Improvements relating to the Direction or Pointing and Firing of Ordnance and to Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 13th May, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 13th Feb., 1890-Accepted. 3rd May, 1890
TRUVIDIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Direction or Pointing and Firing of
Ordnance and to Apparatus therefor.
I, FREDERICK HALL SNYDER, of 12 Magnolia Avenue, Jersey City, United States of
America, Attorney-at-Law do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows
-1
My invention relates to the direction, pointing or aiming and firing of ordnance,
and to apparatus therefor.
It is well known that a gun if supported upon a fixed horizontal platform can be
directed or pointed with great precision, and that, after a few trials, the elevation of
the gun required to convey the projectile to any desired distance can be so accurately.
determined that comparatively small objects can be struck at very great ranges. But
with guns mounted on a ship or vessel, the accuracy of aim is very greatly affected by.
the rolling and pitching of the vessel, and although, in some instances, experienced
gunners have been found capable of directing with precision a gun mounted on a ship
or vessel, notwithstanding the motion of the said vessel in a heavy sea, yet no rules
can be laid down which will properly regulate the aiming of guns under such
conditions.
Now one object or my said invention is to afford the means whereby the direction
or pointing of guns on a ship or vessel can be effected according to rules or tables not-
withstanding the rolling and pitching of the said ship or vessel.
My said invention, moreover, comprises improved means for effecting the firing of a
gun by the aid of electricity.
An important feature of my present invention is the combination, with a gun and
devices for firing the same either by the aid of electricity or otherwise, of means for
controlling the firing devices in such a manner that the operation thereof will be
permitted when the deck of the ship is level or in a horizontal position, but will be
prevented in any other position of the deck, that is to say, the firing of the gun will
be permitted only under such conditions as will ensure the discharge of the projectile
from the gun at the angle of elevation to which the said gun is adjusted for the
calculated range.
I provide each gun with a controlling apparatus for this purpose, so constructed that
it may be adjusted according to the desired elevation of the gun. Or I employ a
single controlling apparatus for the purpose above specified in combination with two
or more guns in this case, each of the said guns, whatever may be the angle of
elevation to which it is adjusted, can only be fired when the said apparatus, or the deck
on which it is supported, is level or in a horizontal position.
A convenient and advantageous form of my controlling apparatus for use with
a single gun is constructed as follows, viz. :-A metal plate or frame designed to
be attached to the gun has hinged or pivotted to one end thereof a spherical or
other suitably shaped vessel or receptacle which is partly filled with mercury.
The said plate or frame has at its other end a sector or arc which is provided
with suitable teeth and with a graduated scale. The said vessel for containing the
imercury is closed by a cover of hard India-rubber or other suitable material, the
space in the said vessel above the mercury being preferably filled with glycerine
or heavy oil. The said cover is provided with metal plates through which are passed
comact-screws. These screws are so adjusted that, under normal conditions, they
extend a short distance into the mercury in the said vessel. There are preferably
eight of these contact-screws arranged in pairs equidistant from each other. When
the plane in which the lower ends of the contact-screws are situated is horizontal, the
mercury in the said vessel will be in contact with all of the said screws, thus forming

page_text: electrical connection between the plates on the said cover. When, however, the
screws are moved out of this horizontal plane, one or other of the pairs of screws will
be raised out of contact with the mercury. These plates and screws are included in
the electric circuit for firing the gun; it follows therefore that the said circuit will be
broken or interrupted between one or other pair of the said plates, except when the
apparatus and therefore the gun to which it is attached is in the proper position for
firing. The vessel containing the mercury is provided with an arm having attached
thereto a pointer for indicating the elevation upon the aforesaid graduated scale. This
arm carries a pinion the shaft of which is provided with a thumb-piece, a milled wheel
or other device for rotating it. A spring provided with a projecting pin is
attached to the said arm so that the point of the pin may enter one or other of
a series of holes or depressions in the aforesaid sector or
The said spring
may be pushed outward to disengage the pin from the said depressions, by the
said thumb-piece or milled wheel. By this means the apparatus can be so
adjusted that the contact-screws will all be in contact with the mercury when the
gun is at the angle of elevation to which it is adjusted, but one or other of the
pairs of contact-screws will be raised out of the mercury when the gun deviates
from this angle by reason of the rolling or pitching of the vessel. With this
apparatus the gun may or may not be provided with elevating gear other than
that on the controlling apparatus above described.
arc.
