IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MOUNTING, Working, and POINTING OF GUNS, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CARRIAGES UPON WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Anthony Edwards Scott, of Hornsey Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Captain in the Royal Navy, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MOUNTING, Working, and POINTING
OF GUNS, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CARRIAGES UPON WHICH THEY
ARE MOUNTED."
Sealed the 2nd September 1870, and dated the 4th March 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Anthony
Edwards Scott at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
his Petition, on the 4th March 1870.
•
I, ROBERT ANTHONY EDWARDS SCOTT, of Hornsey Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Captain in the Royal Navy, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for “IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MOUNTING, WORKING, AND
POINTING OF GUNS, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CARRIAGES UPON WHICH
THEY ARE MOUNTED," to be as follows :-
-
The principal objects of the present Invention are the combining
cheapness in the construction of gun carriages with strength and
simplicity in their working parts, and likewise the using such improved

page_text: appliances as will ensure security to the guns when fought in a seaway,
and will enable them to be pointed quickly with ease and accuracy, and
also to attain a similar or greater precision when firing at passing vessels
from floating and from land batteries.
The Invention relates, first, to the use of an outer cast framing for
a compound pivotting carriage so as to attain cheapness of construction,
and also obtain the further great advantage of the good frictional surface
afforded by cast metal caused to rub over a platform of a different metal
on the gun's recoil.
Second. In order to ensure ample strength and to guard the cast
metal from the effects of the first violent concussion on the gun's
discharge a strong wrought metal framing is introduced within the cast
one, and while forming an integral part of the main structure of the
carriage it receives and confines the blocks upon which the gun rests,
and by acting as a buffer imparts gradually and in a modified degree
the strain of discharge to the remaining parts of the carriage. The
trunnion blocks which carry the gun may be of wrought iron, steel, or
other hard metal. They are to be lifted by a central hydraulic ram
resting upon a suitable strengthened bottom plate, or upon or fastened
to and through the floor of a turret, so as to allow the gun to be dropped
down sufficiently low for great elevations. Where the hydraulic ram is
fixed on or through the floor of the turret it must act upon the gun by
means of a cradle or other suitable appliance, and the bottom plate of
the carriage should be provided with a hole to admit of the passage
of the ram, or two hydraulic rams could be thus used if desirable with
screw pawls, or screw and ratchet pawls combined might be used to
prevent the descent of the gun should the hydraulic rams fail. Blocks
of metal or wood, or both combined, may also be used to support the gun
in its fixed position, so as to remove all strain from the gear. These
blocks may either rest on the bottom plate or act as keys in the wrought
iron framing. In case the central hydraulic ram is not fastened to the
carriage it would never recoil with the carriage, but be fixed so as to
become a part of the turret. Steam could be used in place of water in
the same apparatus. To gain space the ram could be made to ascend
through a hole in the bottom plate, and act directly upon the gun or
upon a thin cradle or other suitable appliance. When a central hydraulic
is used the compressors are to be placed at the sides of the carriage and
may be similar to those in my Patent of 19th November 1867, No. 3278.

page_text: Both compressors may be sufficiently tapered vertically (the bars and
plates) to admit of the carriage being easily raised upon its rollers.
One of the two compressors need not be tapered, but may have parallel
plates and be set up by hand or by a self-acting lever on the guns
being run out. This parallel plate compressor may be used for easing
the gun out, and may be the working compressor. The other compressor
comes into action when the gun is dropped off its rollers.
This Invention further relates to the application of steam power for
working hydraulic rams for manoeuvring the gun carriage and platform,
all operations being so far as possible performed within the turret.
The Invention further relates to the warming the turrets in cold
weather by means of steam pipes led through the centre or under
the bottom of turrets. The warming (in cold weather) will improve
the ventilation, will assist to carry off the smoke, and will keep the
oil in the hydraulic rams and other gear in good working order. The
men also will handle their guns much better, while the guns and
carriages will be less liable to be damaged by the violent concussion
resulting from firing with battering charges. I would further provide
a steam jet or a blast of air from the fan of the engine room to be
blown up through the turret (through the hollow spindle on which it
revolves) for the purpose of clearing off the smoke.
.
The Invention further relates to the use of a mitrailleuse gun from
loop holes in or from the tops of turrets; it would be especially useful
for sweeping the deck, and clearing the sides of the ships from boarders.
The mitrailleuse may be adapted to a fixed turret like the "Hotspurs'
turret.
"
Another portion of the Invention relates to the application of turret
sight indicators for shewing at a glance by night or by day the degrees
of elevation and depression at which one and both guns can be fired
clear of the deck, rigging, and other obstructions at any point on which
the turret guns may be trained. This is effected by means of a hand
turning upon a dial plate or other arrangement of similar character,
the hand being worked by the revolution of the turret. A hand or
other indicator may be affixed so as to work on top of the turret
for the guidance of the captain (of the turret), and another below for
the information of the officer, the disc or other suitable contrivance
being lit up by night.

