IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MODE OF WORKING ORDNANCE FOR SHIPS AND FORTS, AND IN THE MEANS OF PROTECTING THOSE ENGAGED IN WORKING GUNS EMPLOYED FOR SUCH PUR- POSES
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Smith, of No. 19, Salisbury Street, Strand,
Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
AND MODE OF WORKING ORDNANCE FOR SHIPS AND FORTS, AND IN THE MEANS
OF PROTECTING THOSE ENGAGED IN WORKING GUNS EMPLOYED FOR SUCH PUR-
POSES." A communication from abroad by John Gregory, of Barreiro, in
the Kingdom of Portugal.
Sealed the 15th March 1864, and dated the 18th September 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Smith at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 18th
September 1863.
I, WILLIAM SMITH, of No. 19, Salisbury Street, Strand, Civil Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION AND MODE OF WORKING ORDNANCE FOR SHIPS AND FORTS, AND IN THE
MEANS OF PROTECTING THOSE ENGAGED IN WORKING GUNS EMPLOYED FOR SUCH PUR-
POSES," a communication to me from abroad by John Gregory, of Barreiro, in
the Kingdom of Portugal, to be as follows:-
I make a double gun by forging, casting, or otherwise forming a central
breech block with trunnions, the body or barrel of each gun being in the same
axial line; the description of bore and mode of rifling may be of any kind
which may be preferred. The trunnions are supported in a bracket or carriage,
which in turn is mounted upon and free to revolve on a kerb or plate on the
upper face of a gun carriage or traversing frame. The gun being double,
each barrel has a separate touch-hole, and means of igniting the charge, and

page_text: being so mounted as to turn on a pivot or centre when it is withdrawn from
the port or embrasure. For the purpose of being loaded it is turned round a
quarter of a circle across the line of the port or enibrasure, and both guns
may be loaded together with greater facility, whilst the men are protected
from the enemies' fire whilst loading, inasmuch as they are not required to
stand in the line of the opening or port, or embrasure, but are placed on each
side thereof, a double hammer may be fitted to the breech block for discharging
both guns, and a paul and ratchet alone or in combination with an elevating
screw may be employed for adjusting the elevation. Instead of leaving the
embrasures or ports open, or instead of closing a ship's ports by means of
hinged shutters or covers, sliding covers are fitted on the outside of the port,
and they are closed and opened by means of chains or ropes from within, and
the recoil of the gun is employed for closing the port or opening, whether
such ports or openings are in a ship's side, or in a cupola, or in an iron plated
or other fort. The sliding covers or shutters may work vertically or horizon-
tally, or may be made to turn on a centre or pivot, and may be connected by
means of pullies and chains or other equivalent means with the carriage of a
gun (either constructed according to the present Invention, or of any other
kind or description), the recoil of which is caused to close the shutter after
each discharge.
о
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th
March 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
SMITH, of No. 19, Salisbury Street, Strand, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-seventh year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said William Smith, Her special licence that I, the said William
Smith, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said William Smith, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times.there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-

page_text: MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MODE OF WORKING ORDNANCE FOR SHIPS AND FORTS,
AND IN THE MEANS OF PROTECTING THOSE ENGAGED IN WORKING GUNS EMPLOYED
FOR SUCH PURPOSES," a communication to me from abroad by John Gregory,
of Barreiro, in the Kingdom of Portugal, upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said William Smith, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the, said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Smith, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement in writing, and on reference to the accompanying two
Sheets of Drawings, that is to say:-
. For the purpose of carrying out the first portion of my Invention, I make a
double gun by forging, casting, or otherwise forming a central breech block
with trunnions, the body or barrel of each gun being in in the same axial
line, but the description of bore and mode of rifling may be of any kind which
may be preferred. The trunnions of the gun are supported in a bracket or
carriage, which in turn is mounted upon and free to revolve on a kerb or plate
on the upper face of a gun carriage or traversing frame. The gun being
double, each barrel has a separate touch hole and means of igniting the charge,
and is so mounted as to turn on a pivot or centre when it is withdrawn from
the port or embrasure by the recoil of the preceding discharge, and the gun
may then be loaded in the position to which it is brought on the gun plat-
form by the recoil, or it may be turned round quarter of a circle, or any
lesser or greater degree. Both ends of the gun may then be loaded with great
facility, or one end only of the gun may be loaded and it be fired continuously
until becoming heated, when the other end of the gun being spunged out and
cool it may be loaded and in its turn be discharged. Where no arrangement
for closing the ports by the recoil of the gun is employed, the men are pro-
tected from the enemies' fire whilst loading when the gun is turned horizontally
after firing, as they are not required to stand in the line of the opening or
port or embrasure, but are placed on each side thereof.
A double acting
hammer may be fitted to the breech block for discharging each end of the gun
as and when required. For the purpose of regulating the angle of fire a
pawl and ratchet alone or in combination with an elevating screw may be
employed for adjusting the elevation.

