolt the strain of the recoil. To accomplish this the circle, or racer, is made quite narrow, and the middle part of the roller is hollowed out so as to grip both sides of it. The training-gear is similar to the one for the cabin-carriage, except with regard to connecting the screw and spur-wheel. The screw is worked on a loose sleeve, which at its left end is toothed. A movable toothed gripe revolving with the axle, but free to move along it, is brought to the sleeve or retracted from it, as desired, thus revolving the screw or leaving it free on the axle. The gripe is moved by a lever. The screw-shaft is revolved by means of pinions at each end, which gear in large spur-wheels. The axle of these spur-wheels carries, also, inside the slide, the rear rollers of the endless chain. Outside of the spur-wheels are the cranks. By this arrangement, the same gearing runs the carriage in or out and trains the slide. If the gripe be backed clear of the screw-sleeve, the training-gear is thrown out of action, and by heaving up the stirrup the carriage is clamped to the chain and run in or out. Reversing these processes, the carriage is thrown out of action and the slide is trained to the right or left.

_Slide-Carriage for the Short 26-cm. Gun, Pattern 1875._

This pattern is similar in general to the one just described. The forward carriage-rollers are automatic eccentric ones, the rear work by levers, the Scott chain-gear is used for running in and out, and similar training-gear is used. The pivot-bolt does not bear any of the shock of the recoil, it being taken up partially by the slide-rollers and partially by a cramp fixed to the forward end of the slide and travelling in an undercut circle on the deck. The slide inclines to the rear to facilitate running out.

The main difference between this carriage and the others is the use of a hydraulic recoil cylinder working in a manner quite different from the English style. The cylinder itself is of steel, and is hung on trunnions _to the carriage_. The piston-rod runs completely through it, and is secured at each end of the slide. Both ends of the cylinder are closed by cast-iron heads with stuffing-glands. The forward head, being the one which receives the violence of the recoil, is secured by a heavy iron brace which fastens to the cylinder trunnions. The cylinder is filled with glycerine, the filling and drip holes being both at the rear end. It rests and slides on a bed fixed along the middle of the slide. The arrangement for checking recoil, and also for governing violent movements of the carriage, is contained in the piston-head. This head is made up of two discs which are bolted together, the interior face of each being hollowed out so as to form a chamber in the piston-head. Four holes are bored through each disc into the chamber, but they are not in line, the hole in one disc coming opposite a blank in the other. Four small valves close the inner ends of the forward holes, and these valves are secured to a plate which is free to move back and forth in the little chamber, and thus open or close the holes. A rod from the back of this plate passes through the hollow rear end of the piston-rod, and seats against a carriage-spring on the rear transom of the slide. This spring holds the valves forward, closing the forward piston-holes. A small hand-lever on the valve-rod enables it to be drawn back, thus opening the valves at will. The action of the compressor is as follows: The recoil of the gun carries the cylinder to the rear and violently contracts the space forward of the piston-head; the oil is forced with violence through the forward holes, pressing back the small valves and escaping by the other holes to the rear of the cylinder. As the recoil ceases, the force of the spring carries the valve-stem and its valves forward again, closing the holes. The gun is held thus in position, as it cannot run out unless the valves permit the oil to pass into the forward end of the cylinder again. The pressure, however, comes against the back of the valves and keeps them closed. A slight turn of the hand-lever opens the valves, and the oil gaining free passage permits the gun to run out. The moment that the gun starts, however, to run out violently, a single movement closes the valves and the gun is held fast.

_Slide-Carriage for the Short 24-cm. Gun, Pattern 1876._

This carriage differs in no important point from the last mentioned, except in the training-gear, which is more compactly arranged. The training-shaft carries on its rear end, instead of a large spur-wheel, a small mitre-wheel. Instead of the endless screw on the shaft, there is a mitre-pinion worked on a loose sleeve and having the same locking apparatus as the one before mentioned. The outer gearing for revolving the train-work is similar to what has been described; the axle carrying the endless-chain rollers, however, is not continued across the slide, but each wheel is independent, its axle seating in a journal inside the slide.

_Slide-Carriage for 17-cm., 15-cm., and 12-cm. Guns._

These carriages are of the ordinary pattern and simple in detail. The carriage-rollers are like the others, automatic forward and worked by levers in rear. The elevating-gear is rack and pinion style for the 17-cm., and simple screw for the others. In the carriages previous to 1875, breechings are used. Where the gun is not a shifting one, the bight is rove through holes in the forward ends of the brackets; where it is shifting, the ends of the breeching shackle to the brackets. The forward slide-rollers are permanently in action, the rear ones are worked by levers. Where the slide is a shifting one, a third pair of eccentric rollers is midway of the slide and canted for rear-pivoting. The carriage is held on the slide by front and rear clips. Carriages later than 1875, unless they are of the newest type, have Elswick compressors; the latest have the before-mentioned hydraulic recoil cylinder in some instances, and in others the English style. These slides all have rear housing-bolts as above described. Where the fighting pivot-arm is long, a front housing-bolt and lip are used; if it is short, there is none. Tackles are used entirely for running in and out.

_Half-Slide Carriage for the 17-cm. Gun, Pattern 1875._

The general plan of slide and carriage is similar to the foregoing. The slide is, however, very low and short, its rollers being permanently in action. The carriage has two front rollers on eccentric axles worked by levers. The rear of the carriage is somewhat longer than ordinary, and under it is hung a single long roller, which, when the gun is run out, does not touch the deck. In recoiling it drops to the deck and supports the rear of the carriage. The recoil is checked by the Elswick compressor, and in addition a breeching is provided, whose bight runs through holes in the front of the bracket. Rack and pinion elevating-gear is used. In slides intended for shifting ports, the rollers can be turned around a vertical axis and be locked so as to move the slide sideways.

_Slide-Carriages for Light Guns Firing over the Rail._

The only difference between these and the others is that the slide is much higher and is centre-pivoting. In order to take off the shock of recoil from the pivot-bolt, the slide-rollers overlap the circles on both sides.

_Slide-Carriage for the 30½-cm. Gun for Armored Gun-boats._

The general principle of the carriage is the same as the ordinary one. Its front and rear rollers are the same, and the elevating-gear is the rack and pinion type, the power being increased in accordance with the greater weight to be moved. The carriage is heavier braced, having three transoms in place of two. There are no out-tackles or chain-gearing, the slope of the slide (6°) being sufficient to run the gun out by its own weight. When it is necessary to run it in, in-tackles are used, the falls being taken over windlass-heads on the rear hurter of the slide. The slide is centre-pivoting, and traverses on four heavy rollers which overlap the edges of the circles to take the force of the recoil. A cramp under the forward end of the slide moving in an undercut circle on deck also takes the recoil shock. The gun is traversed by gearing. Just inside the roller-circles is a circular rack into which a pinion gears; the inner end of the pinion-axle carries a mitre-wheel whose upper and lower cogs gear in mitre-pinions which are worked on loose sleeves on a vertical axle. Between these pinions, revolving with the axle, but free to move vertically, is an iron grip which catches in the upper or lower pinion, according as it is desired to sweep the gun to the right or left. The vertical axle passes down to the lower deck, where is a train-work with crank-handles to be revolved by six men. By means of the single grip arrangement between the mitre-pinions, the gun may be traversed to the right or left or stopped without reversing the motion of the crank-handles below. The hydraulic recoil cylinder above described is used to check the recoil and control the running out of the gun. A sheet-iron musket-proof shelter is raised on the slide for the protection of the gun’s crew. For lifting the projectile to the gun a derrick is fixed at the rear of the slide. The fall of the whip is taken around a windlass-head, and the davit is swung around by means of an endless screw and pinion.

_Turret-Carriage for the 21-cm. Gun (Arminius)._

The turret-slide is fixed, and forms a part of the turret. The rails incline forward at an angle of 6°, so that out-tackles are unnecessary. The carriage-rollers are of the ordinary type. But one lever is used in throwing the rear trucks in action, as there is not room to work on the inside of the carriage. For running in, two chains shackle to the turret in rear of the gun and pass over a drum in the centre of the carriage. The drum is revolved by gearing. The recoil is controlled by the Elswick compressor. The elevating-gear is the single-screw type.

_Turret-Carriage for the 24-cm. Gun, Pattern 1874._

This carriage, intended for a small port, differs in height and shape from the previous ones in order to permit a vertical elevation and depression of the gun-trunnions. It is built on the double-plate plan, with heavy transoms and bottom plates. The four carriage-rollers are arranged in the usual manner, the levers for throwing the rear trucks in action being moved by a tackle. The elevating-gear is fixed to the chase of the gun forward of the trunnions. It is of the ordinary rack and pinion type, but does not connect with the carriage, being hung in a frame which projects from the trunnions. The gun is run in and out by means of the endless-chain gear, the gearing being connected to a long shaft outside of the turret, to which three hand-wheels are attached. These hand-wheels are of course underneath the upper deck, coming out directly under the port. The recoil is governed by a hydraulic recoil piston, the arrangement in this case being identical with the English system. (See English Ordnance.) The trunnions have three positions, the lower, middle, and upper. They are supported in a saddle whose arms travel in a framework in the brackets, being supported by iron blocks inserted through holes in the sides of the brackets. The saddle is raised by a hydraulic press, which is so fixed in the turret that the piston takes against the bottom of the saddle when the gun is run out. The details of this arrangement are precisely similar to those of the corresponding English turret-carriage. The slide-rails are fixed in the turret with a slope to the front of 5°. In addition to the chain nipping-gear and the hydraulic recoil piston, the gun-carriage is provided with bow-compressors on each side. (See English Ordnance.)

_Boat-Carriages._

The boat-carriage complete consists of a wooden slide bound together in front and rear by iron plates, and a composite carriage made up of a wooden bed surmounted by an iron bed-plate and bracket-frames for the trunnions. Two buffers are put at the rear of the slide to take an over-recoil. The elevating-gear is the simple screw and hand-wheel. The compressor is a brass-faced block whose upper side takes in undercut spaces in the slide. The block is held up and tightened by a screw and hand-clamp. For transporting the boat-carriage and gun together a small block-cart is used, which is nothing more than a heavy, flat, wooden body provided with an axle and two gun-trucks.

