GUNS.
In the United States Navy both smooth-bores and rifles are used, and of the latter both muzzle and breech-loaders.
Smooth-Bores.
15-inch Rodman Gun (Smooth-Bore).
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.
