Page:Royal Naval Biography Marshall v4p2.djvu/490

 ease and quickness than at present. This invention is similar, though very inferior, to a plan I invented several years since, and which met with the approbation of several men of science in the navy and artillery. In addition to the improvement suggested at Brighton, of non-recoil trucks, my plan contained an elevating screw, of momentary action, which not only raised the gun, but gave the degree of elevation corresponding to any range, the scale of which was painted on the carriage, whilst the traversing circle gave the line of the object fired at; consequently a ship steered to one point, or moored with springs, might fire with the greatest rapidity, as the gun would run in and out in the same line of fire. The crow-bar and handspikes (so very inconvenient) were thus rendered unnecessary, two men being enabled to train the gun, whilst half the usual number could run it out, by the purchase being applied to the fore trucks, the breeching was brought through a hole in the carriage (to prevent the gun from jumping during a heavy fire), and passing under the gun, was brought out through the breast-piece and secured to the opposite port rings. By this means the gun would run in square, in the line fired, whilst the .sides would be perfectly clear for loading, and only a single rope used for side tackle from the fore truck. In the carriage at present used in the naval service, the breeching, when not rendering through the rings, causes the gun, on being fired, to run in a diagonal direction across the deck. The tedious operation of housing lower-deck guns was also dispensed with (the gun being always horizontally laid ready for battle), thereby obtaining room for another tier of hammocks fore and aft. All ships previous to leaving harbour, in still water, should take the extreme angular bearing of their guns. All the guns (by the plan I proposed to your Lordships some years since) should be concentrated to one angular point, and the points of bearing painted on the binnacle head; by which means a ship in chase would not be kept too much away to bring the bow guns to bear. The whole broadside, when concentrated and discharged by unerring principles, the elevation and line of sight in one focus, under the guidance of the captain by word of command, requires no comment. One broadside effectually discharged into a ship would destroy her. The sides of the gun carriage being perfectly clear, the grape and canister cases were slung in a neat manner, ready at a moment. There was also a case of tin cylinders for loading, containing 24 rounds. These are most important for expedition and economy. The difficulty of getting out a shot with a ladle, and afterwards the wet powder, when the water has got into the gun, or loading in rough weather, is thus completely obviated. Ships going into battle woTild frequently reload if practicable. A cylinder of tin, equal to the diameter of the shot, contains the cartridge, with round, or grape, or loose musket-balls, similar to a canister-shot case cut horizontally through to the wood at the top. A laniard passing through the wad enables the gun to be at all times unloaded with facility; and if the cylinder were