For firing the gun I sometimes provide an electro-mechanical apparatus which is so
constructed that energy may be stored therein to be subsequently utilized for actuating
a friction-fuse or other mechanical firing device. This apparatus comprises a drum or
pulley which has combined therewith a spring in which energy will be stored when
the said drum is turned in one direction about its axis. A firing cord or lanyard is
attached to and wound around this drum and is provided with a hook or the like
whereby it may be attached to the firing device. On one side of the said drum or
pulley is fixed a ratchet-wheel with which is adapted to engage a pivoted armature of
an electro-magnet. The coil of this magnet is included in the aforesaid electric circuit
so that, when the said circuit is completed, the armature will be attracted towards the
magnet and thus disengage from the said ratchet-wheel. The spring will then by its
reaction wind the cord upon the drum and thus fire the gun by means of the friction-
tube or other device.
In setting or adjusting this apparatus it is preferable to leave the cord or lanyard
rather slack, so that it will not act upon the firing device until the drum or pulley has
acquired sufficient momentum to ensure the operation of the said device. To prevent
accidental disengagement of the armature from the ratchet-wheel by any jar or
concussion which may be imparted to the apparatus, a spring stop is provided which
will prevent the disengagement of the armature until the magnet is energized. This
stop is provided with a small armature so that, when the magnet is energized, the said
stop will be moved thereby out of its operative position, thus permitting the disengage-
ment of the main armature from the ratchet-wheel by the said magnet.
It is obvious that it is not absolutely necessary to use the above described electro-
mechanical apparatus for firing the gun. Electric primers may, if desired, be used
in direct connection with the aforesaid circuit. When the said electro-mechanical
apparatus is used, I prefer to arrange in the electric circuit a switch or contact-
maker designed to be operated by hand. In this device, the contact is, under normal
conditions, broken and, in order to fire the gun, the said switch or contact device
must be operated by the gunner; the firing of the gun can, however, take place
only when the aforesaid contact-screws are all in contact with the mercury in the
aforesaid vessel or receptacle.
The actual elevation of the gun at the instant of firing may, when the ship is rolling,
be varied to some extent by firing during the rising of the gun or during the descent
thereof. The clevation of the gun may, moreover, bo varied to some extent by
increasing or diminishing the slackness of the cord or lanyard wound around the
aforesaid drum or pulley. The said cord is preferably of sufficient length to always
have a certain degree of slackness so that the drum, after its release, will as above

page_text: mentioned acquire sufficient momentum to apply the required force to the primer or
other firing device and to apply this force suddenly and effectively.
A convenient and advantageous form of my controlling apparatus for permitting
the firing of one or more of a series or battery of guns, when the deck or platform
on which the said guns are mounted is level or in a horizontal position, is constructed
as follows, that is to say:-The said apparatus comprises a bowl or concave vessel
which is preferably placed in such part of the vessel as most nearly approaches the
centre of all oscillation thereof. In this bowl or vessel is placed a heavy spherical
roller or ball. The said vessel is provided with a cover the under side of which is of
convex form and extends into the said vessel sufficiently to prevent the movement of
the ball away from the inner surface of the said vessel, whilst permitting it to roll
freely therein in any direction. A hole is formed in the centre of the said vessel and
in this hole is arranged to slide a rod or plug, which is so arranged in combination
with contact-springs that, when the said ball rests on the plug, it will make contact
between the said springs. These springs are included in an electric circuit in which
the firing device of either of the guns may be included by means of a switch. The
apparatus is so arranged that the ball will rest upon the plug when the surface of the
gun-deck is level or in a horizontal position. When, however, the gun-deck is moved
out of the horizontal position, the said ball will leave the plug, and contact between
the springs will be broken and the said circuit thus interrupted. The gun can,
therefore, be fired only when the gun-deck is level or horizontal.
In some instances. I use for the purpose above specified a hollow ball partially
filled with mercury,
the space not occupied by the mercury being filled with glycerine
or heavy oil.
When this arrangement of my controlling apparatus is adopted, each gun should be
provided with elevating gear which may be adjusted in substantially the same
manner as it would be if the gun were mounted upon a fixed horizontal
platform.
To provide for the adjustment of my. controlling apparatus to adapt it for use
when the vessel is running on an uneven keel or with a list to one or other side,
the aforesaid bowl or vessel is sometimes connected by long screw-bolts with the
deck-beams or other supports, so that it may be rapidly adjusted to vary the angle
which it forms with the deck. Other suitable means may, however, be employed
for effecting such adjustment of the apparatus.
