aratus for Effecting the Lateral Adjustment in the Pointing, of Ships' Guns, Coast Guns, and Torpedoes..
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL DIECIFICATION
Apparatus for Effecting the Lateral Adjustment in the Pointing, of
Ships' Guns, Coast Guns, and Torpedoes..
I, Dr. LUDWIG MAUTNER, Ritter von Markhof, of Vienna, Austria, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an apparatus for effecting the requisite lateral adjustments
in the pointing of ships guns, coast guns and torpedoes.
With the existing methods of pointing guns the gun has the requisite lateral
adjustment due to the deviation of the projectile in consequence of its rotation or
twist by means of the usual sighting device.
If, with this arrangement the ship carrying the gun moves with a certain velocity
at a given angle to the sighting line, the gunner must, after having estimated the
above data, refer to a somewhat complicated firing table in order to ascertain the
extent to which the gun requires to be laterally adjusted in the direction either in
front of or behind the enemies ship. This correction, which is, in itself, very im-
perfect, (because there is generally no directing mark on the horizon, and the extent
of lateral adjustment can only be estimated with difficulty) is rendered much more
difficult if the object aimed at, such as the enemies ship, is in motion, as in this
case, after estimating the data relatively to the speed, direction of motion and
distance of the object aimed at, the firing table must be again referred to and the
extent of the lateral adjustment be correspondingly increased or decreased.
These disadvantages are avoided according to the present invention by constructing
the sighting instrument of several (preferably three) slides arranged one above the
other, and each independently capable of adjustment in a direction transversely to
the axis of the gun, of which slides, the uppermost one which carries the cross threads
or other sighting device can be adjusted upon the second slide, for the lateral dis-
placement due to the deviation of the projectile, while the two other slides can be
adjusted relatively to each other and to the base of the sighting instrument, for
effecting the lateral displacement due to the data relatively to the motion of the gun's
ship and that of the enemie's ship. With a sighting instrument' thus constructed it
is possible under normal circumstances, to always point the gun for hitting the middle
of the enemy's ship or other mark aimed at without requiring the use of the firing
table.
I will describe my said invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which Fig. 1 shews a front view of the improved sighting apparatus with lateral
adjustment Fig. 2 shews a longitudinal section, and Fig. 3 a cross section of the
same. Figs. 4 and 5 shew explanatory diagrams, for indicating how the corrections
of the lateral adjustment are dependent upon the manner in which the gun's ship
and the enemy's ship are moving relatively to each other: Figs. 6 and 7 shew
the developments of two cylindrical scales of the sighting instrument.
Figs. 8 and 9 shew in cross section and front view a modified form of the
sighting instrument. Fig. 10 shews the developed cylindrical scale for this
onstruction

page_text: If the gun's ship is moving with a speed v (Fig. 4) while the enemy's ship T is
stationary, and if the sighting line forms an angle a with the middle or athwart
ship's position of the gun, this must be shifted laterally through an angle y, which,
if the range be not too small, and if the effect of atmospheric resistance be
neglected, can be determined according to the formula y = Cxv cos a, that is to say
it is directly proportional to the velocity of the gun's ship and the cosine of the
angle formed by the sighting line with the athwart ship's direction of the ship.
This angle y is practically formed in the example given by shifting the rear cross
threads or sighting-stud a distance to the left corresponding to the size of the
angle y, and then directly sighting the object T. Consequently for the usual
preliminary pointing of the gun is substituted a correction of the lateral adjustment.
Fig. 5 shews the case where the gun's ship or the gun is, stationary while the
enemy's ship is moving with a velocity and in a direction which forms an angle a¹
with the sighting line.
In this case, neglecting the atmospheric resistance, y¹ Cv sin a¹ and conse-
quently the correction of the lateral adjustment is directly proportional to the velocity
of the object T and the sine of the angle formed by the sighting line with the
direction of motion of T.