page_text: With reference to the second part of my present Invention, instead of leaving
the embrasures or ports open, or instead of closing a ship's ports by means of
hinged shutters or covers, sliding covers are fitted on the outside of the ports,
and they are closed and opened either entirely or partially by means of chains
or ropes actuated from within by the recoil of the gun, whether such ports or
openings are in a ship's side, or in a cupola, or in an iron-plated or other fort.
The sliding covers or shutters may work vertically or horizontally, or may be
made to turn on a centre or pivot, and may be connected by means of pullies
or chains or other equivalent means with the carriage of a gun (either con-
structed according to the present Invention, or of any other kind or description)
the recoil of which is caused to close the shutter after each discharge. As
a protection to those engaged in working guns on board that class of vessels
known as cupola or turret ships from projectiles entering the side or sides
thereof, I make the cupola in such vessels fixed by preference, and only one in
number, although the cupola or cupolas may be made to revolve, but in each
case, whether the cupola be fixed or revolving, or whether there be only one or
more cupolas or turrets, and whether the guns be of the kind included in my
present Invention or ordinary guns, I construct such vessels with special. side
compartments in the manner herein-after described, and as illustrated in
Sheet 2 of the accompanying two Sheets of Drawings. For the purpose of
protecting the men engaged in working guns in circular iron or other shaped
forts or fixed turrets from the various angles of fire externally or internally,
to which the men may be exposed, a series of mantlets or screens are disposed
between the guns, and behind which those working them retire for protection,
and the powder magazine is also surrounded and protected by mantlets or
screens as shown in Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
In the accompanying two Sheets of Drawings I have illustrated some of the
modes or methods which I prefer to adopt in putting the several parts of my
Invention into practice. In the several Figures the same letters of 'reference
are employed to denote like or corresponding parts.
In Sheet 1, Figure 1 is a plan view of a double gun constructed in accord-
auce with my Invention, and mounted on a carriage; Figure 2 is part of a
transverse sectional view of a vessel showing in side elevation the gun, (the
plan of which is given in Figure 1,) gun carriage and fittings complete, the
gun being in position ready to be discharged horizontally or point blank; this
Figure also shows an arrangement of of the sliding port cover or shutter, and
the tackle connecting the same with the gun carriage; Figure 3 is an end.
view of Figure 2, looking, from within the vessel towards the side thereof.
In these several views A, A', is the double gun having the one central

page_text: breech block or portion B with trunnions c, c³, supported in bearings formed
in the bracket or upper carriage D; D', which is mounted and free to rotate
upon a kerb or circular guide rail or plate F, fixed to the main gun carriage
E, E, the under side or face of the upper carriage .D, D¹, being provided with
suitable friction rollers. Detailed views illustrative of this arrangement are
shown at Figures 11 and 12, Sheet 2, in which are seen the friction rollers q,
as well as the central pivot. r, upon which the upper carriage D, D., rotates.
The gun and gun carriage are fitted as shown with all the necessary appendages
for regulating and adjusting the elevation, and I have adopted such an
arrangement of apparatus for that purpose as I consider specially adapted for
the regulation of elevation or adjustment of sighting of double guns constructed
in accordance with my Invention, and which I intend should have the same.
range of elevation and depression as ordinary guns. The ends A and A¹ each
having a separate touch hole, the charge is ignited by the spring hammer G ;
H, H, are the guide rails fitted to the gun deck, and upon which the gun
carriage and gun mounted thereupon travels when the gun is being worked;
I is one of the port holes, in the side of a vessel.; K is the sliding cover. or
shutter. piece for wholly or partially closing the port; L is the spindle or bolt
connecting the sliding shutter piece with a transverse shaft or rod M, having
at its extremities guide pulleys or wheels N, N, which work up and down
upon the guides 0, 0¹, fixed inside the vessel on either side of the port hole..
The shaft or rod. L.passes through. and works up and down in a slot formed in
the ship's side. The cross shaft M is made with lugs or eyes m, m³, to each
of which are, secured the one extremity of each of the chains or ropes n, n²,.
which after passing upwards over the pullies P, P¹, are led downwards, passed
under the guide pullies Q, Q, and connected to any convenient part of the
gun carriage E, E, so that by this arrangement of tackle and connections the
recoil of the gun after it has been discharged is made available for the purpose
of closing the port either wholly or partially, and, so to, protect the men from
the enemies' fire during the loading of the gun. The amount to which the
ports may be left open being a matter of judgment for the purpose of clearing
the ship from the smoke or for any other, purpose..
Figures 4 and 5 illustrate that portion of my. Invention for wholly or
partially closing the ports of a vessel, when. the same is applied, or adapted
to guns of the ordinary description, or any class or description of gun not such
as that I have herein-before described as being made in accordance with the.
first part of my present Invention. The same letters of reference are employed
to denote the like parts already described in reference to Figures 2 and 3.
1nstead of acting upon the port cover or shutter by means of the ropes or

