Navies of the world

by Edward W. Very

81-ton Gun-Slide and Trunnion Saddles—
Hydraulic Loading Arrangements.

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 The rammer being withdrawn, the charge is run up in a hand-car on to the hydraulic lift, by which it is raised to the muzzle.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

Hydraulic Recoil Press.

GUNPOWDER.

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

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

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

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

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