Britain at Work
A Pictorial Description of Our National Industries

THE MAKING they are carefully elaborate, for unless several levers each lie in a particular way it is im- possible for the needle-hammer to strike the needle, or for the needle to strike the primer. The small primer-cartridge, which by its flash fires the great charge of powder, is ingeniously constructed so as to prevent the escape of gas. It is a close-ended tube, and, the metal being flexible, the cap, which is inside, is fired by the striker without any hole being made through the base of the cartridge. This close cartridge was intro- duced by the Elswick Company. The gun is fired by the hammer at full cock, which, moved by a pull upon a lanyard, strikes the needle, the action of which fires the powder. In turrets the guns are fired by electricity by the commander, who, unlike those work- ing the guns, is in full sight of the object of attack, but field guns are generally fired by hand. Now completed, the gun, after an im- pression of its interior has been taken in OF BIG GUNS. 231 gutta-percha, is ready for proof. Guns are almost continually being’ proved at a range which the Elswick Company possesses in the moorland district of Ridsdale, thirty- five miles north-west of Newcastle. Machine guns are tried on the moor adjoining the late Lord Armstrong’s seat at Cragside, near Rothbury, forty miles from Newcastle, and experimental firing with big guns is carried on at a tidal range of four-and-a-half miles at Silloth, on the west coast. Only the guns ordered by the British Government go to their destination unproved. Of course, in the case of guns fitted to ships-of-war built at Elswick, special firing tests always con- stitute part of the trial trip to which the ship is subjected before being duly handed over to her owners. So, naturally, are guns fitted on his Majesty’s ships before the ships are put in commission. And it is proof of the gun- makers’ accuracy, whether at Elswick, Wool- wich, or elsewhere, that these guns seldom fail in successfully passing their firing tests. R. W. Johnson. Photo; Gregory & Co., Strand, W.C. AFTER BARBETTE OE H.M.S. CAMPERDOWN, SHOWING 67-TON GUNS AND MACHINE GUNS.