IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO GUNS AND VESSELS FOR SUBMARINE WARFARE, AND IN EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILES FOR SUCH GUNS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO GUNS AND VESSELS
FOR SUBMARINE WARFARE, AND IN EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILES FOR SUCH
GUNS." A communication from abroad by John Ericsson, of the City and
State of New York, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Edward Newton at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st December 1880.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO
GUNS AND VESSELS FOR SUBMARINE WARFARE, AND IN EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILES
FOR SUCH GUNS." [A communication from abroad by John Ericsson, of the City
and State of New York, United States of America.]
These improvements in guns relate to guns the muzzles of which are presented
through and fitted water tight within openings below the water line in the
bows of the vessels on which they are used, and also to guns which may be loaded
on board of vessels, and afterwards placed on and fired from supports on the
exteriors of such vessels below the water line.
One of these improvements, which is applicable to both muzzle loading and
breech-loading guns, consists in a metal piston which is packed with metallic
packing, and fitted to work gas-tight within the bore of the gun, and applied
therein between the projectile and the charge of powder used to project it, for the
purpose of causing the whole force generated in the firing of the said charge to be
effectively employed in propelling the projectile.
Another improvement, which is applicable to both muzzle loading and breech-
loading guns, consists in a box or case which contains the projecting charge of
powder, and is of a diameter much smaller than the bore of the gun, and is attached
to the aforesaid piston by a stem of wood or other material entering a socket in the
(Price 8d1

page_text: back thereof. This box or case, with its contained charge, occupies but a small
portion of the space left in the chamber of the gun between the said piston and the
breech. When it is placed in the gun its rear end is uncovered, except by a piece
of netting, which serves to prevent the powder from falling out in loading, but
through which the fire from the fuse can reach the whole of the rear surface of the
charge.
In adapting the improvements to a gun which is presented through and fitted
water tight within an opening in a vessel below the water line, the gun must be
breech loading, and some means must be employed to prevent the water from
entering the gun at the muzzle before and during its discharge.
One of the improvements for this purpose consists in a permanent valve applied
outside of the muzzle, and another improvement for the same purpose consists in a
temporary valve applied within the muzzle and fitting the bore. The permanent valve
is so hinged outside of the muzzle, and furnished with a rod which passes through a
stuffing box in the vessel, and which is capable of being so manipulated on board
as to provide for the closing of the valve before loading the gun, and for its being
brought when opened and before firing into a horizontal position, in which position
it will be presented edgewise to the water during the movement of the vessel, and
so offer little resistance to such movement. The temporary valve, which is used to
keep the muzzle closed after the permanent valve has been opened, and until the
firing takes place; is made of wood or some other frangible material. This valve,
which is intended to be inserted at the breech of the gun before the introduction of
the projectile, and pushed forward nearly to the muzzle by a suitable rod, is
furnished with spring hooks which engage with the muzzle of the gun, and so
retain it in place against the external pressure of the water when the permanent
valve is open.
The said temporary valve is expelled by the projectile, by which it
will be generally broken up before expulsion. It is preferably made with an
opening in its centre, which is covered by a piece of india rubber or other soft
water tight material, which will readily yield to the point of the explosive projectile
where the firing pin or trigger for producing the firing of the explosive charge is
placed.
In adapting the improvements to guns which may be loaded on board of a vessel,
and afterwards placed on and fired from supports on the exterior of the vessel
below the water line, a muzzle loading gun may be used, and after having been
loaded it may be swung outboard and lowered by ordinary ship's tackle to the
supports on the exterior of the vessel. These supports, which constitute a part of
this Invention, consist of a muzzle support adapted to receive the forward part of
the gun and a recoil block adapted to receive and support the breech of the gun;
and this part of the Invention further consists in the combination with the said
recoil block or breech support of a vertical guide pin which projects upward from
said recoil block or breech support above the water line for the purpose of entering
an eye provided on the breech of the gun and guiding the gun to its bearings while
being lowered by the tackle.
In the above described adaptation of the Invention the projecting charge of the
gun will be fired by an electric spark from a battery or other suitable apparatus on
board the vessel, the wires for conveying the electric current to the charge or the
firing fuse being enclosed in a flexible tube of india rubber or other suitable
material.
