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Elementary Naval Ordnance and Gunnery

Elementary Naval Ordnance and Gunnery

1918

Lieutenant H. C. Ramsey, USN

Little, Brown and Company.

Repository Document ID Pages Dimensions Plates
    412

12cm x 18.5cm

 none

It is important to note that this book, unlike most in this section of the website, is an American publication.

This is a small handbook written for people desiring a fair understanding of the principles, but not serving in the Navy.  It is not a bad technical resource for study, but neither is it as detailed as the Admiralty manuals at TNA.  In particular, the author has been intentionally vague in some aspects of the work for purposes of secrecy, particularly in Chapter XVIII (Fire Control).  However, I have to say that for someone wishing an introduction to the principles of gunnery, this handbook is an excellent choice.

 

Chapter
   page
I
 Naval Guns 1
    Various types -- Designation as to types and location -- Principal parts (interior and exterior)  
II
 Manufacture of Naval Guns 15
    General description of manufacture and principle of construction  
III
Gun Mounts for Broadside and Minor-Caliber Guns
27
    Principal parts -- Recoil mechanism -- Elevating and Training Gear -- Details 5-inch and 3-Pounder mounts  
IV
Breech Mechanisms -- Firing Mechanisms
37
    Types and general principles -- Accessories -- De Bange Gas-check System  
V
Breech Mechanisms for Main Battery or Turret Guns
50
    Farçot and naval gun factory types with firing mechanisms -- 14-inch, 3-gun turret drop plug type  
VI
Breech Mechanisms for Broadside and Minor-Caliber Guns
61
    5-inch rapid-fire amd B.L.R. types -- 3- and 4-inch eccentric plug R.F. types -- hotchkiss semi-automatic 1, 3, and 6-pounders  
VII
Gas-Expelling Device
74
       
VIII
 Electrical Firing Connections and Attachments for Broadside and Main Battery Guns 76
    Electric Sight Lighting Equipment -- Firing mechanisms and firing attachments  
IX
 Turrets 83
    Principal parts and mechanisms -- detailed description, two-gun, 12-inch and 14-inch turrets -- Turret ammunition supply -- Three-gun turrets  
X
 Gunpowder and Explosives 94
    Smokeless powder -- Types of explosives and their properties -- Gun-cotton : TNT : Dunnite, etc.  
XI
 Projectiles -- Fuses 106
    Armor piercing and other types -- Description and manner of action -- Fuses for projectiles -- Principal types and action of each ; tracers  
XII
 Ammunition -- Primers 125
    Fixed : semi-fixed : and separate ammunition -- Ammunition containers -- Composition of ammunition -- Primers -- Types of primers and their action  
XIII
 Magazines 136
    Stowage of powder and projectiles -- Ventilation, refrigeration, and lighting of magazines -- Flooding and drainage -- Ammunition hoists  
XIV
 Ammunition Inspections and Tests 145
    Inspections and tests required by naval instructions -- Visual, violet paper, and surveillance tests -- Tests of smokeless powder, gun-cotton, and TNT, etc  
XV
 Care and Handling of Ammunition 155
    Deterioration by excessive handling -- Precautions in loading on board and discharging -- Care in stowage  
XVI
 Gun Sights and Mechanisms 160
    Principles of gunsights and gunnery -- Range and deflection -- Telescope and periscope sights -- Turret sights and sight-mounts -- Bore-sighting  
XVII
 Elementary Naval Gunnery 181
    Fundamental definitions and principles -- Errors of gun-fire -- Elements affecting initial range and deflection -- Range tables  
XVIII
 Fire Control 207
    Brief outline of the system for control of fire on a captial ship -- Continuous determination of range and deflection -- Salvo firing  
XIX
 Spotting 217
    General discussion -- Various methods  
XX
 Gun Drills for Broadside and Turret Guns 221
    Pointing, loading and firing drills -- Standard drills for various caliber broadside guns for the piece in action  
XXI
 The Battery in Action 253
    Casualties to material and remedies to permit contiinuation of fire -- Missfires and hangfires -- Safety orders governing use of the battery  
XXII
 Care and Preservation of Broadside and Turret Guns and Accessories 270
    Care and filling of recoil cyliners -- Care of sight mechanism and telescopes -- renewal of gas check pads  
XXIII
 Torpedoes 288
    General features -- Whitehead and Bliss-Leavitt types -- Method of firing  
XXIV
 Automatic Machine Rifles 293
    Colt; Benet-Mercie; and Lewis types -- Details of mechanism and principle of operations -- Care in firing and in maintenance  
XXV
 Battle Drills 302
    Clear ship for action -- General quarters -- Torpedo defense stations -- Battle stations  
XXVI
 The Gunnery Officer of a Ship 313
    Gun divisional officers -- Their duties  
XXVII
 Infantry (Close Order) 319
    Recruit -- Squad -- Company -- Battalion -- Drill under arms  

NOTES