The Works Of Messrs. Schneider And Co.

336 MESSRS. SCHNEIDER AND CO.’S WORKS. interposition of balis. Lateral training is given by hånd, by ineans of non-reversing mechanism. The elevating device contaiiis an entliess screw and a hélicoïdal wheel, which insure its irreversibility. By a special arrangement the line of fire can be adjusted, whatever be its incline, the loading operations not delaying the service in any way. When the breech is closed, it is only necessary to bring the howitzer rapidly in tlie firing position given by the independent sighting. The jacket mounting is fitted with an inside shield, which oscillâtes with the howitzer and closes the port for the chase, cut in the outside fixed shield. 24-Centimetre (9.449-In.) 10-Calibre, Schneider- Canet Quick-Firing Howitzer, on Central Pivoting Mounting (Fig. 1074, Plate CLXXI.).—This is suitable both for naval service and for coast defence. J lie breech-block is used with a plastic obturator, the by tlie gunner; it acts on a curved rack fitted on the mounting, through irreversible gearing. The howitzer is brought very rapidly from the loading to the firing- position, and vice verså. Manæuvring is facilitated by sets of rollers placed between the mounting trunnions and the trunnion-plates of the slide. Lateral training is effected by the action of a hand- wheel held also by the gunner ; it drives a pinion which gears in a circular rack, and the mass is rotated very rapidly. The projectile is placed in the chamber with the help of a jointed rest, at the rear of the platform, and which raises the projectile from the platform level and guides it to the chamber. A safety device prevents the complété operation of the charging rest until the breech is open. The sighting line is independent of the elevating motion, the howitzer can therefore be sighted while it is being loaded. The howitzer is protected by two shields. PLAQUE D'ÉTUDE Pour paroi de masques d’affûts Acier spécial—Epaisseur-BO^, Tirdu 26 Juillet 18^ IV 0. K n V m i Projectilosen acier chromé Holtzer § s §■ 11 K j N. fr kxj îs S «O Fig, 1075. Armour Plates. opening mechanism acting direct on the block ; it contains a double disengaging device. The electric firing mechanism is worked by the gunner, an attendant operating tlie per- cussion device. Safety arrangements are provided against prématuré firing. Weight of howitzer 4400 kg. 9698 Ib. Length in calibres O* 10 10 ,, metres Weight of projectile 2.400 ni. 150 kg. 7 ft. 10i in. 330 Ib. ,, sniokeless powder charge Muzzle velocity 5 kg. 11 Ib. 690 m. 2263 ft. Elevation — 7 deg. + - 7 deg. + Weight of mounting... 60 deg. 10,700 kg. 60 deg. 23,583 Ib. Ihe howitzer slides in a jacket-mounting during recoil and in running out. Two constant-resistance hydraulic lecoil cylinders and a compressed-air reeuperator, similar to those above described, are fitted. The gun and mount- ing rest on the bedplate, with the interposition of a ring of halls. In order to accelerate firing, all the manœuvres for elevation, lateral training, sighting and loading, are carried out with special quickworking arrangements. The required elevation is given by a handwheel held ARMOUR PLATES. Alarge number of armour plates, tested and untested, were exhibited ; of these several are seJected for illustra- tion (see Fig. 1075, and Figs. 1076 to 1080, Plate OLXXIL); no comment, however, is needed, for the appearance of the plates speak for their quality, and the legend is written legibly on each. The collection was a very re- markable one, and included types of iron plates of 1855, clown to the special cemented steel plates of to-day. HIGH-SPEED LOCOMOTIVE (Thuile System). The locomotive illustrated in Figs. 1081 to 1094, Plates CLXXIII., CLXXIV., CLXV., and CLXXVI., forms a con- spicuous feature in the pavilion of Messrs. Schneider and Co., of Creusot, at the Paris Exhibition ; it was designed to haul trains weighing 180 to 200 tons, at a speed of 120 kilometres (75 miles) per hour on a level gradient. The energy developed in the cylinders amounts to 1800 to 2000 indicated horse-power. The locomotive has two coupled wheels in the middle, 4 four-wheeled bogie in front, and a six-wheeled truck in the rear ; the steam distribution is on tlie Walschaert principle. The boiler is fitted with a Belpaire furnace with