_Field-Carriages._

The field-carriage is of the ordinary type, consisting of two straight iron brackets, strengthened along the upper edge by angle-irons, and curved to form a sole at the bottom. To this a trunnion socket-frame is bolted. The brackets are braced by transoms and by two side rods. An iron axle bolts to the under side of the brackets just in rear of the trunnion-holes. The wheels are wooden with brass hub-boxes and iron tires. The elevating-gear is of the plain screw and hand-wheel pattern. A limber is provided with this carriage which carries two ammunition-boxes, each of which holds six rounds of shell and the corresponding cartridges (not fixed to the projectile). The carriage itself also carries two ammunition-boxes of the same size.

GUNPOWDER.

The gunpowder used for the majority of naval guns is of the kind known as prismatic powder. Of this there are two classes. The first, for use with the heaviest calibres, is solid; that for medium calibres is pierced with holes longitudinally—for the high calibres with one central hole, and for the medium with seven. Large-grained cannon-powder is used in shell-guns, whilst the usual classes of small-grained powder is used with small-arms and for shell-charges. Prismatic powder is invariably used for battering-charges in all calibres, the gradation with regard to time of burning being obtained by the holes pierced through the grains: slow powder, solid; medium, one hole; quick, seven holes.

PROJECTILES.

The projectiles used in the German Navy are shot, shell, case-shot, and shrapnel. Shot are either solid or hollow for the lighter calibres, and hollow for the heavy ones. They are of ordinary cast-iron, chilled cast-iron, and steel, the solid shot being invariably made of ordinary cast-iron. They are of two different types, according to the style of rifling arrangement. In the earlier patterns, all projectiles were provided with a lead belt extending from the shoulder to within about two inches of the base. To receive and hold this jacket, broad shallow grooves were cut around the circumference of the projectile, the ridges left having slots cut through them at intervals to resist the tendency of the jacket to slew around. The jacket was moulded around the projectile and zinc-soldered. Corresponding with the grooves in the projectile, there were grooves in the jacket to receive the overflow of metal forced back when the projectile took the rifling.

In the late patterns, instead of a jacket, two rings are used; the forward one being for centring or holding steady the head of the projectile, and the rear and larger one for rifling. This rear one is provided with grooves to receive the overflow of metal. Both rings are copper. The steel and chilled shot are very similar in appearance.

Shell are similar in exterior shape and appointment to shot, and are all made of ordinary cast-iron. Double shell (see English Ordnance) are used with the 17-cm. and 15-cm. calibres.

Case-shot are of the ordinary pattern.

Shrapnel are only used with boat-guns, and are similar in construction to the English. (See English Ordnance.)

Solid shot are used only with the 17-cm. and 15-cm. guns.

Case-shot are not used with boat-guns.

Hollow-shot, shell, and case-shot are used with all the higher calibres.

Fuses are not used with hollow-shot, the bases of which are closed by a gun-metal screw-plug.

FUSES.

Both percussion and time fuses are used in the shells of all calibres. The percussion fuse consists of a plunger having a fire-hole through the centre and surmounted by a pointed anvil. This is dropped into the fuse-hole of the shell, and hangs on a shoulder in the wall of the fuse-hole. Even with the point of the anvil a hole is bored through the wall of the shell horizontally, into which a pin is inserted whose inner end covers the anvil and keeps it from going forward. A gun-metal case screws into the end of the fuze-hole, and into this screws a small cap carrying the fulminating composition. When the gun is fired the centrifugal force throws the pin out, and when the projectile strikes the plunger rides forward against the fulminate and explodes it. The fulminate-cap and the pin are not inserted until the projectile is brought to the gun, the mouth of the fuse-hole being kept sealed by a wafer. The Krupp time-fuse consists of a gun-metal body which screws into the fuse-hole and has two chambers. The lower one, containing the blowing-charge, opens into the shell. It is solid to the rear, except a diagonal channel on one side which is pierced up and opens on a small table which carries the fuse-composition disc. The latter is circular and on the principle of the Bormann fuse, its exterior wall being marked for seconds and fractions. The upper chamber of the fuse is open at its upper extremity and closed at the lower, except several side channels leading to the composition disc. In the bottom of this chamber is a pointed anvil. The fuse-cap is ogival and screws over the tipper chamber, fitting tightly down on the composition disc. In this cap is a plunger loaded with fulminating composition at its lower end, and suspended by five small tenons. The composition is ignited by the percussion part of the fuse on firing. A safety-pin passes through the fuse-cap and plunger, and is withdrawn when the shell is brought to the gun.

PRIMERS.

Friction primers are used altogether. These are of the same type as those used with English guns. (See English Ordnance.)

SIGHTS.

The sights used with naval guns are all of the tangent pattern, and all except the boat-guns are provided with sights on both sides. The socket for the tangent-sight is bored through the breech-piece, the upper part having steel or bronze bushing and a clamp-screw passing through at right angles. The sight is cylindrical, with a flat rear surface on which is marked elevations to sixteenths of degrees. On the left cylindrical side, elevations for every 100 metres are marked for common shell, and on the right for chilled or steel shot. The head of the sight consists of a rectangular cross-head fastened to the top of the bar, in whose upper surface a swallow-tailed groove is cut in which travels the sight-notch. On the face of the cross-head, gradations of sixteenths of a degree corresponding to elevations are marked, and the sight-notch carries a small pointer. The gradations are marked each way so as to account for drift and deviation to the right or left. The forward sight is cylindrical, with a conical point, and screws into the trunnion-hoop. Sights for boat-guns differ in having gradations only on the rear face, and the sliding leaf works by an endless screw. These sights are all vertical. With some boat-guns, however, the tangent-sight is placed at a permanent angle of deflection, in which case there is no sliding leaf.

ITALIAN ORDNANCE.

A = Calibre. B = Over all. C = Rifled Bore. D = Powder Chamber. -------------------------+------+---------------------- NAME, NATURE, AND | | LENGTH. CLASSIFICATION. | | | +-------+-------+------ | A | B | C | D | | | | -------------------------+------+-------+-------+------ | In. | In. | In. | In. Armstrong pattern Muzzle-loaders. 43 cm. | 17 | 392 | 311.3 | 52 28 ” New Model | 11 | 173 | 120.5 | 24.4 28 ” Old ” | 11 | 173 | 119 | 26 25 ” No. 1 Long | 10.1 | 173.2 | 119.1 | 26 25 ” ” Short | 10.1 | 167.6 | 113.9 | 26 25 ” No. 2 | 10.1 | 156.1 | 111.1 | 14 22 ” | 9 | 156.1 | 105.6 | 19.7 20 ” | 8 | 130 | 88.6 | 15.8 Cast-iron Muzzle-loaders. 16 ” Wrought-iron Tube | 6.5 | 142.1 | 104 | 13.8 16 ” | 6.5 | 126.7 | 94.1 | 13.9 Armstrong Breech-loader. 12 ” | 4.7 | | 70.4 | 19.7 Bronze Breech-loader. 7.5 ” | 2.95| 70.1 | 52.4 | 10.2 Bronze Muzzle-loaders. 8 ” | 3.4 | | 45.3 | 9.8 8 ” | 3.4 | | 31.9 | 3.5 Cast-Iron Muzzle-loader. 12 ” | 4.77| | 73.3 | 6.3 -------------------------+------+-------+-------+------

E = Number of Grooves. F = Twist of Rifling. G = Gun entire, including Breech-block. H = Preponderance. -------------------------+----+-------+---------+-------- NAME, NATURE, AND | | | WEIGHT. | CLASSIFICATION. | | | | | | +---------+ | E | F | G | H | | | | -------------------------+----+-------+---------+-------- | | Calib.| Lbs. | Lbs. Armstrong pattern Muzzle-loaders. 43 cm. | 27 | 0/45 | 222,300 | 9,980 28 ” New Model | 9 | 0/35 | 55,800 | 28 ” Old ” | 8 | 0/45 | 55,800 | 25 ” No. 1 Long | 7 | 0/40 | 40,100 | 25 ” ” Short | 7 | 0/40 | 40,400 | 25 ” No. 2 | 8 | 55 | 27,000 | 620 22 ” | 6 | 0/43 | 28,260 | 20 ” | 6 | 45 | 15,680 | 805 Cast-iron Muzzle-loaders. 16 ” Wrought-iron Tube | 6 | 42.5 | 11,440 | 1,065 16 ” | 6 | 42.5 | 7,920 | 924 Armstrong Breech-loader. 12 ” | 27 | | 2,640 | 59.4 Bronze Breech-loader. 7.5 ” | 12 | 48.6 | 596 | 79.2 Bronze Muzzle-loaders. 8 ” | 6 | 25 | 726 | 8 ” | 6 | 25 | 240 | Cast-Iron Muzzle-loader. 12 ” | 6 | 27 | 2,948 | -------------------------+----+-------+---------+--------

A = Weight of Carriages. B = Height of Axis of Trunnions above Deck-level. C = Steel. D = Chilled. E = Common. F = Ordinary. G = Saluting. -------------------------+--------+----+---------------------------- NAME, NATURE, AND | | | PROJECTILES. CLASSIFICATION. | | +----------------+----------- | | | Weight | Bursting | | | Complete. | Charge. | | +-----+----+-----+-----+----- | A | B | C | D | E | D | E -------------------------+--------+----+-----+----+-----+-----+----- | Lbs. | In.| Lbs.|Lbs.| Lbs.| Lbs.| Lbs. Armstrong pattern | | | | | | | Muzzle-loaders. 43 cm. | | |2,000| | | 37 | 28 ” New Model |17,820 | 52 | 528|528 | 200 | 5.7| 26 28 ” Old ” |17,820 | 52 | 528|530 | 200 | 5.7| 26 25 ” No. 1 Long |15,750 | 44 | 294|300 | 188 | 5 | 24 25 ” ” Short |15,590 | 46 | 294|300 | 188 | 5 | 24 25 ” No. 2 |12,620 | 42 | 288|284 | 135 | 3.3| 18 22 ” |12,620 | 42 | 248|252 | 99 | 2.2| 19 20 ” | 7,480 | 34 | 156|150 | 79 | 1.3| 9.7 Cast-iron Muzzle-loaders. 16 ” Wrought-iron Tube | 4,540 | 46 | | 65 | 33 | | 2.3 16 ” | 1,287 | | | 66 | 33 | | 3.3 Armstrong Breech-loader. 12 ” | | | | 35 | | | 2.6 Bronze Breech-loader. 7.5 ” | 477.4| | | 8 | 9 | | .5 Bronze Muzzle-loaders. 8 ” | 587.4| | | 9 | 9.25| | .7 8 ” | 176 | | | 9 | 4.4| | .7 Cast-iron Muzzle-loader. 12 ” | 550 | | | 26 | 22.6| | 3.1 -------------------------+--------+----+-----+----+-----+-----+-----