page_text: chains connected direct thereto inside the vessel, I prefer in some cases to
insert a horizontal tube or tubes through the side of the vessel, having a pulley
at the outer end on a line with the pullies P, P¹, and carry the ropes or chains
there through to the outside of the vessel, and connect them with the cover or
shutter, the ropes or chains being protected in suitable recesses or in tubes.
In Sheet 2, Figure 6 is a longitudinal elevation, and Figure 7. a plan view,
of a vessel fitted with the sliding port covers or shutters according to my
Invention, and having a number of double guns fitted on board, and showing
them in various positions; and, although the guns are shown only at. right
angles with the keel, or in a line therewith, they may be disposed in any
other intermediate position; and in practice I prefer to work one end of the
double gun continuously until it is becoming heated, and then to similarly
work the reverse end, which will, have become cool and be sponged out ready.
for use, and so on.
Figure 8, Sheet 2; illustrates a mode of mounting and working double guns-
when placed on board that class of vessels known as cupola ships, and I prefer
to so construct such vessels with a view to the preservation of the vessel, and
I of those on board working the guns, in such manner. that should a shot-
perforate the ship's side, the water would merely find its level in the com-
partments A, A, which I propose to add to this class of vessels, on board of
which the guns according to my Invention are intended to be mounted and
worked. When not in action the compartments A, A, may be used as quarters
for the crew, the necessary ventilation being effected by a fan, blower, or other
suitable means. I have shown in Figure 8 a fixed cupola built in and forming
part of the structure of the ship, as I prefer in adapting double guns to cupola
ships that the cupolas should not revolve, as thereby affording greater freedom
from derangement, and protection to those engaged in working the guns. In
applying the double gun to cupola ships, such for instance as those of the
class just described and illustrated at Figure 8, in Sheet 2 of the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings (the gun therein shewn-being exaggerated in proportion to the
size of the cupola), when one end of such gun is projected for firing inside the.
cupola sufficient space only is required for loading. the other end of the gun,
which when loaded is projected to the reverse side by the recoil of that end of
the gun just discharged, the horizontal or vertical angle being adjusted as before
described. In applying and working double guns on board ships having a revolving
cupola or cupolas, when the loaded end of the double gun has been projected to
the reverse side by the recoil of the gun discharged, the cupola has then to be
turned half round, the end discharged being then in a position for reloading and -
which may be sponged and reloaded whilst the cupola is being turned half round.

page_text: Figures 9 and 10 illustrate by a sectional and plan view respectively an
arrangement of mantlets or screens herein-before described as adapted for use
within circular iron or other forts for affording protection to those working
the guns.
Having now described and illustrated my said Invention, I wish it to be
understood that what I claim is,'-
First, the construction of double guns in the manner herein described and
illustrated.
Second, the mode or method herein described of taking advantage of the
recoil of guns for the purpose of operating port covers or shutters in ships,
forts, towers, cupolas, or turrets.
Third, the mode of protecting men working guns on board of turret or
cupola ships and such like vessels as herein described and illustrated.
Fourth, the combination of guns with screens or mantlets as herein described,
and as shown at Figures 9 and 10, Sheet 2, of the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Smith, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Witness,
JAMES STEVENSON,
19, Salisbury Street,
Strand, W.C.
WILLIAM SMITH. (L.S.)