In some instances, I provide a small gong or bell which may, at the will of the
gunner, be included in the electric circuit controlled by the apparatus herein before
described, without closing the firing circuit. This bell will be sounded in each roll
or pitch or oscillation of the vessel at the moment when all the conditions are such
that the gun would fire providing the necessary contact were made by hand for
effecting the firing thereof. The gunner can, therefore, observe the direction of the
gun at the moment when the bell is sounded and can adjust the gun accordingly.
I do not confine myself to the employment of mechanism for firing the gun by
the aid of electricity, as it is obvious that I can use my apparatus in connection with
mechanical firing apparatus. For example, the pressure of the heavy ball upon the
plug above described may be utilized to operate or control the firing mechanism in
such a manner as to prevent the movement thereof except at the moment when the
ball presses upon the plug. The gunner, in this case, pulls firmly but steadily upon
the lanyard, but cannot fire the gun until the unlocking of the mechanism is effected
by the pressure of the ball on the plug, that is to say, until the actual angle of
elevation of the gun is the same as that to which it is adjusted by the elevating
gear. Or I can employ the electric current for disengaging hand firing devices or
for directly operating.a firing-hammer, a trigger or the like.
.נ.י.ת
1011 1
S M 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: 1
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Direction or Pointing and Firing of
Ordnance and to Apparatus therefor.
"
1, FREDERICK HALL SNYDER, of 12' Magnolia Avenue, Jersey City, United States
of America, Attorney at Law, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to the direction, pointing or aiming and firing of ordnance
and to apparatus therefor, and is chiefly designed to facilitate the efficient use of guns
at sea.
It is well known that a gun mounted upon a horizontal platform can be directed or
pointed with great accuracy or precision, and that, after a few trials, the elevation of
the gun required to convey the projectile to any desired distance can be so accurately
'determined that comparatively small objects can be struck at very long ranges. But
with guns mounted on a ship or vessel, accuracy of aim is very greatly affected by
the rolling and pitching of the said ship or vessel, that is to say, whatever may be the
angle of elevation for which the gun adjusted relatively to the deck or platform on
which it is mounted, its true angle of elevation at the moment of firing will depend
upon the position of the said deck or platform relatively to the horizontal plane at
this moment. And although, in some instances, experienced gunners have been
found capable of directing and firing with precision a gun mounted on a ship or
vessel notwithstanding the motion of the said ship or vessel in a heavy sea, yet it has
heretofore been impracticable to lay down rules which will properly regulate the
aiming of guns and the firing of the same at the proper moment under. such
conditions.
One object of my said invention is to afford the means whereby the direction or
pointing of a gun on a ship or vessel can be effected according to rules or tables and
whereby the firing of the gun at the proper moment can be very readily effected
notwithstanding the rolling and pitching of the said ship or vessel.
For this purpose, I provide suitable controlling apparatus which will permit the
operation of the firing-mechanism of the gun when the ship or vessel is in its normal
position, but which will render the said firing-mechanism inoperative, or prevent the
operation thereof, when the said ship or vessel is in any other position relatively to
the horizontal plane. By these means the gun will, under normal conditions, be fired
immediately the lanyard or trigger is pulled or an equivalent firing-device operated.
When, however, during rolling or pitching of the ship or vessel, the lanyard or other
firing-device is operated, the gun will be fired when, but not until the deck or
other platform on which the said gun is mounted, assumes its horizontal position or its
normal position relatively to the horizontal plane. Therefore the gunner can adjust
the gun or the controlling apparatus for the required angle of elevation, and can then,
without any special skill, effect the firing of the gun at the proper moment (that is to
say, when the gun is actually at the said angle of elevation relatively to the horizontal
plane) notwithstanding any rolling or pitching of the ship or vessel, the firing-
inechanism being operative when the deck of the ship is level or approximately level,
or at some predetermined angle or inclination to the horizontal plane, but inoperative
in any other position of the deck. In other words, I provide an apparatus for
controlling the operation of the firing-mechanism in such a manner that, when the
gun or the said apparatus has been adjusted to the required angle of elevation.for the
calculated range, the firing of the gun will be permitted only under such conditions
as will ensure the discharge of the projectile from the gun at the said angle of
elevation. I sometimes provide the firing-mechanism of each gun with a controlling,
apparatus for the purpose above specified, so constructed that it may be adjusted
according to the desired elevation of the gun. Or I employ a single controlling
apparatus for the purpose above specified in combination with two or more guns, each
of which is provided with separate elevating gear and firing devices; in this case,

page_text: can only be fired when the said controlling apparatus or the deck on which it is.
supported is level, or approximately level, or at any predetermined angle..
My said invention, moreover, comprises improved means for firing guns by the aid.
of electricity.
