IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE LOADING AND FIRING OF HEAVY - ORDNANCE, TO GOVERNING THE RECOIL OF THE SAME, AND TO CARTRIDGES THEREFOR.
Year: 1876

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, &
Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE LOADING AND FIRING OF HEAVY
- ORDNANCE, TO GOVERNING THE RECOIL OF THE SAME, AND TO CARTRIDGES
THEREFOR.' A communication from abroad by Henry C. Bull, of Brooklyn,
New York, United States of America.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th February 1876.
"
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE LOADING
AND FIRING OF HEAVY ORDNANCE, TO GOVERNING THE RECOIL OF THE SAME, AND
TO CARTRIDGES THEREFOR." A communication.
The objects of this Invention are to facilitate the charging of muzzle-loading
cannon by mechanism operating in the rear of the same, to provide an improved
mode of firing the gun when loaded, to elevate the charge or load to the muzzle of
the cannon by mechanism operating from the rear, and to automatically control or
limit the recoil of the gun; also to provide efficient cartridges for such guns.
The loading of the gun is effected by operating from the rear through an aperture
made in the breech in the line of the chamber. There is a loading rod for drawing
the charge or load into the chamber of the gun, and operating through the said
aperture in line with the chamber. The said loading rod has its forward part of
sinaller size than the other part to form a shoulder, and it has a screw formed upon
its forward end for the purpose of engaging with the projectile. The said loading
rod is arranged in combination with a lanyard or rope for hauling the charge or
load home into the chamber of the gun, and it has a groove or opening made in it
lengthwise for embedding the said lanyard or rope. The said loading rod is also
arranged in combination with a hand wheel for rotating the same, and for supporting
the lanyard at its exit from the rear aperture of the breech.
The firing piece consists of a percussion lock and powder chamber in combination
with a shank for attaching it to the gun. I use a perforated swab made of felt or
other suitable material confined between two metallic discs and a central metallic
bush. I also use a powder cartridge having a central tube extending through it
Din 27

page_text: from end to end; and the said tube is perforated with small holes to distribute the
central fire in all directions within the cartridge.
The said Invention comprises a turntable working on a fixed centre in combi-
nation with the chausses and gun carriage; an elevator is attached to and moves
with the turntable in combination with a lanyard or tackle. The said elevator is
also arranged in combination with a muzzle stop. attached to the platform for
checking the upward movement of the load or charge when opposite the chamber of
the gun. It is also arranged in combination with a load truck, and chock cavities
for the truck wheels to rest in.
There is a cross slide or truck for moving the load or charge upon the elevator
close to the muzzle of the gun. The hollow cavity or groove in the column of the
elevator is arranged in combination with the top and bottom sheaves and the
lanyard or tackle for elevating or lowering the platform. The top sheave and its
eccentric spindle are combined with the column of the elevator for the purpose of
holding the elevator at any desired height.
The said Invention also comprises automatic differential apparatus for controlling
or limiting the recoil of the gun. This apparatus has a binder formed with gibs or
grippers, which project under ledges on the chausses. Within this binder is a
strong spring, whose ends rest on an eccentric shaft, which is regulated by a
tempering screw for increasing or diminishing the tension of the said controlling
spring. The eccentric shaft, which bears upon the controlling spring, is provided
with a lever for increasing the tension of the controlling spring when made to
operate by the recoil movement of the gun. The said lever of the eccentric shaft,
which bears upon the controlling spring, is operated by an inclined plane so arranged
as to increase the pressure upon the spring by the recoil movement of the gun. An
eccentric is provided for elevating or depressing the said inclined plane.
This Invention will not only permit the loading and firing of heavy ordnance to
be executed with greater accuracy and effect than could possibly be accom-
plished by the methods at present in use, but the men who are engaged in the work
are protected while so employed, as all the operations are conducted and per-
formed below the level and under the protection of the parapets, except the sighting
of the piece.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
August 1876.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE LOADING
AND FIRING OF HEAVY ORDNANCE, TO GOVERNING THE RECOIL OF THE SAME,
AND TO CARTRIDGES THEREFOR." A communication from abroad by Henry C.
Bull, of Brooklyn, New York, United States of America.
