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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration: Broadwell Gas-Check, Seat, and Face-Plate.]
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.
[Illustration: Breech-Block (front).]
[Illustration: Breech-Block (rear).]
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.
[Illustration: Vent-Bush and Vent Gas-Check.]
[Illustration: Vent-Piece, showing Hook for Head of Primer.]
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.
[Illustration: Broadside-Carriage for 8-cm. Boat-Gun.]
_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.
[Illustration: Brookwell Broadside-Carriage.]
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.
[Illustration: Carriage and Slide for 21-cm. Gun.]
[Illustration: Slide Tackle-Block.]
[Illustration: Hinged Carriage Tackle-Block.]
[Illustration: Buffer.]
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.
[Illustration: Centre Pivot-Bolt.]
[Illustration: Centre-port Pivot-Bolt.]
[Illustration: Eccentric Axle and Handspike Socket.]
[Illustration: Windlass for Training and In Tackles.]
[Illustration: Front Housing-Bolt.]
_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._
[Illustration: Training-Gear for Cabin-Carriage.]
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.
[Illustration: Slide Rear Roller, showing Manner of Pinning the Roller
in Action.]
_Slide-Carriage for the Long 21-cm. Gun, Pattern 1873._
[Illustration: (Plan.) (Section.)
Stirrup on Carriage for Endless Chain.]
[Illustration: Rear of Slide, showing Training-Gear, Chain-Roller,
Crank, and Recessed Rear Roller for taking Recoil.]
[Illustration: Axle-Grip for Putting Training-Gear in and out of
Action.]
[Illustration: Training-Axle and Rear Chain-Axle with Gearing.]
[Illustration: Front Chain-Roller.]
[Illustration: Recoil-Hook and Countersunk Traverse.]
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._
[Illustration: Gearing for Short 24-cm. Slide.]
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.
[Illustration: Hydraulic Recoil Cylinder and Piston.]
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.
[Illustration: Piston-Head.]
[Illustration: Rear End of Piston-Rod and Connections.]
_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._
[Illustration: (Side View.)]
[Illustration: (End View.)
Half-Slide Carriage for 17-cm. Gun.]
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.
[Illustration: Front Half of Slide for Centre-Pivoting Gun-boat
Carriage.]
[Illustration: Gear below Deck for Revolving Gun-boat Carriage.]
_Turret-Carriage for the 21-cm. Gun (Arminius)._
[Illustration: Turret-Carriage for Minimum Port. (See next page.)]
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.
[Illustration: Boat-Carriage.]
_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.
[Illustration: Field-Carriage.]
GUNPOWDER.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration: Chilled Shot. Common Shell. Chilled Shot. Common Shell.
Long Shell. Segment Shell. Common Shell.
27-cm. Gun. 15-cm. Gun. 17-cm. 8-cm.]
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.
[Illustration: German Percussion Fuse.]
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.
[Illustration: German Time-Fuse.]
PRIMERS.
Friction primers are used altogether. These are of the same type as
those used with English guns. (See English Ordnance.)
SIGHTS.
[Illustration: Sight-Bush and Clamp.]
[Illustration: Rear-Sight.]
[Illustration: Front-Sight.]
[Illustration: Rear-Sight for Light Guns.]
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.
[Illustration]
_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.
[Illustration]
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._
[Illustration: 15-inch Rodman Gun (Smooth-Bore).]
[Illustration: 9-inch Dahlgren (Smooth-Bore).]
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.
[Illustration: 12-pdr. Bronze (Smooth-Bore).]
[Illustration: 100-pdr. Parrott M. L. R.]
[Illustration: 20-pdr. Bronze M. L. R.]
[Illustration: 12-pdr. Bronze M. L. R.]
_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.
[Illustration: 8-inch Converted M. L. R.]
_Breech-Loaders._
[Illustration]
[Illustration: 3-inch Boat-Gun (R. B. L.).]
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.
[Illustration]
_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.
[Illustration: Parrott Groove.]
[Illustration: Dahlgren Groove.]
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.
[Illustration: Wooden Boat-Carriage.]
_Field-Carriages._
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration: Iron Field-Carriage for Muzzle-Loaders.]
_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._
[Illustration: Broadside Marsilly Carriage. (Elevation.)]
[Illustration: Broadside Marsilly Carriage. (Plan.)]
[Illustration: DIRECTING BAR CARRIAGE FOR 60 Pdr.
(With Circular Brake Compressor.)]
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration: Central Recoil-Check Carriage.]
_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.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: Geared Carriage and Slide with Hydraulic Recoil.]
_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.
[Illustration: Ericsson’s Turret-Carriage. (Top.)]
[Illustration: Ericsson’s Turret-Carriage. (Bottom.)]
_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.
[Illustration: Ericsson’s Friction Recoil Carriage.]
GUNPOWDER.
[Illustration: Cubical Powder.]
[Illustration: Hexagonal Powder.]
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.
[Illustration: 100-pdr. Parrott-Shell.]
[Illustration: 8-inch Shell.]
[Illustration: 8-inch Shot.]
[Illustration: 8-inch B. L. Shell.]
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.
[Illustration: 12-pdr. Smooth-Bore Shrapnel.]
[Illustration: 3-inch B. L. Shrapnel.]
[Illustration: Fixed Charge for Boat-Gun. (Shell and Cartridge.)]
FUSES.
[Illustration: Navy Time-Fuse.]
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.
[Illustration: Bormann Fuse.]
[Illustration: Boxer Time-Fuse.]
[Illustration: Schenkl Percussion Fuse.]
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.
[Illustration: Percussion Primer.]
[Illustration: Friction Primer.]
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.
[Illustration: Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon.]
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.
[Illustration: Chamber. (Longitudinal Section.)]
[Illustration: Chamber. (Vertical Section.)]
_The Gatling Gun._
[Illustration: Long Pattern.]
[Illustration: Short Pattern.]
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.
[Illustration: Lock, Extractor, and Breech-Cover.]
[Illustration: Breech Mechanism.]
[Illustration: Chamber.]
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.
[Illustration: Barrels, Chamber, and Revolving-Gear.]
[Illustration: Frame and Covered Breech.]
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._
[Illustration: Snider.]
[Illustration: 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._
[Illustration: Krnka.]
[Illustration: Breech-Block.]
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._
[Illustration: 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._
[Illustration: Martini-Henry.]
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._
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration: Mauser.]
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration: Berdan.]
_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.
[Illustration: Remington.]
_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.
[Illustration: Hotchkiss Magazine.]
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
--------+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------
[Illustration: PENETRATING POWER OF ENGLISH PROJECTILES
Showing the Penetrating power of Projectiles fired
from English Guns against Iron-clad Ships of war.
Each target represents a certain class of vessel at a distance of
70 yards except where the range at which projectiles would penetrate
is stated.
NOTE.—Where the target is shown pentrates but no range given it includes all
distances up to 2000 yards.]
[Illustration: DIAGRAM SHOWING THE PERFORATING POWERS OF PROJECTILES
FIRED AT VARIOUS RANGES FROM GERMAN AND FRENCH BREECH-LOADING RIFLED
GUNS.]
[Illustration: NOTE.—The upper scale is for guns ³/₁₄ of an inch to 1
foot. The lower scale is for targets ¼ of an inch to 1 foot.]
[Illustration: SHOWING THE PENETRATING ENERGY, IN FOOT-TONS PER INCH OF
SHOTS CIRCUMFERENCE, OF FOREIGN ORDNANCE. AT RANGES FROM 70 YARDS FROM
THE MUZZLE OF THE GUN TO 2000 YARDS.]