!!
In the accompanying drawings, I have shown how my said invention .be.
may
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the breech-portion of a gun provided -with-
electrical apparatus constructed according to my present invention.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal central section of the controlling apparatus,.
drawn to an enlarged scale.
Figure 3 is a plan, partly in horizontal section, drawn to the same scale as Figure 2,
showing parts of the said apparatus.
Figure 4 is a plan, also drawn to the same scale as Figure 2, showing other parts of
the said apparatus.
Figure 5 is a plan, and
Figure 6 a vertical central section illustrating another form or modification of the
said apparatus.
Figure 7 is a plan of another form or modification of my improved controlling.
apparatus.
Figure 7 is a diagram, illustrating the manner of connecting the said apparatus-
with a series or battery of guns.
Figure 8 is a vertical central section of the controlling apparatus shown in.
Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a side elevation showing an improved apparatus for operating a
friction-fuse or other firing-device by energy stored in a spring.
Figure 10 is a diagram showing one method of electrically connecting the said
apparatus with means for releasing it to effect the firing of the gun.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the gun, which is mounted on a suitable carriage on the deck of a ship or
vessel or other suitable platform.
Referring to Figures 1 to 6, a is a metal plate or frame, which is firmly secured in
any convenient manner to the underside of the gun, and which is provided at its rear.
end with lugs or projections b. c is a spherical (or other suitably shaped) vessel or
receptacle also provided with lugs c³, and hinged or pivoted at c to the said lugs b.
The vessel c is preferably constructed of iron, and the interior surface thereof suitably
enamelled; it may, however, be formed of glass or other suitable material. The said
vessel c is partly filled with mercury or other suitable conducting fluid, as at c*: for
the purpose hereinafter specified.
The plate or frame a is provided at its forward end with a sector or are d having
teeth and a graduated scale d². e is a forked arm or projection, which is formed
on or firmly secured to the said vessel or receptacle c, and one of the prongs or jaws.
whereof is provided with an extension e¹ serving as an index or pointer. Between the
jaws of the said forked arm e is arranged a pinion f which is geared with the teeth d¹.
on the sector or arc d. The said pinion f is secured upon a spindle g supported in
suitable bearings in the forked arm e, and provided at one end with a thumb-piece or
milled wheel g h is a spring secured to the short jaw of the forked arm e and pro-
vided with a pin or projection adapted to enter one or other of a series of recesses
or holes d in one side of the arc or sector d, and thus retain the vessel c in any
position to which it may be adjusted. The spindle g is capable of a slight longitudinal
or endwise movement in its bearings in the forked arm e, and engages with the
spring the said spring can, therefore, be moved outward by pressing upon the.
milled wheel g" and the pin or projection ' can thus, be moved out of the hole or
recess d³ when it is desired to readjust the apparatus.
The vessel or receptacle c is provided with a cover i formed of hard India-rubber-
or other suitable insulating material, and secured thereto by means of screws, or
in any other convenient manner. The said. cover is provided with, segmental or

page_text: arc-shaped metal plates ¹, which are arranged in the form of a divided or interrupted
ring, and through which are passed adjustable contact screws or pins j. These screws
or pins are so adjusted that, under normal conditions, they are in contact with, or dip
a short distance into the mercury c* contained in the vessel or receptacle c. The space
above the said mercury is preferably.filled with glycerine or heavy oil in order to
prevent or diminish any independent rocking or oscillating motion of the mercury.
In the apparatus shown in the drawings, there are eight of the contact screws or pins j
arranged in pairs. Two of the metal plates are electrically connected, by the
wires. 1, 2, to the opposite poles of an electric battery k, in the circuit of which is
included any suitable device for firing the gun by electricity.
I provide, moreover, in the said electric circuit a switch or similar device designed
to be operated by hand, whereby the said circuit may be closed and interrupted at the
will of the gunner. ¹ is a contact-piece secured in any suitable position upon the
gun or upon the gun-carriage, and electrically connected, by the wire 3, to one of
the plates. 2 is another contact piece or spring which together with the contact-
piece forms a switch. The contact-piece or spring is electrically connected, by
the wire 4, to another of the said plates, and has attached to it one end of a firing
cord or lanyard k³, the other end of which is to be held by the gunner to enable him
to operate the switch when desired.
