245 



entirely automatic, and the chief feature is that the recoil is 

 used for loading and firing. The gun is about 4 feet 9 inches 

 long, and stands on a tripod 3 feet 6 inches high. The cart- 

 ridges are placed in a canvas belt made in two lengths, rivetted 

 together at regular intervals so as to form loops, into which 

 the cartridges are first inserted by hand. In order to keep up 

 continuous firing a fresh belt is hooked on to the end of the 

 one that is running, and no delay ensues. A water-jacket 

 encircles the barrel, which prevents the excessive heating 

 caused by the rapid discharge. To fire the gun all that is 

 necessary is to turn a handle, which brings the first cartridge 

 into the barrel. On pulling the trigger the first cartridge 

 explodes and the empty shell is expelled from the breech, 

 which instantly receives a fresh cartridge from the magazine, 

 which is pressed firmly home by the breech-block closing and 

 locking the breech completely during the explosion; and it 

 cannot be unlocked again until the barrel, which participates 

 in the recoil, has moved backwards about seven-sixteenths of 

 an inch. By this time the shot is some distance out of the 

 barrel, and the pressure of the gases is sufficiently reduced to 

 render it safe to open the breech. The barrel still recoils, and 

 while it is stopping the breech-block, with its attachments, is 

 sent further backwards, thereby removing the empty shell and 

 cocking the hammer. The return or forward travel of the 

 block pushes another cartridge into the barrel, closes the 

 breech, and pulls the trigger, and so on. On pulling the 

 trigger by hand, the first shot is fired; the gun will then 

 supply itself from the belt, and continue firing as long as 

 there are any cartridges in the belt. For naval purposes larger 

 guns are made, to take shells 1| inch diameter and 6 inches 

 long, and will fire 150 shots a minute. A six-pounder, capable 

 of piercing four inches of steel plate, will fire 50 shots a 

 minute. 



HEAVY GUNS. 



Forging guns from steel is carried on on a large scale both m 

 England and on the Continent. Herr Krupp, the owner of the 

 extensive steel works at Essen, has just completed two giant 

 guns intended for the defence of Pola, in the Adriatic Sea. 

 The length of each cannon is 341 feet, the diameter at the 

 bottom 4*75 feet, and at the mouth 2 feet. The transport of 

 these guns from Essen to Pola will cost £300. They will be 

 carried on sixteen-wheel trucks specially constructed, and 

 weighing 39 tons, and having a carrying capacity of 75 tons. 



I fear I have trespassed too long upon your patience this 

 evening,' my difficulty being to know when to stop my address, 

 having left untouched so many subjects of general interest. I 

 hope, however, that during the coming session some of our 