D = Chilled. E = Common. F = Ordinary. G = Saluting. -------------------------+----------------------- NAME, NATURE, AND | POWDER CHARGE. CLASSIFICATION. |-----+------+----+----- | D | E | F | G -------------------------+-----+------+----+----- | Lbs.| Lbs. |Lbs.| Lbs. Armstrong pattern | | | | Muzzle-loaders. 43 cm. | 471 | | | 28 ” New Model | 95 | 95 | 66 | 28 ” Old ” | 95 | 95 | 66 | 25 ” No. 1 Long | 77 | 77 | 53 | 25 ” ” Short | 77 | 77 | 53 | 25 ” No. 2 | 64 | 64 | 42 | 22 ” | 60 | 60 | 37 | 20 ” | 44 | 44 | 24 | Cast-iron Muzzle-loaders. 16 ” Wrought-iron Tube | 20 | 20 | 7 | 8 16 ” | | 7.7 | | 8 Armstrong Breech-loader. 12 ” | | 5.5 | | 2.2 Bronze Breech-loader. 7.5 ” | | 1.5 | | 1.4 Bronze Muzzle-loaders. 8 ” | | 1.2 | | 1.2 8 ” | | .7 | | 1 Cast-iron Muzzle-loader. 12 ” | | 3.3 | | 2.2 -------------------------+-----+------+----+-----

A = Chilled. B = Common. C = Penetration. -------------------------+---------------+-----------------+------ NAME, NATURE, AND | Initial | Working Effect. | CLASSIFICATION. | Velocity. | | +-------+-------+--------+--------+ | A | B | A | B | C | | | | | -------------------------+-------+-------+--------+--------+------ | Ft. | Ft. |Ft.Tons.|Ft.Tons.| In. Armstrong pattern Muzzle-loaders. 43 cm. | 1,584 | | 34,550 | | 22.8 28 ” New Model | 1,312 | 1,312 | 6,300 | 6,300 | 12.1 28 ” Old ” | 1,312 | 1,312 | 6,262 | 6,330 | 12.1 25 ” No. 1 Long | 1,410 | 1,399 | 5,369 | 5,390 | 11.7 25 ” ” Short | 1,410 | 1,399 | 5,369 | 5,390 | 11.7 25 ” No. 2 | 1,410 | 1,420 | 3,952 | 3,970 | 10 22 ” | 1,476 | 1,476 | 3,731 | 3,790 | 10.3 20 ” | 1,476 | 1,509 | 2,345 | 2,345 | 8.7 Cast-iron Muzzle-loaders. 16 ” Wrought-iron Tube | | 1,525 | | 1,066 | 16 ” | | 1,026 | | 483 | Armstrong Breech-loader. 12 ” | | 1,368 | | 457 | Bronze Breech-loader. 7.5 ” | | 1,312 | | 97.5| Bronze Muzzle-loaders. 8 ” | | 1,040 | | 63.4| 8 ” | | 764 | | 33.8| Cast-iron Muzzle-loader. 12 ” | | 1,095 | | 12 | -------------------------+-------+-------+--------+--------+------

The standard Italian naval ordnance is the Armstrong muzzle-loader. There are some batteries of breech-loaders of the French type, and now that the Armstrong 100-ton gun has become a part of the standard ordnance, the government have ordered them made breech-loading with the Armstrong breech mechanism. The guns are to be provided with arrangements for both breech and muzzle loading. With the breech-loading, as the block is turned to unlock it, a grip on the end of a hydraulic piston in rear takes in a slot in the block, and when the latter is unlocked, a movement of the piston to the rear withdraws it from the gun to a small car having a transverse motion by which the block is carried sideways so as to unmask the bore. An iron cylinder is then inserted and pushed up to the rear of the powder-chamber as a loading-plate, guarding the screw-threads from injury. The charge, being raised by a hydraulic press in the usual manner, is forced home by a hydraulic rammer, and the breech-block is closed by its car and piston. The Gatling gun is used, and there has been an attempt to introduce the Albertini machine-gun, which is used in the army. Although of native manufacture, it has not as yet been received with much favor, being still too complicated in its mechanism, although the instrument is not as yet perfected.

GREEK ORDNANCE.

The armament of the Greek Navy is exclusively of Armstrong muzzle-loaders.

DUTCH ORDNANCE.

The standard naval ordnance of Holland is at present the Krupp type. Many of their vessels have batteries of Armstrong muzzle-loaders, and there are a few Finspong guns. The Hotchkiss machine-gun has been adopted for torpedo defence. (See page 305.)

JAPANESE ORDNANCE.

The standard Japanese naval ordnance is the Krupp. There are a few batteries of Armstrong muzzle-loaders, but none are now purchased.

SWEDISH ORDNANCE.

A = Calibre. B = Over all. C = Rifled Bore. D = Powder Chamber. E = Number of Grooves. F = Twist of Rifling. G = Gun complete, including Breech-block. H = Breech-block. ------------------+-----+-----------------+----+-----+------------ NAME, NATURE, AND| | LENGTH. | | | WEIGHT. CLASSIFICATION. | +----+------+-----+ | +--------+---- | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H -----------------+-----+----+------+-----+----+-----+--------+---- | In. | In.| In. | In. | | Cal.| Lbs. | Lbs. Rifled Breech-loaders, cast-iron with steel hoops. 27 cm. | 10.8| 210| 162 | 30.3| 5 | 29.2 | 52,088| 770 24 ” | 9.4| 179| 133 | 26.6| 5 | 29.3 | 31,800| 528 16 ” | 6.6| 135| 89.5| 16.8| 5 | 29.8 | 12,000| 170 Cast-iron Muzzle-loader, Rifle. 12 ” | 4.6| 102| 97 | 13.6| 4 | 40 | 4,200| Cast-iron Smooth-bores. 15 in | 15 | 146| | | | | 43,000| 9 ” | 9 | 158| | | | | 38,000| ------------------+-----+----+------+-----+----+------+-------+----- NORWEGIAN ORDNANCE. ------------------+-----+----+------+-----+----+------+-------+----- Armstrong Muzzle-loaders. 27 cm. | 10.5| 162| 110.6| 20.5| 8 | 55 | 40,500| 27 ” | 10.5| 176| 120 | 25 | 8 | 55 | 43,400| 27 ” | 10.5| 206| | | | | 47,700| 20 ” | 8 | 130| 85.7 | 18.8| 6 | 50 | 16,700| Palliser Muzzle-loaders. 16 ” | 6.6| 139| 85.7 | 18.5| 3 | 34.1 | 11,000| 15 ” | 6.1| 123| 93.2 | 10.8| 3 | 34.1 | 7,700| Krupp Breech-loaders. 26 ” | 10.2| 225| 160.5| 34 | 60 | 45 | 48,400|1,960 15 ” | 5.9| 152| 112 | 22.6| 36 | 45 | 8,800| 304 ------------------+-----+----+------+-----+----+------+-------+-----

A = Preponderance. B = Upper Carriage. C = Slide. D = Height of Axis of Gun above Deck-level. E = Chilled. F = Common. SWEDISH ORDNANCE ------------------+-----+------------------+------------------------ NAME, NATURE, AND| |CARRIAGE. | PROJECTILES. CLASSIFICATION. | +------+------+----+------------+----------- | | | | | Complete | Bursting | | | | | Weight. | Charge. | | | | +-----+------+-----+----- | A | B | C | D | E | F | E | F ------------------+-----+------+------+----+-----+------+-----+----- | Lbs.| Lbs. | Lbs. | In.| Lbs.| Lbs. | Lbs.| Lbs. Rifled Breech-loaders, cast-iron with steel hoops. 27 cm. | 127 |23,076|23,076| 49 | 475 | 396 | | 23.2 24 ” | 220 | 5,370| | 45 | 317 | 220 | | 9.3 16 ” | 403 | 2,105| 2,200| 40 | 107 | 76.5| | 3.7 Cast-iron Muzzle-loader, Rifle. 12 ” | 85 | 2,105| 900| 41 | 34 | | | 2.2 Cast-iron Smooth-bores. 15 in. | 253 | | | 31 | 430 | 340 | | 14 9 ” | 53 | | | 31 | 150 | 112 | | 5.8 ------------------+-----+------+------+----+-----+------+-----+----- NORWEGIAN ORDNANCE ------------------+-----+------+------+----+-----+------+-----+----- Armstrong Muzzle-loaders. 27 cm. |1,340| 6,720| | 28 | 385 | 308 | 6 | 21 27 ” | 440| 7,600| 8,000| 38 | 385 | 308 | 6 | 21 27 ” | 403| | | | | | | 20 ” | 761| 7,000| 7,000| 39 | 149 | 149 | 1.76| 10.1 Palliser Muzzle-loaders. 16 ” | 246| 1,880| 2,150| 43 | | 82.5| | 3.3 15 ” | 246| 1,000| 2,300| 43 | | 58 | | 3 Krupp Breech-loaders. 26 ” | 756|20,608|20,608| 52 | 462 | 380 |59.4 | 21 15 ” | 160| 5,600| 5,600| 41 | 86 | 70 | 1.1 | 5 ------------------+-----+------+------+----+-----+------+-----+-----

A = Chilled. B = Common. C = Penetration. SWEDISH ORDNANCE ---------------+---------+-----------+---------------+-----+--------- NAME, NATURE, | Powder | Initial | Working | | Remarks. AND | Charge.| Velocity. | Effect. | | CLASSIFICATION.+----+----+-----+-----+-------+-------+ | | A | B | A | B | A | B | C | ---------------+----+----+-----+-----+-------+-------+-----+--------- |Lbs.|Lbs.|Feet.|Feet.|Ft Tons|Ft Tons|In. | Rifled Breech-loaders, cast-iron with steel hoops. 27 cm. |98 |66 |1,364| | 6,153 | |12 | 24 ” |59.4|37.4|1,322|1,476| 3,763 | 3,333 |10 |Finspong 16 ” |23.3|17.6|1,377|1,591| 1,414 | 1,347 |7.36|Rifles. ---------------+----+----+-----+-----+-------+--------+----+--------- Cast-iron Muzzle-loader, Rifle. 12 ” | 6.5| 4.4| |1,456| | 509 | | Cast-iron Smooth-bores. 15 in. |50.1|35 |1,213| | | | | 9 ” |24.8|17.6| | | | | | ---------------+----+----+-----+-----+-------+--------+----+---------

NORWEGIAN ORDNANCE ---------------+----+----+-----+-----+-------+--------+----+--------- Armstrong Muzzle-loaders. 27 cm. |66 |38.5|1,302|1,148| 4,541 | 3,156 |10.5| 27 ” |71.5|38.5|1,371|1,148| 5,032 | 3,156 |11 | 27 ” | | | | | | | | 20 ” |29.7|19.8|1,364|1,148| 1,938 | 1,360 | 7.9| Palliser Muzzle-loaders. 16 ” |22 |11 | |1,138| | 742 | 7.1| 15 ” | | 7.1| |1,115| | 404 | | Krupp Breech-loaders. 26 ” |99 |81.4|1,584|1,584| 7,933 | 6,644 |14 | 15 ” |18.7|18.7|1,590|1,640| 1,528 | | 8 | ---------------+----+----+-----+-----+-------+--------+----+---------

The Norwegian ordnance is both smooth-bore and rifled, the smooth-bore guns being of the Rodman (see page 283) and the rifles of the Krupp style. The Swedes manufacture their own breech-loaders, having chosen for their standard the French type of cast-iron body reinforced by steel hoops. These guns, known as the Finspong breech-loaders, have proved very satisfactory, the Swedish cast-iron being second only to American in excellence. The breech-blocks and steel hoops for these guns are all made in France. Two types of machine-guns, which have found general favor in Europe, are of Swedish invention.