In the apparatus above described, the electric circuit is, under normal conditions,
broken or interrupted between those plates to which the wires 3, 4 are connected,
and, in order to fire the gun, the said switch or contact-device must be operated by
the gunner to close the said circuit. The firing of the gun can, however, take place
only when the aforesaid screws or pins j are all in contact with the mercury in the
said vessel or receptacle c, that is to say, when the deck or other platform on which
the gun is mounted is in its horizontal or normal position. For it will be seen that,
should the said deck or other platform be moved out of its horizontal or normal
position by rolling or pitching of the ship or vessel, the electric circuit will be
interrupted in one or more places by the breaking of the contact between one or more
of the said contact screws or pins and the mercury. Therefore, during rolling or
pitching of the ship or vessel, the gun can be fired when, but not until it is at the
angle of elevation for which the mechanism is adjusted.
By rotating the spindle g and pinion f in one or the other direction, the pointer e
and consequently the vessel c may be adjusted to the angle of elevation at which it is
desired to fire the gun; which angle is indicated by the said pointer upon the
scale (*.
It will be seen that the adjustment for vertical pointing or elevation can be effected
by turning the controlling apparatus about its pivot c²; the contact screws or pins j
are thus moved so that their lower ends, are in a more or less inclined plane; there-
fore, when the axis of the gun, by the rolling or pitching of the ship, is brought to a
corresponding angle of elevation, the lower ends of the said screws or pins will be in
a horizontal plane and will consequently all be in contact with the mercury and, the
gun will be fired. The gun is, however, by preference, also provided with ordinary
elevating gear of any suitable description. Moreover it is obvious that, when
ordinary elevating gear is employed, the controlling apparatus can, if desired, be fixed
instead of adjustable. Should the vessel have a list to port or starboard and the deck
be thus inclined to the horizontal plane, the screws or pins can be correspondingly
adjusted so that they are all in contact with the mercury and the firing of the gun
can take place only when the deck is so inclined.
The parts k¹, of the aforesaid switch may, if desired, be connected respectively
with the wire 4 and with one pole of the battery, the wire 2 being connected with
the other pole of the battery, and the wires 1 and 3 and the corresponding plate i¹
and pinj being dispensed with.
Figures 5 and 6 show another modification of my controlling apparatus, wherein a
"second receptacle is arranged within the receptacle c. The said receptacle is also
filled to a suitable height with mercury or other suitable conducting fluid, and some
of the pins or contact screws i are arranged to dip therein, whilst the remaining

page_text: contact screws or pins dip into the mercury in the receptacle c.
The internal recep-
tacle is formed of earthenware or other insulating material. By this arrangement,
I obviate any liability to premature completion of the circuit by the mercury when a
washing or oscillating motion is imparted thereto, or when the deck or firing-platform
assumes very unfavorable positions.
It is not necessary that there should be as many contact screws or pins as aro
shown in the drawing, four or any other suitable number of the said contact screws
or pins may be employed if desired. It is evident, moreover, that I can, if
desired, employ two bent pipes placed at right angles to each other, instead of
the two vessels or receptacles shown in Figures 5 and 6.
Figures 7 and 8 show a further modification of my improved controlling apparatus.
In this modification, the vessel or receptacle c is attached to the deck or firing-
platform so that the said vessel or receptacle will be horizontal when the ship is in
its normal position. The said vessel or receptacle is made with a suitably curved or
cup-shaped interior surface, on which is arranged to move freely a heavy spherical
roller or ball m for the purpose hereinafter specified. The ball is preferably made
hollow and partially filled with mercury, the space not occupied by the mercury
being filled with glycerine or heavy oil, to steady the mercury and prevent oscillation
thereof in the ball. A quantity of glycerine may also be employed around the said
ball for a similar purpose. The lid or cover i is dished in the centre, as at i, so that
it extends downward into the vessel c sufficiently to prevent the movement of the
ball away from the curved surface on which it rests, whilst permitting it to roll
freely thereon in any direction. A central hole c³ is formed through the bottom of
the vessel c, and in this hole is placed a vertically sliding rod n. This rod is so
arranged in combination with contact springs o, o' placed one above the other, that,
when the vessel is on an even or approximately even keel, or in any other
predetermined position, the ball m will rest on the upper end of the rod n and.
depress the said rod, thus holding down the spring o and keeping the same in contact
with the spring o' so that the electric circuit is closed at this part. The said electric
circuit is open at another part which has to be closed by hand to effect the firing of
the gun. It is obvious, however, that, when the ship or vessel is moved out of its
normal position, the ball m will move away from the rod n, as indicated by the dotted
lines in Figure 7, and the said rod will be raised by the spring o, the latter rising
out of contact with the spring o' and thus interrupting the circuit, so that the
firing-mechanism will be rendered inoperative until the ship again assumes its
normal position.
