448 



Mr, Anderson 



[April 9, 



on the wall illustrates tlie internal construction. The gun is mounted 

 on a carriage composed of two hydraulic cylinders A, united so as to 

 form one piece. This carriage slides on a pair of hollow ways B, and 

 also on to a pair of fixed rams C, the rear ends of which are attached to 

 the piece D forming the rear of the mounting. There are water passages 

 down the axes of the rams, and these communicate through an 



Fig. 5. 



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^^^^^^v^\N\\\\\\\\\:\\\\\\\\\\\N\\x\\^^ 



automatic recoil valve E, opening from the cylinders, with the two 

 hollow slides B. There is a second communication, between the 

 cylinders and slides by means of a cock F, which can be opened or shut 

 at pleasure. The hollow slides are packed full of cork and water, 

 the latter also completely filling the cylinders, rams, and various 

 connecting passages. 



By means of a small force-pump enough water can be injected to 

 give the cork so much initial compression as will suffice to run the 

 gun out when the slides are inclined under any angle which may bo 

 found convenient. 



When the gun is fired, the cylinders A are driven on to the rams C 

 and the water in the cylinders is forced through the hollow rams into 

 the cork and water vessels formed by the slides B, and the cork is 

 compressed still farther. When the recoil is over, the automatic 

 recoil-valve E closes, and the gun remains in its rearward position 

 ready for loading. 



As soon as loaded, the running-out cock F is opened, the expansion 

 of the cork drives the water from around it into the cylinders, and so 

 forces the gun out. 



If it be desired to let the gun run out automatically immediately 

 after recoil, it is only necessary to leave the running-out cock F open, 

 and then the water forced among the cork by recoil returns instantly 

 to the cylinders, and runs the gun out quicker than the eye can follow 

 the motion, 



I will now load the model and fire a shot into this strong steel 

 cylinder, at the bottom of which is a thick layer of soft wood. I will 

 close the running-out valve, so that the gun shall remain in the recoiled 

 position. Sir Frederick Abel has kindly arranged some of his electric 



