Chapter I: Front Matter

</pre>

Transcriber's note:

In this plain text version, underlined text in the original
is surrounded by =equals symbols=; italic typeface is
surrounded by _underscores_; bold typeface and small caps
typeface are represented by UPPER CASE.

The oe-ligature appears as [oe].

Changes to the text (to correct typographical errors) are
listed at the end of the book. A few cases of missing
punctuation have been regularised in the advertisements
without comment.

All advertising material has been retained in the same
position as it appears in the original book. There are
extensive advertisements before and after the title page,
following the index and in a sixteen page publisher's
catalogue at the end of the book.

THE ROMANCE OF WAR INVENTIONS

* * * * *

THE IAN HARDY SERIES

BY

COMMANDER E. HAMILTON CURREY, R.N.

_Each Volume with Illustrations in Colour. 5s. each_

Ian Hardy's career in H.M. Navy is told in four volumes, which are described below. Each volume is complete in itself, and no knowledge of the previous volumes is necessary, but few boys will read one of the series without wishing to peruse the others.

IAN HARDY, NAVAL CADET

"A sound and wholesome story giving a lively picture of a naval cadet's life."--_Birmingham Gazette_.

"A very wholesome book for boys, and the lurking danger of Ian's ill deeds being imitated may be regarded as negligible in comparison with the good likely to be done by the example of his manly, honest nature. Ian was a boy whom his father might occasionally have reason to whip, but never feel ashamed of."--_United Service Magazine_.

IAN HARDY, MIDSHIPMAN

"A jolly sequel to his last year's book."--_Christian World_.

"The 'real thing.' ... Certain to enthral boys of almost any age who love stories of British pluck."--_Observer_.

"=Commander E. Hamilton Currey, R.N., is becoming a serious rival to Kingston as a writer of sea stories.= Just as a former generation revelled in Kingston's doings of his three heroes from their middy days until they became admirals all, so will the present-day boys read with interest the story of Ian Hardy. Last year we knew him as a cadet; this year we get _Ian Hardy, Midshipman_. The present instalment of his stirring history is breezily written."--_Yorkshire Observer_.

IAN HARDY, SENIOR MIDSHIPMAN

"Of those who are now writing stories of the sea, Commander Currey holds perhaps the leading position. He has a gift of narrative, a keen sense of humour, and above all he writes from a full stock of knowledge."--_Saturday Review_.

"=It is no exaggeration to say that Commander Currey bears worthily the mantle of Kingston and Captain Marryat.="--_Manchester Courier._

"The Ian Hardy Series is just splendid for boys to read, and the best of it is that each book is complete in itself. But not many boys will read one of the series without being keenly desirous of reading all the others."--_Sheffield Telegraph_.

IAN HARDY FIGHTING THE MOORS

"By writing this series the author is doing national service, for he writes of the Navy and the sea with knowledge and sound sense.... What a welcome addition the whole series would make to a boy's library."--_Daily Graphic._

"The right romantic stuff, full of fighting and hairbreadth escapes.... Commander Currey has the secret of making the men and ships seem actual."--_Times_.

"By this time Ian Hardy has become a real friend and we consider him all a hero should be."--Outlook.

SEELEY, SERVICE & CO. LIMITED

* * * * *

THE LIBRARY OF ROMANCE

_Each volume profusely illustrated. Ex. Crown 8vo. 5s._

"THE LIBRARY OF ROMANCE OFFERS A SPLENDID CHOICE."--_Globe._

THE ROMANCE OF PIRACY

BY E. KEBLE CHATTERTON, B.A.

AUTHOR OF "THE ROMANCE OF THE SHIP"

_With many illustrations_

THE ROMANCE OF AERONAUTICS

BY CHARLES C. TURNER

"A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE LITERATURE OF THIS MOST MARVELLOUS
SUBJECT."--_British Weekly_

_With forty illustrations_

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN ASTRONOMY

BY HECTOR MACPHERSON, JUNR.

