Improvements relating to Guns for Submarine Warfare, and to Projectiles for the same.
Year: 1889

page_text: DIUNAL DITUITICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by VLADIMIR FREDERICK LASSOE, of 36, Beach Street,
New York, United States of America, Engineer.]
Improvements relating to Guns for Submarine Warfare, and to
Projectiles for the same.
1, HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 6 Bream's Buildings,
Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to what is known as the Ericsson system of firing pro-
jectiles under water, and the invention consists in certain improvements which will
reuder that system more effectual than heretofore.
The principal feature in the Ericsson system of firing under water, is the intro-
duction of a frangible valve near the muzzle, to exclude water from the bore of the
gun, previous to the discharge of the projectile, but which valve is shattered or
pierced by the projectile in its discharge.
To avoid any excessive resistance to the firing pin in front of the projectile, in
the act of piercing this temporary valve, a central hole in the valve is covered with
a disc of pure indiarubber, of the necessary thickness and strength to withstand the
pressure of the sea. The firing pin is backed or held out by a strong spiral spring,
of sufficient strength to prevent premature explosion, either by the pin piercing the
rubber portion of the inuer valve, or in striking the water.
The spring may be as stiff as a piece of solid iron; but, as its strength is
increased, the effective range of the projectile is reduced.
The complete breaking up of the inner valve is also an uncertain factor, the
nature of the fracture entirely depending on the quality of the material used, never
twice precisely alike.
Sometimes, also, portions of it adhere to the projectile, and serve to divert its
course, and also sometimes reënter the gun before the outer muzzle valve can be
closed.
Apart from these features attending the use of an inner frangible valve, the
question has arisen, whether there is not danger from a premature explosion of the
charge in the projectile, by the concussion produced by the projectile striking a
solid body of water suddenly with its great initial velocity.
To entirely remove any such chance of premature explosion, it has been decided
to dispense with the inner valve, and to start the projectile in the water, which would
obviate the danger of sudden concussion.
To this end, means are provided by which the projectile, previous to being fired,
may be moved forward to a fixed point in the gun, having its outer end, with the
contained explosive charge, protruding in the sea beyond the muzzle of the submarine
gun.
The muzzle valve having been opened to permit of this movement of the projectile,
any water entering the gun is excluded from the breech end of the gun, by the
introduction of a suitable packing of leather in the projectile at the junction of the
explosion chamber with the central body. The pressure of the sea forces this packing
against the bore of the gun and forms a water-tight joint, thus dispensing with the
temporary or inner frangible valve.
The necessity of being able to quickly move the projectile back in the bore of the
gun, on occasions where a commander should find himself in danger of fouling either
floating substances or another vessel. has suggested the use of compressed air for
moving the projectile forward to its firing position, as by simply opening a cock,
more or less, the compressed air can be allowed to escape, at will, from behind the

page_text: projectile's piston, thereby reducing the pressure, and letting the pressure of the sea act
on the front of projectile to force it back to its normal position with any desirable
speed. The muzzle valve can then be closed, and the firing pin absolutely
protected.
The gun is made of cast iron, hooped, and bolted together in three sections with
suitable flanges and bolts. Near the muzzle of the gun is a collar that stops against
the inside of the stem of the vessel, while the part of the gun beyond this collar passes
through an eye forged in the stem, and secured on the outside by a strong wrought
iron nut. The bore of the rear or breech section of the gun is one half inch larger
in diameter than that of the two front sectious, and the breech block is of the usual
type, and has a wrought iron nose plate and a suitable gas check. The stem of this
nose plate goes through the breech block, and is threaded on the outer end for a nut
by which it is secured.
The breech block proper is pivotted on a swinging arm, which is keyed to a sliding
shaft supported in bearings secured outside the gun.
The stem of the nose plate has a hole drilled through it, to receive the fuse plug,
through which the wires to the fuse pass. When the breech is unlocked, it is pulled
back by taking hold of a handle until a collar on the sliding shaft stops against the
bearing.
By applying a wrench to the square end of the sliding shaft, the breech block
is swung to one side, where it is held by a suitable stop.
The powder case is made of tin, cylindrical in form, with a central hole covered
with wire netting, to freely expose the powder to the action of the fuse; it is sup-
ported by sheet iron legs, and is placed loose in the bore of the gun.
The piston which receives the force of the projecting charge, is of cast iron,¯
turned one eighth of an inch less in diameter than the smallest bore of the gun.
In its circumference is a recess formed to receive two cast iron packing rings, of
sufficient elasticity to expand to fit the larger bore, while they contract when the
piston enters the smaller bore, so as to make a gas tight joint. The packing rings
are held in position by a follower, which has bolted to it a copper plate with a leather
packing on its back, both fitting the larger bore.
