Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

HOW A BATTLESHIP IS FOUGHT. 447 DIAGRAM SHOWING SECTION OF BARBETTE, BAR- BETTE SHIELD, TRUNK, AMMUNITION HOISTS, MAGAZINES, ETC. The trunk, which descends to the magazine floors, is attached to the gun platform, and revolves with it. (Armour indicated by very thick lines.) The numbers 1, 2, 3, etc., refer to the successive stages in the transport of a shell from the magazine to the gun. everywhere where their presence might help to prevent wounding by splinters. The ship is now stripped ready for the fight; probably nearly all the crew are stripped to the waist also. Then the captain, having received a report from the chief of each department of his ship, and having had such reports finally confirmed by his commander, orders the bugler to sound “ General quarters ! ”—the most moving call that is known. Instantly ammunition is whipped up the hoists and a shell placed ready in each gun. The officer in charge watches the indicator communicating with the telemeter or fire-control platform on the steel mast 80 feet up in the air above the deck. He is waiting for two things—the range, and the order to fire. No. 1 at the gun, a skilled petty officer, has an eye glued to the telescopic sight, and a hand on the elevating and revolving wheels (see article on “ The Armament of a Battleship ”). Sud- denly a report is heard forward—the sighting- shot—and immediately afterwards the range comes down, “ 10,800 yards.” A trifling adjust- ment and the gun is ready for its deadly work. The gunner has got his “ cross-wires ” —the central feature of the telescopic sight —fixed carefully upon a spot just below the foremast of the enemy’s vessel. Then comes the word to fire. A click, a sudden tightening of the air, a tremendous dull blow from everywhere at once, and a shell weighing 850 lbs. is speed- ing at over 2,000 miles an hour in the direc- tion of the enemy. The action has begun ! From this time onward the pair of guns ANOTHER TYPE OF BARBETTE AND AMMUNITION HOISTING APPARATUS. Figures refer to the successive stages in the transport of a shell.