IM- PROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND APPLIANCES FOR WORKING HEAVY PROJECTILES
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Duncan Preston Cunningham, of Bury,
near Gosport, in the County of Hants, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND APPLIANCES FOR WORKING HEAVY PROJECTILES."
Sealed the 30th December 1873, and dated the 9th July 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Duncan Preston
Cunningham at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
his Petition, on the 9th July 1873.
·I, HENRY DUNCAN PRESTON CUNNINGHAM, of Bury, near Gosport,
in the County of Hants, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND APPLIANCES FOR WORKING
HEAVY PROJECTILES," to be as follows:-
My improvements consist in the first place in the means for taking
down and putting up heavy projectiles from or upon racks or stands,
whereby great facility is given in the operation and security
provided in regard to controlling the projectile with reference to ship
use and the motion of the ship, and otherwise,

page_text: My Invention also consists in improvements in slings or suspensory
appliances for suspending the projectile during its conveyance to the
muzzle of the gun, or otherwise in its transport, and in appliances for
facilitating the application of the suspensors to the projectile, also in
means for keeping the projectile at or inside the bore of the gun at the
moment when it is inserted and before the rammer can be applied to
ram the charge home, or in other words, to secure against the projectile
when only inserted a short distance in the gun falling out by the
rolling motion of the ship and before the complete insertion of the pro-
jectile can be effected.
My Invention further consists in improvements in carriages for
transporting projectiles, all which are designed to facilitate the service
of heavy projectiles, and in moving about these great weights to do
so with the least possible exercise of physical exertion.
Under the first head, the bottom of the rack or stand upon which
the projectile is stood is fitted upon axes, by which the projectile
standing upon it can be turned over from the upright position and
allowed to come down to the deck or platform horizontally. To effect
this and keep the great weight under control a lever furnished with
crutches corresponding to the curves of the projectile is inserted into
a socket upon the moveable stand or bottom of the rack. The crutch
placed towards the conical or smaller end of the projectile is of smaller
circle than the one at the larger or cylindrical part of the projectile;
the effect of this is that when the projectile rests upon the crutched
lever on its assuming a horizontal position the projectile cannot shoot
away or escape out of the crutches through motion of the ship, or
otherwise, as the impediment of the smaller crutch at the conical end
of the projectile prevents the larger diameter of it from passing, and
so the projectile can only be freed by lifting it clear of the crutches.
The cone end crutch is so fitted as to slide upon the lever, so as to
adjust its position to different projectiles. With these is also associated
the employment of a bolt, which is inserted through the end of the
lever, securing it to the socket, thus completing the confinement of
the crutch lever with the projectile upon it in its place. Although a
bolt is described for this security other means may be employed.
My Invention also under this head refers to the manner in which I
fit the rack to the waterways of the ship, or otherwise to an angular
.

page_text: piece of timber, by which great simplicity of fitting is obtained and
the general design perfected.
My improvements under this head also consist in constructing the
lever with a joggle or bend in it, which allows a space between the
lever and projectile, which space facilitates the application of
appliances.
suspensory
Under the head of suspensory appliances my improvements first apply
to the shot or ammunition lifters described in my Patent, of the 12th
January 1867, No. 85; now whereas in these lifters there is no provision
for securing the projectile from slipping out, now in addition to a strap
extending from the lift to a hoop going over the end of the projectile
I also use a strap extending from the lift round the base of the
projectile, which provision secures the projectile from slipping out
through accidental causes, and is, I consider, a great improvement;
the strip is simply slipped over or off the projectile when taken up or
inserted into the bore of the gun. In addition to these securities I also
provide a nipper-like action upon the projectile by extending the lower
part of the suspensory shackle to suit a distance that it shall press upon
the projectile when the strain of suspension is brought upon the shackle;
the construction of this sling or lift is to provide for its being applied
to the projectile when laying on its side, and without any space between
it and that upon which it rests, and without lifting the projectile;
and whereas with reference to the bend or joggle in the crutch lever
before described, by the space which is obtained by this improvement
I am enabled to use suspensory appliances of a different form to the lift
before referred to; I propose therefore to use a suspensor composed of
ointed bars or chain, which shall encompass the projectile, the upper
part to be constructed with the nipping shackle, before described, the
action of which will be to draw the jointed bars or chain round the
projectile with an intense grasp, so as to secure the projectile from
slipping out. The suspensor is constructed to disconnect at any point,
so as to pass it under the projectile and through the space formed by
the levers, the parts being secured to each other by a bolt or other
form of security, which also provides for the withdrawal of the
suspensor from the projectile when its insertion into the bore of the
gun is completed, or otherwise.
As regards my Invention for facilitating the application of a
susnoncon a lift to
the neoicatile whan maquinad to bo
1

