Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-26
NEW DYNAMITE st Y.
The Latest Devices for Throwing
shells Loaded with High Explosives

The newest type of dynamite gun con-
sists Of two tubes placed directly one
oho-,e The other. whereas i'm the old type
there are three tubes. placed side by side
in the same horizontal plane The elimi-
nation of the third tube means great
saving i'm the weight of the gun. and
ot fine same time il is claimed IFS enec-
i,encss is increased. J. is said that
Inc aun cam be fred at least five times ih
two minutes.
OF the two tubes tho upper is several
feet the longer. and IS smooth boi'.
receives the projectile, and the maleil''
uscd I'm its construction D. either blaS7
or steel. the latter being preferable
Within the lower tube there Is am inner
tube. i'm which the blank cartridge con-
tanning seven ounces OF smokeleSs pow
der j. placed. The inner tube opens
into the lower tube. which i'm turn opens
into the upper tube through port I'M
mcdiatelv behind the Irojectle. When
the urojectle IS placed ia the upper tube
and the blank cartridge IN the lower. the
brcechcs are closed, ans the gun is
ready for firing The pulling ~ the
LANYARD rxpIodas the smokcless powder
which congresses the air in the tube,
and this. passing into the upper tube.
through the port. cNerts there pres
sure of @ ON pounds 10 the square inch.
This pressure eXpels The proJectilt The
air forms a cushion that protects from
shock the walls Il the shell, and 10 is
claimed. obviatcs the danger which would
follow from the conclusion OF the powder
were. il exploded directly behind the pro-
jectile
The entire length of the projectle used
- "A inches This includes tail piece
about 10 inches I'm length and fitted with
"A vaue set at an angle that insurea slow
rot9tion. The body of the shell Us 81
brass cylinder having conical head
containing a fuse The main body on the
shell contains usually charge oI eNple-
eiv. e.latine although guucotton or any
other explosive may De used. The isnl-
tion Is effected by means of a mechanic
cal fuse. and It is SO arranged that the
explosion can follow Immediately upon
impact or may be delayed for as much
ms six seconds thereafter. When me
she'll strikes the wgter or any other OBJ
iect. "A small steel ball. acting as ham
m,r. is driven forward 10y the sudden
r,tardation OF the flight of the shell and
strikes one or more percussion caps,
causing q defamation. This igntes "a tube
or povder communicating with the ful-
inmate of mercury. and SO explodes sue
cessivey the guncottOn and the maip eN-
NJ, size. The fuse embodies a device
which renders the shell inactive until 1t
has travelled at least 300 feet from the
gun. This device is very ingenious. There
i attached 20 Lie head OF the fuse a
little yane or windmill. which is fasten-
ed TO a threaGee rod running back into
the head Of thAfuse far enough 10 press
on the small steel ball mentioned. and
hold II IN place. As the projectile passes
through the air the blades revolve and,
i'm revolving. unscrew the threaded rod.
and thus release the small steel ball.
which is now ready TO run forward and
explode the primers
In connection with the firing Of the
gun there is neither smoke nor noise. II
cannot be heard at the distance of one
half mile. nor can any smoke be seen.
Thus il would be nearly impossible for
sharpshooters or rapid-hre Sunners to
locate the gun.
OlA oanars for aAIe mt the Dish tC6