=
The sighting instrument which allows of a threefold correction of the lateral
´adjustment of the gun, consists of a base plate a which is attached to a support fixed
to the gun carriage or to the usual sight support, which base plate forms a guide
for the slide a¹ that can be shifted transversely to the sighting line by means of
the screw spindle b, and be set to a scale on the cylinder c. For the latter
purpose the slide a¹ is provided with an index d. The cylinder scale c is rotatably
mounted on projecting arms ff of the base plate a.
The slide a has a guiding
groove for the slide a² which can be shifted by means of the screw spindle b¹ and
carries the index d', which indicates the position of the slide a² relatively to slide a¹
upon a rotatable cylinder scale c¹ carried by slide a¹. The slide 2 has a tubular
guide g¹ in which is carried a sight a³ which can be shifted by means of the screw
spindle b2; the sight has cross threads g² and an index d² which moves along the
deviation scale c³ fixed to the slide a². The fore-sight, which is not shewn in the
drawing is fixed rigidly to the gun carriage, such as to a bridge-piece at the front
end thereof or it may be fixed on the gun.
The deviation scale c² is an ordinary scale graduated according to distances, and
may be replaced by coloured fields indicating different distances, which would afford
a rapid observation.
The scale on the cylinder c¹ which enables the lateral adjustment to be corrected
'relatively to the motion of the gun's ship, is shewn at Figure 6. For the sake of
simplicity the inclination of the sighting line to the athwartship's position of the
gun is not measured by the indication of the said angle, but the gun platform, or
the rear circular rail on which the gun carriage turns, is marked with angular
divisions indicated by letters a b c d, and Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and the pointing gunner
only requires in adjusting the sighting instrument, to note which of these points the
gun carriage centre line is nearest to.
If for example, the enemy's ship is to be fired at while the gun's ship is moving at
a speed of 10 nautical miles, the gunner adjusts the gun approximately to the
enemy's ship, in order to see which of the divisions a b c d, 1, 2, 3, 4 the sighting
line corresponds to. For adjusting the sight, the cylinder c¹ is turned until the
line 10 of the scale Figure 6 is level with the point of the index d¹. Then, assuming
'b to be the direction of the sighting line, the screw 62 is turned until the index a
stands on the point 6 of line 10.
If the enemy's ship is also in motion, the corresponding correction is effected by
means of the scale shewn at Figure 7 of cylinder c, by shifting the slide a¹. On
this scale the speed of the enemy's vessel is indicated in nautical miles, while the
inclination of its direction of motion to the line of sighting is indicated in degrees.
These data are estimated. For facilitating the estimation of the said angle, the

page_text: gun-carriage may be advantageously provided with a triangular plate, the front
edges of which form a certain angle, such as 30°, with the axis of the gun.
By comparing the edges of the plate with the direction of motion of the enemy's
ship the angle can be approximately estimated.
The corrections of the lateral adjustment which are rendered necessary when the
gun's ship or the enemy's ship is moving are however only dependent upon the
range if the action of atmospheric resistance be neglected, that is to say, if it be
assumed that the time of flight is directly proportional to the range. In reality how-
ever this condition of proportion does not exist. In order therefore, to be able, in
correcting, to allow for different distances, it is advantageous to provide on the
scales c and c¹, in place of the simple lines diverging from the zero point, which are,
indicated on the diagram, and which correspond to equal angles of inclination either
of the gun or of direction of motion of the enemy's ship, for each angle several
lines indicating by their colour various distance zones, the one or other of which is
used for the adjustment of the slides, according to the firing range.
If the sighting instrument is intended for a coast gun, the slide a² and its cylindrical
scale c¹ can of course be dispensed with.
The described sighting instrument can also be employed for practically determining
the necessary correction of the lateral adjustment in consequence of the motion of the
gun and of the enemy's ship in cases where a slower rate of firing (such as in firing,
with large guns at long ranges) allows of it. In this case the arrangement shewn at.
Figures 8 and 9 can be employed with advantage. As shewn the slide a¹ and
cylinder scale c¹ are here dispensed with; the slide a² can move on the base a, and
carries two indices d¹ d³ of which moves along the cylinder scale c, while the
second moves along a scale c³ on the base plate a.
The scale chas division lines (such as millimetre divisions) at equal distances.
apart, with a numerical denotation extending from zero in the middle in either
direction. The cylinder scale c has several scales which are graduated similarly to
those of scale 3 but with partially diminishing and partly increasing divisions. Each
of these scales corresponds to a different range.
For practically determining the correction of the lateral adjustment due to the
motion of the gun's ship and the simultaneous motion of the enemy's ship, the gun,
with its sighting instrument set at zero (as at Figure 9), is pointed on the enemy's
ship, after which the slide a is shifted by means of the screw b during a certain
number of seconds (such as 10") in such manner that the object remains in the
sighting line. Thereupon the number of millimetres indicated by the index d³ on
the scale c³, must be divided by the time of observation (10) and multiplied with the
time of flight corresponding to the range, for obtaining the requisite correction of
lateral adjustment, expressed in millimetres, either to the left if the object is moving to
the left, or to the right if moving to the right. This calculation may be dispensed
with by providing the cylinder c with a number of scales corresponding to different
distances (in the present case from 1500 to 5000 metres) the divisions of which have
the same proportion to those of scale 3, as the particular time of flight of the
projectile expressed in seconds, has to 10.
If, for example, the enemy's ship be 2500 metres distant and the index d³, after
observing the object for 10 seconds, is upon the left hand division line 45 of scale c³,
the slide a² need only be shifted until the index d points to the right hand division
45 of the scale on c Figure 10 marked 2500 m.
Dated this 31st day of January 1898.

page_text: Apparatus for Effecting the Lateral Adjustment in the Pointing of
Ships' Guns, Coast Guns, and Torpedoes.
I, Dr. LUDWIG MAUTNER, Ritter von Markhof, of Vienna, Austria, 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 an apparatus for effecting the requisite lateral adjustments
in the pointing of ships guns, coast guns and torpedoes. With the existing methods
of pointing guns the gun has the requisite lateral adjustment due to the deviation of
the projectile in consequence of its rotation or twist by means of the usual sighting
device.
If, with this arrangement the ship carrying the gun moves with a certain velocity
at a given angle to the sighting line, the gunner must, after having estimated the
above data, refer to a somewhat complicated firing table in order to ascertain the
extent to which the gun requires to be laterally adjusted in the direction either in
front of or behind the enemy's ship. This correction, which is, in itself, very imper-
fect (because there is generally no directing mark on the horizon, and the extent of
lateral adjustment can only be estimated with difficulty) is rendered much more
difficult if the object aimed at, such as the enemy's ship, is in motion, as in this case,
after estimating the data relatively to the speed, direction of motion and distance of
the object aimed at, the firing table must be again referred to and the extent of the
lateral adjustment be correspondingly increased or decreased.
These disadvantages are avoided according to the present invention by constructing
the sighting instrument of several (preferably three) slides arranged one above the
other, and each independently capable of adjustment in a direction transversely to
the axis of the gun, of which slides the uppermost one which carries the cross threads
or other sighting device can be adjusted upon the second slide, for the lateral dis-
placement due to the deviation of the projectile, while the two other slides can be
adjusted relatively to each other and to the base of the sighting instrument, for
effecting the lateral displacement due to the data relatively to the motion of the
gun's ship and that of the enemy's ship.
With a sighting instrument thus constructed it is possible under normal
circumstances, to always point the gun for hitting the middle of the enemy's ship
or other mark aimed at without requiring the use of the firing table.
I will describe my said invention with reference to the drawings accompanying my
Provisional Specification in which Fig. 1 shews a front view of the improved sighting
apparatus with lateral adjustment, Fig. 2 shews a longitudinal section, and Fig. 3
a cross section of the same. Figures 4 and 5 shew explanatory diagrams, for
indicating how the corrections of the lateral adjustment are dependent upon the
manner in which the gun's ship and the enemy's ship are moved relatively to
each other. Figs. and 7 shew the developments of two cylindrical scales of the
sighting instrument.
Figs. 8 and 9 shew in cross section and front view a modified form of the
sighting instrument. Fig. 10 shows the developed cylindrical scale for this
construction.
If the gun's ship is moving with a speed (Figure 4) while the enemy's ship T
is stationary, and if the sighting line forms an angle a with the middle or
athwartship's position of the gun, this must be shifted laterally through an angle y,
which, if the range be not too small, and if the effect of atmospheric resistance
be neglected, can be determined according to the formula y = Cxv cos a, that is to
say, it is directly proportional to the velocity of the gun's ship and the cosine of the

page_text: angle formed by the sighting line with the athwart ship's direction of the ship. This
angle y is practically formed in the example given by shifting the rear cross threads
or sighting stud a distance to the left corresponding to the size of the angle y, and
then directly sighting the object T. Consequently for the usual preliminary pointing
of the gun is substituted a correction of the lateral adjustment. Figure 5 shews
the case where the gun's ship or the gun is stationary while the enemy's ship is
moving with a velocity v and in a direction which forms an angle a¹ with the
sighting line.
=
Cu¹ sin a¹ and consequently
In this case, neglecting the atmospheric resistance, y¹.
the correction of the lateral adjustment is directly proportional to the velocity of the
object T and the sine of the angle formed by the sighting line with the direction of
motion of T.
The sighting instrument which allows of a threefold correction of the lateral
adjustment of the gun, consists of a base plate a which is attached to a support fixed
to the gun carriage or to the usual sight support, which base plate forms a guide for
the slide a that can be shifted transversely to the sighting line by means of the
screw spindle b, and be set to a scale on the cylinder c. For the latter purpose the
slide a is provided with an index d. The cylinder scale c is rotatably mounted on
projecting arms ff of the base plate a. The slide a¹ has a guiding groove for the
slide a which can be shifted by means of the screw spindle b¹ and carries the
index d', which indicates the position of the slide a relatively to slide a¹ upon a
rotatable cylinder scale c¹ carried by slide a¹. The slid a² has a tubular guide g¹ in
which is carried a sight as which can be shifted by means of the screw spindle 62;
the sight has cross threads g² and an index which moves along the deviation
scale c² fixed to the slide a². The fore-sight, which is not shewn in the drawing is
fixed rigidly to the gun carriage, such as to a bridge-piece at the front end thereof or
it may be fixed on the gun.
The deviation scale c² is an ordinary scale graduated according to distances, and
may be replaced by coloured fields indicating different distances, which would afford
a rapid observation.
The scale on the cylinder c¹ which enables the lateral adjustment to be corrected
relatively to the motion of the gun's ship, is shewn at Figure 6. For the sake of
simplicity the inclination of the sighting line to the athwart ship's position of the
gun is not measured by the indication of the said angle, but the gun platform, or
the rear circular rail on which the gun carriage turns, is marked with angular
divisions indicated by letters a b c d, and Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and the pointing gunner
only requires, in adjusting the sighting instrument, to note which of these points
the gun carriage centre line is nearest to.
If for example, the enemy's ship is to be fired at while the gun's ship is moving at
a speed of 10 nautical miles, the gunner adjusts the gun approximately to the
enemy's ship, in order to see which of the divisions a, b, c, d, 1, 2, 3, 4, the sighting
line corresponds to. For adjusting the sight the cylinder c¹ is turned until the
line 10 of the scale Figure 6 is level with the point of the index d'. Then, assuming
b to be the direction of the sighting line, the screw 62 is turned until the index d¹
stands on the point b of line 10.
If the enemy's ship is also in motion, the corresponding correction is effected by
means of the scale shewn at Figure 7 of cylinder c, by shifting the slide a¹. On this
scale the speed of the enemy's vessel, is indicated in nautical miles, while the
inclination of its direction of motion to the line of sighting is indicated in degrees.
These data are estimated. For facilitating the estimation of the said angle, the gun-
carriage may be advantageously provided with a triangular plate, the front edges of
which form a certain angle, such as 30°, with the axis of the gun.
By comparing the edges of the plate with the direction of motion of the enemy's
ship the angle can be approximately estimated.
The corrections of the lateral adjustment which are rendered necessary when the
gun's ship or the enemy's ship is moving are however only dependent upon the range
if the action of atmospheric resistance be neglected, that is to say, if it be assumed

page_text: that the time of flight is directly proportional to the range. In reality however
this condition of proportion does not exist. In order therefore, to be able, in correcting
to allow for different distances, it is advantageous to provide on the scales cand c¹, in
place of the simple lines diverging from the zero point, which are indicated on the
diagram, and which correspond to equal angles of inclination either of the gun or of
direction of motion of the enemy's ship, for each angle several lines indicating by
their colour various distance zones, the one or other of which is used for the adjustment
of the slides, according to the firing range.
If the sighting instrument is intended for a coast gun, the slide a² and its cylindrical
scale c¹ can of course be dispensed with.
The described sighting instrument can also be employed for practically determining
the necessary correction of the lateral adjustment in consequence of the motion of the
gun and of the enemy's ship in cases where a slower rate of firing (such as in firing
with large guns at long ranges) allows of it. In this case the arrangement shewn at
Figures 8 and 9 can be employed with advantage. As shewn the slide a¹ and cylinder
scale care here dispensed with; the slide a² can move on the base a, and carries two
indices d d³ of which d¹ moves along the cylinder scale c, while the second d³ moves
along a scale c³ on the base plate a.
The scale c³ has division lines (such as millimetre divisions) at equal distances
apart, with a numerical denotation extending from zero in the middle in either
direction. The cylinder scale c has several scales which are graduated similarly to
those of scale a³ but with partially diminishing and partly increasing divisions. Each
of these scales corresponds to a different range.
For practically determining the correction of the lateral adjustment due to the
motion of the gun's ship and the simultaneous motion of the enemy's ship, the gun,
with its sighting instrument set at zero (as at Figure 9), is pointed on the enemy's
ship, after which the slide a is shifted by means of the screw b during a certain
number of seconds (such as 10") in such manner that the object remains in the
sighting line. Thereupon the number of millimetres indicated by the index d³ on
the scale c³, must be divided by the time of observation (10) and multiplied with the
time of flight corresponding to the range, for obtaining the requisite correction of
lateral adjustment, expressed in millimetres, either to the left if the object is moving
to the left, or to the right if moving to the right. This calculation may be dis-
pensed with by providing the cylinder c with a number of scales corresponding to
different distances (in the present case from 1500 to 5000 metres) the divisions of
which have the same proportion to those of the scale c³, as the particular time of
flight of the projectile expressed in seconds, has to 10.
If, for example, the enemy's ship be 2500 metres distant and the index d³, after
observing the object for 10 seconds, is upon the left hand division line 45 of scale c³,
the slide a need only be shifted until the index d¹ points to the right hand
division 45 of the scale on c Figure 10 marked 2500 m.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. Apparatus for effecting the lateral adjustment in pointing guns and torpedoes
consisting of the combination of a base plate a, with several slides a¹ a² a³
horizontally moveable along scales c c c², of which slides the uppermost one carries
the sighting device g², arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose
described.
2. In the apparatus for lateral adjustment in pointing referred to in the first
claim, the combination with the base plate a and slides b of scales such as are shewn
at Figures 6 and 7 on cylinders c c' rotatably mounted on the base and slides, which
scales are graduated in accordance with required corrections of the lateral adjustment,
for the purpose of enabling a rapid adjustment of the lateral pointing device to be
effected without the use of firing tables, substantially as described.

page_text: 3. In the apparatus for lateral adjustment in pointing referred to in the first
claim, the combination of a normal scale c³ serving for the measurement of the
relative motion of the object aimed at during a certain time of observation, and a
scale cylinder c provided with scales (Figure 10) that are reduced or enlarged in
accordance with the ratio between the duration of flight of the shot, and the time of
observation, so that the readings on the scale c³ at the end of the observation can be
utilised directly for the definite adjustment of the slide a², substantially as
described.
D
001
1
1000