page_text: a suspensor beneath and round it, as before described, can be also
applied and adapted to the shut carriage, thus deriving the lever action
from it instead of a separate lever.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Henry Duncan Preston Cunningham, in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 9th January 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
DUNCAN PRESTON CUNNINGHAM, of Bury, near Gosport, in the County
of Hants, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent bearing date the Ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty-seventh
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Henry Duncan Preston Cunningham, Her
special licence that I, the said Henry Duncan Preston Cunningham,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Henry Duncan Preston Cunningham, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands,
and Isle of Man, an Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS AND
APPLIANCES FOR WORKING HEAVY PROJECTILES," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Henry Duncan Preston Cunningham, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my
or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henry Duncan Preston Cunning-
ham, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be, particularly described and

page_text: ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say :-
My improvements consist in the first place in the means for taking
down and putting up heavy projectiles from or upon racks or stands,
and in the racks and stands themselves, whereby great facility is given
to the operation, and security provided in controlling the great weight
of the projectile.
My Invention also consists in improvements in slings or suspensory
appliances for suspending the projectile during its conveyance to the
gun or otherwise.
My Invention further consists in improvements in carriages for trans-
porting projectiles, and in implements for facilitating the, handling of
projectiles, all which are designed to facilitate the moving about and
handling of these great weights with the least possible exercise of
physical exertion.
As regards the first head (see Figures and descriptions 1, 2, 3, 9, 10),
the bottom of the rack or stand upon which the projectile is stood is
fitted upon axes, by which the projectile standing upon it can be turned
over from the upright position and allowed to come down to the deck or
platform of a battery horizontally. To effect this and keep the great
weight under control, a lever, furnished with crutches corresponding to
the curves of the projectile, is inserted into a socket upon the moveable
stand or bottom of the rack. The crutch placed at the cone end of the
projectile is smaller than the one at the larger circumference of the
projectile. The effect of this is when the projectile rests upon the
crutched lever on its assuming a horizontal position the projectile
cannot shoot away or escape out of the crutches, with reference to the
motion of a ship at sea, and it can only be freed by lifting it up clear of
the smaller crutch, and which is done by the lifting and lever action of
my shot carriage hereafter described, and by which the projectile is
carried away.
It must be understood that this crutch lever also serves
to lift up and place the projectile upon the rack, the projectile having
been previously placed upon the lever crutches by the carriage.
To complete the security of the projectile it is necessary that the lever
be fixed to the rack, so that it may not escape out of the socket of the
moveable bottom when the projectile is down on its side to effect this;