The objects of this Invention are to facilitate the charging of muzzle-loading
cannon by mechanism operating in the rear of the same, to provide an improved
mode of firing the gun when loaded, to elevate the charge or load to the muzzle of
the cannon by mechanism operating from the rear, and to automatically control or
limit the recoil of the gun; and also to provide efficient cartridges for such guns.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a cannon mounted on its carriage and chausses;
and the remaining Figures are sectional and detail views illustrating these improve-
ments. Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing.
The cannon, which may be of the usual form, is shown at A in Figure 1, and in
vertical section in the line of the axis in Figure 2. I dispense with the ordinary

page_text: touch hole and primers, loading and firing the gun by means of a hole drilled in the
axis of the same through the breech into the chamber, as shown at B in Figures 2
and 4. For large cannon I make this hole two inches, more or less, in diameter,
and sometimes I counterbore this hole for about one-third of its distance, and screw
into this enlarged portion a steel bush having the same bore as the remaining
portion of the aperture. A screw thread is formed in this bush for the purpose of
attaching, the firing piece C, Figure 1, to the cannon. This firing piece is shown
on an enlarged scale in side elevation and plan in Figures 12 and 12a, and to allow
this firing piece to be expeditiously attached to or detached from the gun I remove
a segment of the periphery from the opposite sides of its screwed shank, as shown
in Figure 12 and in Figure 12b, which is an end view on a still larger scale, a, a,
representing the threaded portion of the shank, and b, b, the denuded portions. By
this construction or arrangement of the screw thread on the shank of the firing
piece and in the steel bush the firing piece may be instantly set home to the full
depth of the threaded portion, and then thoroughly secured by a quarter turn of
the shank, and be as quickly removed by a reversed motion after firing. This mode
of interlocking the screw threads is known in mechanics as the sectional screw and
nut fastening.
In loading the cannon I pass the loading rod D through the opening B in the
breech until its forward end projects at the muzzle, as shown in Figure 2. This
loading rod is shown separately in Figure 3; the forward portion is made of a
reduced diameter to forin a shoulder, as shown at D¹, and the outer end of this
reduced portion has a screw thread formed upon it for the purpose of taking into a
threaded hole made in the shot or shell which is to be fired from the cannon.
The cartridge E of this cannon is of cylindrical form, and has a central tube of
proper size for the small part of the loading rod D to pass freely through it, as shown
in Figure 9, which Figure shews a longitudinal section of several parts of the charge
or load. This central tube may be made of thin metal, pasteboard, or other suitable
material, and is perforated with numerous small holes, as shown in Figure 11, which
is a side view of a detached tube. These small holes permit the whole charge to be
ignited simultaneously and in all directions by the central fire which is forced into
the tube from the firing piece C, Figure 1.
I also use a swab of peculiar construction for wiping out the chamber of the gun
after each discharge. I make this swab of felting or other suitable material, and
confine it between two metallic discs and a central metallic bush, as shown at E¹,
Figure 9, in which e is the felting, and d the metallic discs. Both discs have a
circular hole in the centre for the small part of the loading rod to pass through. An
end view of this swab is shown at Figure 10.
The load is prepared by placing the several parts upon a carrier in front of the
gun and in line with its chamber; first, the swab E¹, then the cartridge E, and
lastly the projectile E", as shown in Figure 9. The small part of the loading rod
is passed through these several parts, and then secured to the projectile by the
screw on its end, as shown in Figure 2, when the whole charge is drawn home into
the chamber of the gun, as shown in Figure 4, by hauling on the lanyard F,
Figures 2 and 3, which is attached to the loading rod D behind the shoulder D¹, and
occupies a groove made for its reception in the loading rod, as shewn in the longi-
tudinal section of the rod, Figure 4, and in end view in the hand wheel G, Figure 5,
which hand wheel should be held firmly in place against the breech of the gun while
the load is being drawn home in the chamber; and to relieve the friction on the
lanyard a small sheave may be attached to the hub or boss of the hand wheel to
support the lanyard, which is drawn out with a downward pull, the centre of the
gun being considerably above the reach of the men, but by this arrangement the
pull of the lanyard upon the loading rod is direct and central with the chamber of
the gun. The confined air within the chamber of the gun escapes while the load or
charge is being drawn in by the space or clearance around the loading rod in the
aperture B.