A hole is formed through the centre of the piston, partly parallel, and partly
tapering. The parallel part, at the rear side, is tapped to receive a tube which
regulates the position of the piston and projectile in the bore of the run: ; the tapering
part serves as a guide to the threaded hole in the tail end of the projectile.
Should the friction of the leather packing in the projectile, and that of the
packing rings in the piston, at any time be so great that the pressure of the sea
is insufficient to push back the projectile, the fuse plug may be removed, and an
inch rod, with an eye in its rear end, inserted through the breech block, and
screwed into the threaded hole in the end of the projectile. By applying a tackle
to the eye in the end of the rod, the projectile and piston can be hauled back.
The weight of the projectile should be as near as possible that of the water it
displaces, if any difference, preferably a few pounds heavier. It has four wings on
the taper tail end, fitting loosely the bore of the gun. Its centre of gravity and centro
of displacement should coincide, and the position of centre of gravity be such, that the
area of the projectile's horizontal section, including that of two of the wings, should
be divided by the position in ratio of at least 2 to 1, that is to say: the area
behind the centre of gravity should be at least twice as large as the area in front
of it, and if possible more.
The explosive chamber in front of the projectile is conical in shape, and made of
copper. It is rivetted to a gun metal ring, which screws into a similar ring rivetted
to the front end of the central tube. A leather packing is introduced in this joint,
where it is firmly held. The central tube, made of inch steel plate, rivetted together
by an inside strap. has a wrought iron ring rivetted in its after end: this is additional
to the gun metal ring in the forward end.
The operation of gun and projectile is as follows: A valve 1 being closed,
an air vessel or receiver in connection therewith and the gun, is charged,

page_text: Valves 2 and 3, in connection with the underside of the gun, are also closed, but a
valve on the vessel's side, termed sea valve," is open; the breech block is then
unlocked, and swung clear of the bore, and the projectile is run into the bore, the
leather packing thereon entering the smaller bore.
The projectile is then pushed into the bore, until its rear end is within 12 inches of
the breech end of the gun, when the piston should be attached to the projectile, by
means of a set screw, slightly tightened to merely give enough bearing to keep the
piston from turning on the projectile, yet leaving it so free that on entering the water,
the resistance on its front will cause it to part from the projectile.
Piston and projectile are then pushed to their proper position marked by a gauge
rod from the rear of gun. The powder case is next placed in position, and the breech
block closed.
To ascertain whether the leather packing is entered properly, the threeway valve &
is opened, and water under sea pressure admitted in front of packing, and by opening
valve 2, any imperfection in the packing will show itself by water running out
through this valve. Should the leak be serious, the projectile must be withdrawn, and
packing readjusted; while if no leak is apparent, the packing is all right. – Valves 2
and 3 are left in this position until just before firing.
The commander having decided to bring the projectile to firing position, the
fuse-plug is screwed in the nose plate, and the muzzle valve is opened.
Air valve 1 is then opened, admitting compressed air behind the piston, forcing it
outboard, till its copper plate acts as a stop at the break between the larger and
smaller bore.
Should it be found desirable to keep the projectile in firing position for any length
of time, a set screw may be screwed down for security, so as to prevent the piston
moving back, owing to any possible diminution of air pressure behind it.
When ready to discharge the projectile, the valves 1, 2 and 3 must be closed, and
the fuse wires being attached to the firing battery, the gun may now be fired.
After being fired, the muzzle valve should be closed, and valve 1 so turned as to
give free communication between bore of the gun and gun room; if no water is
discharged from valve 1, the muzzle valve is tight, but if water appears to flow, the
muzzle valve must be reseated by again opening and closing it.
The breech plug can then be removed, and the water in the gun emptied into
the bilge.
Should it however, for some cause, have been deemed advisable not to fire; but to
withdraw the projectile from its extreme outboard position, and let it fully reënter the
gun, the set screw must be slackened, and valve 1 turned to such a position that the
air behind the piston can escape into the gun room; the sea pressure will force
the projectile back to its place. The muzzle valve should then be closed, and valve
so placed, that the water which has entered the bore in front of the leather packing,
will empty itself into the bilge. When the gun is not used, the bore should be kept
drained by a cock in rear part of breech section.
Dated this 27th day of August 1889.
Improvements relating to Guns for Submarine Warfare, and to
Projectiles for the same.