page_text: The Invention further relates to marking the deck on fixed points
round the turret in degrees so as to be enabled to lay the guns accurately
upon an enemy (so many points before or abaft the beam), who may
be seen from the top or other point above the smoke. The top cross
trees should be similarly marked. In a fixed turret with more than
one port hole the upper surface of the turret should be lined off in
degrees so as both to direct as to the port at which the gun should
be fired, and also give the exact line in which the enemy has or may
be still seen from some point above, or beyond, or at the top of the
turret. The under side of the turret top should be similarly marked,
so as to lay the gun from within when the enemy cannot be seen. The
marking on top will also enable the officer commanding to direct the
steerage straight for the enemy.
The Invention furtlier relates to an arrangement of carriage for a
breech-loading or other gun capable of giving a vertical range of 40°
or more. This very great extent of range from extreme elevation to
extreme depression of gun is provided for by raising the trunnion bearings
of the gun and hollowing out or lowering the front transom to admit of
depressing the muzzle, and by taking away the bottom plate or brackets
to admit of elevating the muzzle by depressing the breech or the bottom
plate, or brackets may be cut away sufficiently to give the elevation
required. This carriage will be especially useful for firing from the
upper decks of vessels down upon monitors or torpedo craft, or for
clearing an enemy's tops, or sweeping elevated positions of riflemen.
This carriage will also be very useful for floating or sea face batteries,
and in many other batteries on shore. With a breech-loading gun
the carriage can be ranged with a sufficient slope to allow the gun
to run out again after recoil, or else to be easily pushed out so as to
obtain rapid firing, or it may be fitted with a small compressor or
brake so as to be held on recoil, and be loaded with a closed port when
exposed to rifle or mitrailleuse fire.
The Invention further relates to the application of a screw brake
or pawl to the shaft or wheels of Scott's training gear for broadside
guns patented 11 Sept. 1866, No. 2337, for the purpose of keeping
the gun under complete control when training. This break may be
also applied to any other suitable part of the gun gear. It may likewise
be applied to the turntable gear of both ships and forts. Its form is
very similar to that of the Hercules compressor.

page_text: The Invention further consists in making the portholes broad on
the upper portion, so as to admit of a wide range of view, and also
to allow ample space for looking along the sights and pointing the
gun, the lower portion of the port being only of the necessary size
to admit of the movement of the training of the gun in it.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Robert Anthony Edwards Scott in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 3rd September 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
ANTHONY EDWARDS SCOTT, of Hornsey Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Captain in the Royal Navy, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the thirty-third
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Robert Anthony Edwards Scott, Her special
licence that I, the said Robert Anthony Edwards Scott, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Robert Anthony
Edwards Scott, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MOUNTING, WORKING, AND POINTING OF GUNS, AND
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CARRIAGES UPON WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED,” upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Robert Anthony Edwards
Scott, my executors or administrators, by an instrument 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 immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Robert Anthony Edwards Scott,