The controlling apparatus shown in Figures 7 and 8 may be arranged in combina-
tion with a series or battery of guns, so that, when the deck or platform on which the
said guns are mounted is level or at any predetermined angle to the horizontal plane,
either or any of the said guns can be fired by operating its particular firing
mechanism by hand, but when the ship is moved out of its normal position the
said controlling apparatus will prevent the firing of any of the said guns. The
electrical connections of the contact pieces or springs o, o with the firing-
mechanism of the several guns forming the battery are as follows, viz:-the
contact spring or piece o' is electrically connected to one pole of the battery k
(Figure 7) the other pole of which is electrically connected by a wire with the
contact springs of the firing-switches of the several guns. The other contact
pieces of the said switches are electrically connected by wires q' to the contact
spring o. Each of the guns A is provided with a cord or lanyard by which the
gunner can operate the switch k¹, for firing the gun.
It will be seen that, when the deck or platform is moved out of the horizontal or
other predetermined position, the ball m will leave the centre of the receptacle c and
the rod n will consequently be permitted to rise under the action of the spring
contact-piece o; thus contact between the said pieces o, o' will be broken and the
electric circuit interrupted. The gun or guns can, therefore, be fired only when the
gun-deck is in its normal position.

page_text: When this arrangement of controlling apparatus is adopted, each gun is provided
with clevating gear, which may be adjusted in the usual or any suitable manner.
с
To provide for the adjustment of the controlling device when the vessel is running
on an uneven keel or with a list to one or the other side, the said vessel c is some-
times connected by long screw-bolts with the deck-beams or other supports, so that it
may be rapidly adjusted to vary the angle which it forms with the deck. Other
suitable means may, however, be employed for effecting such adjustment of the
apparatus.
Figure 9 illustrates an improved device which I sometimes employ in my improved
firing-mechanism. This device is adapted for storing energy to be subsequently
utilized. for actuating a friction-fuse or other mechanical firing-device. r is a drum
or pulley supported upon a shaft or spindler, which has coiled or wound thereon,
ór upon a small drum secured thereto, a flat or ribbon spring s in which energy
will be stored when the said drum is rotated about its axis in one direction.
a cord or lanyard which is attached at one extremity to, and is wound upon the
drum r, and is provided at its other extremity with a hook. for convenience of
attaching it to the firing-device of the gun.
t is
π is an electro-magnet which is attached to a suitable support and is provided
with an armature v pivoted at e¹ to a standard ². The free end of this armature is
adapted to engage with the teeth of a ratchet-wheel w fixed on one side of the drum
or pulley r and free to rotate therewith upon the shaft or spindle is a spring
which tends to maintain the said armature in gear with the ratchet-wheel w. The coil
of the electro-magnet is included in the electric circuit of the firing-mechanism, as
indicated in Figure 10, so that, when the said circuit is completed, the armature
will be attracted towards the said magnet and thus disengaged from the ratchet-
wheel c.
The operation of this device is as follows, viz. :-The cord is pulled so as
to unwind it from the drum and wind up the spring s, and the hook t' is then
attached to the friction-fuse or the like. The reaction of the spring s is prevented by
the armature engaging with the ratchet-wheel w. When, however, the electric
circuit is completed, and the armature is disengaged from the ratchet-wheel, the
springs will, by its reaction, wind the cord upon the drum or pulley and thus
-operate the friction-fuse or the like for firing the gun.
To prevent the accidental disengagement of the armature from the ratchet-
wheelie by any jar or concussion which may be imparted to the apparatus, I provide
a spring stopy which normally engages with, or is in position beneath a lug or
projection on the armature v. . The said stop y is provided with a small armature z
so that, when the electro-magnet u is energized, the said spring stop y will be attracted
towards the core of the said magnet and thereby moved out of its operative position,
thus permitting the disengagement of the main armature v from the ratchet-wheel w.
The diagram Figure 10 shows an advantageous arrangement of the electric circuit
when the improved electro-mechanical device above described is employed. In this
case, one pole of the battery k is electrically connected to one end of the coil of the
electro-magnet u, and the other pole of the said battery is electrically connected,
through the switch ¹, and a series of metal plates provided with contact screws
or pins dipping in mercury as herein before described, with the other end of the said
coil. The said plates are for convenience shown arranged side by side in a
straight row.
4.
'
In setting or adjusting this apparatus, it is preferable to leave the cord or lanyard t
rather slack, so that it will not act upon the firing-device until the drum or pulley
has acquired sufficient momentum to ensure the efficient operation of the said device.
