90 Mr, Deuchar's Explanation of [Feb. 



Fig. 3, gives a section of the top, A, of the tube, and the cup, 

 d, for holding the powder. 



Fig. 4, shows the bottom of the cup, which screws into A, 

 from below, as shown in fig. 3 ; the hole through the tube from 

 JB to A divides into the three smaller openings. 



Fi^. 5, shows the end of one of the divisions of the tube, A B, 

 and the size of the screw which miites them at «, b, and c. 



Fig. 6, shows the bore of the tube at a, 0, c, and B. 



Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, show the parts of the apparatus of 

 the full size ; and for fig. 1, there is a scale given. 



I may mention a few advantages of this mode of firing ord- 

 nance of every description. These are extracted from a com- 

 munication on the subject, with which Col. Yule has very kindly 

 favoured me. They are as follows : 



" 1. The instantaneous inflammation of the whole of the pow- 

 der contained in the cartridge." The expansion of the aeriform 

 fluids produced must act with greater force than in the old 

 method : of course, less powder will be required for any proposed 

 result ; and as none of the charge is forced out uninflamed, any 

 given quantity of gunpowder will give its fullest possible 

 effect. 



" 2. The removal of all danger of explosions arising from the 

 cartridges and loose powder coming in contact with lighted 

 matches, in the gun-decks of men of war in time of action.'* 

 The whole process is performed without the necessity of using a 

 match-light of any description ; nor is there any inflamed sub- 

 stance forced from the touch-hole during the discharge. 



" 3. The removal (in a great degree) of the inconvenience 

 arising from the accumulation of smoke in the gun-decks of men 

 of war, or in batteries in time of action." in the proposed 

 method, there is not the slightest production of smoke at the 

 touch-hole ; and as neither prime nor prime tube is required, it 

 is also free from any risk of accident by the discharge of these, 

 and this at sea is a considerable advantage. 



*' 4. The removal of all inconvenience arising from the prim- 

 ing being blown away by high winds, or washed off by heavy 

 rams, or the shipping of a sea." The cap at the top of the new 

 apparatus covers the touch-hole, and prevents any of these 

 inconveniences of the old mode. 



" 5. A saving of the whole amount at present applied to the 

 manufacture or purchase of quick-matches, priming tubes, flints, 

 and various other articles now in use, both in the navy and in 

 the field." 



Another advantage of this mode deserves particularly to be 

 noticed ; namely, the rapidity with which the whole is performed. 

 This facihtates the execution of a charge, by the effect being 

 almost instantaneous with the pointing of the gun : it also saves 

 the time at present spent in applying priming tubes, or trains of 



mit^^s->- 



