Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

THE ARMAMENT OF A BATTLESHIP. 417 space, and the engineer deserves as much recognition in designing a ship as does the gunner. For of what use are the guns if you have not the means of getting at the enemy ? With all these problems balancing one against the other, it is not surprising that the ideas of various constructors have diverged along entirely different lines. A plan is reproduced on page 415 of the disposition of the guns of the latest type of battleships throughout the world. Though we may lose in concentration of broadside fire, the method adopted in the Dreadnought type suggests advantages to which no other design shown can well lay claim. Two particular methods may be mentioned and described.’ To place guns en echelon is a British invention which appeared in our h j battleships twenty-five years ago. By this system two tur- rets are mounted diagonally athwart-ship in the centre of the vessel in such a manner as to give all four guns an arc of training upon both broadsides, and along the keel line both forward and aft. The Invincible And Superposed Systems. class of cruiser is a fine example of the appli- cation of this system. The other idea is “ superposition ” of turrets. In this case one pair of guns is mounted at a higher level than and directly behind another pair in such manner as shall allow them to fire over the latter, and give to all four guns the same arc of training. So far we have avoided this system, but it will make its appearance in the Hercules and Colossus class for the first time. The American Navy adopted it years ago, and, though their early experiments were not altogether successful, the experience gained has helped them to appreciate more thoroughly both its advan- tages and disadvantages. Enough has now been said to lay bare many of the complications of a warship’s gun power. True, battleships only have been discussed, but the greater here includes the less, whatever be the type, and that which, has been said of the one applies with equal force to the other. A SUGGESTED FRENCH DESIGN FOR A LARGE HEAVILY - ARMOURED TORPEDO VESSEL, FURNISHED WITH SIX- TEEN QUICK - FIRING GUNS AND THIRTY UNDER - WATER TOR- PEDO TUBES. Such a vessel, dashing among battleships, and projecting torpedoes in all directions, would be an exceedingly formidable antagonist. (1,40« , 57