When the charge is brought home to its place in the chamber of the cannon the

page_text: loading rod D is unscrewed from the shot or shell by the hand wheel G, and removed,
and the firing piece C is secured to the gun, as shewn in Figure 1, to which firing
piece the lanyard H is attached for tripping the trigger. This firing piece consists
of a percussion lock secured to the rear aperture of the gun by means of a shank or
carrier, in which there is a small powder chamber opening towards the forward end,
and loaded with an ordinary blank musket cartridge, and furnished with a nipple
and percussion cap. On exploding this charge the fire is forced through the
aperture B into the central tube of the main charge, which it instantly ignites in all
directions and for its whole length by means of the diffusion of the fire through the
small perforations in its central tube, thus consuming all the powder in the cartridge,
and causing its whole explosive force to act upon the projectile.
The firing or discharge of the cannon leaves the swab E in the bottom of the
chamber, but on removing the firing piece C and introducing the loading rod D
through the aperture B the small part of the rod passes centrally through the swab
till its shoulder D strikes or takes against the metallic disc, which is then pushed
along the chamber of the gun until it emerges at the muzzle, wiping out the chamber
in its passage, thus cleaning the gun and preparing it for reloading.
The load or charge is arranged on a platform I, Figures 1, 2, and 7, attached to
the turntable J, upon which the chausses K are mounted, as shown in section in
Figure 2, and in top views in Figures 15 and 16. Figure 15 is a top view of the
cannon complete with its carriage, chausses, and turntable; and Figure 16 is the
same, with the cannon removed, and as the platform moves around with the chausses
and turntable it is always in proper position under and in front of the muzzle of
the gun. The platform I is mounted on a vertical column L, which moves or slides
in a deep socket L' attached to the under side of the turntable J, as shewn in
Figure 2, and is elevated by means of the lanyard M, which is secured to the socket
at fabove its bottom edge, then passes under a small sheave g in the foot of the
column, then upwards and over a sheave in the turntable, as shewn in Figure 2,
then to the rear where the applied force is increased by a block and tackle N, as
shown, beneath the chausses K in Figures 1 and 2. The column L has a hollow or
groove formed in it for the elevating rope M to work in, as shown in cross section
at L, figure 17. The platform I on top of the column L carries a sinall
truck P, Figures 1, 2, and 15, mounted on four small wheels, as shown in Figures 1
and 7, which rest in four cavities formed in the face of the platform for that purpose,
as shewn in Figure 16, thus keeping the truck exactly in proper position to deliver
the load or charge into the chamber of the gun. This truck has a sliding piece or
cross truck q, Figure 2, working at right angles with it, and has a hollow in its bed
or upper face for the charge or load to lie in, as shewn in Figures 2, 7, and 15. The
inner end of this cross slider is mounted on wheels bearing on the platform I, as
shown in Figures 1 and 2, and so arranged as to carry the load or charge to the
muzzle of the cannon when left by the recoil at or near the limit of the rear of the
chausses. A front view of this truck and cross slider is shown in Figure 7. The
platform I has a vertical lip or stop h on its rear edge to take under and against
the muzzle of the cannon when the charge or load has been raised to the exact
height to enter its chamber, as shewn in Figures 1 and 2. When it is necessary or
desirable to retain the platform I in an elevated position this is instantly accom-
plished by impinging or wedging the sheave between the side of the groove made in
the column L, as shown in Figure 17, which is a cross section of the column, and
is accomplished by a partial rotation of the eccentric spindle S, upon which the
sheave is mounted by the hand lever R, Figures 1, 6, 15, and 16, and when the
charge or load is drawn into the chamber of the gun the platform I may be allowed
to descend by its own gravity by easing the pressure on the lever R.
The recoil movement of the cannon upon the chausses is controlled and limited by
an automatic differential mechanism, which presents a resistance to this movement
that increases rapidly with the space passed over. This effect I accomplish by means
of the binder T, Figures 8 and 13. The lower gibs m, m, of this binder take under
the inner projecting ledges of the chausses, as shewn in Figure 8, which is a cross

page_text: section on the axial line of the trunnions through the common carriage and chausses.
