A NEW MODE OF MOUNTING ORDNANCE AND THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS COMPOSING THE SAME, ALSO THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR WORKING SAID ORDNANCE AND FOR LOADING, CLEANING, AND COUNTERACTING ITS RECOIL WHEN FIRED
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Charles Wilson, of 144, Cannon Street, London,
County of Middlesex, Civil and Mechanical Engineer, for the Inven-
tion of "A NEW MODE OF MOUNTING ORDNANCE AND THE MACHINERY AND
APPARATUS COMPOSING THE SAME, ALSO THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR
WORKING SAID ORDNANCE AND FOR LOADING, CLEANING, AND COUNTERACTING
ITS RECOIL WHEN FIRED."
Sealed the 22nd April 1864, and dated the 27th October 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Charles Wilson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 27th October 1863.
I, JOHN CHARLES WILSON, of 14A, Cannon Street, London, County of
Middlesex, Civil and Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "A NEW MODE OF MOUNTING ORDNANCE AND THE
MACHINERY AND APPARATUS COMPOSING THE SAME, ALSO THE MACHINERY AND
APPARATUS FOR WORKING SAID ORDNANCE AND FOR LOADING, CLEANING, AND
COUNTERACTING ITS RECOIL WHEN FIRED," to be as follows, that is to say :-
This Invention consists, firstly, in a new mode of mounting ordnance so as
to facilitate the handling of the same and materially increase its durability.
"These important objects I accomplish as follows:-I take a number of

page_text: guns more than one of any description that may be deemed most desirable, and
combine the same in a disc or frame so as to effect an even balance of the
whole weight thereof; I then mount said frame or disc of guns on a horizontal
axis and make it revolve freely. By this means I can work with nearly
equal ease the heaviest as well as the lightest descriptions of ordnance, and
the durability of each gun in comparison with the present weapon is obviously
increased by spreading the same amount of firing in. the same time over a
greater number of guns. By mounting two or more discs on the same axis
the ratio may be still further increased..
Secondly, in regard to the machinery and apparatus composing the same,
I propose to build up said disc of guns as follows:-If the present circular
shaped guns are used I would remove the trunnions and fasten the guns
between two strong wrought-iron discs bolted together and keyed on to the
horizontal axis with a solid centre piece of cast iron between the breeches of
the guns and the axis into which the breech of each gun would fit; I would
then fit in loose pieces between the muzzles of the guns so as to complete the
external circumference of the disc and render it shot-proof.
The process of aiming and firing the guns is accomplished through
apertures in the sides of the disc. If new guns are to be cast specially
adapted for this mode of mounting ordnance I would prefer to have them
made of a square shape externally and tapered with the largest end at the
muzzle. In this case no centre piece for the breeches would be required, as
the guns and intermediate pieces would form when put together one compact
mass, the last intermediate piece or gun inserted being driven tight in so as to
wedge the whole firmly together. In this way any of the guns in case of
accident could be easily taken out and replaced without pulling the disc to
pieces.
Secondly, in regard to the machinery and apparatus for working said
ordnance I propose to turn round the same by means of handspikes and &
simple capstan head keyed on to the horizontal axis or by a winch handle &
gearing. When turned round to the proper degree of elevation its position
will be fixed by the insertion of a stout pin into the side of the disc.
Thirdly, in regard to the machinery & apparatus for loading said ordnance,
I propose to elevate the ammunition through shot-proof tubes from a store
room beneath by means of a screw or other convenient power. The top of
the ammunition tubes being on a level with the muzzle of the uppermost
vertical gun the ammunition will be slung or rolled from the tubes and lowered
into the gun.

page_text: Fourthly, in regard to the machinery and apparatus for cleaning said
ordnance, I propose to effect the same from beneath, cleaning each gun as it
is turned into the lowermost vertical position. The cleaners will thus be kept
apart from the rest of the staff working the gun.
The machinery for cleaning will consist of the ordinary rod and sponge
working up through a cylinder filled with water, and it may be worked
direct by band, or by any motive power direct or through the medium
of a crank. The water cylinder will be fastened to the axis of the apparatus
for counteracting the recoil to be hereafter described so as to vibrate with the
gun.
Fifthly, in regard to the machinery and apparatus for counteracting the
recoil of the guns when fired it will consist of the following:-On the horizontal
axis of the gun disc slide blocks will be placed for guiding the disc during the
action of the recoil. Outside these blocks the eyes of two levers will 'lay hold
of the two ends of the horizontal axis and the levers project. downwards
through the gun deck. Underneath the gun deck they will be keyed on to
one axis. On the same axis or forming an extension of the above-mentioned
levers, but at right angles to them will be keyed two counterbalance · levers
with weights attached to them sufficiently heavy to effectually counterbalance
the force of the recoil. When the recoil is over to prevent the weights
descending too suddenly a hydraulic or other convenient brake may be
attached to the levers.
Having described the nature of my Invention, I will now proceed to illustrate
the action of this ordnance as follows:-It may be used in vessels or forts of
the present broadside construction, but I prefer to place it in a central
rectangular & fixed house on deck or on the top of the fort or other place to
be fired from. Supposing that four guns are combined in the disc, one, say
the left hand horizontal gun, will be ready for firing; one, say the lowermost
vertical gun, will be ready for sponging; one, say the right hand horizontal gun,
will be cooling & drying; and the remaining one, the uppermost vertical gun,
will be ready for loading, all of which operations may be proceeded with
at one and the same time.
.
This mode of mounting ordnance is equally well adapted for land or naval
purposes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Charles Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 27th April 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
CHARLES WILSON, of 14A, Cannon Street, London, County of Middlesex, Civil
& Mechanical Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of October, 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 John Charles Wilson, Her special licence that I, the said John
Charles Wilson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others' as
I, the said John Charles Wilson, my executors, administrators, or 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 makė, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "A NEW MODE OF MOUNTING ORDNANCE AND THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS
COMPOSING THE SAME, ALSO THE MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR WORKING SAID
ORDNANCE, AND FOR LOADING, CLEANING, AND COUNTERACTING ITS RECOIL WHEN
FIRED," upon the condition (amongst others) that-I, the said John Charles
Wilson, 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 John Charles Wilson; do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
My said Invention relates, firstly, to a new mode of mounting ordnance_so
as to facilitate the handling or working of the same, and materially increase
its durability; to effect which purposes I proceed as follows:-I take any
number of guns more than one, and of any description of gun that may be
deemed most desirable, preferring those of the ordinary muzzle-loading con-