_The Nordenfeldt Machine-Gun._

This gun, which has been experimented with in the English Navy, is intended as a defence against torpedo-boats. It has four barrels placed in line, having a calibre of one inch, to fire a half-pound steel projectile. The projectiles are placed in guides behind the rear of the barrels, and by the movement of a lever are sent into the chamber, fired, and the empty shell extracted. Gearing worked by hand-wheels gives elevation and direction. The fire is rapid from this gun, and the results have been excellent for penetration. Weight of the gun complete, about 1000 pounds.

_The Palmcrantz Machine-Gun._

The Palmcrantz mitrailleuse is a machine-gun for firing small-arm ammunition. It has ten barrels placed side by side and secured in a frame, the rear ends of the barrels being screwed into a single bar-transom, behind which the lock mechanism is placed in a flat rectangular box. The system is mounted on a swivel in such a manner as to give it free motion for elevating and depressing or sweeping. An eccentric cam attached to the crank-axle can be thrown into gear, by means of which the barrels are given an automatic sweep through a small arc. The whole gun is compact and light. Each barrel has a separate feeder, so that the velocity of discharge is very great, the barrels being fired in succession.

RUSSIAN ORDNANCE.

A = Calibre. B = Length over all. C = Number of Grooves. D = Twist of Rifling. E = Weight of Gun, including Breech-block. F = Preponderance. -----------------+------+-------+----+----+--------+------- NAME, NATURE, AND| | | | | | CLASSIFICATION. | A | B | C | D | E | F -----------------+------+-------+----+----+--------+------- | In. | In. | |Cal.| Lbs. | Lbs. Krupp Russian pattern steel Breech-loaders. Finished. | | | | | | 12 in. | 12 | 240.8 | 36 | | 89,173 | 1,958 11 ” | 11 | 219 | 36 | 70 | 57,280 | 0 9 ” | 9 | 180 | 32 | 60 | 33,150 | 440 9 ” | 9 | 156 | 32 | 60 | 29,920 | 748 8 ” | 8 | 175 | 30 | 60 | 19,820 | 440 Unfinished. | | | | | | 6 ” | 6 | 140 | 24 | 45 | 9,370 | 352 8 ” | 8 | 175 | 30 | 60 | 17,570 | 792 6 ” | 6 | 146 | 24 | 45 | 10,090 | 1,078 9 pdr. | 4.2 | | 16 | | 1,738 | 4 ” | 3.4 | 70 | 12 | 40 | 792 | 88 Bronze Rifled Muzzle-loaders. 8 pdr. | 4 | | | | 1,650 | 4 ” | 3.4 | | | | 809 | +------+-------+----+----+--------+------- 4 ” | 3.4 | | | | 865 | | | | | | | -----------------+------+-------+----+----+--------+------- American pattern cast-iron Smooth-bore Muzzle-loaders. 20 in. | 20 | | | | 96,360 | 15 ” new | 15 | 180 | | | 72,160 | 0 15 ” old | 15 | 170 | | | 43,340 | 1,078 10¾ ” | 10.75| 168 | | | 26,180 | 1,333 60 pdr. No. 1 | 7.6 | 135 | | | 10,780 | 792 60 ” ” 2 | 7.6 | | | | 7,040 | 36 ” ” 1 | 6.8 | | | | 7,040 | 36 ” ” 2 | 6.8 | | | | 5,610 | 36 ” ” 3 | 6.8 | | | | 4,590 | 36 ” ” 4 | 6.8 | | | | 4,240 | 30 ” ” 1 | 6.4 | | | | 6,864 | 30 ” ” 2 | 6.4 | | | | 5,214 | 30 ” ” 3 | 6.4 | | | | 4,330 | 30 ” ” 4 | 6.4 | | | | 1,770 | -----------------+------+-------+----+----+--------+-------

G = Weight of Upper Carriage. H = Steel. I = Chilled. J = Common. -----------------+--------+--------------------------- NAME, NATURE, AND| | PROJECTILES. CLASSIFICATION. | +--------------------------- | | Complete Weight. | +------+------+------------- | G | H | I | J -----------------+--------+------+------+------------- | Lbs. | Lbs. | Lbs. | Lbs. Krupp Russian pattern steel Breech-loaders. Finished. | | | | 12 in. | | 649 | | 644 11 ” | 10,604 | 495 | 462 | 439 9 ” | | 270 | 264 | 267 9 ” | | 270 | 264 | 267 8 ” | 4,686 | 180 | 191 | 172 Unfinished. | | | | 6 ” | 3,508 | 96 | 85.4| 84 8 ” | 4,868 | 180 | 191 | 182 6 ” | 3,322 | 96 | 85.4| 84 9 pdr. | 693 | | | 24 4 ” | 739 | | | 14 Bronze Rifled Muzzle-loaders. 8 pdr. | 666 | | | 26 4 ” | 603 | | | 11.5 +--------+------+------+------------- 4 ” | 603 | Cast-iron | 13.5 | | Round Shot. | -----------------+--------+------+------+------------- American pattern cast-iron Smooth-bore Muzzle-loaders. 20 in. | | 1,000| 1,000| 15 ” new | | 440| 440| 373 15 ” old | 6,270 | 440| 440| 373 10¾ ” | | 160| 160| 60 pdr. No. 1 | 2,220 | 57.7| 57.7| 43 60 ” ” 2 | 1,518 | 57.7| 57.7| 43 36 ” ” 1 | 1,518 | 40 | 40| 29 36 ” ” 2 | 1,210 | 40 | 40| 29 36 ” ” 3 | 990 | 40 | 40| 29 36 ” ” 4 | 790 | 40 | 40| 29 30 ” ” 1 | 1,408 | 32 | 32| 26 30 ” ” 2 | 1,188 | 32 | 32| 26 30 ” ” 3 | 1,528 | 32 | 32| 26 30 ” ” 4 | | 32 | 32| 26 -----------------+--------+------+------+-------------

A = Steel. B = Chilled. C = Common. D = For Steel and Chilled Shot. E = Common Shells. F = Ordinary. G = Saluting. ----------------+-----------------+-------------------- | PROJECTILES. | POWDER CHARGE. NAME, NATURE, +-----------------+-----+----+----+---- AND | Bursting Charge.| | | | CLASSIFICATION.+----+-----+------+ | | | | A | B | C | D | E | F | G ---------------+----+-----+------+-----+----+----+---- |Lbs.| Lbs.| Lbs. |Lbs. |Lbs.|Lbs.|Lbs. Krupp Russian pattern steel Breech-loaders. | | Finished. 12 in. | | | 16 |121 | |58.5| 11 ” | 12 | 7 | 13.5 | 82.5| |41.2|9 9 ” | 7 | 4.5 | 9.5 | 47 | |23.4|7.2 9 ” | 7 | 4.5 | 9.5 | 43 | |23.4|7.2 8 ” | 5 | 2 | 6.2 | 28.5| |14.2|7.2 Unfinished. 6 ” | | 1.8 | 3 | 18 | |10.8|4.5 8 ” | 5 | 2 | 6 | 22.5| |14.2|7.2 6 ” | | 1.8 | 3 | 14.4| |10.8|4.5 9 pdr | | | 1 | | 2.7| 2.5|2.7 4 ” | | | .5 | | 1.5| 1.5|1.5 Bronze Rifled Muzzle-loaders. 8 pdr. | | | 1.5 | | 3.6| 3.6|3.6 4 ” | | | .8 | | 1.5| 1.5|1.5 ----------------+----+-----+------+-----+----+----+---- 4 ” | | | 1 |Cast | 2 | 1.8|1.8 | | | |iron | | | | | | |Round| | | | | | |Shot.| | | ----------------+----+-----+------+-----+----+----+---- American pattern cast-iron Smooth-bore Muzzle-loaders. 20 in. | | | |117 | | | 15 ” new | | | 10.75| 67.5| 45 |27 |9 15 ” old | | | 10.75| 67.5| 45 |27 |9 10¾ ” | | | | 36 | | |9 60 pdr. No. 1 | | | 1.8 | 14.5| |10 |4.5 60 ” ” 2 | | | 1.8 | 10.8| | 2.6|4.5 36 ” ” 1 | | | 1 | 8 | | 2 |3.6 36 ” ” 2 | | | 1 | 8 | | 2 |3.6 36 ” ” 3 | | | 1 | 6.2| | 1.6|8.6 36 ” ” 4 | | | 1 | 5.5| | 1.4|8.6 30 ” ” 1 | | | .8 | 9 | | 2.3|2.7 30 ” ” 2 | | | .8 | 6.7| | 1.7|2.7 30 ” ” 3 | | | .8 | 5 | | 1.2|2.7 30 ” ” 4 | | | .8 | 3.5| | .9|2.7 ----------------+----+-----+------+-----+----+----+----