Within this binder there is a strong spring of plates or leaves of steel or any suitable
material, the ends of which spring rest on the excentric shaft V, and the tension or
force of the spring is regulated by the screw W, which bears upon the middle part,
as shewn in Figures 8 and 13.
When the gun is in position for firing the bearing wheels of the gun carriage are
lifted clear of the top surface of the chausses; the excentric X, Figure 1, is made to
elevate the rear end of the inclined plane Y, Figure 1, upon which the end of the
lever Z, Figures 1 and 7, has a bearing. During the recoil of the gun the inclined
plane Y causes the lever Z to partially rotate on its axis as it moves up the incline,
thus causing the excentric or large side of the shaft V, Figures 13 and 14, to impinge
against the ends of the spring, thereby causing the holding gibs of the binder to
bear with increasing force against the under side of the ledges of the chausses till
by the time the gun carriage has reached nearly the end of the chausses the friction
or bite of the holding gibs has completely neutralized the force of the recoil. In
order to release the gun carriage so as to advance the gun into battery the
excentric X is dropped to its lower centre, thereby lowering the inclined plane Y.
The lever Z is then moved forward sufficiently to release the binder, and raise the
gun and carriage on the wheels.
This Invention will not only permit the loading and firing of heavy ordnance to
be executed with greater rapidity, accuracy, and effect than could possibly be
accomplished by the methods at present in use, but the men who are engaged in
the work are protected while so employed, as all the operations are conducted and
performed below the level, and under the protection of the parapets, except the
sighting of the piece. I do not however confine myself to the exact details of
arrangement and construction which I have herein described, but I claim the right to
vary the same as circumstances or convenience may require, so long as I confine
myself within the scope of my Invention.
I shall now describe the manner of manipulating or handling a heavy cannon
arranged according to this Invention, which may be accomplished by a force of less
than thirty men divided into squads, with special duties assigned to each as
follows: Squad No. 1, consisting of two men, shall put the load on the shot
carriage, and run it upon the elevator; their position is near the front of the gun.
Squad No. 2, consisting of ten men stationed at the rear of the gun, shall elevate
the load to the muzzle of the gun by hauling on the elevator lanyard, and, secondly,
shall draw the load or charge into the chamber of the gun by hauling on the loading
lanyard. Squad No. 3 stands in front to the right of the muzzle of the gun; his
first duty is to remove the swab from the loading rod when it has been pushed out
of the gun; his second duty is to place a new swab on the loading rod; his third
duty is to guide the loading rod through the central tube of the cartridge into the
threaded aperture in the shot or shell; and, lastly, when the load or charge has
been drawn into the gun he will release the elevator platform, so that it may
descend by its own gravity to its recess in the turntable to receive another load or
charge. Squad No. 4 will take charge of the firing piece, and will immediately
remove the same from the gun after its discharge; he will then prepare it for firing,
and will insert it in the breech of the gun when the loading rod is removed.
Squad No. 5 has charge of the loading rod; his first duty on the removal of the
firing piece is to introduce the loading rod through the rear aperture, encountering
the swab with the shoulder of the rod, which he will push forward till it emerges
from the muzzle, thereby cleaning out the chamber of the gun; his second duty is,
when the small part of the loading rod is through the load or charge, to rotate the
rod by the hand wheel till it is screwed home into the shot or shell; his third duty
is to hold the hand wheel close to the breech of the gun while squad No. 2 draws
the charge home in the chamber by hauling on the loading lanyard; his fourth duty
is to disconnect the loading rod from the projectile by a reverse movement of the
hand wheel, and withdraw the rod from the gun. Squad No. 6, consisting of eight
men, manages the levers of the wheels of the gun carriage and chausses. Their

page_text: first duty immediately after the firing of the gun is to drop the inclined plane, and
disengage the gripping device that controls the recoil; their second duty is as soon
as the charge or load has been drawn into the chamber to advance the gun into
battery; and their third duty is to readjust the recoil controlling apparatus.
