516 
TORPEDO BATTERY GUN. 
springs, so that the gnn is ready loaded for the following four 
rounds. 
Simplicity .—The motion of every piece in the whole mechanism is 
sideways, and is in the same direction as the putting in and taking 
out of the cartridges, by which means it has been possible to make the 
mechanism far more simple than that of any other battery gun. The 
mechanism is so simple that in 20 secs, it can be completely opened 
and closed by one man without unfastening a single screw. 
The whole mechanism can be laid open, the four springs, four 
hammers, and four pins can be taken out and be put in readiness for 
firing without the help of a single tool, by two men in less than two 
minutes, or by one man in less than three minutes. There are no 
wheels in the mechanism, the whole being worked by levers. 
Strength .—All the moveable parts of the mechanism are of the best 
cast steel, and are so strong for the work required of them, that there 
is no danger of their breaking or bending. 
Jamming .—All the passages for the cartridges are so roomy, and the 
distance they have to travel is so short, that there can be no jamming 
in the gun. In case a faulty cartridge should cause an obstacle or a 
jamming in the mechanism, it can at once be reached by the hand of 
the gunner, and if one or more faulty cartridges should lodge in the 
chambers, the other barrel or barrels can be used without interrupting 
the firing. 
Loading .—The loading is done by means of feed cases for 40 cart¬ 
ridges each, which contain four chambers for ten cartridges each, so 
that four cartridges fall at the same time into their position in the rear 
of the four barrels. The feed cases can be changed in a few seconds. 
If required, the loading and firing can also be executed without inter¬ 
ruption by dividing the cases in two parts (as in the 0‘45-in. battery 
gun) j the bottom part remains stationary, and supplies the cartridges, 
whilst the top part of the feed case is changed. 
Service .—The gun can, if necessary, be loaded and fired by one man, 
without diminished rapidity for every 40 rounds. The work is so light 
that a gunner can fire any number of rounds without fatigue. Little 
or no practice is required, as any man can fire if he is simply taught to 
move the hand lever backwards and forwards. 
Cleaning .—The four barrels can at any time be opened at both ends, 
and the barrel and chambers cleaned in 15 secs. All the parts work 
freely, so that they require very little oil. The mechanism is not 
affected by rain or dust. 
The man who fires is behind it, and is protected by the gun. He 
fires by pushing the lever from him in a line with his shoulder, and at 
the time of firing his eye is by this movement brought into the line of 
fire. His left hand is free to determine the direction, by means of the 
vertical and side setting screws. 