A = Steel. H = Working Effect. I = Penetration. ----------------+---------+---------+----- NAME, NATURE, | INITIAL | | AND |VELOCITY.| | CLASSIFICATION.+---------+ | | | | | | | | A | H | I | | | ----------------+---------+---------+----- | Feet. |Ft. Tons.| In. Krupp Russian pattern steel Breech-loaders. Finished. 12 in. | 1,446 | 9,408 | 14.1 11 ” | 1,205 | 5,844 | 11.6 9 ” | 1,341 | 3,365 | 9.8 9 ” | 1,276 | 3,043 | 9.3 8 ” | 1,404 | 2,463 | 9.0 Unfinished. 6 ” | 1,335 | 1,188 | 7.1 8 ” | 1,246 | 1,938 | 7.8 6 ” | 1,207 | 972 | 6.4 9 pdr | Common | 183 | | 1,049 | | 4 ” | Common | 96 | | 1,003 | | Bronze Rifled Muzzle-loaders. 8 pdr. | | | 4 ” | Common | 77 | | 1,000 | | ----------------+---------+---------+----- 4 ” | | | ----------------+---------+---------+----- American pattern cast-iron Smooth-bore Muzzle-loaders. 20 in. | 1,118 | 8,581 | 15 ” new | 1,184 | 4,263 | 15 ” old | 971 | 2,872 | 10¾ ” | | | 60 pdr. No. 1 | | | 60 ” ” 2 | | | 36 ” ” 1 | | | 36 ” ” 2 | | | 36 ” ” 3 | | | 36 ” ” 4 | | | 30 ” ” 1 | | | 30 ” ” 2 | | | 30 ” ” 3 | | | 30 ” ” 4 | | | ----------------+---------+---------+-----

The standard type of Russian ordnance is the Krupp breech-loader, manufactured in their own workshops, and slightly modified in some few details of guns and carriages. Some of their monitors are armed with the Rodman type of 15-inch smooth-bore. During the first period of the development of rifled guns the Russians adopted the Armstrong muzzle-loader, and shortly afterward they passed to the French breech-loader, there being still several armaments of these types in the wooden fleet; but all types have been superseded by the Krupp. The circular iron-clads having their guns firing _en barbette_, are worked on depressing carriages of Russian invention.

_The Razkazoff Depression-Carriage._

This carriage consists of a heavy bed-plate, at the forward end of which is a heavy solid axle forming a turning-point for two solid cast arms, the upper ends of which form seats for the trunnions. Connected to these arms are the piston-rods of hydraulic recoil cylinders. The breech of the gun is supported by auxiliary arms, the bottom rests of which are mounted on screws in such a manner that they may be traversed through short lengths, thus elevating or depressing the gun. When the gun is down in its loading position these arms may be freely traversed, and the desired elevation be thus attained before raising the gun for firing. Both the Palmcrantz and the Hotchkiss machine-guns are used.

PERUVIAN ORDNANCE.

The naval ordnance of Peru consists of a few smooth-bores of the Rodman type and some Armstrong muzzle-loaders of the original type. They also have two or three Whitworth muzzle-loaders. The machine-guns are Gatlings.

PORTUGUESE ORDNANCE.

The Portuguese Navy has a few Krupp breech-loaders, but the wooden fleet is for the greater part armed with Armstrong muzzle-loaders.

SPANISH ORDNANCE.

The greater part of the Spanish fleet is armed with Armstrong muzzle-loaders, but medium-calibred steel guns of the French type are now manufactured in their own government workshops, some of which have been introduced into the navy, and it is supposed that at least for medium calibres this type will be the standard. There are some Krupp armaments, but these are exceptional. The Gatling machine-gun is used.

TURKISH ORDNANCE.

The greater part of the ordnance of the Turkish fleet is of the Armstrong muzzle-loading pattern, although there is a preference for Krupp armaments, which are used to replace the original type of Armstrong guns. The Gatling machine-gun is used.

EUROPEAN SYSTEMS.

Of the breech-loading systems of Europe there are at present but two distinct types in use—the French and the Krupp—the latter being the one at present most fully represented, it being the standard ordnance of Germany, Russia, Austria, Denmark, and Holland.

The French type is the standard of France, Spain, Sweden, and, as may now be claimed, Italy. Armstrong, whose artillery is almost as fully represented as Krupp’s, has adopted the French type, and this will in all probability make this type the standard in those countries who purchase guns instead of manufacturing them.

The muzzle-loading types were abolished by all the manufacturing nations of Europe except England by 1864, although the prestige of Armstrong’s ordnance has kept up the supply to the smaller nations to the present time. This ordnance has been steadily growing in disfavor, and the latest development in rifled ordnance (enlarging the powder-chamber) will probably lead to its disuse.

UNITED STATES ORDNANCE.

A = Length of Bore. B = Calibre. C = Number of Grooves. D = Twist of Rifling. E = Weight. ----------------------+-------------------------------------- NAME, NATURE, AND | GUN. CLASSIFICATION. +-------+------+------+------+--------- | A | B | C | D | E ----------------------+-------+------+------+------+--------- | In. | In. | | Feet.| Lbs. Muzzle-loading Rifles. 8-inch converted | 136 | 8 | 15 | 40 | 17,350 100-pdr. Parrott | 130 | 6.4 | 9 | 0/19 | 9,700 60-pdr. ” | 105 | 5.3 | 7 | 0/15 | 5,400 30-pdr. ” | | 4.2 | 5 | 0/12 | 3,550 20-pdr. ” | | 3.7 | 5 | 0/10 | 1,750 20-pdr. Dahlgren | 65.6 | 4 | 3 | 12½ | 1,350 12-pdr. bronze | 55 | 3.4 | 3 | 10 | 880 ----------------------+-------+------+------+------+--------- Breech-loading Rifles. 80-pdr. converted | | 6.4 | 9 | 0/19 | 10,166 60-pdr. ” | | 5.3 | 7 | 0/15 | 5,270 30-pdr. ” | | 4.2 | 5 | 0/12 | 3,428 +-------+------+------+------+--------- 20-pdr. bronze, | | 4 | 6 | 12½ | 1,340 converted | | | | | +-------+------+------+------+--------- 20-pdr. converted | | 3.7 | 5 | 0/10 | 1,740 7-pdr. bronze, | | 3 | 16 | 7½ | 500 heavy | | | | | +-------+------+------+------+--------- 7-pdr. ” light | | 3 | 16 | 7½ | 350 ----------------------+-------+------+------+------+--------- | Weight of | | Shot. | | Lbs. | ----------------------+-------+------+-------------+--------- Smooth-bores. 15-inch | 146 | 15 | 450 | 43,000 11-inch | 131 | 11 | 166 | 16,000 9-inch | 107 | 9 | 90 | 9,000 8-inch | 96 | 8 | 65 | 6,500 32-pdr | 92 | 6.4 | 32.5 | 4,500 ----------------------+-------+------+-------------+--------- 24-pdr. bronze | 58 | 5.8 | | 1,310 | | | Shell | 12-pdr. ” heavy | 55 | 4.6 | Guns. | 760 12-pdr. ” light | 50 | 4.6 | | 430 ----------------------+-------+------+-------------+---------

F = Weight of Carriage. G = Weight of Slide. ------------------------------+-------+---------------- NAME, NATURE, AND | | CLASSIFICATION. | | | F | G ------------------------------+-------+---------------- | Lbs. | Lbs. Muzzle-loading Rifles. 8-inch converted | 3,790 | 3,710 100-pdr. Parrott | 1,300 | Directing Bar 60-pdr. ” | 1,970 | ” 30-pdr. ” | 1,970 | ” 20-pdr. ” | 802 | ” 20-pdr. Dahlgren | 802 | ” 12-pdr. bronze | 482 | Boat Carriage ------------------------------+-------+---------------- Breech-loading Rifles. 80-pdr. converted | 1,300 | Directing Bar 60-pdr. ” | 1,970 | ” 30-pdr. ” | 1,970 | ” 20-pdr. bronze, converted | 832 | Boat Carriage 20-pdr. converted | 826 | ” 7-pdr. bronze, heavy | 535 | ” 7-pdr. ” light | 450 | ” ------------------------------+-------+---------------- Smooth-bores. 15-inch |18,000 | Turret Carriage 11-inch | 3,790 | 3,710 9-inch | 1,300 | Marsilly 8-inch | 860 | ” 32-pdr. | 735 | ” ------------------------------+-------+---------------- 24-pdr. bronze | 730 | ” | Boat | Field 12-pdr. ” heavy | 482 | 487 12-pdr. ” light | 233 | 381 ------------------------------+-------+----------------

A = Weight of Shell. B = Charge of Powder in Shell. C = Powder Charge. D = Initial Velocity. E = Muzzle Energy. ----------------------------+-----+---------+-----+------+---------- NAME, NATURE, AND | A | B | C | D | E CLASSIFICATION. | | | | | ----------------------------+-----+---------+-----+------+---------- | Lbs.|Lbs. Ozs.| Lbs.| Feet.|Foot Tons. Muzzle-loading Rifles. 8-inch converted | 180 | 10 0 | 35 | 1,450| 2,627 100-pdr. Parrott | 100 | 3 11 | 15 | 1,080| 810 60-pdr. ” | 48 | 2 2 | 6 | 1,320| 30-pdr. ” | 29 | 1 8 | 3¼| | 20-pdr. ” | 18 | 0 13 | 2 | | 20-pdr. Dahlgren | 18 | 1 0 | 2 | | 12-pdr. bronze | 12 | 0 8 | 1 | | Breech-loading Rifles. 80-pdr. converted | 80 | 3 11 | 15 | 1,250| 60-pdr. ” | 50 | | 6 | | 30-pdr. ” | 30 | | 3½| | 20-pdr. bronze, converted| 18 | 0 8 | 2 | | 20-pdr. converted | 20 | | 2 | 1,070| 7-pdr. bronze, heavy | 7 | | 1 | 1,087| 63 7-pdr. bronze, light | 7 | | ¾| 1,087| 63 Smooth-bores. 15-inch | 352 | 13 0 | 100 | 1,600| 7,997 11-inch | 136 | 6 0 | 30 | 1,062| 1,300 9-inch | 74 | 3 0 | 18 | 1,820| 847 8-inch | 58 | 1 11 | 7 | | 32-pdr. | 27 | 0 14 | 6 | | 24-pdr. bronze | 23 | 1 0 | 2 | | 12-pdr. ” heavy | 12 | 1 0 | 1 | | 12-pdr. ” light | 12 | 1 0 | ½| | ----------------------------+-----+---------+-----+------+----------

GUNS.

In the United States Navy both smooth-bores and rifles are used, and of the latter both muzzle and breech-loaders.

