The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

=3 J ■va XXV. THE PROVING GROUNDS. and for firing at armour "M/TESSRS. SCHNEIDER and CO. have three proving -L’J- grounds : at Creusot, at Havre, and at Tancarville. Two of these serve more especially for inspection tests of guns and mountings plates. The third is used for ballistic tests, long-range firing, determining firing practice tables, for testing fuses and explosives, &e. The Villedieu Proving Ground, Creusot.—The Ville- dieu proving ground lies 315 metres (350 yards) to the south-west of the Southern groupe of the Creusot shops ; a plan of this polygon is given in Fig. 584, and a general view in Fig. 583. It is provided with two sand-butts, 10 and 13 metres (32 ft. 9 in. and 39 ft. 4 in.) cleep, placed at one end of the ground ; a third butt of smaller dimen- sions and 7 metres (23 ft.) deep, is situated 135 metres (410 ft.) to the rear of the left-hand butt, and with it. The following numbers on the plan, and chief offices Creusot system and, as will be in a line Fig. 584, Plate CVIIL, i-efer to different installation : parts of the Villedieu 1. Firing platform for 27-centi- 9. Track for 20 ton traveller. metre guns. 10. 24-centimetre gun. 2. Firing platform for 12 and 15 centimetre guns. 11. Platfoim for testing gun tubes. 3. Firing platform for 12 and 15 12. Target. centimètre guns. 13. Target for armour plates. 4. Track of 20-ton traveiler. 14. 5. Pit of turret for 155 milli- 15. métré 14 and 24-centi- 16. Shed for stores. metre guns. 17. Cartridge magazine. 6. Pit of turret for 15-centi- 18. Entrance. metre gun. 19. Reception room. 7. Pit of turret for 57-niilli- 20. Filters, &c. metre gun. 21. Powder magazine No. 1. 8. Pit of turret for 57-milli- 22. „ „ No. 2. metre gun. 23. Field. Several differently arranged platforms for carrying rooin, an ammunition-room, a harness dépôt, two sheds for varions stores, and a reception hall for guests. A téléphoné, placée! in a room in tlie porters hall, establishes communication with ail the departments of tlie Creusot Works. A railway forming part of the connects the Works with the polygon ; seen from the plan, branches and sidings give all necessary facilities of communication to different parts of the ground. The rolling stock of the line is, of course, of a special character, and adaptec! to the transport of the heaviest guns. The railway is provided with numerous lines and turntables for the requirements of the service. A 50-ton traverser and some portable steam crânes serve for loading, unloading, erecting, &c. Electric current for lighting the proving ground by night, and for turret lighting, is suppliée! through overhead cables from the central electric station ; the current required in carrying out gun tests, for driving varions tools and other power transmission, is furnished from the same source. As may be supposée!, the Villedieu polygon is thoroughly equipped for all kinds of tests, and for every nature of war material. The most important kinds of tests carried out here may be summarised as follows : Testing gun tubes by firing from the tubes a gun- powder charge, placed between two projectiles. Firing tests of ail types of guns, and more especially mountain and fiele! guns. Testing- si être and ffarrison carringes, gun O O O O’ô and ail the numerous types of turrets built Schneider and Co’s. Works. Twenty guns, of calibres varying from millimétrés (1 T'K in. to 9 jÇ in.) are kept permanently mounted at the proving ground, for testing armour-plates manufactured in the armour-plate department. These guns are also used for the numerous gunnery expérimenta made at Creusot. The results of ail tests made are accurately ascertained and recorded, and a complété series of the gunnery instru- ments employed, comprising velocimeters, crusher gauges, registering pressure gauges, &c., are kept in the store rooms. The Hoc Proving Ground, Havre.—The installation of the Hoc proving ground was carried out under the supervision of General Sebert, forinerly Directeur of the Laboratoire Central de F Artillerie de Marine. At the commencement, it contained only the necessary arrange- ments for gun-firing tests and the manufacture of ammuni- tion. Messrs. Schneider and Co. extended and coinpleted mountings, at Messrs. 37 to 240 out firing tests of field and mountain artillery, are placed in front of the right-hand butt, one part being paved with stone, while others are covered with grass, &c- Besides these, there are the following arrangements for testing guns, &c. : Four built-up firing platforms. Four pits 11 metres (34 ft. 6 in.) cleep, in which turrets are erected and tested. A group of powder magazines. A casemate built near the entrance of the proving ground, in which are two chronographs with the necessary batteries and accessories. Means are provided for dis- placing the aerial wires, and shifting the inovable range- finding screens to any distance from the guns. There are in addition four other casemates, a priming-