_With thirty-seven illustrations_

THE ROMANCE OF SAVAGE LIFE

Describing the Habits, Customs, Everyday Life, Arts, Crafts, Games,
Adventures and Sports of Primitive Man

BY PROF. G. F. SCOTT ELLIOT M.A., B.SC., F.R.G.S., F.L.S., &c.

_With forty illustrations_

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN SIEGES

BY THE REV. EDWARD GILLIAT

_With sixteen illustrations_

THE ROMANCE OF ANIMAL ARTS & CRAFTS

H. COUPIN, D.Sc., & J. LEA, M.A.

_With twenty-seven illustrations_

"A CHARMING SUBJECT WELL SET FORTH."--_Athenæum_

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN LOCOMOTION

BY ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS B.A., F.R.G.S.

_With twenty-five illustrations_

"CRISPLY WRITTEN, BRIMFUL OF INCIDENT. TO INTELLIGENT LADS SHOULD BE
AS WELCOME AS A BALLANTYNE STORY."--_Glasgow Herald_

THE ROMANCE OF POLAR EXPLORATION

BY G. FIRTH SCOTT

_With twenty-four illustrations_

_Extra Crown 8vo. 5s._

"THRILLINGLY INTERESTING." _Liverpool Courier_

THE ROMANCE OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY

BY C. R. GIBSON, F.R.S.E.

_With many illustrations_

THE ROMANCE OF SUBMARINE ENGINEERING

BY THOMAS W. CORBIN

AUTHOR OF "MECHANICAL INVENTIONS OF TO-DAY"

_With many illustrations & diagrams_

THE ROMANCE OF THE SHIP

BY E. KEBLE CHATTERTON, B.A.

_With thirty-four illustrations_

THE ROMANCE OF THE WORLD'S FISHERIES

With descriptions of the Many and Curious Methods of Fishing in all
parts of the world

BY SIDNEY WRIGHT

_With twenty-four illustrations_

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN PHOTOGRAPHY

BY CHARLES R. GIBSON, F.R.S.E.

_With sixty-three illustrations_

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN ENGINEERING

BY ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS B.A., F.R.G.S.

_With many illustrations_

THE ROMANCE OF MINING

BY ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS B.A., F.R.G.S.

_With twenty-four illustrations_

"WE CANNOT PRAISE THIS BOOK TOO HIGHLY."--_British Weekly_

THE ROMANCE OF THE MIGHTY DEEP

BY AGNES GIBERNE

_With illustrations_

"MOST FASCINATING; ADMIRABLY ADAPTED FOR THE YOUNG." _Daily News_

SEELEY, SERVICE & CO. LIMITED

* * * * *

THE LIBRARY OF ROMANCE

_Lavishly Illustrated. Ex. Crown 8vo. 5s. each volume_

"SPLENDID VOLUMES."--_The Outlook_

THE ROMANCE OF THE SPANISH MAIN

BY N. J. DAVIDSON, B.A. (Oxon.)

_With many illustrations_

_NEW & REVISED EDITION_

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN ELECTRICITY

BY CHARLES R. GIBSON, F.R.S.E.

_With forty-five illustrations_

"ADMIRABLE ... CLEAR AND CONCISE."--_The Graphic_

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN EXPLORATION

BY ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS B.A., F.R.G.S.

_With twenty-six illustrations_

"A MINE OF INFORMATION AND STIRRING INCIDENT."--_Scotsman_

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN MECHANISM

BY ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS B.A., F.R.G.S.

_With thirty illustrations_

"A GENUINELY FASCINATING BOOK." _Liverpool Courier_

THE ROMANCE OF INSECT LIFE

BY EDMUND SELOUS

_With twenty illustrations_

"WELL MERITS ITS ALLURING TITLE." _Daily Telegraph_

THE ROMANCE OF EARLY BRITISH LIFE

PROF. G. F. SCOTT ELLIOT, M.A.