I HENRY EDWARD NEWTON of the Office for Patents, G Bream's Buildings,
Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, 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 :——
The firing of explosive projectiles from guns arranged under water, has been
heretofore attended with considerable danger, owing to the liability of the projectile

page_text: to be exploded before leaving the gun by the firing pin which ignites the concussion
fulminates for the explosive employed in the projectiles, coming in too violent contact
with the water, or by its striking a frangible valve which is applied at the muzzle of
the gun to exclude the water therefrom until the time of firing. The firing pin above
mentioned is commonly backed bya spiral spring, which is intended to be strong enough
to hold the pin forward,and prevent it from beingdriven back until it strikes the object
at which the projectile is aimed. If this spring he of sufficient strength, no premature
explosion can take place, either by the più striking the water, or the frangible valve.
but the effective range of the projectile is reduced as the strength of the spring is
increased. A very strong spring requires a high velocity of the projectile to produce
the required movement of the pin for firing; the breaking up of the frangible valve
is also an uncertain factor, as experience has proved that such valves never break
twice precisely alike, and such valve will sometimes divert the force of the projectile,
and sometimes reenter the gun before the outer muzzle valve, which is commonly
used, can be closed.
The principal object of this invention is to entirely remove all such danger of
premature explosion. For this purpose, the inner or frangible valve is entirely
dispensed with, and the projectile is provided with a suitable packing, which, by the
pressure of the sea or water outside of the vessel, is forced against the bore of the
gun, and forms a water-tight joint, to exclude the water from the gun after the opening
of the muzzle valve which is intended to exclude the water from the gun when the
latter is not loaded or during loading, and the projectile is pushed forward gently
in the gun far enough to displace the water from the forward part of the bore thereof,
and make the forward part of the projectile project from the muzzle of the gun into
the water, and retain it stationary-in that position until it is desired to discharge
by firing the gun. Any sudden concussion or resistance to the firing pin, in the act
of discharging the projectile from the gun, will thus be obviated.
With the above mentioned end in view, the invention consists in certain means
whereby the projectile, previous to being discharged, may be moved forward to such
fixed point in the gun, that its outer end, with the contained explosive charge, may be
protruded beyond the muzzle of the gun into the sea, and whereby the projectile,
after having been moved forward in the gun as herein before mentioned, may be
quickly moved back into the bore within the muzzle on occasions where, after getting
ready for firing, it may be undesirable to fire, for fear of fouling either floating
obstructions or other vessels.
The invention also consists in certain details of construction which will be more
particularly referred to hereinafter.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the forward part of a vessel, and
of a submarine gun therein; showing also an external longitudinal view of the pro-
jectile, and showing partly in section the means for pushing forward the projectile
within the gun, and of withdrawing it thereinto, the projectile being shown within the
gun, and the muzzle valve being closed.
Fig. 2 is a rear view corresponding with Fig. 1;-
Fig. 3 is a view corresponding with Fig. 1, but showing the muzzle valve of the
gun open, and the projectile pushed forward within the gun, and into the sea, to the
position ready for firing.
Fig. 4 represents, on a larger scale than the above mentioned Figures, a longitudinal
section of a portion of the barrel of the gun, a portion of the breech block thereof, an
air-actuated piston which is employed to push forward the projectile preparatory to its
discharge, and of the cartridge which contains the charge of powder for discharging
the projectile.
Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken in the liner of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 represents a longitudinal section of a portion of the barrel of the gun and
of the piston hereinabove mentioned, showing the latter in a different position in the
gun, and showing also a part of the projectile.

page_text: Fig. 7 represents a longitudinal section of part of a submarine gun, a part of the
bow of a vessel in which it is applied, and an outside longitudinal view of a projectile
as arranged for use against wire netting.
Figs. 8 and 9 represent in longitudinal section, portions of the walls of a gun and
of a projectile, illustrating the packing.
Fig. 10 is a longitudinal central sectional view of the front part of an explosive
projectile, and of the device thereto attached for destroying the netting or equivalent
protection with which an opposing vessel may be surrounded.
Fig. 11 represents an external longitudinal view taken at right angles to Fig. 10,
of the device above mentioned as attached to the projectile; and
Fig. 12 represents a transverse section in the line of Figs. 10 and 11.
Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the Figures.
A A A designate the gun, which may be made of cast iron and of smooth bore,
and is represented as made of sections with suitable flanges and bolted together. Its
muzzle is shown as passing through an eye forged in the stem B of the vessel, and as
being furnished with a collar to abut against the interior of the stem, where it is
secured by a screw thread and nut on the outside. The breech section of the gun is
shown as resting on a wooden support in the cast iron frame C, which is firmly
secured to the floor of the vessel. The muzzle is represented as fitted with an external
valve G, by which it is closed to exclude the water from the bore of the gun at all
times, until the gun is to be got ready for firing, after the projectile H has been
inserted. The said valve G is attached to an elbow lever g, which is fulcrummed at g'
to the stem B of the vessel, and which is operated for opening and closing the valve
by means of a rod 2, which passes through the stem or how of the vessel, to be
worked from on board.
The projectile H is represented as formed in two parts H. H', and furnished with
the packing between the two parts, which, by the pressure of the sea or water
outside of the muzzle when the valve G is open, may be forced against the bore of the
gun, to form a water-tight joint, to exclude the water therefrom. The particular
packing which it is preferred to use will be fully described hereafter, but it may be
here remarked that any suitable water-tight packing may be employed for the purposes
of this invention.