_Smooth-Bores._

The smooth-bore guns used form a complete range of calibres from the 15-inch to the 6½-inch. The turret-guns, which are exclusively of the 15-inch pattern, are of the Rodman type of construction, of cast-iron, being cast on a core and cooled from the interior. The exterior surface shows no sharp angles and no muzzle-ring, the general shape being that of a bottle with a rounded base. The chamber of the gun is of two types, cylindrical and conical, in accordance with different dates of fabrication. The 11-inch guns are used exclusively for pivot-guns of first and second class corvettes, and it is this calibre that is being converted into 8-inch rifles, the intention being to so transform all of this type. These guns are of the Dahlgren type of construction, being similar in shape to the 15-inch (with the exception of having a swell at the muzzle), but _solid_ cast. These guns all have conical chambers. The 9 and 8 inch and 32-pdr. are broadside-guns, and are similar in construction to the 11-inch. The 24-pdr. and two classes of 12-pdrs. are of bronze, having a conical exterior surface. These guns are used as light upper-deck guns and boat-guns.

_Rifled Guns._

The muzzle-loading rifled guns are of three patterns.

1st. The 8-inch converted. These guns are all converted from the 11-inch smooth-bore on the Palliser system (see page 217), the length of bore being slightly increased by cutting back at the breech.

2d. The Parrott type, a compound gun consisting of a cast-iron body with a coiled wrought-iron hoop over the powder-chamber. These guns were introduced into the service in 1860, contemporaneously with the first development of rifled guns in Europe.

As early as 1862, guns of this type with a calibre of eight inches were in active service, being at that time as powerful as any guns in the world. The 8-inch calibre has never been extensively used in the service, and is at present obsolete.

3d. The Dahlgren type of bronze muzzle-loaders. The 20-pdr. gun of this type is similar in shape to the general smooth-bore type, slightly modified. The light calibres are similar to their corresponding smooth-bores.

_Breech-Loaders._

The breech-loaders with the exception of the bronze and steel boat-guns are as yet entirely converted from the muzzle-loaders of the Parrott type. In this conversion, the coiled hoop is removed, the cascabel is cut off to the powder-chamber, and the rear end of the bore as far forward as the trunnion is reamed out for the insertion of a steel tube, having a heavy screw-thread at its rear end by which it is secured in the casing. The old rifling is then carried through this tube, leaving the calibre unchanged. The coiled hoop is replaced by another of similar type, but covering a longer space. The breech mechanism is of the French type, with Broadwell steel gas-check fixed in its seat in the gun. The breech-block is provided with a steel nose-plate of the diameter of the face of the block, and having a copper ring countersunk in its forward face to form a bearing surface against the rear of the gas-check. The nose-plate is secured to the block by a long tenon which passes through the axis of the block and is secured by a nut at the rear. The vent is bored axially through this tenon, and is of two types, corresponding to date of fabrication, for preventing back-fire. In the first, a small steel plate covers the forward end of the vent, being loosely secured, so that on firing the flame escapes past the edges of the plate, but the back pressure holds the plate close over the vent; the action being precisely similar to that of an ordinary valve. In the other type, the forward part of the vent is reduced in size until just large enough to give free passage to the flame, giving it a needle-point, which causes the flame to pierce well into the cartridge. The back pressure is neutralized in this manner, as it reacts before the forward flame pressure is relieved. It is intended to so modify the firing arrangement as to use percussion primers, the gun-lock forming the mask to the vent. The crank is double, there being a vertical arm having at its upper extremity a crank and a pinion working in a rack on the face of the breech. The swinging tray for the breech-block is hinged at the right side of the breech, while at the left side is hinged a loading-tray having a sliding guard on it. The projectile being placed on this guard and the tray swung around to face the bore, on pushing forward the projectile the guard also enters the breech-block seat, bringing up against the gas-check, and thus guarding both the check and the screw-threads. In the boat-guns there is no loading-tray, the remainder of the breech mechanism being of the same type. Boat-guns are both of steel and bronze, being in both cases made of a single block.

_Grooves._

The grooves are of two types. Those for the Parrott and converted guns are of the plain rectangular type, the rule for their number and size being that they shall be uneven in number to bring a land opposite a groove; lands and grooves shall be equal in width, and grooves for all calibres shall be the same depth—¹/₁₀₀ of an inch. Increasing twist. The Dahlgren type of groove is similar to the modified French groove (see plate, page 187), there being three only of a regular twist. These grooves are found only in the Dahlgren muzzle-loading bronze boat-guns.

CARRIAGES.

Naval gun-carriages are built of plate-iron, although there are still a few wooden carriages and slides for pivot-guns. Breechings are used with broadside-carriages, except in the directing-bar type.

_Boat-Carriages._

As yet the designs for an iron boat-carriage for the breech-loading gun are not finished. The wooden carriage in use consists of a double wooden slide, the bed, or lower slide, having pivot-centres in front and rear and being slotted through the centre for the compressor. The upper slide traverses freely on the lower one, having a piece projecting from its lower face into the slot in the lower slide to act as a guide. A second heavy piece, used as a compressor, travels along the lower face of the slot, and is held in position by screw-handles working on threaded shafts which are tightened or loosened readily by hand. The upper slide holds the trunnion-rests, which are made in a single casting with a bottom plate to bolt on the slide.

_Field-Carriages._

The field-carriages are of two types, both of iron. That for the muzzle-loader consists of a single bar to which the axle is bolted and stayed. To its lower end is bolted an iron box for a trail-wheel and a socket for a directing handspike. A small seat for the elevating-screw is bolted at its middle on top, and at the forward end is a light iron frame for holding two ammunition-boxes. The field-carriage for the breech-loader consists of two plate-iron brackets connected by the axle and three transoms. The lower part expands into a box for the trail-wheel, and the end is finished in a loop for a drag-rope. At the forward end is a lug for attaching a caisson, and a frame on the axle outside of the brackets on each side for ammunition-boxes. The elevating-screw works in a pivoting screw-box. It will be noticed that the breech-loader has trunnions, while the muzzle-loader has only a lug, making the forward ends of the two carriages different in construction.

_Broadside Marsilly Carriage._

The Marsilly or rear-chock carriage is the type used with the broadside smooth-bore guns. It consists of two plate-iron brackets with a transom across the front ends and a bed-plate in the rear, giving a support for the elevating-screw, and being provided with two brass friction-shoes resting directly on deck. Holes are cut in the brackets to lighten them. A wooden breast-sweep is bolted to the transom, and there are four bolts for hooking tackles, one at each end and one at the rear of each bracket. This carriage differs from European ones in the point of not having the breeching attached to it; the latter is secured to the gun.

_Broadside Directing-Bar Carriage._

The directing-bar carriage is a broadside-carriage which combines the compactness of broadside types with the advantages of pivoting and checking recoil by friction instead of breechings. The top carriage is similar in type to the Marsilly, differing only in its attachments. Instead of using an elevating-screw (which with breech-loaders of medium calibre is unsafe), elevation is secured by geared racks. A rack is secured to each side of the gun and travels in guides in a similar manner on both sides; whilst, however, there is a clamp to each rack, there is but one hand-wheel for elevating, on the right side of the carriage. Just in rear of the truck-axle, a heavy axle is secured in the brackets, carrying on its centre a large cogged wheel, and just inside the left bracket a friction-drum with a gun-metal friction-band worked by a lever outside the bracket. The lever is held in any desired position by a rack, thus regulating compression. A stationary double block is secured to the transom, and a single bolt to the rear of the bed-plate, for convenience in hooking a tackle. The directing-bar consists of a long =I= iron having a pivot-centre near each extremity and eye-bolts at each end for hooking training-tackles. A treble block fixed at its forward end serves with the double block on the carriage for reeving an out-tackle. Along the centre of the bar a metal rack is bolted, in which the cogged wheel of the carriage travels. About three quarters of the distance to the rear are secured two railroad buffers, which may be shifted or removed at will. The carriage rests with its trucks and chocks on deck; when running in and out the chocks may be lifted from the deck on a roller handspike, and in shifting from one port or pivot to another the carriage may be run over one of the pivot-centres and then lifted with the bar entirely clear of the deck.

_Iron Pivot-Carriage and Slide for 11-inch Smooth-Bore._

The carriage consists of two plate-iron brackets with one transom and two bottom plates connected by angle-irons to the brackets. The forward trucks are permanently in action, the rear ones being mounted on eccentric axles. At the rear of the brackets are loops for the in and out tackles, and secured to the rear bed-plate are loops for a preventer-breeching. Two projecting lips protrude from the forward bed-plate beyond the brackets, forming seats for a screw-compressor. The slide is made up of two heavy double =T= bars connected by bottom plates and rods. It is mounted on eccentric rollers, and both the forward and rear pivot-centres are in the bed-plates. The compressors (one on each side) are of the ordinary screw-press form, composed of a wrought-iron frame having a lip on its inner lower side which takes under the slide-bars, whilst a screw in the top of the frame seats on the projections of the carriage. This type of slide and carriage is going out of use.

_Iron Pivot-Carriage with Central Recoil Check._

This carriage is the same in general principle as the ordinary pivot-carriage, the main modification being in the arrangement for checking recoil. A worm-shaft, attached to the transom of the carriage and worked by a hand-wheel outside the left bracket, gears in a large cogged wheel just outside the transom. This wheel has at the lower end of its axle a screw-sleeve operating a friction-plate which seats against two heavy bars secured to the slide. Railroad buffers are also fixed at each end of the slide.

_Geared Broadside-Carriage and Slide with Hydraulic Recoil Check._

The carriage is very low, its bottom plates coming down inside the slide-rails, which are given a slope to the front. The slide is centre-port pivoting. The carriage is run out and in either by tackles or gearing. For the latter, long screw-shafts are fixed outside of the slide-rails on each side, geared by mitre-gearing to large cogged driving-wheels on the rear of the slide. A long lever is pivoted in wake of the trunnion-sockets, carrying at its lower end a half screw-sleeve. By heaving out on the lever, the sleeve engages in the screw-shaft and the gun is drawn in or out. The recoil cylinder is of the ordinary type, but provided with a circulating pipe and balanced valve by which the oil passes from one end to the other. The valve may be regulated for any desired amount of recoil. The training-gear is of the ordinary type, working a longitudinal shaft having on its outer end a cogged wheel to gear in a metal rack just inside of the rear slide-rollers.