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say) :-
The principal objects of the present Invention are to combine
cheapness in the construction of gun carriages with strength and
simplicity in their working parts, and likewise the using such improved
appliances as will ensure security to the guns when fought in a seaway
and will enable them to be pointed quickly with ease and accuracy,
and also to attain a similar or greater precision when firing at passing
vessels from floating and from land batteries.
The Inventien relates, first, to the use of an outer cast framing for
a compound pivotting carriage, so as to attain cheapness of construction,
and also obtain the further great advantage of the good frictional
surface afforded by cast metal caused to rub over a platform of a
different metal on the gun's recoil.
Second. In order to ensure ample strength and to guard the cast
metal from the effects of the first violent concussion on the gun's discharge
a strong wrought metal framing is introduced within the cast metal one,
.and while.forming an integral part of the main structure of the carriage
this wrought metal framing receives and confines the blocks upon which
the gun rests, and by acting as a buffer imparts gradually and in a modi-
fied degree the strain of discharge to the remaining parts of the carriage.
The trunnion blocks which carry the gun may be of wrought iron,
steel, or other hard metal; they are to be lifted by a central hydraulic
ram resting upon a suitably strengthened bottom plate, or upon or
fastened to and through the floor of a turret so as to allow the breech
of the gun to be dropped down sufficiently low to admit of great
elevation of the muzzle of the gun. When the hydraulic ram is fixed
on or through the floor of the turret it must act upon the gun by
means of a cradle or other suitable appliance, and the bottom plato
of the carriage should be provided with a hole to admit of the passage
of the ram through it. Two hydraulic rams fixed in the floor of the
turret could be thus used if desirable. Screw pawls, or screw and ratchet
pawls combined, might be used to prevent the descent of the gun
should the hydraulic rams fail. Blocks of metal or wood, or both
combined, may also be used to support the gun in its fixed position

page_text: my
so as to remove all strain from the gear. These blocks may either rest
on the bottom plate, or act as keys in the wrought-iron framing.. When
the central hydraulic ram is not fastened to the carriage it would not
recoil with the carriage, but be fixed so as to become a part of the
turret. Steam could be used in place of water in the same apparatus.
To gain space the ram could be made to ascend through a hole in
the bottom plate and act directly upon the gun, or upon a thin cradle
or other suitable appliance. When a central hydraulic is used the
compressors are to be placed at the sides of the carriage, and may be similar
in construction to those described in the Specification of Patent
of Nineteenth November one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven,
No. 3278. Both compressors may be sufficiently tapered vertically
(the bars and plates) to admit of the carriage being easily raised upon
its rollers; one of the two compressors need not be tapered, but may
have parallel plates and be set up by hand or by a self-acting lever
on the gun being run out. This parallel plate compressor may be
The
used for easing the gun out and may be the working compressor.
other compressor comes into action when the gun is dropped off its
rollers. This and raising the gun upon the rollers may be effected by
means of an hydraulic ram if desired.
This Invention further relates to the application of steam power for
working hydraulic rams for manoeuvring the gun carriage and platform,
all these operations being so far as possible performed within the turret.
The next improvement relates to warming the turrets in cold weather
by means of steam pipes led through the centre or under the bottom
of the turrets. The warming (in cold weather) will improve the
ventilation, will assist to carry off the smoke, and will keep the oil
in the hydraulic rams and other gear in good working order. The
men also will be enabled to handle their guns much better, while
the guns and carriages will be less liable to be damaged by the violent
concussion resulting from firing with battering charges. I also cause
a steam jet or a blast of air from the fan of the engine room to be
blown up into the turret (through the hollow spindle on which it
revolves) for the purpose of clearing off the smoke and driving it out
of the turret. A mitrailleuse gun may also be adapted to be fired from
loop holes in or from the tops of turrets. It would be especially useful
for sweeping the deck and clearing the sides of the ships from boarders.