The gun is provided with a removable breech block D for breech loading. This
block may be of any suitable kind, but is represented as fitted to the breech with
multilated screw-threads in a well known manner, and as fitted to turn in a carrier E,
which is suspended from a shaft supported in fixed bearings d' on the top of the
breech of the gun, the said shaft being capable of moving longitudinally and turning
in the said bearings, to permit the insertion and withdrawal of the breech block into
and from the breech, and the lateral movement necessary to move it out of the way
for loading, and return it to its position in line with the bore, preparatory to closing
the breech after loading. The breech block is shown as fitted with a wrought iron
nose plate 3, the stem of which passes through the block, and is fastened to the
carrier E, and between the flange of which and the front of the block, is a gas
check. The said stem is bored throughout centrally to receive the fuse plug a,
through which the wires a¹ to the fuse pass (see Fig. 4).
The construction of the breech block, its carrier, nose plate, and gas check, and the
method of applying the fuse, so far as they have been described, constitute no part of
the invention, being all well known.
The rear or breech section A of the gun is bored somewhat larger than the other
sections A A, which may be of uniform calibre, and a shoulder is thus presented
at the junction of the breech section A, and the next section in front of it. This
shoulder is best represented in Fig. 6, which represents the junction of the two
sections A and A¹. The said shoulder is required to be very abrupt. In order to
preserve its abruptness, it is composed of a steel ring, which is fitted tightly into a
recess provided for it in the end of the section A', and is firmly secured in the said
recess by the bolting of the two sections A A¹ together. Behind the said shoulder b
a screw y, the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained, is screwed through a

page_text: tapped hole in the wall of the gun, in such manner that its inner end may be
protruded into or withdrawn from the bore of the gun.
F is a piston placed within the gun to receive the force of the projecting charge,
and transmit it to the projectile H. This piston is fitted with packing rings f, which
may be of cast iron, and are represented in Fig. 5 as divided in one place only,
and as having applied within them, springs f, for the purpose of pressing them out
tightly against the bore of the gun. The head of the piston is of such size that
it may pass into the smaller bore of the gun in front of the breech section A. Its
packing rings are capable of such expansion and contraction that they may pass
within either the larger or the smaller bore, and they will so fit the smaller bore as
to make a gas tight joint. The said rings are bevelled in front as shown in Figs. 4
and 6 in such manner that they may pass by the shoulder b, when sufficient force
is applied behind the piston. The piston is furnished with a central hollow rod or
tube f, which projects from its rear end, and is of such length that when it is
against the nose plate of the breech block, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, it will
keep the head of the piston at such distance from the nose plate as to leave ample
room for the powder case P, which contains the projecting charge, and to protect
the said powder case from being crushed when the sea pressure is permitted to
push the projectile in board, as will be hereinafter explained. The powder case l'
(see Fig. 4) may be of tin plate, cylindrical in form, with a central tube formed
of wire netting, so as to freely expose the powder to the action of the fuse which
is inserted in the tube. The powder case is supported loosely, but centrally, in
The bore of the gun, by being provided with sheet iron legs P A hole fais
formed through the centre of the piston, this hole being partly parallel, and partly
tapering, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The front portion of the hole forward of the
taper is quite small, and the rear part behind the taper, which extends through
the rod or tube 2, is larger. In advance of this hole f³, there is a socket fon
the piston, to receive the tail or rear end of the projectile, and a set screw fis
provided to secure the tail of the projectile within the said socket. The tail of the
projectile is intended to have in it a tapped hole f (shown in Fig. 6), which is to be
reached by the end of a screw-threaded rod, which is to be inserted through the
hole f, for the purpose hereinafter explained, the taper portion of the hole serving to
guide the said rod into the said tapped hole. Besides the packing rings and
springs ff, the piston is provided (as shown in Figs. 4 and 6), at its rear end, with
a compound packing consisting of a cup leather i, and an annular plate, of copper
or other soft metal, applied hetween the said cup leather and the back of the piston,
the said cup leather and plate being secured to the piston by means of a ring k and
screw bolts and nuts . When the plate j is applied, it is flat, as shown in Fig. 4,
and its external circumference is of a size to pass freely through the larger bore of the
section A, but too large to enter the smaller bore of the sections in front of A of the
The purpose of this plate will be understood when the operations of moving
forward the projectile in the gun are hereinafter explained.
gun.
I designates a reservoir for compressed air (Figs. 12 and 3), which is to be
admitted to the gun, near the breech thereof, for the purpose of forcing forward the
piston F in the bore of the gun, and, through it, forcing forward the projectile against
the pressure of the sea, to the position in which its forward part protrudes from the
muzzle of the gun into the water, as shown in Fig. 3, in readiness to be discharged.