page_text: struction, and combine the same in a disc or frame in such a manner as to
effect an even balance of the weight thereof. I then mount this disc or frame
of guns on a horizontal axis so as to cause it to revolve freely. By this means I
can, in comparison with the present system, elevate, depress, or revolve said
disc of guns with great ease, having merely the friction on the bearings
of the horizontal axis to overcome. The durability of each gun is obviously
increased in the ratio of the number of guns combined in the disc, the
firing being conducted at the same rate as at present. Two or more of the
discs may of course be mounted on the same axis.
In regard to the machinery and apparatus composing my said new
mode of mounting ordnance, I propose to construct said disc of guns as
follows:-
If the present circular shaped guns are to be used, I remove the trunnions
and fasten the guns between two strong wrought-iron discs bolted together
and keyed on to a horizontal axis, a solid centre piece of cast iron being
placed between the breeches of the guns and the axis into which the breech
of each gun is made to fit. I then fit in loose pieces of wrought or cast iron
between the muzzles of the guns so as to complete the external circumference
of the disc and render it shot-proof. Plate 1, Figure 1 and 2, shew this mode
of construction.
If new guns are to be cast specially adapted for this mode of mounting
ordnance, I should prefer to have them made of a square shape externally
In this case no centre
and tapered, having the largest end at. the muzzle.
pieces for the breeches are required as the last piece or gun inserted will form as
it were the key stone of the disc, and wedge the whole tightly together. In
this mode of construction any of the guns in case of accident can easily be
taken out and replaced without taking the disc to pieces. Plate 1, Figures
3 & 4, shew this mode of construction.
Secondly, in regard to the machinery and apparatus for working said
ordnance, I cause the disc to be elevated, depressed, or revolved by means of
handspikes and a simple capstan head or heads keyed on to the horizontal
axis; or by an ordinary winch handle and pinion geared into a toothed wheel
fastend to the side of the disc or keyed on to the axis. The disc is easily
fixed in any desired position by inserting a stout pin into its side.
Thirdly, in regard to the machinery and apparatus for loading said
ordnance, I propose to elevate the ammunition through shot-proof tubes from
a store room beneath by means of a screw or other convenient power. The
top of the ammunition tubes being on a level with the muzzle of the topmost

page_text: vertical gun, the ammunition can be easily slung or rolled from the tubes and
lowered into the gun.
Fourthly, in regard to the machinery and apparatus for cleaning said
ordnance, I propose to effect the same from beneath, cleaning each gun as it
is turned into the lowermost vertical position. The cleaners will thus be kept
apart from the rest of the staff working the gun. The machinery for cleaning
will consist of the ordinary rod and sponge working up through a cylinder filled
with water, and it may be worked direct by hand or by any motive power
direct or through the medium of a crank. The water cylinder will be
fastened to the axis of the apparatus for counteracting the recoil to be here-
after described so as to vibrate with the
gun.
Fifthly, in regard to the machinery and apparatus for counteracting the
recoil of the guns when fired, it will consist of the following:-On the
horizontal axis of the gun disc slide blocks will be placed for guiding the disc
during the action of the recoil; outside these blocks the eyes of two
levers will lay hold of the two ends of the horizontal axis, and the levers pro-
ject downwards through the gun deck. Underneath the gun deck they will
be-keyed on to one axis. On the same axis, or forming an extension of the
above-mentioned levers but at right angles to them, will be keyed two counter-
balance levers with weights attached to them sufficiently heavy to effectually
counterbalance the force of the recoil; when the recoil is over, to prevent
the weights descending too rapidly, an hydraulic or other convenient brake
may be attached to the levers.
This ordnance may be used in vessels or forts of the present broadside
construction, but I prefer to place it in a central rectangular and fixed house
on deck or on the top of the fort or other place to be fired from. Supposing
that four guns are combined in the disc, one, say the left hand horizontal
gun, will be ready for firing; one, say the lowermost vertical gun, will be
ready for sponging; one, say the right hand horizontal gun, will be cooling and
drying; and the remaining one, the uppermost vertical gun, will be ready for
loading, all of which operations may be proceeded with at one and the same
time.
This mode of mounting ordnance is equally well adapted for land or naval
purposes.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe that I do not confine or restrict myself to the
precise details. I have here described and referred to, as many variations may

page_text: be made therefrom without deviating from the principles of my Invention; but
what consider to be novel and original and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First, the new mode of mounting ordnance by combining a number of
in a disc as herein-before described.
guns
Second, the modes of constructing said disc of guns as herein-before described
and referred to.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Charles Wilson have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of April One thousand
eight hundred and sixty-four.
JOHN C. WILSON. (L.S.)