When the direction of the gun is correct, the gunner should pull firmly and steadily
upon the firing cord or lanyard 3 so as to inake contact and complete the electric
-circuit through the contact pieces k¹, k², the gun will then be fired providing the
said plates are in, electrical connection through the mercury as hereinbefore
described.
The actual elevation of the gun at the instant of firing may, when the ship is

page_text: rolling, be varied to some extent by pulling the firing cord or lanyard k during the
rising of the gun or during the descent thereof, that is to say, if the said firing cord
or lanyard be pulled during the downward roll of the ship or vessel, or when the
angular motion of the ship is such that the gun is moving downward, the firing of
the gun will take place a fraction of a second after the circuit is completed
automatically as above set forth, consequently the elevation of the gun at the moment
of firing will be a trifle less than that indicated by the pointer e¹, or by the elevating
or pointing gear. If, however, the said firing cord or lanyard be pulled during the
upward roll of the vessel, the actual elevation of the gun at the instant of firing will
be a trifle greater than that indicated, and the projectile will be carried further than
if the gun were fired on the downward roll of the vessel. The difference between the
actual and indicated elevation may, moreover, be increased or diminished, or the
elevation varied to some extent, by increasing or diminishing the slackness of the cord
or lanyard wound around the aforesaid drum or pulley r. The said cord is, as
above stated, preferably of sufficient length to always have a certain degree of
slackness so that the drum after its release will as above mentioned, acquire
sufficient momentum to apply the required force to the primer or other firing
device, and to apply the said force suddenly and thus ensure its operating effectually.
By the means above described, the range of the projectile can be slightly varied.
For instance, supposing the gunnor, after having fired one shot on the upward roll
of the vessel, finds that the projectile has fallen short of the object or target fired
at, he may, before firing the next shot and without altering the position of the pointer,
allow a greater amount of slackness in the said cord t, so that the drum or pulley r
having to wind up a greater length of cord, the actual elevation at the instant of
firing the next shot will be greater, and the projectile will therefore be carried farther
than the previous one.
It is obvious that the use of an electro-mechanical device such as that above
described is not essential. Any suitable electric primer or other firing-device may
bo arranged in combination with my controlling apparatus herein described.
Assuming that the gun is placed amidships and is pointed directly athwartships
or at right angles to the keel of the vessel, it is evident that, if the longitudinal axis
of the gun is horizontal, pitching of the ship will not cause deviation of the line of
fire, the gun simply turning about its longitudinal axis; if, however, the gun is
elevated, as it usually is when firing, then pitching of the vessel will cause more or
less deviation of the line of fire, according to the angle of elevation of the gun.
The rolling of the vessel will have the same effect in respect of a gun pointed
directly forward or directly aft; and with a gun pointed in any other direction, the
complications will be correspondingly increased.
By my invention, however, I ensure the firing of the gun only at the instant when
all conditions are such as are required to give the projectile the proper direction and
trajectory assumed for the calculated range.
It will be apparent from the foregoing remarks, that it is desirable that the
horizontal pointing or training of the gun should be effected when the ship is in its
normal position. Otherwise there is some liability to inaccuracy in the pointing of
the gun; for instance if the gun is pointed or trained while the bow of the ship is
raised during the pitching of the ship, then the direction in which the gun points will
be changed when the ship resumes its normal position.
To facilitate the pointing of the gun under the proper conditions, I sometimes
employ a small gong or bell which may be attached to the gun, and which may, at
the will of the gunner, be included in the electric circuit controlled by the apparatus
above described without closing the firing circuit, so that the said gong or bell will
be sounded in each roll or pitch of the vessel at the moment when all the conditions
are such that the gun would be fired provided the necessary contact was made by
hand between k¹ and for that purpose. The pointing or direction of the gun is to
be performed only whilst the said gong or bell is ringing.
It is obvious that either of the forms of my controlling apparatus may be either on
the gun, or on the gun-mounting, or on the deck or platform supporting the same.
R

page_text: In the latter cases, the said apparatus need not be adjusted to suit different angles
of elevation.
