LANDING AT DURBAN OF REINFORCEMENTS FOR LADYSMITH.
The enthusiasm of the loyal colonists found expression in their lavish gifts to the soldiers and sailors on the way to the front. Cigars, pineapples, pillows, and ladies' visiting cards were pressed upon them, the last with promises to send anything which might be needed, "on demand."
[Oct. 30, 1899.
This half-hour's delay was the salvation of Ladysmith. Already one of the two battalions from Durban, the 2nd Rifle Brigade, had arrived by train and deployed upon the battlefield, a most welcome help and reinforcement. The 53rd and 13th Batteries covered the retreat in the centre, the one withdrawing while the other shelled the enemy. As the town of Ladysmith was neared it was discovered that the report of an intended Boer attack had been either unfounded or premature. But the Boer 40-pounders on Pepworth Hill were pouring a galling fire into the town. Help was needed to keep these long range guns in order, for none of our field artillery weapons could drive their projectiles the required distance. Help was dramatically forthcoming.
MAXIM AUTOMATIC GUN.
The action of this gun will be readily understood on reference to this section. The block A travels to and fro on the guides C (one on each side). It is provided with a rising front B, which at each stroke runs up the inclined plane E, along the upper guide D, and picks up a cartridge from the continuous belt shown just below the letter M. At the next stroke this cartridge F is driven into the orifice G in line with the barrel and fired. The empty case is then withdrawn, and at the next stroke is forced into the orifice I, whence succeeding cases push it on till it drops out at L. The gun is started by hand, but when once working the "recoil" from the explosion of the cartridge drives the block A back, and the springs K and J then force it forward again. This reciprocating motion is kept up so long as the thumbs are pressed against the springs N. The barrel is surrounded by a cylinder full of water to keep it cool.
LYDDITE SHELL
As fired by the large naval guns at Ladysmith. a detonating pellet; b weight; c guncotton priming.