Another improvement in vessels for carrying guns for firing under water consists
in a shield composed of armour plates arranged across the forward part of the
vessel in front of the position to be occupied by the helmsman or commander, and
inclining upwards and backwards to deflect or form a shield against the enemy's
projectiles. Another improvement in such vessels consists in dividing the vessel
horizontally by a deck below the water line, and in placing within the space above
this deck floats composed of or filled with cork or bags of india rubber or other
material inflated with air, whereby, in case of the vessel being penetrated at or
near the water line, the water may be prevented by said deck from entering the

page_text: space below said deck, and the space above said deck will be prevented from being
filled with water to such extent as to greatly impair the buoyancy of the vessel.
A further improvement in such vessels consists in hanging the rudder entirely
below the water line on a rudder post which constitutes an upward prolongation of
the keel of the vessel, and does not project above the water line. This rudder is
to be worked by hydraulic apparatus, the valves of which are worked by ropes from
the steering apparatus.
The improvements in explosive projectiles relate to their form and construction,
and to the means for firing their explosive charges. The form and construction
are such that while the weight of the projectile is equal to or very slightly less
than the volume of water which it displaces, its centre of displacement is forward
of the middle of its length. The form is preferably cylindrical at and near its
centre of displacement, and conical in front and rear, the conical profile of the front
part or head presenting a greater, and the conical profile of the rear a lesser angle
to the axis, thereby providing for a capacious chamber in the head for the exploding
charge, and producing an elongated tail. On the tail are four radial and longitu-
dinal steadying wings or fins, the edges of which may fit the bore of the gun. The
portion in rear of the charge chamber may be hollow, and, like the chamber, be
made of iron or steel plate; or it may be made solid of wood, and have inserted
centrally through it a strong iron rod, the rear end of which should abut against
the piston of the gun, such rod serving to resist the tendency to crush the projectile
lengthwise consequent upon the driving force of the piston."
The improved means of firing the explosive charge consists principally of a firing
pin, a socket, and a spring.
This firing pin is fitted to slide without turning in the socket, which is secured
in the head of the projectile, and the back part of which is constructed to receive
one or more fulminate cartridges or percussion caps or primers.
The said pin has on its rear end a face constructed to come properly in contact
with the said cartridges, caps, or primers to explode them. The spring is so applied
and of such strength as to hold back the firing pin until the front end of the latter,
which protrudes from the socket, strikes the ship or other object against which the
projectile projected by the gun, but it then yields to the momentum of the
projectile, and allows the cartridges, caps, or primers to be driven against the rear
face of the pin, and be thereby exploded and caused to fire the charge. The front
end of the firing pin is made concave, so as to present all around it a sharp edge,
which will cut into any surface which it strikes, and so prevent its glancing off,
and thereby deflecting the projectile, or failing to produce the explosion of its
charge.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
21st June 1881.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. “IMPROVEMENTS IN AND APPLICABLE TO
GUNS AND VESSELS FOR SUBMARINE WARFARE, AND IN EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILES
FOR SUCH GUNS." A communication from abroad by John Ericsson, of the City
and State of New York, United States of America.
These improvements relate to guns, the muzzles of which are presented through
and fitted water tight within openings below the water line in the bows of vessels
on which they are used, and also to guns which may be loaded on board of vessels,
and afterwards placed on and fired from supports on the exterior of such vessels
below the water line.
One of these improvements, which is applicable to both muzzle loading and breech
loading guns, consists in a metal piston which is packed with metallic packing, and
fitted to work gas-tight within the bore of the gun, and applied therein between
the projectile and the charge of powder used to project it, for the purpose of causing
the whole force generated in the firing of the charge to be effectively employed
against the projectile.
Another improvement, which is applicable to both muzzle loading and breech 2
loading guns, consists in a box or case which contains the projecting charge of
powder, and is of a diameter much smaller than the bore of the gun, and is attached
to the aforesaid piston by a stem of wood or other material entering a socket in the
back thereof. This box or case and its contained charge occupies but a small
portion of the space left in the chamber of the gun between the piston and the
breech. When it is placed in the gun its rear end is uncovered, except by a piece
of netting, which serves to prevent the powder from falling out in loading, but
through which the fire from the fuse can reach the whole of the rear surface of the
charge.