"A MASTERPIECE OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE, BRILLIANT INVENTION, AND
GENUINE HUMOUR." _Liverpool Courier_

THE ROMANCE OF BIRD LIFE

BY JOHN LEA, M.A.

_With thirty illustrations_

"MOST FASCINATING, SUGGESTIVE, AND READABLE."--_Spectator_

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN CHEMISTRY

BY J. C. PHILIP, D.SC., PH.D.

_With thirty illustrations_

"A FASCINATING EXPOSITION IN POPULAR LANGUAGE."--_Illustrated London
News_

THE ROMANCE OF THE GREAT WAR

BY N. J. DAVIDSON, B.A. (Oxon.)

_With many illustrations_

_NEW & REVISED EDITION_

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN INVENTION

BY ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS B.A., F.R.G.S.

_With twenty-five illustrations_

THE ROMANCE OF EARLY EXPLORATION

BY ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS B.A., F.R.G.S.

_With sixteen illustrations_

"VIVID AND VIGOROUS." _Glasgow Herald_

THE ROMANCE OF MISSIONARY HEROISM

BY J. C. LAMBERT, B.A., D.D.

_With thirty-nine illustrations_

"A MOST ENTRANCING VOLUME." _Expository Times_

THE ROMANCE OF PLANT LIFE

BY G. F. SCOTT ELLIOT, M.A.

_With thirty-four illustrations_

"INTENSELY INTERESTING." _Leeds Mercury_

THE ROMANCE OF THE ANIMAL WORLD

BY EDMUND SELOUS

_With sixteen full-page illustrations_

"A VERY FASCINATING BOOK." _Graphic_

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN GEOLOGY

BY E. S. GREW, M.A.

_With twenty-five illustrations_

"ABSORBINGLY INTERESTING." _Scotsman_

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN MANUFACTURE

BY C. R. GIBSON, F.R.S.E.

_With forty illustrations_

"WELL PLANNED, WELL WRITTEN, AND WELL ILLUSTRATED." _Pall Mall
Gazette_

SEELEY, SERVICE & CO. LIMITED

* * * * *

POPULAR SCIENCE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

BY CHARLES R. GIBSON, F.R.S.E.

"Among writers for boys on science, easily the most skilful is Mr.
Charles Gibson. He writes so clearly, simply and charmingly about
the most difficult things that his books are quite as entertaining
as any ordinary book of adventure. Mr. Gibson has a first-rate
scientific mind and considerable scientific attainments. He is never
guilty of an inexact phrase--certainly, never an obscure one--or a
misleading analogy. We could imagine him having a vogue among our
young folk comparable with that of Jules Verne."--_The Nation._

"Mr. Gibson has fairly made his mark as a populariser of scientific
knowledge."--_Guardian._

_JUST PUBLISHED_

THE STARS & THEIR MYSTERIES (Vol. III. SCIENCE FOR CHILDREN SERIES). With Coloured Frontisp. & other Illustrations. 3_s._ 6_d._

OUR GOOD SLAVE ELECTRICITY (Vol. I. SCIENCE FOR CHILDREN SERIES). With Illustrations. 3_s._ 6_d._

"An exquisitely clear book for childish beginners."--_The Nation._

"Told in simple and remarkably clear language, and with such
ingenuity that many pages of it read like a fairy tale."--_Glasgow
Herald._

THE GREAT BALL ON WHICH WE LIVE (Vol. II. SCIENCE FOR CHILDREN SERIES). With Coloured Frontispiece and other Illustrations. 3_s._ 6_d._

"Capital."--_Field._

"A most fascinating and suggestive story of the earth. Mr. Gibson
not only knows his subject thoroughly, but has the capacity of
conveying the knowledge to young folk."--_Church Family Newspaper._

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN ELECTRICITY. Describing in Non-technical Language what is known about Electricity and many of its interesting applications. With 41 Illustrations. Extra crown 8vo, 5_s._

"Admirable, clear and concise."--_Graphic._

"Very entertaining and instructive."--_Queen._

"A book which the merest tyro, totally unacquainted with elementary
principles, can understand."--_Electricity._