This air vessel may be charged by hand, or from the engine room, until the pressure
of say from fifty to sixty pounds per square inch is obtained.
A pipe 7 forms a communication between this air vessel and the chamber of the gun.
This pipe is furnished with a three-way cock 1, which is to be operated by a handle 13,
for admitting compressed air into the chamber behind the piston, or forming communi-
cation between the chamber and the atmosphere. In the forward part of the gun, not
far from the muzzle, there is provided an orifice m, communicating with one end of a
pipe m. The other end of the said pipe communicates through the side of the vessel
with the sea, and is furnished with a valve m2, which may be termed the sea valve.
This pipe mis fitted with a three-way cock m³, to be operated through a rod m³ by

page_text: a hand lever, arranged near the breech of the gun.
The orifice m is at such
distance from the muzzle of the gun, and the packing ring of the projectile at the
end thereof, that when the projectile is entirely within the gun, as shown in Fig. 1,
the packing ring will be behind the said orifice, but that when the projectile is pushed
forward out of the gun to the position shown in Fig. 3 in readiness for firing, the
packing ring will be in front of the said orifice, but still within the bore of the
gun. This orifice m and the valve m² and cock m³, provide for admitting water
from the sea to the gun between the muzzle valve and the front of the projectile, to
establish an equilibrium of pressure on both sides of the muzzle valve, before opening
the latter.
The gun has also another orifice n in the smaller portion of its bore, a short distance
in front of the shoulder b, and this orifice is fitted with an ordinary stop cock »', which
constitutes a test cock, as hereinafter described. The test cock is operated through a
rod by a hand lever arranged near the breech of the gun. There is also in the rear
portion of the gun, a drain passage from the bore to the outside, to drain out water
from the breech part of the gun. This passage must be provided with some means of
opening and closing it, as for instance a screw plug of, as shewn in Figs. 1 and 2.
The operation of the gun and projectile is controlled and performed as follows:-
The air vessel I, having been charged, the muzzle valve G and the cocks n² m³
being all closed, and the sea valve m² being open, the breech block is unlocked, and
swung clear of the bore; the projectile having, meanwhile been placed centrally on
rollers attached to the floor, is now run into the bore, and pushed forward until its
rear end is within a few inches of the breech end of the gun, when the piston F is to
be attached to it by passing the socket fi of the latter over its tail end, and screwing
up the sei screw fi just tight enough to keep the piston from turning on the projectile.
but leaving it so free that on entering the water, the resistance on the front of the
piston will cause it in part from the projectile. The piston and projectile are then
pushed forward to their proper position, shown in Fig. 1, which is ascertained by a
gauge rod from the rear of the gun. The powder case P is next placed in position,
and the breech block closed. To ascertain whether the packing of the projectile at h
is tight, the three-way cock m³ is opened, as shown in Fig. 1, to make communication
through the pipe m, and water under sea pressure is thus admitted in front of the
packing. By opening the test cock n', any imperfection in the packing will show
itself by water running out through the orifice #. Should the lead be serious, the
projectile must be withdrawn and the packing re-adjusted. The withdrawal may be
effected, after opening the breech, by the pressure of the sea water admitted to the
bore through the orifice m, but should that be insufficient to overcome the friction of
the packing and the piston packing, the withdrawal may, after opening the breech,
be effected or assisted by means of a rod having a screw thread at its front end, and
an eye at its rear end, the said rod being screwed into the tapped hole f", herein before
mentioned, in the rear of the projectile, and a tackle being applied to the eye in the
rear end of the said rod. The packing being all right, the cocks n' and m³ are left in
the position last mentioned until just before firing.
It having been decided to bring the projectile to the firing position, as shown in
Fig. 3, the fuse plug is screwed in the stem of the nose plate, and the muzzle valve G
is opened, either by air, steam, or hand power, as may be arranged in the vessel; the
sea pressure at the time being on the inside as well as on the outside of the valve, the
resistance to its opening will be only such as is due to the speed of the vessel.
The muzzle valve having been brought to the horizontal position shown in Fig. 3, the
air valve is opened to admit compressed air behind the piston, and force it outward
until the copper plate come against the shoulder between the larger and smaller
bores, when the piston is stopped by the said shoulder until it is desired to discharge
the projectile.
Should it be found desirable to keep the projectile in the firing
position for any length of time, the screw y may be screwed down for security, to
prevent the piston from being moved back by the pressure of the water, owing to any
possible diminution of air pressure behind it, the said screw constituting a positive
'

page_text: stop to prevent the return of the piston, but being adjustable from the outside of
the gun.
When ready to discharge the projectile, the cocks ', m³, and n³, should all be closed,
and the stop screw y screwed back, and on the fuse wires being attached to the firing
battery, the gun may be fired.
It may be observed that when the piston and the projectile have been pushed
forward, as above described, by the compressed air, a chamber full of compressed air
is left between the breech of the gun and the base of the projectile.
