The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

XXXVIII. MORTARS FOR COAST DEFENDE. 27-Centimetre (10.630-In.) Coast Defence Mortar. (Fig, 872).—Coast-defence mortars of lü.630-in. calibre have been built in large numbers. The following are some leading dimensions :— Weight of mortar ,, mounting ,, projectile Angles of elevation Training ... Muzzle velocity, with blaqk pow der ................. ... . 5,750 kg. 19,160 kg. 250 kg. - 0 deg. + 60 deg. ’hrough 270 deg. 275 m. 1,267 Ib. 42,228 Ib. 551 Ib. - 0 deg. + 60 deg. through 270 deg. 902 ft. Fig. 872. 27-Centimetre Mortar and Coast-Defence Can-iage. The 10.630-in. mortar illustrated is placed on a | mounting, the general arrangements of which are similar to those of the mounting for the same calibre of coast- | defence guns already described. In the mortar, however, the height of the trunnions being very much less than in , the 10.630-in. guns, the platform for loading and training is not required ; the bedplate is fitted with the circular rack and pivot bousing, for the pivot on the lovver part of the slide. In the lateral training mechanism, the hélicoïdal 1 wheel, cast in one piece with the grooved pulley on which ? the chain turns, is set in motion by an endless screw fixed to a shaft, on which are keyed the two working cranks. The elevating mechänism consists of a toothed sector titted to the mortar, and an endless screw ; on the end of the shaft which carries the latter is keyed a squai'e pinion driven by another pinion, on the shaft of which is keyed the working crank. 30-Centimetre (11.811-In.) Muzzle-Loading Rifled Mortar, 1883 Pattern, on Coast Defence Mounting (Fig. 873).—Mountings of this pattern were built by Messrs. Schneider and Co. in 1889. They are arrangée! so as to allow an elevation of from — 5 to + 70 deg., and lateral training through 200 deg. The mounting is built up of steel plates and angles ; on the top in front are the trunnion supports, while underneath are two cast-steel frames eacli containing se ven cylindrical rollers, which revolve on the slide. The necessary guiding is secured on the sides and underneath by four damps of forged steel. A cast-iron recoil cylinder is recesset! in the lower part of the mounting, to which it is strongly bolted ; the piston-