_Ericsson’s Broadside-Carriage and Slide with Friction Recoil._[8]

The recoil arrangement of this carriage is made up of two plates operated by a lever, and jamming between them a flat plate attached to the carriage. The carriage is run in and out by gearing, the driving-wheel engaging in racks inside the slide-rails. The training-gear is of the ordinary type, but gears directly into the slide-rollers, whose middle sections are cogged, the middle section of the circle or races being cut in a rack.

[8] See page 299.

_Ericsson’s Turret-Carriage._

The slide of the turret-carriage consists of two bars built into the turret. The carriage is made of double plate-iron worked on a frame. The compressor is the original of the Elswick compressor (see page 201), working on the same principle. The gun is run in and out by means of a large cogged driving-wheel gearing in a rack underneath the slide.

_Friction-Drum Recoil-Check Carriage._

The carriage and slide are similar to those of the 11-inch iron pivot-carriage, except with regard to the recoil check, which is exactly the same in principle as that of the directing-bar carriage.

GUNPOWDER.

Gunpowder is classed in accordance with its size of grain as follows:

Hexagonal | | not less than 70 nor more than 75 grains to the pound. Cubical |

Mammoth ” ” 0.5 ” ” 1 inch measurement. Rifle ” ” 0.3 ” ” 0.5 ” ” Cannon ” ” 0.1 ” ” 0.3 ” ” Torpedo ” ” 0.1 ” ” .15 ” ” Small-arm ” ” 0.05 ” ” .06 ” ” Shell ” ” .02 ” ” .06 ” ”

PROJECTILES.

The projectiles used with both smooth-bores and rifles are shot, shell, shrapnel, and case-shot.

All smooth-bore projectiles are of cast-iron.

All rifle projectiles except the 8-inch shot are common cast-iron; the shot are chilled-headed.

Rifled projectiles for the boat-guns (B. L.) are provided with rotating grooved belts cast on them. They also have a rear centring ring. The rotating-rings for the larger calibres are brass rings screwing on the base of the projectile, and having an expansion groove or cup on the rear end. In the Parrott projectiles the ring is cast on the base around a heavy dovetailed score, having jogs to prevent the ring turning on the base of the shell.

The shrapnel for the boat-guns is of the simplest description, having a thin shell and a central powder-chamber throughout its length. Shrapnel for the heavy calibres is similar to the English type. Case-shot is of the ordinary construction.

FUSES.

The fuses used in the navy are both time and percussion. There are three types of time fuses. The navy time-fuse, used in rifled and smooth-bore projectiles, consists of a brass fuse-case pierced by a centre hole, the bottom of which is closed by a small leaden plug simply jammed into place, called a safety-plug. On the top of this is the column of fuse composition driven in a paper case. Over this screws a small metal plug, called a water-cap, having angular passages cut through it to prevent the passage of water to the flame. These holes are filled with igniting composition. Over the water-cap is secured a leaden patch, sealing the fuse. This patch is torn off when the projectile is put in the gun; the flame of discharge ignites the composition, and the projectile starting from its seat drives the safety-plug out of its place into the shell, leaving the passage clear for the flame.

The Bormann fuse is used with the smooth-bore shrapnel. In this, the composition is driven in a horizontal cavity opening into a centre magazine. The top of the fuse is sealed, and its periphery marked to fractions of seconds. When inserting the projectile this fuse is cut, laying the composition bare at the desired time.

The Boxer fuse is a wooden-cased fuse similar to its English original.

There is but one type of percussion fuse used in the service. It consists of a brass case containing a small iron hollow cylinder filled with composition, and having at its head a small anvil on which an ordinary percussion-cap is fitted. This cylinder is suspended midway of the case by a small brass screw through the wall of the case. The top of the fuse is closed by a small screw-cap, one side of which is hollowed in a small cavity. Ordinarily this cap is screwed in place with the cavity turned downward, so that in case the cylinder breaks from its fastening the cap cannot be struck as it enters the cavity, while the shoulders bring it up before striking. To prepare it for firing, the cap is unscrewed and reversed, putting its flat side down. When the time-fuse is used in rifled shells, the safety-plug is removed before inserting the fuse.

PRIMERS.

Both percussion and friction primers are used. The percussion primer consists of a quill tube, the upper end of which is split and spread out to form a wafer. The body is filled with fine powder, the lower end being sealed with shellac, and the wafer is filled with detonating composition, covered and sealed with shellac.

The friction primer is a quill tube filled with fine powder, and having in its head a wire igniter in contact with detonating composition. The end of the wire is twisted into a loop for the purpose of hooking a firing laniard. A small preventer-loop is attached to the primer, hooking over a small pin just forward of the vent.

LOCKS.

Percussion-locks are used with all smooth-bores. They are of the ordinary type of heavy brass gun-locks, the pivot-hole being slotted so that in firing, after the lock strikes the primer it is drawn clear of the vent.

SIGHTS.

The smooth-bore broadside-guns are provided with centre-breech and reinforce sights, pivot-guns with centre and tangent sights, and the rifled guns with tangent-sights. The smooth-bore breech-sights are rectangular bars shipped with an angle to the rear so that two sides may be seen. These sights are marked on one side for ordinary and on the other for heavy charges, corresponding to shot and shell. The reinforce sights are of the ordinary pattern. The Parrott tangent-sight does not slide in a sight-box, but has a stem which seats in a casing. It is cylindrical, and the sight-notch, fixed to a ring, slides up and down the sight-bar. The sight-notch itself is a small capstan-head having four radial notches, and working on a screw perpendicularly to the sight-bar to allow for drift. The tangent-sight for the 8-inch M. L. R. is set at a permanent angle of deflection of 1° 50´, and is provided with a sliding leaf. The graduation on all sights except the Parrott rifles and the boat-guns is in hundreds of yards. In the remainder it is in fractions of degrees.

MACHINE-GUNS.

This gun is introduced into naval services with the especial objects of, first, repelling torpedo and boarding attacks; second, for use against light merchant vessels where a light, long-range artillery fire is most effective. The gun has five barrels, and can be fired at a rate of from 60 to 80 shots per minute without forcing. Its ammunition is shell and case-shot, the weight of projectile ranging from one and a half pounds in the light calibre to four pounds in the heavy one. The extreme range is about 4500 yards. The barrels are assembled about and revolve around a central axis, the cartridges being fed through a chamber in the left upper side of the breech-casing. There is but one lock, and each barrel fires once during a revolution. The cartridge on falling into the chamber is carried forward by a cam into its barrel, being pushed close home and receiving good support when passing in front of the firing-pin. The latter is retracted by a cam, plunging forward as the centre of each cartridge comes in front of it. The rim of the cartridge-case is then seized by an independent extractor, withdrawn, and dropped to the ground. Although the crank is turned steadily, there is a certain amount of lost motion in the revolution of the barrels. This takes place as the cartridge reaches the firing-point, and during this short time of rest one cartridge is fired and another empty case is ejected. No elevating-screw is used with this gun. It is mounted on trunnions in a saddle, and projecting from the rear of the breech-case is a wooden shoulder-piece, while underneath is a handle to allow a support with the left hand. The cartridges are permanently attached to the rear of the projectiles. The shells are of steel with a percussion fuse. The barrels of the gun are made of Whitworth compressed steel of the finest quality. This gun has up to the present time proved the most effective torpedo-gun in existence. Its only rival at present is the Nordenfeldt gun, which is not yet thoroughly developed.

_The Gatling Gun._

This gun, which has as yet been unequalled as a mitrailleuse, finds a place in the armament of nearly all the navies of the world. Hitherto the object of the gun in naval use has been simply to aid the small-arm fire whenever the latter was made necessary, but at present it is the design to increase the calibre of the gun so as to enable it to fire projectiles of two or more pounds. What modifications will be required in the present type of gun are not as yet known; but although the Gatling and Hotchkiss guns are both American inventions, they must not in their present stages of development be considered as rivals. The Gatling is as a rule confined to the use of small-arm ammunition; on the other hand, the Hotchkiss is to be in reality classed with boat-guns.

The Gatling has ten barrels grouped about a central axis. Each barrel is provided with its own separate lock and extractor, retracted by a cam, the barrels being each fired as it comes to a certain point. The speed of firing can be carried as high as between 400 and 500 cartridges a minute without much forcing. There are two patterns of this gun, known respectively as the long and the short gun, the latter being designed especially for use in ships’ tops, while the former is used in landing and long-range firing. The cartridges are fed to the gun in tin cases holding 40 each, and which are rapidly put in position and changed so that there is no especial time lost in removing one case and shipping another. In case that one barrel should become fouled or a lock be broken, the lock can be extracted very quickly and so no hindrance is offered to the working of the mechanism, as cartridges dropping into the faulty chamber are carried around and dropped out without being fired. Notwithstanding the great rapidity of the fire there is no danger of the barrels becoming too much over-heated, and the great difficulty experienced in most guns of the mitrailleuse pattern of sticking and refusing to work, through the expansion of the barrels and mechanism due to the heat of rapid firing, is either fully avoided or compensated in the Gatling.

SMALL-ARMS.

Breech-loading small-arms are used in all the navies of the world, and, as with great-guns and machine-guns, although the greater nations strive to develop patterns of their own, many use the same pattern; small-arms of American manufacture being used by the majority. In many navies these arms are of two patterns, generally one of them being some system of conversion from old smooth-bores, whilst the other is a gun of a new pattern.

_Types of Small-Arms in Use in the Different Navies._

COUNTRY. TYPE.

ARGENTINE Remington. AUSTRIA Werndl. BRAZIL Remington. CHILI Remington. CHINA Peabody-Martini. DENMARK Remington. ------------------------------------------------- Snider (converted), ENGLAND Peabody-Martini. ------------------------------------------------- Tabatière (converted) FRANCE Chassepot. ------------------------------------------------- GERMANY Mauser. HOLLAND Beaumont. GREECE Chassepot. ITALY Vetterlin. JAPAN Remington. NORWAY AND SWEDEN Remington. PERU Remington. PORTUGAL Peabody-Martini. ------------------------------------------------- Krnka (converted), RUSSIA Berdan. ------------------------------------------------- SPAIN Remington. ------------------------------------------------- Snider (converted), TURKEY Peabody-Martini. ------------------------------------------------- Remington, UNITED STATES Hotchkiss (Magazine), Springfield (Marine Corps).