The stop
shoulder is made strong enough to resist for an infinitesimal time the explosive
force of the charge of powder, but this is long enough pressure for the complete
ignition of the whole charge, and consequently the perfect subsequent explosion.
When the full force of the explosion is developed, it will of course exert upon the
piston a pressure far beyond what the copper plate is capable of resisting, and
will so press the said plate against the shoulder b, as to turn its edges back, as shown
in Fig. 6, and the said ring will, along with the cup i, form a part of a gas-tight
packing to the piston, while the latter is with the projectile, before it is projected
from the gun the piston being only lightly attached to the projectile by the screw f³,
is left behind by the projectile immediately, after their exit from the After
gun.
firing.themuzzle valve G should be closed, and the three-way cock a turned to give free
communication between the bore of the gun and the gun room or interior of the vessel.
If no water be discharged through the cock n¹, the muzzle valve is tight, but if
any water should appear, the muzzle valve must be reseated again by opening and
closing it. The breech block can then be removed, and the water in the gun emptied
in the bilge. Should it however, for some cause, be deemed advisable not to fire
after having brought the projectile to the firing position shown in Fig. but to with-
draw the projectile from that position and let it fully re-enter the gun, the screw y
must be unscrewed, and the cock turned to such a position that the air behind the
piston can escape into the gun room or interior of the vessel. The sea pressure then
forces the projectile back to its place, or, if that should fail to do so, it may be drawn
back without opening the breech, but after removing the fuse plug by means of the
rod herein before mentioned, inserted through the breech block and screwed into the
tapped hole f in the rear of the projectile. The muzzle valve G should then be
closed, and the valve cock m³ so turned, that the water which has entered the bore in
front of the packing of the projectile, will empty itself into the bilge.
When the gun is not used, the bore should be kept drained through the drain
passage o. by removing the screw plug o from the rear orifice of the said passage.
or otherwise opening the said passage. By pushing forward the projectile within
the bore of the gun, and so gently protruding it into the water before discharging
ii, all percussive action on the firing pin, as it strikes the water, is obviated, and the
pin will not be driven back upon the fulminate which is employed to ignite the
explosive charge of the projectile.
As before referred to, the explosive projectile is, for convenience of construction
and of loading with an explosive charge, constructed of two principal sections, I
and I, the section H constituting the head, and containing the explosive ebarge, and
the section H constituting the tail or steering portion. Between these two sections is
applied an expanding packing h, the two sections being screwed together at rr, as
shown in Figs. S and 9, and the packing being clamped between them. This
expanding parking his represented as a cup-packing of leather, which has its cup-
cavity (the interior of which constitutes the surfaces which are to receive the pressure
to produce its expansion) presented towards the front of the projectile. This packing
is represented as an ordinary cup-ring, such as is commonly used for pumps and other
hydraulic apparatus, having placed within its cup-cavity an automatically expanding
metal ring, s, for the purpose of assisting its expansion. This ring may be of any
suitable construction, substantially like that of an ordinary automatically expanding
piston ring.
A grooves, is provided in the rear portion of the front section, H, of the
projectile, for the reception of this ring s. The cup-cavity of this packing being

page_text: presented in the forward direction, or towards the front of the projectile, will be
expanded by any pressure in front of it, as, for instance, by the pressure of the water
in front of the projectile, when the latter is in the gun, and the muzzle of the said gun
is open.
It may here be observed that this cup-ring, or packing, is applied in a manner
precisely the reverse of that which has commonly been applied to projectiles, such
packing rings having been applied in such manner as to be expanded by pressure
from behind, and not by pressure in a forward direction, as is the case with my
packing.
The forward section H of the projectile is represented as consisting of three pieces,
namely, a ring 1 of cast metal, a head 2, of cast metal, and a shell, 3, of copper or other
suitable metal, riveted to the said ring, 1, and head, 2. The space included within this
shell, 3, is the chamber for the explosive charge of wet gun cotton or other suitable
material. This chamber is loaded through an opening in the ring, and the said
opening is closed by a flanged plate 4, which is bolted to an internal flange round
the ring 1.
The rear section or tail portion of the projectile H¹ is represented as composed
of a front ring 5, of cast metal, and a long taper tube 6, of steel or other material,
provided with flanges or wings, 7, but this particular construction of the projectile is
not material to the invention, it being, however, necessary that the junction of the
front and rear sections here represented as composed of the cast rings 1 and 5, should
be made substantial enough to sustain the expanding packing, and to contain two
circumferential grooves, 8, 9, for receiving two automatically contractile metal
rings 10, 11, the purpose of which is to adapt the projectile for use in a sub-marine
gun in which the rear portion is of larger bore than the portion in front of it, and in
which a shoulder is presented in front of said larger portion of the bore, as before
described.
