Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-06-12
NEW DYNAMITE GUN,
chs Latest Device for Throwing shells
Loaded with High Explosives.

Tho Latest Device for Throwing shells
Loaded With High Explosives.
The newest type Of dynamite gun
consists of two tubes placed directly
one above the other, whereas in the
DIG type there are three tubes placed
side by side In the same horizontal
plane. The elimination OF the third
tupe means great saving in the
weight Of the gun and at the same time
it is claimed its effectiveness is in
creased. 1t is said that the gun can
be fired at least five times in two min
!vtes. .w
or the two tubes the upper is several
feet the longer and is smooth bore. 1t
receives the projectile, and the mater
lal used in its construction is either
brass or steel. the latter being prefer
able. Within the lower tube there is
an inner tube in which the blank cart
ridge containing seven ounces OF
smokeless powder is placed. The in
Eer tube opens into the lower tube,
which in turn opens into the upper
tube through a port Immediately be-
hind the projectile. When the pro-
1ectlie Is placed in the upper tube and
the blank cartridge In the lower. the
breeches are closed and the gun is
ready for firing. The pulling OF the
lanyard eXplodes the smokeless DOW
uer. winch congresses the air in the
tuoe. and this passing into the upper
tuDe through the port, eXe1-ts there q
pressure Of 5000 pounds to the square
inch. This pressure expe!s the pro-
]eetile. The air forms cushion that
protects from shock the walls OF the
shell, and. 1t is claimed, obviates the
danger which would follow from the
conclusion Of the powder were it ex-
ploded directly behind the projectile.
the entire length OF the projectile
used Is thirty-four inches This in
cludes tail piece about ten inches in
length and fitted with vane set at an
angle that insures slow rotation. The
body OF the shell is a brass cylinder
having a conical head containing
fuse. The main body Of the shell con-
talns usually charge OF explosive
gelatine. although guncotton or any
other explosive may be used. The
ignition is effected by means OF q me-
chanical fuse. and it Is SO arranged
that the explosion can follow immed-
'ately upon impact or may be delayed
FOR as much as six seconds thereafter.
When the shell strikes the water or
any other object, small steel ball.
acting as a hammer, is driven forward
by the sudden retardation Of the flight
OF the shell and strikes one or more
percussion caps. causing defamation.
This ignites tube OF powder commu-
nlcating with the illuminate OF ,ner-
curry. and so explodes successfully the
guncotton and the main explosive. The
fuse embodies a device which renders
the Shell inactive until it has Travelled
at least 300 feet from the gun. This
device is very ingenious. There Is
attached to the head OF the fuse lit
tie vane or windmill, which is fastened
to threaded rod running back into
the head Of the fuse far enough to
press on the small steel ball mention
cd. and hold it in place. AS the pro-
jectiie passes through the air the
blades revolve, and, in revolving, I'M
screw the threaded rod, and thus re-
lease 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
1t cannot be heard at the distance of
one-half mile. nor can any smoke be
seen. Thus 1t would be nearly i'm
possible for sharpshooters or rapid-fir
gunners TO locate the gun.