page_text: The mitrailleuse may be adapted to a fixed turret like the Hotspurs
turret, or to a breastwork or battery.
Another portion of the Invention relates to the application of turret
sight indicators for showing at a glance by night or by day the degrees
of elevation and depression at which one and both guns can be fired
clear of the deck rigging and other obstructions at any point on which
the turret (guns) may be trained. This is effected by means of a hand
turning upon a dial plate or other arrangement of similar character, the
hand being worked by the revolution of the turret. A hand or other
indicator may be affixed so as to work on top of the turret for the 1
guidance of the captain (of the turret), and another below for the
information of the officer. The disc or other equivalent device may be
illuminated at night time.
The Invention further relates to marking the deck on fixed points
round the turret in degrees so as to enable the gunners to lay the guns 1
accurately (so many points before or abaft the beam) upon an enemy,
who may be seen from the top or other point above the smoke. The
tops, crosstrees, and other parts should be similarly marked. In a fixed
turret with more than one port hole the upper surface of the turret
should be lined off in degrees so as both to direct as to the port at which 2
the gun should be fired, and also give the exact line in which the
enemy has or may still be seen from some point above, beyond, or at the
top of the turret. The under side of the turret top should be similarly
marked, so as to lay the gun from within when the enemy cannot be
seen from the battery on account of the smoke. The marking on top 2
will also enable the officer commanding to direct the steering straight
for the enemy or to run past:
The Invention further relates to an arrangement of carriage for a
breech-loading or other gun capable of giving a vertical range of 40°
or more. This very great extent of range from extreme elevation to 3
extreme depression of gun is provided for by raising the trunnion bearings
of the gun, and hollowing out or lowering the front transom to admit of
depressing the muzzle, and by taking away the bottom plate or brackets
to admit of elevating the muzzle by depressing the breech. Or the
bottom plate or brackets may be cut away sufficiently to give the 3
elevation required. This carriage will be especially useful for firing
from the upper decks of vessels down upon monitors or torpedo craft,

page_text: or for clearing an enemy's tops, or sweeping elevated positions of
riflemen. This carriage will also be very useful for floating or sea-face
batteries, and in many other batteries on shore. With a breech-loading
gun the carriage can be arranged with a sufficient slope to allow the
gun to run out again after recoil, or else to be easily pushed out so as
to obtain rapid firing, or it may be fitted with a small compressor or
brako so as to be held on recoil, and be loaded with a closed port when
exposed to rifle or mitrailleuse fire.
The Invention further relates to the application of a screw brake or
pawl to the shaft or wheels of Scott's training gear for broadside guns
patented Eleventh September One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
six, No. 2337, for the purpose of keeping the gun under complete control
when training. This brake may be also applied to any other suitable
part of the gun gear. It may likewise be applied to the turntable gear
of both ships and forts. Its form is very similar to that of the Hercules
compressor.
The Invention further consists in making the port holes broad on the
upper portion, so as to admit of a wide range of view, and also to allow
ample space for looking along the sights and pointing the gun, the lower
portion of the port being only of the necessary size to admit of the
movement of the training of the gun in it.
In the accompanying Drawings plate I., is shewn my improved con-
struction of a compound muzzle pivoting carriage. The frame of the
bracket or side H, H, Figures 1, 2, 4, is of cast iron, which may be
cast with all the bolt holes and suitable recesses, &c. so as not to need
any machine labor before being used. The wrought-iron frame F, F,
is well fitted into the cast-iron one, and while thus avoiding the use of
cast iron in the part of the frame most exposed to the fire of an enemy,
the wrought-iron part comprises the frame in which the gun is supported
when fired and is raised or lowered so as to obtain different degrees of
elevation and depression. The frame of cast iron may however be
continued round the front, so as to enclose the wrought-iron one if
preferred. Plates of wrought iron h, h, are rivetted on cach side of
the compound frame to complete the bracket. C, C, are the solid blocks
of wrought iron, steel, or gun metal in which the gun rests. They are
fitted to slide up and down within the wrought-iron frame and are
connected by the plates B, B, thus forming a cradle upon which

