The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

172 MESSES. SCHNEIDER AND CO.’S WORKS. reserve. The main shaft is parallel with the longitudinal (north and south) axis of the shops ; power is transmitted by means of two pulleys fitted to the motor shaft ; one of these drives the transmission shaft of the nearest shop, and the other operates thø five remaining transmission shafts by means of underground gear. The transmission shafts are made in sections 6 metres (19 ft. 9 in.) long, coupled together; they are supported at intervals of three metres (9 ft. 10 in.) by brackets and bearings fitted to the columns, or to the longitudinal girders midway between the columns. The latter also carry the overhead gear for the varions machine tools. All the shops are served by electrically-driven overhead travelling eranes. dinal axis of the buildings. These transporters are used chiefly for handling- the breech-blocks of large-calibre guns. The machine tools are very numerous, and are divided among the varions shops in such a way as to reduce as far as possible the operation of lifting and transporting the varions parts of gun and carriage works. High-speed précision tools are provided, for completing ail the minute and numerous operations required in the manufacture of ordnance and ammunition. Amongst the most powerful tools may be mentioned eiglit lathes for machining tubes, 14 metres (4G ft.) in length, and up to 90 tons in weight. Varions types of machines are used for testing material. A Maillard machine, built by Messrs. Schneider and Co., at Creuset Fig. 575. General View of the Havre Gun Factory. The 17-metre span is provided with two travellers, one of 60 tons and one of 30 tons. They can be made to run at the same speed, and thus can be coinbined for lifting 90-ton loads. The two adjoining shops are served by a 30-ton, and by a 40-ton traveller, respectively. One of these shops has in addition a 7-ton traverser operated by hånd. The fitting shop contains two 3-ton electrically-worked travellers, operated from the floor level, and two 1.2-ton hand-worked traversers. The erecting shop is served by two 30-ton travellérs and four portable transporters, the wheels of which, on one side, rest on a track fitted to the columns at half tlieir height, and on the other on a track placecl on the floor level; the direction of travel is parallel with the longitu- serves for tensile tests. Those for falling and bending tests have been constructed at the Havre works, to the spécification of the French Admiralty. The largest shrinking pit is at the north end of the main shop ; it is 8 metres (26 ft.) deep, and 2.50 metres (7 ft. 5 in.) in diameter. In close vicinity is the gas- furnace plant for heating the coils and jackets. Another shrinking pit and heating arrangement of smaller dimen- sions is provided in the adjoining shop to the east. Material is transported by railway, or by road, on trucks from the main (or Harfleur) entrance through the courtyard. The works are joined to the Havre railway station of the Western Company by a siding, branches from which enter all the shops near the north end, an arrangement that enables the wagons to be placecl under