In adapting the improvements to a gun which is presented through and fitted
watertight within an opening in a vessel below the water line the gun must be
breech-loading, and some means must be employed to prevent the water from
entering the gun at the muzzle before and immediately after its discharge. One of
the improvements for this purpose consists in a permanent valve applied outside of
the muzzle, and another improvement for the same purpose consists in a temporary
valve applied within or to the muzzle. The permanent valve is so hinged outside
of the muzzle, and furnished with a rod which passes through a stuffing box in the
vessel, and which is capable of being so manipulated on board as to provide for the
closing of the valve before loading the gun, and for its being opened before firing
to a horizontal position, in which it will be presented edgewise to the water in the
movement of the vessel, and so offer little resistance to such movement. The
temporary valve which is used to keep the muzzle closed after the permanent
valve has been opened, and until the firing takes place, is applicable to either
breech-loading or muzzle-loading guns. It is made of wood or some other frangible
material. This valve when applied to a breech-loader is intended to be inserted
at the breech of the gun before the introduction of the projectile, and pushed
forward nearly to the muzzle by a suitable rod, and it is furnished with spring
hooks or catches which engage with the muzzle of the gun, and so sustain it in
place against the external pressure of the water when the permanent valve is open.
The said temporary valve, whether used in a breech-loader or muzzle-loader, is

page_text: expelled by the projectile, by which it will be generally broken up before expulsion.
It is preferably made with a hole in its centre, which is covered by a piece of
india rubber or other soft water tight material, which will readily yield to the
point of the explosive projectile where the firing pin or trigger for producing the
firing of the explosive charge is placed.
In adapting the improvements to guns which may be loaded on board of a vessel
and afterwards placed on and fired from supports on the exterior of the vessel
below the water line, a muzzle-loading gun may be used, and after having been
loaded, it may be swung on board and lowered by ordinary ship's tackle to the
supports on the exterior of the vessel. These supports, which constitute a part of
this Invention, consist of a muzzle support adapted to receive the forward part of
the gun, and a recoil block adapted to receive and support the breech of the guns,
and this part of the Invention further consists in combination with the said recoil-
block or breech support of a vertical pin or guide, which projects upwards from
said recoil-block or breech support above the water line for the purpose of
entering an eye provided on the breech of the gun, and guiding the gun to its
bearings while suspended by the tackle. In the last mentioned adaptation of the
Invention, the projecting charge of the gun will be fired by an electric spark from
a battery or other suitable apparatus on board the vessel, the wires for conveying
the electric current to the charge, or the firing fuse being enclosed in a flexible tube
of india rubber or other suitable material.
In a vessel specially constructed for carrying guns with my improvements for
firing under water, I construct a shield composed of armour plates across the
forward part of the vessel in front of the position to be occupied by the helmsman or
commander, and inclining upwards and backwards to deflect or form a shield against
the enemy's projectiles. I also divide the vessel horizontally by a deck situated
about three feet below the upper deck and below the water line, and I place within the
shallow space between these decks floats composed of or filled with cork or bags of
india rubber or other material inflated with air, whereby in case of the vessel
being penetrated at or near the water line, the water may be prevented by the
under deck from entering the space below said deck, and the space above said deck
will be prevented from being filled with water to any such extent as to greatly
impair the buoyancy of the vessel. An important feature of this Invention
relating to vessels for carrying guns for submarine warfare consists in hanging the
rudder entirely below the water line on a rudder post, which constitutes an upward
prolongation of the keel of the vessel, and does not project above the water line.
This rudder thus hung is to be worked by hydraulic apparatus, the valves of which
are worked by ropes from the steering apparatus.
The improvements in explosive projectiles relate to their form and construction,
and to the means for firing their explosive charges. The form and construction are
such that while the weight of the projectile is equal to or very slightly less than
the volume of water which it displaces, its center of displacement is forward of the
middle of its length. The form is preferably cylindrical at and near its center of
displacement, and conical in front and rear, the conical profile of the front part or
head presenting a greater, and the conical profile of the rear part a lesser
angle to the axis, thereby providing for a capacious chamber in the head for the
exploding charge, and producing an elongated tail. On the tail are four radial
and longitudinal steadying wings or fins, the edges of which may fit the bore
of the gun. The portion in rear of the charge chamber may be hollow, and, like
the chamber, be made of iron or steel plates, or it may be made solid of wood, and
have inserted centrally through it a strong iron rod, the rear end of which should
abut against the piston of the gun, such rod serving to resist the tendency to crush
the projectile lengthwise consequent upon the driving force of the piston.
The improved means of firing the explosive charge consists principally of a firing
pin, a socket, and a spring. This firing pin is fitted to slide without turning in the
socket, which is secured in the head of the projectile, the back part of which is
constructed to receive one or more fulminate cartridges or percussion caps or

page_text: primers. The said pin has on its rear end a face constructed to come properly in
contact with the said cartridges, caps, or primers to explode them. The spring is
so applied and of such strength as to hold back the firing pin until the front end of
the latter which projects from the socket strikes the ship or other object against
which the projectile is projected by the gun; but it then yields to the momentum of
the projectile, and allows the cartridges, caps, or primers to be driven against the rear
face of the pin, and be thereby exploded and caused to fire the charge. The front
end of the firing pin is made concave or otherwise so constructed as to present all
around it a sharp edge, which will cut into any surface which it strikes, and so
prevent its glancing off, and thereby deflecting the projectile or failing to produce
the explosion of its charge.
In Sheet I. of the Drawing Figure 1 is a longitudinal central sectional view of a
torpedo vessel having fitted to its bow a breech-loading gun with my improvements,
and also having applied to it my improvements in the mode of hanging and
working the rudder; Fig. 2 exhibits a longitudinal central section of the forward
portion of the gun, and shows the stem of the vessel, the temporary and permanent
muzzle valves, and the means of working the said permanent valve; Fig. 3 is a
front view corresponding with Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a central section illustrating the
method of attaching the temporary valve to a muzzle-loading gun; Fig. 5 exhibits
a central longitudinal section of the breech portion of the gun, and shows also the
piston and the attached powder case; Fig. 6 is a rear view of the breech of the
gun; Figure 7 is a plan of the rudder and steering apparatus.
In this Sheet of Drawings A is the gun which has a smooth bore. It is made of
flanged sections united at a, a, and is a fixture within the vessel, which is practically
a floating gun-carriage, and is represented as constructed of iron or steel. The
breech rests on a bed b on the keelson of the vessel. The muzzle is fitted into a
port or opening p provided for it in the stem B or bow of the vessel with a
shoulder c inside, and is secured by a nut d screwed on to it outside, as shown in
Figures 1 and 2. The breech-loading system of the gun thus applied may be of the
well known kind, shown in Figures 1, 5, and 6, or of any other suitable kind. The
firing of the charge may be effected by an electric spark, or by any suitable primer
or fuse.
C is the metal piston fitted with metallic packing f of any suitable kind,
such, for instance, as is used in steam engine pistons. This piston is fitted to work
in the smooth bore of the gun A like the piston works in the cylinder of a steam
engine. The said piston is made with a central socket e (see Fig. 5) in its back for
the reception of the supporting rod or stem g, of wood or other suitable material to
which the powder case D is attached. This powder case, which may be of tin plate
and in the form of a cylinder, has a central socket h for the reception of the stem g.
When placed in the gun its rear end is uncovered except by a piece of netting
which serves to prevent the powder from falling out, but through which the fire
from the fuse or primer can reach the whole of the rear surface of the charge. By
this method of applying the powder, case in the gun, the powder which occupies
but a small portion of the chamber of the gun, is kept out of contact with the gun
at the time of its ignition, and injurious local pressure on the gun is avoided, and
the force resulting from the explosion of the charge is caused to start the piston
easily against the torpedo or projectile E. This projectile is represented as
occupying nearly the whole length of the bore of the gun in front of the piston C.
F is the permanent valve for keeping the muzzle of the gun closed before and
during the loading. This valve is represented as attached to an elbow lever G
which is hinged to the stem B of the vessel by a hinge or pivot joint i above the
projecting muzzle of the gun. It may be faced with an india rubber gasket or
otherwise fitted to the seat ; provided for it at the muzzle of the gun. This seat j
is shewn as consisting of a separate ring of brass or gun-metal fitted to the muzzle.
The elbow lever G is connected, as shewn at k, in Fig. 2, with a rod which passes
through a hole in the stem of the vessel, and through a tube m which is screwed
into the said hole, and which is fitted at its rear end with a stuffing box n in which
the rod is packed. This rod may be manipulated by any convenient means for the

page_text: purpose of working the lever G to open and close the valve, but it is shown as
connected with a piston operated by steam or hydraulic pressure in a cylinder H
suitably arranged on board the vessel.
The temporary valve which is to be shot away by the projectile is shewn in
Figures 1 and 2 of a construction adapted for breechloading guns. As there
represented it is composed of a wooden disc I furnished with a cup packing o or
other suitable packing of leather, india rubber, or other suitable material, and
having a hole q in its centre, which is covered and closed watertight by a piece of
indiarubber or other soft and penetrable material t secured around the margin. It
is furnished, as shown in Figure 2, with three or more catches, which may be
variously constructed, but which are represented as consisting of elastic steel
hooks r, r, which are secured to its face, and which always exert a tendency to
spring outward beyond the circumference of the valve. The valve thus constructed
is intended to fit like a piston to the bore of the gun, and to be inserted thereinto
from the breech before inserting the projectile, and pushed forward along the bore
by a suitable rod, its spring hooks being confined in the bore of the gun until it
arrives near the muzzles, and until the said hooks r, r, can spring outward after
passing a rebate provided around the interior of the muzzle of the gun or the
interior of the permanent valve seat j. The clicking noise made by the springing
of these hooks into the rebate will be audible on board the vessel through the bore
of the gun, and the valve will not afterwards be pushed further forward. These
hooks serve to retain the valve in place against the pressure of the water outside
of the vessel.
For a muzzle loading gun the temporary valve which is to be applied to the
muzzle after loading the gun will be modified, as shewn in Fig. 4, the disc I being
fitted into a seat & in the muzzle, and secured by a cap t¹ of india rubber which fits
over the muzzle, and may be secured thereto by a binding cord u. This cap t' also
serves as a water tight covering for closing the central hole g of the valve.
The valve It or It' which offers very little resistance to pressure from within
the gun will be shot away by the projectile as the latter begins to leave the muzzle,
and will generally be broken in pieces, and the central portion of it being of soft
material will offer so little resistance to the firing pin in the front end of the
explosive projectile that there will be no danger of premature explosion of the
charge contained in the projectile.
The rudder and steering apparatus are represented in Figs. 1 and 7.
N is the keel of the vessel; P is the stern post; Q is the rudder post, which
forms an upward prolongation of the keel in rear of the stern post, and which, as
here represented, is forged with the keel. In lieu of being made in the same piece
with the keel the rudder post might consist of a separate piece erected upon a
rearward prolongation of the keel
Upon the rudder post Q are two rearwardly projecting lugs or arms a', a².
R designates the rudder, which rests upon the lower lug or arm a¹, and has in it a
slot or notch b¹ to receive the upper lug or arm a². The rudder is secured in place
by a pin C', which may be inserted from above, and has bearings in the two lugs
or arms a', a², and which may be firmly fastened within the rudder, and project
sufficiently above the rudder to have an ordinary steering gear applied if desired.
It will be observed that the rudder and rudder post are entirely below the water
line, and protected by the water against shot and shell.
As here represented the rudder R extends forward of its centre of movement,
and thus is partially balanced.
Referring now to the mechanism for controlling the rudders, S, S, designate two
hydraulic cylinders arranged upon opposite sides of the keel upon the exterior of
the vessel, and secured thereto by any suitable means. In each cylinder S is a
piston T, and the two pistons are connected by rods T' with arms R' projecting on
opposite sides of the rudder R; it will therefore be seen that by admitting liquid
under pressure to one or the other of the cylinders S the rudder may be shifted as
desired. U, U, designate two pipes which extend forward from the cylinders S,

page_text: one upon each side of the keel N, and which extend through the bottom of the
vessel to a cock or valve V; whereby the admission of liquid through either pipe to
either cylinder and the exhaust of liquid from the other cylinder is controlled. To
the cock or valve V is secured a lever d', to the opposite ends of which are
connected cords, chains, or other flexible connections e', which are passed over
guide pulleys f¹, and thence to an ordinary steering wheel W located within the
pilot house M. The liquid for operating the steering pistons may be taken from a
pump or any other source of pressure.
The arrangement of the steering cylinders S, S, below the water line, and in the
position shown upon each side of the keel, protects them against injury from shot,
and their pistons are connected directly with the rudder without the necessity of
passing any rods or moving connections through the sides of the vessel.
In Fig. 1 there is represented in front of the pilot house M the shield L,
composed of very heavy armour plates, which are inclined upwards and backwards
in such manner as to deflect any shot or other projectiles that may strike
it. This shield has a backing of solid timber L to enable it to resist shot which
might strike it at a right angle. The shield may also serve to protect the base of
the funnel or smoke stack of the vessel.
Fig. 1, also shows the horizontal division of the vessel below the water line by
the deck J', which may be about three feet below the upper deck J; the space
between the two decks being intended to be filled with floats composed of or filled
with cork, or consisting of bags filled with air. The vessel is intended to be
immersed to such depth that the under deck J¹ will be below the water line, and
the portion of the vessel below it will be protected in a great degree from enemy's
shot by the surrounding water. In case of the upper deck J or any part of the
vessel above the deck J¹ being penetrated by a shot, such of the floats between the
two decks as are not destroyed will continue to give buoyancy to the vessel.
In Sheet II. of the Drawing, Fig. 8 shows a side view of the forward portion of
a ship illustrating the method of placing and supporting on the outside, and of
firing below the water line, a gun which has been loaded on deck; Fig. 9 is a half
plan of the vessel showing the gun in place on the exterior of its side; Fig. 10 is a
front view of the muzzle-support; Fig. 11 is a plan of the same; Fig. 12 is a front
view of the recoil-block and guide; Fig. 13 is a top view of the same; Fig. 14 is
a top view of the breach of the gun.
The gun A to be employed in carrying out this part of the Invention is
preferably a muzzle-loader, and is to be fired by means of an electric spark through
a conducting wire a inserted through the breach pin b, and it is intended to have
applied to the muzzle, after loading, the temporary valve I, t¹ shown in Fig. 4,
Sheet I., for the purpose of excluding water from its bore when it is placed over-
board, and keeping water excluded therefrom until the discharge of the torpedo or
projectile. On one side of the breech pin 6 or of the breech of this gun, there is a
laterally projecting lug C in which there is the eye e (shown best in Fig. 14) to
receive the guide d on the breech support or recoil block B.
The recoil block B is composed of a strong casting or forging of iron having
provided in it a seat f adapted to receive the breach pin b or the rear portion of
the breech of the gun, and having flanges g, g, through which it is bolted to the
exterior of the side of the ship, as shewn in Fig. 8, at a suitable distance below the
water line w. On the inner side of the seat f there is secured in this breech
support or recoil block the upright guide, consisting of a pin or rod d, which is long
enough to project a considerable distance upward above the water line when the
vessel is loaded.
C is the muzzle support, consisting of a hook shaped iron having its interior of a
form to receive and fit the exterior of the gun near or at a suitable distance from
the muzzle with a flange i through which it is to be bolted to the exterior of the
side of the vessel, and with an under brace j which connects it with the said
flange.
The breach support or recoil-block B and the muzzle support C, are so arranged

page_text: that the axis of the gun supported upon them is parallel with the longitudinal
centre of the vessel, and that when the vessel is on an even keel, the said axis will
be horizontal. This arrangement will enable the guns to be sighted by sights on
the deck of the vessel, due allowance being made for the distance of the gun from
and its position relatively to these sights.
The gun may be placed on the supports B, C, after loading, and brought back on
deck after firing, by any suitable hoisting tackle, such, for instance, as that shown
in Fig. 8 of the Drawing, which represents in full lines the act of inserting the
projectile E into the gun, and shows in dotted lines the gun lowered on to the said
supports.
A movable brace may be employed to connect the upper end of the guide pin
or rod d with the side of the vessel and brace it thereto, such brace to be
removed from the guide rod only at the time of placing and lowering the gun
thereon.
Instead of the guide pin or rod d, a chain or rope may be employed as a guide
for the same purpose, the lower end of such chain or rope being secured to the
recoil block, and the upper end being secured in any suitable manner on board the
vessel. Such a chain or rope would pass through the eye e on the gun, and be the
full equivalent of the rod d.
The improvements in explosive projectiles are illustrated in Figures 15 to 21, in
Sheet II. of the Drawings.
Fig. 15 is a central longitudinal section of a torpedo having its body or cylindrical
portion and the conical rear portion or tail made hollow of iron or steel. Fig. 16
is a transverse section of the same in the line y, y, of Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is a central
longitudinal section of a torpedo having the body and tail made of wood, but
otherwise like that shown in Figure 15; Fig. 18 is a rear view corresponding with
Fig. 17; Fig. 19 is a transverse section in the line x, x, of Fig. 17; Fig. 20 is a
longitudinal section of the device for firing the explosive charge and part of the
head of the projectile; Fig. 21 is a detail view, which will be hereinafter
described.
A, in Figure 15 and 16, is the body of the projectile of cylindrical form and hollow,
and preferably made of steel plate; B is the conical chamber containing the explosive
charge of powder, and constituting the principal portion of the head of the projectile
made of copper or cast iron, and having firmly secured into its front end a hollow
head piece a, into which is screwed the socket S of the firing device to be hereinafter
described; C is the conical tail piece of the projectile hollow, and made of cast iron
and firmly secured by transverse screws b into a ring c which is inserted into the
rear of the body A and secured therein by rivets e, e, as shewn in Fig. 16. It will
be seen in Fig. 15 that the profile of this tail piece forms a less angle with the axis
of the projectile than the conical profile of the head. The longitudinal and radial
steadying fins F, F, are attached to this tail piece. Their outer edges are in line
with the exterior of the body A. The chamber B is separated from the body by a
partition d, which if the chamber be of cast iron is cast with the chamber, but
which if the chamber be made of copper is made of bronze and brazed into the
copper. The body and chamber are secured together in the same manner as
the body and tail piece, as shewn in Fig. 16, by a ring c and screws b and
rivets e, e.
In the example shewn in Fig. 17, the body A is made of a solid piece of wood
with a ring or band fof iron firmly secured to its rear by screws i, i. The tail piece
is also made of wood and solid, except that it is bored centrally for the reception
of the iron rod g, which fits it tightly and runs through its entire length with a
head at its rear end. The front of the tail piece has firmly secured to it by
screws j,j, a socket or flanged abutment piece h, which receives the rear portion of
the ring fand is secured thereto by screws k, k, as shewn in Fig. 19. The rod g
abuts against the plate forming the front of the socket h, and it is secured in the
wood by iron pins 1, 1, inserted transversely through the wood of the tail piece and
entering holes in the rod, as shewn in Fig. 17. The fins F, F, are also represented

page_text: of wood, having their edges faced with plates of iron or steel. The powder
chamber B fits over the front of the wooden body A, and is secured thereto by
screws ¹, 1.
In either of the constructions represented the projectile has its parts so pro-
portioned that it has its centre of displacement forward of the middle of its length,
and hence when projected from a gun under water it will tend to move through
the water in a line coincident with its own axis, and if the weight of the projectile
be just equal to the weight of the water which it displaces it will not deviate from
this line. If its weight should be slightly less (and it ought not to be greater)
there will of course be a slight tendency to rise.
The socket S of the firing device is screwed into the head of the projectile, as
shewn at n in Fig. 20. The firing pin P is centrally placed in and protrudes from
the front of the said socket, and a strong coiled spring Q is arranged around the
pin within the socket, and two or more fulminate cartridges or primers m, m, are
inserted into holes in a plug R which is screwed into the rear end of the socket,
and is secured against turning by a screw which ensures the primers m, m,
always being in proper positions; Fig. 21 is a front view of this plug detached
from the socket. The firing pin is straight, and provided with a collar P¹ or
shoulder at some distance from its rear end. Its front end is made concave or
with a chisel point or otherwise with a sharp edge to prevent its glancing off from
a vessel which it strikes. Its rear end is furnished with two or more striker pins
o, o, or points intended to strike the fulminate cartridges or primers m, m.
The
socket S is bored centrally and has in-its front end a stuffing box T through which
the firing pin works water tight. The bore is enlarged some distance behind the
stuffing box sufficiently to receive the collar P₁ and the spring Q, the spring and
the pin being inserted into the socket from the rear before the plug R is put in.
In front of this plug there is inserted into the socket a collar R¹ which is held by
the plug against the shoulder 2 formed by a further enlargement of the bore
behind the portion which receives the spring. This collar serves as a guide for
the rear end of the firing pin, and as an abutment for the spring, which is
powerfully compressed between the said collar R' and the collar P' on the firing
pin, and holds the latter so securely against the shoulder g in the socket that no
possible accidental concussion on the front end of the firing pin could drive back
the said pin in the socket. The striker pins or points o, o, on the rear end of the
firing pin and the fulminate cartridges or primers m, m, correspond in number and
position; and in order to preserve their relative positions, and insure each of the
said teats or points striking properly one of the fulminate cartridge or primers
when the firing pin is driven back in the socket S, there is a longitudinal slot r in
the socket in which fits a pin t which is screwed into a tapped hole in collar P¹.
When the collar P' of the firing pin is held against the shoulder 9, the points or
pins o, o, are some distance from the cartridges or primers. These cartridges or
primers may in all respects resemble the metallic cartridges commonly used for
small arms, and be either what are known as " central fire or "rim fire." The
firing pin being kept from turning by the pin t, and the plug R being kept from
turning by the screw v, the striking of all the cartridges or primers is insured, and
the firing of the explosive charge in the projectile cannot fail from the cartridges
or primers m missing fire, unless the whole number should miss, and it is hardly
within the range of possibility that all should fail when the front end of the firing
pin strikes a vessel or other body attacked with the impact due to the momentum
of the projectile when discharged from a gun.
3
Having now set forth the nature of the said Invention of "Improvements
in and Applicable to Guns and Vessels for Submarine Warfare, and in Explosive
Projectiles for such Guns," and explained the manner of carrying the same into
effect, I wish it to be understood that under the above in part recited Letters
Patent I claim,―
First. The combination with a gun of a metal piston fitted to work gas-tight

page_text: within the bore of the gun, and furnished with a metallic packing, substantially
as herein described.
Second. The combination with a piston fitted to the bore of a gun of a powder
case and a supporting rod or stem for attaching the case to the piston, substantially
as and for the purpose herein described.
Third. The combination with a vessel having a port in the stem or bow, and a
gun having its muzzle fitted and secured in such port below the water line, of a
water valve fitted to the muzzle and hinged outside the stem or bow, and con-
structed and operated substantially as herein described.
Fourth. The combination with a gun of a temporary muzzle valve, constructed
substantially as herein described and shown with reference to Figures 2 and 4 of
the Drawings.
Fifth. The combination in a vessel of a rudder post entirely below the water
line which projects upwards from a prolongation of the keel, and a rudder
hinged thereto and also entirely below the water line, substantially as and for the
purpose herein described.
Sixth. The combination in a vessel of a rudder having arms projecting from
opposite sides, steering cylinders and pistons arranged upon the exterior of the
vessel, one upon each side thereof, and connected with said rudder arms, pipes
from said cylinders extending through the hull to the interior of the vessel, and
a valve operated by a steering wheel for controlling the admission of liquid
through said pipes to said cylinders, substantially as and for the purpose herein
specified.
Seventh. The combination with a ship or other vessel of a breech support or
recoil block, with or without a guide for guiding the gun to its place, and a
muzzle support, both secured to the exterior of the vessel below the water line
for the purpose of supporting a gun thereon, substantially as herein described.
Eighth. An explosive projectile or torpedo for submarine use, constructed and
arranged substantially as described and shown with reference to Figures 15, 16,
17, 18, and 19 of the Drawings.
Ninth. A firing device for explosive projectiles, consisting of a socket S and its
accessories adapted to be secured to the head of the projectile, the whole being
constructed and arranged substantially as described and shewn with reference to
Figures 20 and 21 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Edward Newton, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty first day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
H. E. NEWTON. (L.S.)