TEE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
7 
ON A CLINOMETER 
FOK 
ELEVATED COAST BATTERIES. 
BY CAPTAIN J. R. OLIVER, R.A. 
It is most desirable that in every Coast Battery there should be some 
means at hand of at once ascertaining the exact distance of any particular 
object, and also of obviating the necessity of a reference to range tables— 
an invariable source of confusion and delay in actual warfare. With this 
view the following contrivance has been devised, and clinometers of this 
pattern are now being constructed for two new 68-pr. batteries at St Helena; 
one of which is 460 feet, the other 610 feet above the sea. 
An upright post (A) about four inches diameter, and five feet high is 
fixed in a convenient part of the battery. At its top and in the direction 
of its axis is a brass rod ( G) which serves as a vertical axis for the clinometer 
to revolve on. Lower down a sort of bucket (F) through the bottom of 
which the post passes, is placed, and serves to protect the plummet of the 
clinometer from the wind. A rectangular block ( T )) of teak, or other hard 
wood, with a hole at one end for the brass rod to enter, fits in to the 
top of the post and carries with it a rectangular board (AC) of mahogany, 
24" x 8" x which is clamped to it by means of a screw (. H ) passing 
through a nut. 
Front elevation. Sectional elevation through ab<. 
AO, Clinometer 4 
AB, Plumb line. 
JE, Post. 
F, 
Box to protect 
the plummet 
from the wind. 
G, Fixed metal axis. 
Scale A* 
Moveable wood¬ 
en block. 
Clamping screw. 
Sights. 
Guard to steady 
the plumb line. 
