Chapter V: Part I: Section III

ON HOWITZERS.

1. What is a _Howitzer_?

A chambered piece, of larger calibre than a gun of like weight, and mounted in a similar manner.

2. What form of chamber is given to howitzers?

That of a cylinder.

3. How is it united with the large cylinder of the bore?

By a conical surface, except in the 8-inch siege howitzer, where it is united with the cylinder of the bore by a _spherical_ surface, in order that the shell may—when necessary—be inserted without a sabot.

4. What advantages are gained by the employment of howitzers?

They project larger shells than the guns with which they are associated, are well adapted for ricochet fire, the destruction of field works, breaking down palisades, and setting fire to buildings.

5. What projectiles are used with howitzers?

Shells usually, spherical case, canister, grape and carcasses.

[Sidenote: 29]]

6. Give the entire length of the several howitzers.

Iron 10-inch, 124.25 inches; 8-inch sea-coast, 109 inches; 8-inch siege and garrison, 61.5 inches; 24-pdr. garrison, 69 inches; 32-pdr. field, 82 inches; 24-pdr. field, 71.2 inches; 12-pdr. field, 58.6 inches; mountain, 12-pdr., 37.21 inches.

7. What is the weight of a howitzer of each kind?

10-inch, 9,500 lbs.; 8-inch sea-coast, 5,740 lbs.; 8-inch siege and garrison, 2,614 lbs.; 24-pdr. garrison, 1,476 lbs.; 32-pdr. field, 1,920 lbs.; 24-pdr. field, 1,318 lbs.; 12-pdr. field, 788 lbs.; 12 pdr. mountain, 220 lbs.

8. What is the natural angle of sight in siege and garrison and field howitzers?

One degree.

9. What in mountain howitzers?

Thirty-seven minutes.

10. Why have sea-coast howitzers no natural line of sight?

Because the swell of the muzzle is not visible when the eye is on a level with the base ring.

[Sidenote: 30]]

PART I. SECTION IV.

ON COLUMBIADS.

1. What is a _Columbiad_?

A gun of much larger calibre than the ordinary gun, used for throwing solid shot or shells.

2. What are some of the peculiarities of this gun, when mounted in barbette?

Its carriage gives a vertical field of fire from 5° depression to 39° elevation; and a horizontal field of fire of 360°.

3. Are these pieces chambered?

Those of the old pattern have chambers; but they are now cast without any.

4. Give the weight of this piece?

10-inch, 15,400 lbs.; 8-inch, 9,240 lbs.

5. What is the entire length of this gun?

10-inch, 126 inches; 8-inch, 124 inches.

6. What is the natural angle of sight in this piece?

8-inch, 1° 23´; 10-inch, 1° 21´.

[Sidenote: 31]]