The training of the gun to right or left, the elevating of the charge, and the dis-
engaging of the recoil controlling apparatus may be all performed while squad No. 4
is removing and preparing the firing piece; at the same time squad No. 5 inserts
the loading rod, and pushes the swab out of the gun. During the time occupied by
squad No. 2 in hauling the charge home squad No. 1 places a new charge or load on
the elevator, and squad No. 6 advances the gun into battery. The disengaging and
removal of the loading rod, the insertion and securing of the firing piece, and the
adjusting of the recoil controlling apparatus may all be performed in the time
occupied in sighting the gun. It is thus manifest that the interval of time between
the discharges of the gun may be limited to the time required for removing, pre-
paring, and reattaching the firing piece, which is performed in less time than is
usually consumed in swabbing out the gun, and all of the operations being
performed under the protection of the parapets the inen and officers in charge of the
gun are comparatively safe from the enemy.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. A muzzle-loading cannon having a portable or removable percussion lock
for the purpose of firing the gun, the shank or carrier of which percussion lock is so
constructed and adapted to the said rear aperture as to be instantaneously attached to
or detached therefrom as required in the manipulations of the gun, as above
described.
Second. The loading rod constructed with a shoulder towards its forward end for
the purpose of acting against the swab when pushed in from the rear, and causing
the swab to wipe out the chamber of the gun after being fired, as above described.
Third. The loading rod constructed with a deep longitudinal groove in one side in
combination with a lanyard or rope imbedded in such groove in the manner and for
the purpose as above described.
Fourth. The loading rod in combination with the hand wheel adapted to slide
upon the rod, but not to turn thereon, for rotating the same, and for supporting the
lanyard at its exit from the rear aperture of the breech, constructed and operating
in the manner as above described.
Fifth. The firing piece consisting of a percussion lock and powder chamber in
combination with a shank or carrier having a sectional screw thereon to take into a
corresponding sectional screw or nut formed in the rear aperture of the gun so as to
be readily attached to or detached from the gun, as above described.
Sixth. The fibrous swab for wiping out the chamber of the gun after being fired,
and constructed with an aperture in its centre for the passage of the loading rod and
of the central fire through it, as above described.
Seventh. The powder cartridge constructed with a central tube or aperture through
it for the passage of the loading rod, and having perforations in the said tube or
aperture to permit the fire from the powder chamber of the firing piece to ignite the
powder within the cartridge, as above described.
Eighth. The turntable attached to the chausses, and working on a fixed centre or
pin in combination with the gun carriage and ammunition elevator, as above
described.
.
Ninth. The ammunition elevator attached to and moving with the turntable in
combination with a lanyard and tackle or equivalent mechanism for raising or
depressing the elevator, as above described.
Tenth. The ammunition elevator attached to and moving with the turntable, and
operated vertically by suitable mechanism, in combination with the muzzle stop
attached to the platform of the elevator for checking the upward movement of the
load or charge when in range with the chamber of the gun, as above described.

page_text: Eleventh. The ammunition truck in combination with the elevator for con-
veying and raising the load or charge into range with the chamber of the gun, as
above described.
Twelfth. The ammunition truck and elevator for bringing the load or charge
into range with the chamber of the gun, in combination with the cross slide for
moving the load or charge horizontally close up to the muzzle of the gun, as above
described.
Thirteenth. The column of the elevator constructed with a hollow cavity or groove
in combination with the top and bottom sheaves and the lanyard or tackle for raising
or lowering the elevator platform, as above described.
Fourteenth. The column of the elevator in combination with the top sheave and
its excentric spindle for the purpose of holding the elevator at any desired height in
the manner or by the means as above described.
Fifteenth. The combination of the gun carriage with the chausses by means of
the interlocking grippers in the manner and for the purpose as above described.
Sixteenth. The gun carriage and the chausses in combination with the controlling
spring for checking the recoil and the means for increasing or diminishing the
retarding effect of such spring, as above described.
Seventeenth. The excentric shaft, which bears upon the controlling spring in
combination with its lever for increasing the tension of said spring when said lever
is operated by the recoil movement of the gun, as above described.
Eighteenth. The automatic differential apparatus for arresting the recoil move-
ment of the gun within a limited space, consisting of the excentric shaft and its
lever in combination with the inclined plane and the controlling spring, whereby
the force of the retarding friction increases with the space passed over by the recoil,
as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)