The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

 MESSRS. SCHNEIDER AND CO.’S WORKS. lever disengages it. Firing can therefore only take place when the front end cover is opened out. (d) A projecting flange on tlie lower part of the rear ring unites the breech cover to the tube when it is closed. This flange hides the end of the longer lever branch of the firing device, as long as the tube is not completely closed : until then the latch cannot work. Such are briefly the principal safety arrangements of the Schneider-Canet tubes. They may vary, in matters of detail, shape, and position on the tube, from one pattern to another ; the principle, however, remains the same. It is not necessary to describe here the mechanism for governing torpedoes at a distance, which in certain cases is found necessary ; such mechanism form more especially part of the ship’s gear. (b) Fixed Mounting (Fig.7G9,Plate CXXXIII.).—In this pattern, the mounting consiste of a plain support which serves to fix the tube to the deck. The required training is obtained by the steering of the ship, the tube always firing direct forward ; no special methods of fixing the tube are required, apart from those which result from the ship’s outfit : it being well understood, however, that nothing must interfère with the manœuvres and the varions launching operations. (c) Fixed Tube in the Bow of Torpedo-Boats. -This tube, shown in Fig. 773, Plate CXXXIII., is fixed, and is placée! under the deck in the ship’s bow. It differs from the prececling in matters of detail only. It consista of two cylindrical parts, joineel together by flanges and bolts. The tube is fitted with the breech-closing cover, and with electric firing device, the starting finger, and the automatic stop-lateh of the torpedo. The front end cover is kept in place by a latch fitted to tlie end of a long rod that allows fastening from the rear; a safety-bar on the top part of the tube, constantly drawn forward by a spiral spring, prevents, as long as the front end cover is closed, the placing of a fuse in the vent, thus insuring complété safety against prématuré firing. The torpedoes are always tired direct forward, and the required direction is given by the steering of the ship. MOVABLE TUBES. Torpedo - Launching Tube on Central - Pivoting Mounting, Without Elevating Gear (Fig. 776, Plate CXXXIII., and Fig. 777, Plate CXXXIV.).—This type of tube, with spoon-shaped extension, is fitted on deck, and inadö to fire from botli sides of the sliip. Tlie tube is steel, in two parts, and is provided in front with a spoon-shaped guide. It contains tlie varions inecbanical details already described. Tlie spoon-shaped guide beging witli n» cj linclrical neck, cut out at its lower part. Tliø g'roovø is continuée! in it without interruption, so that when the T-shaped support reaches the end, the torpedo enters the water horizontally ; thus doing aw.-iy with all lateral devia- tions, and insuring a greater précision in the launching than would be the case were the tjrpedo to piunge point foremost. The central pivoting mounting consista of the ring in which fits tlie pivot placed under the centre of gravity ot' the tube ; the support bolted on the deck and cai’rying the pivot ; the racer round which tlie whole system is made to turn on tour rollers placed under tlie joint rings. These rings are made arc-shaped underneath the tube, and earry the roller axles; they are each provided with a clutch- brake to fix tlie system in any required position. The brake is worked by means of a handwlieel fitted to a screw. - Torpedo-Launching Tubes for Service on Deck of Destroyers (Fig. 779, Plate CXXXIV.). — These tubes, with spoon-shaped extensions, are designed for the arma- inent of destroyers. The “ Chishiina Kan,” built for Japanese Navy, is provided with this type of tube. They tire from both sides of tlie ship, the deck being provided to that end with straight and circular racers. The tube proper is in one piece, the spoon-shaped extension being made to turn up and down round a hinge-bolt. The acces- sory fittings are similar to those of the preceding types, namely, the closing cover, the firing device, the stop-latch, the starting finger, besides the support and joint of the spoon-shaped extension. The mounting consists of a frame, fitted in the rear with two circular arms joined to the top part by a hori- zontal stay. Die middle of this stay is made with a nut, in which a square-threaded screw turns, worked by a handwheel and jointed to the tube. It suffices to act on this handwheel, to give to the tube tlie required elevation. At tlie lower part of the frame are placed the sockets in which the rollers fit ; there are on a vertical axle, and can be made to turn in the required direction. In the centre of tlie ship are two concentrie racers, formed of two Hat strips, round which the rollers turn when their surface is more or less parallel with the end bars of the frame. When the tube is not in service, and when it is loaded; it rests on these racers, its axis being parallel with that of the ship. When loading is complétée], the tube is turned round normally to its first position ; and the rollers having been moved through 90 cleg., are placed on the two rails across the deck, the tube being rolied to the side on which firing is to be effeeted. On both sides of the ship are half racers, as shown in Fig. 778, Plate CXXXIV. The tubes can fire round 50 deg. fore and aft. This arrangement enables the firing under a maximum range with one single tube. Tlie manœuvres are very simple, and quickly effeeted. Tubes with Spherical Joint for Destroyers (Fio-, 782, Plate CXXXIV.). —lubes of this type have been supplied to the Japanese Navy, and, as is the case with the preceding type, the whole of tiw system is movable on deck; the angle of elevation is 8 cleg., and the training range 33 deg., on each side. The tube is generally similar to tlie preceding one, and contains the same kind of fittings. It differs, however, in the spherical shape given to the part in the rear of the spoon- shaped extension, and which tits in a seating provided in the sides of the ship. The spoon is fitted to tlie tube by a