When an expanding packing is applied to a projectile, for such a gun, it is
necessary that the packing should, while the projectile is being inserted into the gun.
and until the entrance of the packing into the smaller bore in front of the shoulder, B,
be contracted to prevent it from coming in contact with the said shoulder, and it is
for this purpose that the automatically contractile ring 11 before mentioned, is
applied outside of the said packing, as shown in Fig. 8, before entering the projectile
in the breech of the gun. This ring, 11 may be a simple hoop of steel, cut across
one portion of its circumference, and it must be strong enough to overcome the
expansive force inherent in the ring, s. The said ring 11 must also be capable of
contracting itself entirely within the groove 9, as shown in Fig. 9, when it comes
opposite the said groove. When the said ring 11 encircles the packing, H, the
exterior of the said ring is small enough to pass freely through the larger portion of
the bore of the gun behind the shoulder b, but when, in pushing forward the
projectile into the gun, the said ring strikes the shoulder b, it is arrested, and as the
projectile moves forward, the packing passes out of it, and is left free to expand
within the smaller portion of the bore, forward of said portion, and the groove 9 being
brought opposite the said ring, the latter is contracted into the said groove, as shown
in Fig. 9, where it does not in any way interfere with the necessary operation of the
projectile.
The automatically contractile ring 10 before mentioned, the purpose of which is to
centre the projectile in the larger portion of the bore of the gun behind the shoulder B.
is capable, by its contractile force, of attaching itself to the exterior of the body of
the projectile, as shown in Fig. 8, and when so contracted, its exterior fits snugly.
but easily to the larger portion of the bore of the gun, behind the shoulder B,and serves
to centre the projectile in that portion of the bore, and the said force is also sufficient
to cause it to contract itself entirely into the groove, S, as shown in Figure 9, when
brought opposite to the said groove. When, in pushing the projectile forward into
the gun, the said ring 10 comes in contact with the shoulder b, the said ring is
arrested, and as the projectile is pushed further forward, the groove, S, comes
opposite the said ring, which then contracts itself into the said groove, where it forms

page_text: no impediment to the projectile moving forward into the smaller portion of the bore,
in front of the said shoulder.
The concussion firing apparatus shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, constitutes no
part of the present invention; and therefore will only be briefly described. The said
apparatus is all attached to a nozzle, 12 which is screwed into the head 2 of the
projectile and which has attached to it, a tube 13, which extends some distance back
through the centre of the chamber formed within the shell 3, for containing the
explosive charge. This tube is made in two sections, the joint of which consists of
two metals sockets 14, 15, of which 15 is formed on the front section, and 14 is formed
on the rear section of the tube, the said two sockets 14, 15 being screwed together.
The fuse, 16, with the fulminate 17 at its front end, is secured in the rear socket 14,
and the detonator, which may consist of dry gun-cotton, is contained in the rear
section of the said tube. The firing pin 18 works in a central guide formed in the
socket 15, and through a stuffing-box 19, in the nozzle 2. Washers are inserted
between the sockets, 14, 15, and these may be varied in number to adjust the distance
between the fulminate, and the point of the firing-pin. The firing pin may be held
It is
forward, out of contact with the fulminate, by any known, or suitable means.
represented as formed with a conical part, which is surrounded within the nozzle 12
with a cylinder of a soft composition metal, as lead and tin. When the head of the
firing pin strikes a vessel or object at which the projectile is impelled, this soft metal
is driven forward on the cone of the firing pin, until the fulminate 17 strikes the
point of the said pin. In order to provide for inserting the tube, 12, 13 into the
chamber of the projectile after the latter has been loaded with explosive, there is a
tube 20. of larger calibre, and of a length not less than 13, screwed into the head 2 of
the projectile.
In Figs. 7, 10, 11 and 12, there is represented what may be called a pilot shell, T,
the purpose of which is to destroyor break the wire netting or other protection which
may be applied around an opposing vessel. This shell T, which is of small size com-
pared with the main explosive projectile, may be of cast iron of cylindro-conoidal, or
other convenient form, and may be charged with any suitable explosive material. It
is represented (see Fig. 10) as fitted in its rear end with a fuse, s2, at the rear of which
is a fulminate s³, and as furnished near its front end with lateral projections t, the
purpose of which, is to cause its arrest against any netting or other protection, herein
before referred to. These projections may be of any suitable character that will
prevent the shell from passing through the meshes or interstices of any such netting
or other protection. The said projections are represented as consisting of wings t,
provided on a ring t, which is tightly placed over the front of the shell T, against a
shoulder provided thereon.
The explosive strength of the charge of the pilot shell, and the distance of the said
shell from the forward end of the main projectile H H', must be so proportioned,
that the explosion of the said charge will not cause the main charge in the
projectile H H to detonate by sympathy, and for this purpose, the pilot shell is
attached to the front of the main shell by a socket T of considerable length.
