EXAMINATION FOR TORPEDO-COMPANY GUNNERS.
SECOND-CLASS GUNNERS.
Ammunition, Nomenclature, and Service of Piece.
Note.—In the following series of questions and answers the new and adopted system only is included.
Q. What guns are usually assigned to torpedo companies?
A. R. F. guns, principally 3-inch.
Q. Give a rough outline of the general operation of the system of submarine mines.
A. A submarine mine is a ball-shaped iron case filled with high explosive. Several of these are planted across a channel and held below the surface of the water by heavy anchors. From each mine is run a single-core cable. All these cables join the wires of a multiple-core cable which runs to the "mining casemate." In this building are electrical devices for firing the mine either when it is struck by the enemy's ship (called "contact-firing,") or at the mine-commander's will ("observation-firing"). This firing is accomplished by sending an electric current through the cable to the mine. Inside the mine is an electric fuse. The return-circuit is by ground. (The details of electrical and engineering features and wiring are not required of a second-class gunner.)
Q. What ammunition is used in the 3-inch R. F. gun?
A. A cartridge case of solid drawn brass about 23 inches long containing a powder charge in the base of 5 pounds of smokeless and a projectile weighing 15 pounds in the top. Armor-piercing shell and shrapnel are also used. The saluting charge weight, 2 pounds.