page_text: and my improvement consists in providing a bolt or pin to pass through
the lower end of the levers and under the socket (or it may be fitted to
go through the socket), and thus the lever is secured, or any other
method for providing this security may be used, such as a nut and
&c.
screw,
Another method of providing this security consists in having the
lower part of the lever, including the crutches, continued as a fixture on
the movable bottom of the rack, or the crutches may be formed on a frame
fixed to the moveable bottom. This fixed part or frame constitutes of
course a portion of the lever, and the remaining amount of leverage
power required is supplied by the application of a shorter lever to the
upper part of the frame, and under this first head, and with reference to
the employment and action of these crutches, and to the lifting and
freeing action of my shot carriage as hereafter described.
I further contemplate the use, if desirable, of a frame furnished with
crutches as before described, as a fixture to the deck or platform, see
Figures 9 and 10.
My improvements also consist in means for regulating the distance of
the crutches apart upon the levers, so as to adjust them to projectiles of
different lengths; and they further consist in constructing the lever with
a joggle or bend in it, which allows a space between the levers and the
projectile through which to pass a sling as. suspensor round the pro-
jectile. Associated with this improvement is also that of my improved
flexible shot sling or suspensor (see Figure 11). Before this space had
been provided I had to use a rigid sling or suspensor of a hoop like form,
having a section of it taken out at the lower part to permit of its being
passed up under the projectile and clear of the levers. By the provision
of this space I am enabled to employ a suspensor that can entirely
encompass the projectile, and thus afford greater security in suspension ;
moreover with an advantage that a reduction of distance between
the upper part of the projectile and point of suspension is obtained,
which is favourable for putting the projectile into the bore of the gun.
This suspensor is composed of jointed bars or other flexible appliance
capable of separation at a point by the withdrawal of a connecting bolt
or pin. The suspensory eye bolt which is fitted to work upon the upper
bar of the sling is constructed with an elongated tongue, so adjusted as
regards length that when the projectile is suspended, and of course the

page_text: strain of the weight of it brought upon the eye bolt, the tongue is pressed
against the projectile, and the effect of that is to draw the suspensor
round the projectile with a very intense grasp. The lower bar of the
suspensor is so shaped as to form a rest or stand for the projectile
when standing on the ground or deck, thus preventing it from rolling
over.
To facilitate the application of this suspensor to a heavy projectile
when resting on its side, in which position it requires great physical
exertion to lift up, I have provided and my improvement consists of a
lever (see Figures 7 and 8), the end of which has a forked provision for
passing under the end of the projectile, and on each tangent side of it.
By this lever the end of the projectile can be easily raised sufficiently
high to enable a sling or suspensor to be passed underneath it.
As regards my improvement for "keeping to " the projectile in loading,
this consists (see Figure 12) in applying to the conical end of the
pro-
jectile a hoop provided with ropes for securing to points in rear of the
muzzle of the gun, and which thus prevent the projectile escaping from
the bore when only partially inserted until the process of "ramming it
home" can be completed.
My improvements in carriages for transporting projectiles (see Figures
4 and 5), which are so constructed as to act as a lever for lifting the
projectile consist in so shaping the side frames, together with a crutch-
like provision that takes the cone end of the projectile when lifted up
that a steadiment is given to the projectile in transportation, and in the
case of a shell protection afforded to the fuze.
My improvement also consists in forming the handle into a loop form
instead of a cross bar, by which a greater number of men can be conve-
niently applied with advantage in pushing or drawing the carriage.
My improvement also consists in providing a portable crutched rack,
see Figure 14, in conjunction with the carriage, upon which to lower
down or place the projectile from off the carriage, or again to take it up.
When a projectile has been lifted up by the lever action of the carriage,
and it is required to lower it and lift it again, the higher the projectile is
from the level of the wheels of the carriage which constitute the fulcrum
of the lever the less physical effort is required in the operation, greater g
leverage power having been given to the lever. This portable rack also
serves as a temporary stand for the projectile; the lower part is