This socket is represented as of substantiallycylindrical form, having a screwthread u
within its rear end, by which to attach it to a corresponding screw-thread on the
exterior of the head 2 of the main projectile, and at some distance from its front end
there is a bridge across it, and its interior in front of this bridge, is of a form to
receive a portion of the pilot-shell T, within it. The said shell T is secured in this
part of the socket by screws a³, which pass through short longitudinal slots, u³, in the
socket, and screw into the shell. These screws and slots permit a certain amount of
longitudinal movement of the shell within the socket. In the bridge u¹, there is
firmly secured a firing pin ut, which is opposite the fulminate, when the shell is in
the socket. Between the rear end of the shell T and the bridge, there is an elastic
cushion, which may be composed of india-rubber or other elastic material, which
keeps the shell at such distance from the bridge, that the fulminates is out of contact
with the firing pin ', until the pilot-shell strikes or meets with any obstacle during
its forward movement with the projectile H H¹³.

page_text: When the pilot shell is arrested by its lateral projections or wings coming in.
contact with the netting or other protection, the continued forward movement of the
main projectile and the socket T¹, permitted by the screws u² and slots u³, causes the
firing pin ut, to strike the fulminate 83, and produce the explosion of the pilot-shel',
which thus destroys the surrounding or adjacent portion of the nefting or other
protection, and leaves the way clear for the main projectile H H¹.
It is desirable that when the pilot-shell T explodes, the socket T₁ should be thrown
out of the way before the firing pin 18 of the main projectile reaches the side of the
vessel, or object at which the projectile is thrown, and for this purpose the said socket
is made frangible by the explosion of the pilot shell. Any suitable construction may
be adopted by which this frangibility may be secured. In the example represented,
the socket is made of cast iron, with a number of longitudinal slits, which extend
almost to its rear end, leaving only enough metal behind them to screw on to the
head of the main projectile, and between these slits internal ribs ¹, are provided. By
this construction, the socket is caused to break into four parts by the explosion of the
pilot-shell, and detached from the head of the main projectile.
Having now particularly described and ascertained nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The combination with a gun and an air-actuated piston fitted thereto for pushing
a projectile forward therein, of a stop within the bore of the gun for arresting the
piston in a position in which it leaves the projectile within the gun, but protruding
from the muzzle thereof, substantially as, and for the purpose herein set forth.
2. The combination with a gun having the rear portion of its bore larger than
the more forward portion, and having a shoulder at the front of said larger rear
portion, of a piston, a packing for said piston adapted to fit the larger portion of the
bore, and a yielding stop ou said piston for retaining it against said shoulder while
only a certain pressure is behind it, but yielding to a greater pressure, substantially
as, and for the purpose herein set forth.
3. The combination with a gun having the rear portion of its bore larger than the
portion in front thereof, of a piston, the head of which is small enough for the
smaller forward portion of the bore, a packing as i, for said piston, fitting the said
larger portion of the bore, and an annular plate of metal, the outer circumference of
which is larger than the smaller portion of the bore, but small enough for it to pass
freely through the larger portion of the bore, substantially as, and for the purpose
herein set forth.
4. The combination with a gun having a rear portion of its bore larger than the
more forward portion, and having a shoulder at the front of said larger rear portion,
of a piston adapted to enter the said smaller portion of the bore, an expanding metal
packing, as on said piston, capable of fitting the larger and smaller portions
of the bore, and a yielding stop, as j. applied to the piston in rear of said packing,
substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
5. The combination with a gun having the rear portion of its bore larger than the
more forward portion, and having a shoulder at the front of said larger rear portion,
of a piston and an expanding packing ring, the front part of the exterior of which is
bevelled to permit it to pass said shoulder, when forced forward against it, substantially
as herein set forth.
6. The combination with a submarine gun and a muzzle valve therefor, of a valve
for admitting water to the gun for establishing an equilibrium of pressure on both
sides of the muzzle valve, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
7. The combination with a gun having a shoulder in its bore, and a piston fitted to
the bore behind the said shoulder, of an adjustable stop inserted through the wall of
the gun at some distance behind said shoulder, to prevent the backward movement
of the piston therein, substantially as herein set forth.
8. The combination with a submarine gun having a shoulder in its bore, a piston
fitted to said bore, and a valve for closing the muzzle of said gun, of a valve for

page_text: admitting water to the forward part of the bore, and a test valve for the escape of
the so admitted water from the bore in front of the said shoulder, substantially as
herein described, for testing the tightness of the packing of a projectile, as herein
set forth.
9. The method herein described of projecting explosive projectiles from a gun
under water, consisting in first forcing the projectile forward in the gun against the
pressure of the water to a definite position, in which it projects into the water, and
afterwards firing the projectile from the gun, as herein set forth.
Dated this 22nd day of May. 1890.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.