DISCHARGING OF ORDNANCE. 475 



The expansion of the aeriform fluids produced, 

 must act with more force than in the old method ; 

 of course, less powder will be required for any pro- 

 posed result ; and, as none of the charge is forced 

 out uninflamed, any given quantity of gunpowder 

 will afford its fullest possible effect. 

 ? 2d, The removal of all danger of explosions aris- 

 ing 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 

 substance forced from the touch-hole during the 

 discharge. 



" 2d, The removal, in a great degree, of the in- 

 convenience arising from the accumulation of smoke 

 in the gun-decks of men of war, or in casement bat- 

 teries 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 con- 

 siderable advantage. 



" Uh, The removal of all inconvenience arising 

 from the priming being blown away by high winds, 

 or washed off by heavy rains, or the shipping of a 

 sea." The cap at the top of the new apparatus 

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

 conveniences of the old mode. 