The United States Navy is the only one in which the magazine rifle has been introduced. The Springfield, used in this country by its Marine Corps, is a converted rifle. The Beaumont rifle, used in Holland, the Peabody-Martini and Snider, used in England, and the Berdan, used in Russia, are all modifications of original American types.

CONVERTED BREECH-LOADERS.

_Snider. Tabatière._

These two systems of conversion are almost identical, differing only in one or two of the minor points. The breech-block is hinged to open transversely, the lug of the hinge being somewhat shorter than the axle, the intermediate space being filled by a spiral spring which holds the block forward. By drawing back the block against the spring after opening, the extractor which is attached to the forward part withdraws the empty cartridge-case. There is no lock on the block, the pressure of the hammer on the firing-pin holding it down.

_Krnka._

This system is a Russian invention, and is exceedingly simple and compact. The breech-block revolves transversely, and the movement of opening causes the extractor, which is a simple lever, to throw the cartridge-case out of the chamber. Two lugs rise in rear of the breech-block, leaving a cavity between them for the insertion and ejection of cartridges. The breech-block when closed is held down by the hammer on the firing-pin.

_Springfield._

In the Springfield system the breech-block hinges at the upper forward end and is turned up. The extractor is operated by a small spring which ejects the cartridge-case forcibly on throwing open the breech-block. The firing-pin passes diagonally through the breech-block to the axis of the bore. A catch holds the rear of the block down when closed, and the bottom of the block is hollowed out to lighten it.

NEW SYSTEMS.

_Peabody-Martini._

In this system the breech-block is hinged at its upper rear end and drops down in opening. It is opened and closed by a bent lever in rear of the trigger-guard. The extractor is a bent lever, the lower front of the breech-block striking it in opening and causing it to violently eject the cartridge-case. The firing-pin is in the axis of the breech-block, and is retracted and cocked by the motion of opening the breech. By means of a small slide just in front of the trigger the firing-pin can be secured at full cock. A small pointer on the left outer face of the receiver serves as a tell-tale to show when the piece is at full cock.

_Werndl._

The breech-block of this piece revolves about an axis just below the barrel, and by its revolution works the extractor and throws the empty cartridge-case out. The firing-pin is of the ordinary type, held back by a spring and operated by the blow of a hammer. The head of the bolt in which the breech-block revolves has for its section a segmental shape, and a flat spring presses upwards against it. One of its flat sides presses on the spring at each extreme position of the breech-block, and by this means the block is held secure when open or shut, whilst the movement of opening is made with a snap, assisting in the ejection of the empty case.

_Mauser._

The breech-block of this piece is a cylindrical block travelling lengthwise, and turned and moved by a projecting thumb-piece. A part of the right side of the slot-way in which it travels is cut away, so that in pushing forward the block to close the breech it may be turned also; projections on the thumb-piece cut with a slant, taking against the sides of the cut so as to force the block, close up wedge-fashion and hold it secure. The extractor is secured to the nose-piece of the block. The firing-pin travels in the axis of the block and is retracted, or rather the spring is pressed forward, as the block is drawn back, being held cocked by the sear when the block is pushed forward again. This gun is a modification of the old Chassepot.

_Le Gras (modified Chassepot)._

This gun is the same in principle as the one just described, it being in reality a system of conversion from the old needle-gun used in connection with a paper cartridge, to the new one using brass cartridge-cases. The principal differences between the Mauser and the Le Gras are in the details of the trigger and in the use of a rubber gas-check.

_Berdan._

The breech-block of this system is pivoted at the upper forward end, and is opened by drawing back the locking-bolt to its full extent and then throwing the breech-block up. In drawing the bolt back the firing-pin is cocked, as in the Mauser pattern, and throwing the breech-block up operates the extractor.

_Remington._

The breech-block of this system is pivoted at its lower extremity, and is held fast by a hammer-block. Cocking the latter, the breech-block may be thrown back, working the extractor.

_Hotchkiss Magazine._

The breech-block of this system is on the principle of the Chassepot, being turned by a thumb-piece to unlock it and then retracted, the operation of retracting, cocking the firing-pin, withdrawing and ejecting the old cartridge-case, and opening the magazine, from whence a fresh cartridge is pushed in front of the block by a spiral spring. The magazine runs along the axis of the butt-stock, and is provided with a feed-stop by which the supply may at any time be shut off.

RECAPITULATION OF NAVAL ORDNANCE.

NATION.| TYPE OF ORDNANCE. | CALIBRES. --------+-----------------------------------+----------------- | | Inches. | Krupp steel breech-loaders | 11, 10¼, 9¼, 8¼, 5⅞ | Armstrong muzzle-loaders | 9, 7 | Austrian bronze breech-loaders | 3½, 2½ Austria | Werndl (small-arms) | 0.42 | Hotchkiss revolving cannon | 1½ | Gatling machine-guns | ½ --------+-----------------------------------+-------------------------------------- | Whitworth muzzle-loaders | 10¼, 9½, 7, 6, 4½ Brazil | Brazilian cast-iron smooth-bores | 8, 6 | Gatling machine-guns | ½ | Remington (small-arms) | 0.45 --------+-----------------------------------+-------------------------------------- | Krupp breech-loaders | 9¼, 8¼ Chili | Armstrong muzzle-loaders | 9, 4½ | Gatling machine-guns | ½ | Remington (small-arms) | 0.50 --------+-----------------------------------+-------------------------------------- | Armstrong muzzle-loaders | 12½, 12, 10, 7 China | Vavasseur muzzle-loaders | 12 | Gatling machine-guns | ½ | Peabody-Martini (small-arms) | .45 --------+-----------------------------------+-------------------------------------- | Krupp breech-loaders | 12, 10¼, 6½ | Armstrong muzzle-loaders | 10¼, 9, 7¾ Denmark | Nordenfeldt machine-guns | 1¾ | Palmcrantz machine-guns | ½ | Beaumont-Remington (small-arms) | 0.45 --------+-----------------------------------+-------------------------------------- | Woolwich muzzle-loaders | 16, 12½, 12, 10, 9, 8, | | 7, 6¼, 3 | Armstrong muzzle-loaders | 17, 7 England | Palisser converted muzzle-loaders | 6¼ | Armstrong breech-loaders | 7, 4¾, 3¾, 3, 2½ | Gatling machine-guns | 1½ | Snider converted (small-arms) | 0.57 | Peabody-Martini (small-arms) | 0.45 --------+-----------------------------------+-------------------------------------- | French breech-loaders | 13¼, 12½. 10¾. 9½. 7½, | | 6½, 5½ France | French bronze muzzle-loaders | 4¾, 3½ | Hotchkiss machine-guns | 1¾, 2 | Chassepot (small-arms) | 0.42 | Tabatière (converted small-arms) | 0.50 --------+-----------------------------------+-------------------------------------- | Krupp breech-loaders | 12, 11, 10⅜, 10¼, | | 9¼, 8¼, | | 6¾, 5⅞, 4¾, 3¼ Germany | Palmcrantz machine-guns | 0.50 | Mauser (small-arms) | 0.42 --------+-----------------------------------+-------------------------------------- | Armstrong muzzle-loaders | 9, 7 Greece | Chassepot (small-arms) | 0.42 | Hotchkiss machine-guns | 1¾ --------+-----------------------------------+-------------------------------------- | Krupp breech-loaders | 11, 6½, 7, 4¾ | Armstrong muzzle-loaders | 11, 9 Holland | Hotchkiss machine-guns | 1¾ | Gatling machine-guns | 0.50 | Remington-Beaumont (small-arms) | 0.45 --------+-----------------------------------+-------------------------------------- | Armstrong muzzle-loaders | 17, 11, 10, 9, 8 | Italian breech-loaders | 4¾, 3½, 3 Italy | Hotchkiss machine-guns | 1¾ | Albertini machine-guns | 0.50 | Vetterlin (small-arms) | 0.42 --------+-----------------------------------+-------------------------------------- | | | Krupp breech-loaders | 9½, 6¾ Japan | Armstrong muzzle-loaders | 9, 7 | Gatling machine-guns | 0.50 | Remington (small-arms) | 0.50 --------+-----------------------------------+-------------------------------------- | Krupp breech-loaders | 10¼, 6 | Finspong, breech-loaders | 10⅞, 9½, 6½ Norway | Cast-iron muzzle-loaders | 6½, 4½ and | Nordenfeldt machine-guns | 1¾ Sweden | Palmcrantz machine-guns | 0.50 | Remington (small-arms) | 0.45 --------+-----------------------------------+-------------------------------------- | Whitworth muzzle-loaders | 8½, 7, 6 Peru | Armstrong muzzle-loaders | 9, 7 | Gatling machine-guns | 0.50 | Remington (small-arms) | 0.50 --------+-----------------------------------+-------------------------------------- | Krupp breech-loaders | 10¼, 6 Portugal| Armstrong muzzle-loaders | 6, 4¾ | Gatling machine-guns | 0.50 | Peabody-Martini (small-arms) | 0.45 --------+-----------------------------------+-------------------------------------- | Krupp breech-loaders | 12, 11, 9, 8, 6, 4, 3½ | Russian bronze muzzle-loaders | 4, 3½ | Rodman cast-iron smooth-bores | 20, 15, 10¾, 7½, 7, 6½ Russia | Gatling machine-guns | 0.50 | Hotchkiss machine-guns | 1¾ | Krnka (converted small-arms) | 0.50 | Russian Berdan (small-arms) | 0.40 --------+-----------------------------------+-------------------------------------- | Armstrong muzzle-loaders | 9⅞, 9, 7⅞ Spain | French breech-loaders | 9, 7, 6¼, 4¾ | Gatling machine-guns | 0.50 | Remington (small-arms) | 0.45 --------+-----------------------------------+-------------------------------------- | Armstrong muzzle-loaders | 10, 9, 8, 7, 4¾ Turkey | Krupp breech-loaders | 10⅜, 9¼, 6¾, 5⅞, 3¼ | Gatling machine-guns | 0.50 | Peabody-Martini (small-arms) | 0.45 --------+-----------------------------------+-------------------------------------- | French breech-loaders | 7½, 5¼, 4¼, 4, 3½, 3 | Dahlgren smooth-bores | 15, 11, 9, 8, 6½, 3 | Parrott muzzle-loaders | 8, 6½, 5¼, 4¼, 4, 3 United | Hotchkiss machine-guns | 1¾ States | Gatling machine-guns | 0.50 | Hotchkiss magazine (small-arms) | 0.45 | Remington (small-arms) | 0.45 | Springfield (converted small-arms)| 0.45 --------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------