page_text: hydraulic power is brought to bear in order to raise and lower the gun.
The gun can be elevated or depressed in the ordinary manner to tho
extent the port will admit by causing it to turn on its trunnions, but
as this range is limited (owing to the smallness of the port) the blocks
C, O, may be placed in three or any other number of positions, as
indicated by dots in Fig. 1. In the lowest position the block O rests
upon the bottom of the frame, and in either of the others it will be
supported by props or blocks D of wrought iron or other suitable
material, which may be inserted into an opening made in the outer
plate of the carriage, in order to allow of the props being changed
when required for others of a different length. One central hydraulic
lift A is securely fixed to the bottom plate of the carriage and is worked
by a pump K situated in a recess of the bracket. There may be two
in place of one lift, and the pump and cistern may be placed in any
part of the carriage which may be found most convenient to suit special
cases. The ram may also be made to act directly upon the gun or
upon a patch or thin cradle so as to reduce the vertical distance where
required by the height being limited. The whole of the hydraulic
gear may be removed from the carriage and fixed to the turret so as to
avoid the effects of violent concussions.
An arrangement of this description is shewn on plate II. A, A,
are two hydraulic lifts fixed in the floor of the turret in such positions
that one may be used to raise the gun when run out, and the other
when it is run in. The pump which works these lifts is placed at the
side of the turret, and may be worked by manual or steam power
arranged either inside or outside of the turret. Or the pump may be
fitted so as to be worked from both at once. With these fixed lifts a
hole is made in the bottom plate of the carriage (through which the
cam passes) so as to act upon the cradle B of the gun.
central hydraulics are used the compressors should be placed at the
sides of the platform, and may be similar to those in my Patent of
Nineteenth November One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven,
and shewn in plate I., Figures 1 and 2. It may be found preferable
to use wedge-shaped plates and bars on one side only, keeping those
on the other side parallel for use in easing the gun out; thus one only
(the former) would be self-acting, coming into action as the carriage
descends off its rollers.
Where the

page_text: On plate III., Figures 1 and 2 is shewn a particular form of carriage
and slide for light upper deck guns capable of giving a vertical range
of 50° or more. The gun shewn is a twenty pounder breech-loading
Armstrong gun. The carriage consists of two vertical plates connected by
a transom, and suitably strengthened so as to dispense with the use of
a bottom plate. The cost of production of the carriage is much
diminished and great range of vertical movement of the gun is
obtained; with a breech-loading gun a sufficient slope is given to the
slide to ensure the gun running out after discharge so as to secure rapid
firing. Or the carriage may be clamped to hold the gun inboard after
recoil, so as to admit of its being loaded under the protection of a
closed port. The slide is formed of two plates connected by transoms
and fixed two blocks upon which it traverses. So long as the general
form and object of this carriage and slide are maintained they may
be of any other kind of construction, as, for instance, the carriage
may have a bottom plate hollowed or not as desired, and the slide may
be of girder or T-section, and supported at the slope by knees or
blocks, or it may be made to run upon rollers.
A screw brake and pawl intended for application to the training
gear described in Patent No. 2337, Eleventh September One thou-
sand eight hundred and sixty-six, is shewn on plate III. Figures 3, 4,
and 5. The pinion spindle F, F, (Figures 3 and 4,) which works the
crown wheel E has a toothed wheel B forged or fixed upon it; the
pawl G falls into the teeth of this wheel and locks the training
gear and thus holds the gun in any position. The brake which acts
upon this same wheel B to ease or check gradually the motion of the
slide consists of the cramp A, A, Figures 3 and 4, which oscillates
freely on the pin K secured to the bracket H. A pin projects inwards
from one end of the cramp, and a screw C works through the other
end. Two plates R, R, Fig. 4, rest in recesses of the fixed bracket H,
and have their inner surfaces in contact with the wheel B. Thus as
the slide moves the wheel B revolves and rubs its sides against the
plates R, R. In order to check such motion the handle D is turned
partly round, and the screw O by rotating in the cramp forces the
arm A inwards, and jams the plates R tightly against the revolving
wheel B, and by the excessive friction thus produced gradually brings
the slide to rest. By increasing the number of the plates R and having

page_text: Lastly. The application of the several improvements herein set forth
or any of them to shore or land batteries.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Anthony Edwards Scott,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, the Third day of Septem-
ber, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy.