AN IMPROVED FORM OF LAND BATTERY FOR COAST AND OTHER FORTIFICATIONS
Year: 1860

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Montague Wigzell and Eustace
Wigzell at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,
on the 30th January 1860.
MONTAGUE WIGZELL, of Friars Green, Exeter, in the County of Devon,
and EUSTACE WIGZELL, of 14, Morden Terrace, Lewisham Road, Greenwich,
in the County of Kent, Brothers, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "AN IMPROVED FORM OF LAND BATTERY FOR COAST AND OTHER
FORTIFICATIONS," to be as follows:-
The battery is to be cased with iron or metal of any thickness in the form
of plates or other shaped pieces (that may be thought best for covering or
lining it), seamed or otherwise strengthened with timber, iron, or other metal
stays, girders, beams, or uprights; the whole or part of the above to be lined
with timber or other materials that may be thought best to strengthen or sup-
port the battery, and assist in making it as far as possible ball and shell-proof.
The whole or part of the battery may be stationary or moveable by being placed
on a turntable or other suitable apparatus or machinery for giving the whole
or part of it motion. Its floor may be of metal, timber, or other material that
will make it ball or shell-proof, which may be perforated, to admit air to a
lower compartment; this lower compartment or magazine beneath the floor of
the battery is to be surrounded by the strong masonry which is to form the
foundation of battery, and its upper surface to be lined with metal, if desirable,

page_text: and to be made accessible by a trap door in the floor of battery, which
should be protected inside the battery by a shaft or suitable casing (of iron or
metal, or other material). passing from top of battery to floor of lower com-
partment, as shown in the accompanying Drawing A. In compartment B
ammunition could be kept, and during an action a re-enforcement of men to
work the guns. There may be one or more compartments in the foundation
of the battery, which might be covered externally with metal plates, as shown.
in the accompanying Drawing C. The centre shaft, as shown in the Drawing,
may be made to support the upper part of the battery, so as to allow a portion,
as shown below the lines 1 and 2, to revolve with the guns and turntable or
floor of the battery. Inside the battery should be placed six or more guns
(Armstrong's), so arranged as to be capable of being moved singly towards the
centre of battery, and to revolve together when required to take up certain
positions. The openings or ports around the battery should be of such a form
as would admit the mouths of the cannon being raised or lowered, and these
ports should be fitted with thick sliding metal shutters, to be opened at the
moment of firing after aim has been taken through a small aperture, and closed
immediately after the gun has been discharged. These shutters might be let
into the metal flush outside the battery, and made to open when the gun is
wheeled forward for firing, and to close by a spring when the gun is removed
for the purpose of reloading, which would make the opening invisible and ball-
proof. The door might be at the back of the battery, and be well secured by
bars on the inside. There should be holes at the top of the battery to let out
the smoke and to allow a current of air to pass from the lower part through
the battery. The inside of the battery to be lighted by small openings and by
the door being open when feasible, and at other times by artificial light (oil
lamps or otherwise).
The above kind of battery may be made any size, but of a form that will
resist and throw off .balls, shells, or other missiles. Figs. C and E in the
accompanying Drawing are external elevations of two kinds of our improved
batteries, of which D and F are plans, and Figs. G is an application of our
ball-proof battery (or casing) to the ordinary fortifications, to protect officers
and men from cannon ball, rifle shot, and shell. Our improved battery would
effectually protect the officers, men, and guns, and enable a sharp fire to be
kept up in every direction, which would be of great value if attacked by a
landing party. These batteries might be made to protect harbours, and could
be placed in the centre of nearly all existing fortifications if raised a sufficient
height.
One great advantage of our improved battery is, that the port or opening

page_text: for the gun need not be wider than just sufficient to allow the muzzle of the
gun to pass out, and with room above and below for the elevation and depres-
sion of the gun. Having these small openings will very much protect the
gunners from the effect of rifle shot. The above advantage is obtained by the
use of the turntable, which enables the gun to be brought to bear without
shifting the gun itself.