page_text: roughed" to prevent slippings on the deck. I attach considerable
importance to this portable rack.
Figure 1 represents a side view of my shot rack, with a projectile
standing upon it, and with the crutched lever inserted in the socket ready
to trip up and lower down the projectile from off the rack. C is the
moveable bottom working on the axis at E (see also corresponding letters
of reference in Figure 2), supported on the frame D, which is bolted to¨
the waterway F. B, B, is the crutched lever inserted in the socket P, and
secured to it by a bolt inserted in the hole at N (see also N in Figure 3);
M, M¹, are crutches attached to the levers, the one at the conical end of
the projectile at M¹ being smaller than the others, and fitted to slide up
and down the levers, and secured to it by a pin bolt inserted in the.
holes a, a, so as to adjust the crutch to projectiles of different lengths;
I (see also Figure 2) is a stop for the lever to rest upon, and which is
spread out to afford stability; G is a joggle or bend in the lever to afford
space between it and the projectile, through which to pass a sling or
suspensor round the projectile, see this in Figure 2, which represents
the sling so passed round the projectile; I, I, Figures 1 and 2, are rests
upon which the lever stands when down. Figure 15 represents an end
view of this rest, spread out for giving stability.
Figure 2 represents the projectile lowered down upon the deck or
platform, and resting upon and in the crutches of the levers, and ready
to be lifted up and conveyed away by the shot carriage, the end of which
is represented at A as hooked to the suspensor for that purpose (see
Figure 4).
Figure 3 is a front view, in which the securing bolt or pin of the
lever is more particularly expressed at N. A represents the securing
clamp.
Figure 9 represents a side view of a frame constructed with crutches
for the reception of a projectile, and bolted to the deck or platform;
Figure 10 represents an end view.
Figure 11 represents a side view of my flexible sling or suspensor B, B,-
composed of jointed bars or bars and links. The upper bar is provided
with a slot, and in that works the suspensory eye bolt C, having its:
lower part elongated, so as to press against the side of the projectile
(section A) at H when the projectile is in suspension. The lower bar is
formed with projections at Ę, E, to form a rest or stand. D. is a con-

page_text: .
necting bolt or pin, which when withdrawn allows the suspensor to be
taken off the projectile.
Figures 7 and 8 represent my lever for lifting up one end of a projec-
tile for the purpose of passing underneath it the suspensor.
Figure 7 represents the lever A, D, applied to the end of a projectile.
B is the fulcrum (see a, a, Figure 8), spread out at the bottom to
afford stability. D, Figure 8, represents the forked end to go under the
projectile.
Figure 12 represents a side view of my plan for " keeping to" a
projectile in loading; and Figure 13 is a modified form of the suspensory
flexible bar. A is the end of the gun; B, the projectile partially inserted;
C, a hoop fitted over the conical end' of the projectile; D, a rope
extending from the stopping hoop to the rear; E, the hammer.
Figure 14 represents a side view of my portable rack placed under the
projectile ready to receive it when wheeled further on and lowered, and 1
when lowered assuming the position of the dotted lines. Figure 10 conveys
a corresponding end view of this portable rack.
Figure 4 represents a side view of my shot carriage, having the pro-
jectile A in suspension upon it. E is a side view of an inverted like
crutch (see Figure 6) for steadying the projectile (see also Figure 5 with 2
reference to the side frames of the carriage and the loop-like formation
of the handle at D.)
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
As regards the rack or stand I claim the fitting of a shot rack with a 2
moveable bottom, as described, and for the purpose described. Also in
connection therewith the use and application of a lever furnished with
crutches; and in regard to this lever I especially claim the construction
of it with a bend or joggle, through which to apply a suspensor round
the projectile; also so fitting the crutch at the conical end of the projec- 3
tile as to be capable of adjustment to projectiles of different lengths;
also the provision for fastening or securing the lever to this moveable
bottom; also the arrangement for making the lower part of the levers a
fixture to the moveable bottom; and with reference to these crutch
provisions, and to the freeing action of my carriage for transporting 8

page_text: projectiles I also claim the use of a crutch frame of a fixed nature, all
as before described.
As regards the flexible suspensor, I claim the design of a sling or
suspensor for projectiles of the nature described, and more especially in
connection with such a flexible suspensor the employment of the
elongated eye bolt described for tightening up or intensifying the grasp
of such a flexible suspensor when applied to a projectile.
I also claim the design of the fork-like levers for lifting up one end of
a projectile of the description and for the purpose described.
I also claim the arrangement for "keeping to " the projectile at the
muzzle of the gun in loading.
As regards my carriage for transporting projectiles, I claim the use
and arrangement of a carriage acting as a lever for lifting up projectiles
in connection with my other provisions and appliances for working heavy
projectiles. More especially I claim the provisions described for steadying
the projectile when being carried; also the construction of the handle in
a loop form, as and for the purpose described.
I also claim the design of a portable crutch rack or stand as and for
the purpose described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Duncan Preston Cunningham,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of January
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.
H.D. P. CUNNINGHAM. (L.S.)
H. D. P. CUNNINGHAM. (L.S.)