The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

186 MESSES. SCHNEIDER AND CO.’S WORKS. circular rack, in which gears a pinion worked by a | handwheel. The gun is trained by the combined working of a handwheel with a pinion, a plate-chain, an endless screw, and a hélicoïdal wheel, the whole setting in motion a pinion that gears in the rack fitted to the platform. The recoil cylinders are carried on the gun-carriage proper; they are on the Schneider-Canet system, with central counter-rod. These cylinders are in connection with an air, or a spring, recuperator placecl under the carriage, and which serves to bring the gun into position again after firing. 15-Centimetre (5.905-In.) Gun on Muzzle Pivoting and Central-Pivoting Mounting (Figs. 606 to 609, Plate CX.). These guns have been supplied to the Greek Admiralty | to disengage the obturator on starting the opening motion. The obturator consists of a plastic disc of special shape, placed between the movable head and the front end of the breech. Firing is effected by percussion, the device being so arranged that until the breech is completely closed, the tube cannot be placed home in the vent and the striker armed. The striker is worked by a trigger and a line. Each of the two types of mountings consists of the following main parts : bolster, slide, and carriage. In the muzzle-pivoting mounting, the bolster is fixed to the deck and is connected with two roller paths, between which is the circular rack for training the gun. The slide is built of two brackets firmly stayed together and finished with sliding paths on the upper surface ; below. Fig. 605. 14-Centimetre (5.511-in.) Gun and Circular Slide. for armament of the battleships “ Hydra,” “ Spetzaï,” and “ Psara.” Weight of gun ... 7750 kg. 17,050 Ib. ,, mouiving (muzzle pivoting) 3175 kg. 6,985 Ib. ,, ,, (central „ ) ,, shield 3630 kg. 7,986 Ib. 895 kg. 1,969 Ib. ,, projectile (armour-piercing shell)... 42 kg. 92.41b. ,, charge (prismatic brown powder)... Muzzle velocity 22.85 kg. 50.27 Ib. 650 m. 2,183 ft. Pressure ... 2400 kg. 15.24 tons per sq. in. Angles of elevation + 22 deg. - 3 deg. + 22 deg. - 3 deg. The breech mechanism consists of three main parts, a breech-block with movable head and bracket, an obturator and a firing device. The breech-block is cylindrical with interrupted threacls, and is carried by the bracket ; it is worked by a cam lever which effectually locks the breech when closed ; the lever serves, besides, it bears on cylindrical rollers, the roller patlis being held in position by clips. On the left-hand bracket is a glycérine hånd pump and tank by which the gun can be run in. The carriage consists of a frame carrying the trunnion bearings and two recoil cylinders of the ordinary kind. In the central-pivoting mounting the bolster is fitted to the deck, its bottom part forming the roller path. The slide rests on the bolster and carries a platform that surrounds the bolster pivot. The gun-carriage proper is similar to the preceding one. A flat-surfaced shield protects the men serving the gun. The gun is elevated by means of a handwheel working through a differential acting device ; for horizontal training, a set of gearing is operated by a handwheel and pinion that engages in the circular rack fitted to the bolster. The recoil cylinders are on the Schneider-Canet system, with central counter-rod, arranged so as to allow automatic running-in under the action of gravity.