I do not confine myself to the employment of electricity for effecting the firing of
the gun, as it is obvious that I can use, my apparatus in connection with any well-
known or other mechanical firing-apparatus. For example, the pressure of the heavy
ball m upon the rod n and the downward movement of the latter may be utilized to
unlock or disengage a suitable device or detent, which controls the firing-mechanism
in such a manner as to prevent the operation thereof except at the moment when the
ball presses upon and causes the descent of the said rod. A firm and steady pull
upon the firing cord or lanyard is, in this case, to be exerted, but the gun cannot be,
discharged until the unlocking of the mechanism is effected by the said pressure of
the ball on the rod, that is to say, until the actual angle of elevation of the gun is the
same as that to which it is adjusted by the elevating gear. Or I can employ the
electric current for disengaging hand firing-devices, or for directly operating a firing-
hammer, a trigger or the like:
It is evident that, instead of a rolling weight supported as above described upon a
concave surface, I can employ a weight suitably suspended from a universal-joint so
that it is free to swing or oscillate in any desired direction. I can, moreover,
employ any other suitable source of electricity in place of the battery.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood
that I claim :-
First. The herein described method of providing for the efficient ise of a gun at
sea notwithstanding angular motion of the deck or other platform on which the said
gun is mounted.
Second. For use in combination with a gun mounted upon a deck or other plat-
form, firing-mechanism so constructed that the operation thereof will be dopendent
upon the position of the said deck or platform relatively to the horizontal plane, as,
and for the purpose, above specified.
Third. A gun mounted on a ship or vessel and provided with a suitable firing-device
and with controlling apparatus, whereby during the rolling or pitching of the said ship
or vessel, the firing of the gun by the said device will be permitted when, but not
until the gun, after having been adjusted for vertical pointing or elevation, assumes
its proper position relatively to the horizontal plane, as above specified.
Fourth. An electrical apparatus for firing guns at sea, which is so constructed
that; during rolling or pitching of the ship or vessel whereon the gun is mounted,
the completion of the electric circuit by the pulling of a lanyard or by the operation
of a trigger or the like will be permitted when, but not until the said ship or vessel
assumes its normal position, for the purpose above specified.
Fifth. The combination, with a gun mounted upon a deck or other platform, of
electrical firing-apparatus comprising an automatic device whereby a portion or
portions of the electric circuit will be closed when the said platform occupies a pre-
determined -position, but will be interrupted when the said platform is moved into
any other position relatively to the horizontal plane, and a device operated by hand
for closing and interrupting another portion of the said circuit, for the purpose
above specified.
Sixth. An apparatus for firing a gün by the aid of electricity, wherein the electric
circuit is closed at two or more parts by mercury or other conducting material and
suitable contacts, when the said apparatus occupies such a position that all of the
said contacts are in the same horizontal plane, but will be interrupted at one or more
of these parts when the position of the said apparatus is changed, for the purpose
above specified.
Seventh. An electrical controlling apparatus comprising one or more vessels or
receptacles containing mercury or other conducting fluid (with or without glycerine
or similar material in the space above the said fluid) and fixed or adjustable screws
or other contact-pieces forming parts of the electric circuit and so arranged that

page_text: they will all be in contact with the said fluid when the apparatus occupies such a
position that their lower ends are in the same horizontal plane, but one or more of
the said screws or contact-pieces will move away from the said fluid when the
position of the said apparatus is changed, for the purposes above specified.
Eighth. A controlling apparatus for the purpose above specified, constructed and
arranged in such a manner that it is adjustable to permit the firing of the gun at
any desired angle of.elevation without altering the position of the gun relatively to
the deck or other platform on which the gun is mounted.
Ninth. A controlling apparatus for the purpose above specified, comprising a
weight or ball arranged to roll upon a concave surface and resting, under normal
conditions, upon a vertically sliding rod acted upon by a spring, for the purposes
above specified.
Tenth. For use in combination with a gun mounted upon a deck or other plat-
form, firing-apparatus comprising a rolling or oscillating weight and 30 constructed
that the said apparatus will be operative when the platform occupies a predetermined
position, but will be inoperative when the said platform is in any other position
relatively to the horizontal plane, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Eleventh. For use in combination with a gun mounted upon a deck or other
platform, electrical firing-apparatus comprising a rolling or oscillating weight
whereby a portion of the electric circuit will be closed when the said platform
occupies a predetermined position, but will be interrupted when the said platform
is moved into any other position relatively to the horizontal plane, substantially as,
and for the purposes, set forth.
Twelfth. The combination of my improved controlling apparatus with the firing-
devices of two or more guns, substantially as, and for the purposes, above
specified.
Thirteenth. The combination, with mechanism for firing a gun by the aid of
electricity and comprising an electro-magnet, of an electro-magnetic locking device
for preventing accidental movement of the armature of the said magnet, substantially
as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Fourteenth. The improved controlling apparatus constructed substantially as
described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, or with reference to Figures 5
and 6, or with reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings and
operating as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Dated this 13th day of February 1890
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.