The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-11-06

the metals themselves Shortly after
the war of 1870 an Engllshman, a Mr..
| Evelyn Liardet, took out patent for
an armored tram, which was nullfied
| of the negro mob, the sheriff having
by the discovery in the Patent Office
Of Mr.. Andersons prior scheme.
| Where the British Army is concerned,
Captain Fishers armor-clad train,
used during the first stages of the
campaign aginst Arab, was the first,
and so far only active example of its
type. The train was constructed at
| Alexandria by a party of blue-jackets,
and was composed of a locomotive and
a number of trucks protected by iron
rails, iron plates and sandbags
The engine was placed in the middle
Of the train while a Nordenfelt machine
gun was mounted on the leading pro-
tected truck and a 40-pounder on the
next, The latter, by means of small
crane carried with the train, could be
quickly mounted and dismounted, one
minute sufflcing from the hating Of
the train to remount and fire the gun.
The vehicles behind the engine con-
veyed a detachment Of slSirmiehers,
while it was found expedient to at
tach one or two empty trucks in front
of the forking portion carrying the
guns. so as to minimize any danger
from the explosion OF the mines laid
under the permanent way by the enc
my. Unfortunately, Captain Fisher
had but few opportunities of bringing
| his train into action, but during
smart skrmish on the Mahmoudiyeh
! Canal, it came steaming up from
Gabbarrie, and by throwing some we'll
directed shells into the very center of
the enemy compelled him to retire with
considerable losa. Since then, however,
both France and Germany have recog-
nized especially constructed armored
| trains as formidable units Of fighting
equipments but neither apparently,
| has yet gone so far in it's experiments
as have the First Sussex Artillery Vol
unteers who since 1898 have possessed
what is probably the completest thing
of its kind in the world. The train
originated as follows: In the South
eastern Military District, it was found
that if ever it became necessary to
mobilize the Sussex Artillery Volun-
tears, there would be with this corps
some 800 men, to whom, under the
mobilization scheme, no special duties
were allotted; and, further, that there
was at Shoreham a 40-pounder breech-
loading gun, not destined to any par
ticular embrasure or position.
The Brigadier Major, r. A. then con-
ceivcd the happy idea of utilizing both
men and gun on an armored train, and
the support of some wealthy residents
in the district being obtained, the pro-
a1,t and iS still he
ing partially maintained at their expen
Sc. For constructing the rolling stock
the London, Brighton and South Coast
Railway Company gave the use of their
workshops, and materially assisted with
technical advice. The truck spec ally
constructed for the gun, which Is mount
ed on an ordinary field carriage con-
sists of a turntable platform pivoted on
the centre. and revolving on a circular
racer. The gun attachment Is protect
ed by a plating some six feet high
round three of the sides and the gun IS
fired through an aperture, the recoil be-
ing checked by hydraulic break on its
carriage, and strong spring on six
wheels. BY means of the latter rest,
causing the gun to return automatically
to the firing position. BY an Ingenious
arrangement of cross irders, which
can be run out and supported on
blocks, broad base can be obtained for
the truck when the gun is fired at right
angles to the permanent way. while to
increase the stability the truck can be
connected with the rails by strong
screw clips,
The vehicle, however, has proved it
self sufficiently steady on the metals
without these last aids, and so slight is
the jar to the permanent way when the
explosion takes place that a stone placed
on the rail remains unmoved. The re-
mainder of the train is made up of an
ordinary locomotive and two steel |
plated vans conveying Maxim gun, |
the men. the horses the timber, and the
projectiles. During the military nance |
uvres carried out in the Southeastern |
Military District, the Sussex armored |
train has on several occasions played a |
prominent part, and acquitted itself |
right well, although in these mimic |
operations the Board Of Trade regua-
tons have compelled the engine to be in |
the wrong place that is, in front, in |
stead of behind, or pulling, instead of |
pushing. IT should be added that to |
give the train every opportunity of |
proving it's mettlef the Southeastern
Railway Company then diverted all |
traffic from the stretch of line over
which it was manoeuvring. The train
is always preceded by by screen of
cavalry scouts, who signal back If the
line Is clear, and until it is brought in
to action every advantage is taken of
the concealment which cutting affords.
Armored trains mounting field pieces
and machine guns are being extensively
utilized by the American troops engaged
in the conquest Of the Filipinos, and it
will be remembered that the success full
issue of the fight at Calumpit was at
tributed to the opportune arrival Of just
such flying battery.
The main objection raised against the
of armored trains is the
that the enemy, with few
men carrying small parcels Of dynamite
could easily destroy the permanent way.
Doubtless they could do so if the de-
lenders cavalry stood idle while they
advanced for this purpose, hence it mu
oe sine qua non that armored trains
are always accompanied by a strong