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN PHOTOGRAPHY. Its Discovery and its Applications. With Illustrations. Extra crown 8vo, 5_s._

"There is not a dry or uninteresting page throughout."--_Country
Life._

"The narration is everywhere remarkable for its fluency and clear
style."--_Bystander._

THE ROMANCE OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. A Popular Account of the most important Discoveries in Science. With 30 Illus. 5_s._

"The most curious boy of mechanical bent would find such a book
satisfying."--_Westminster Gazette._

THE ROMANCE OF MODERN MANUFACTURE. A Popular Account of the Marvels of Manufacturing. 5_s._

"A popular and practical account of all kinds of
manufacture."--_Scotsman._

"Just the sort of book to put into the hands of senior boys as a
school prize."--_Sheffield Telegraph._

HEROES OF THE SCIENTIFIC WORLD. An Account of the Lives, Sacrifices, Successes, and Failures of some of the greatest Scientists in the World's History. With 19 Illustrations. Extra crown 8vo, 5_s._

"The whole field of science is well covered.... Every one of the 300
odd pages contains some interesting piece of
information."--_Athenæum._

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF AN ELECTRON. With 8 Illustrations. Long 8vo, 3_s._ 6_d._ net.

"A brilliant study."--_Daily Mail._

"Quite a unique book in its way, at once attractive and
illuminating."--_Record._

THE WONDERS OF MODERN ELECTRICITY. With 17 Illustrations and Diagrams. Extra crown 8vo, 2_s._

THE WONDERS OF MODERN MANUFACTURE. With 22 Illustrations. Extra crown 8vo, 2_s._

SEELEY, SERVICE & CO. LIMITED

* * * * *

THE ROMANCE OF WAR INVENTIONS

These weird-looking engines are literally moving forts, and are the evolution of a peaceful agricultural machine fitted with "caterpillar" wheels, that is, a broad band encircles the driving wheels, and so the whole construction moves as it were on its own revolving platform and is thus prevented from sinking into the soft ground. The principle itself is not new, as it was adapted to transport carts during the Crimean War.]

THE ROMANCE OF WAR INVENTIONS

A Description of Warships, Guns, Tanks, Rifles, Bombs, and Other Instruments and Munitions of Warfare, How They Were Invented & How They Are Employed

by

T. W. CORBIN

Author of "The Romance of Submarine Engineering," "Mechanical Inventions of To-Day," &c., &c., &c.

With many Illustrations

London Seeley, Service & Co. Limited 38 Great Russell Street 1918

* * * * *

THE LIBRARY OF ROMANCE

_Extra Crown 8vo. With many illustrations. 5s. each._

"Splendid Volumes."--_The Outlook._

"The Library of Romance offers a splendid choice."--_Globe._

"Gift Books whose value it would be difficult to over-estimate." _The Standard._

"This series has now won a considerable & well deserved reputation." _The Guardian._

"Each Volume treats its allotted theme with accuracy, but at the same time with a charm that will commend itself to readers of all ages. The root idea is excellent, and it is excellently carried out, with full illustrations and very prettily designed covers."--_The Daily Telegraph._

By Prof. G. F. SCOTT ELLIOT, M.A., B.Sc.

The Romance of Savage Life
The Romance of Plant Life
The Romance of Early British Life

By EDWARD GILLIAT, M.A.

The Romance of Modern Sieges

By JOHN LEA, M.A.

The Romance of Bird Life

By JOHN LEA. M.A. & H. COUPIN, D.Sc.

The Romance of Animal Arts and Crafts

By SIDNEY WRIGHT

The Romance of the World's Fisheries

By the Rev. J. C. LAMBERT, M.A., D.D.

The Romance of Missionary Heroism

By G. FIRTH SCOTT

The Romance of Polar Exploration

By CHARLES R. GIBSON, F.R.S.E.

The Romance of Modern Photography
The Romance of Modern Electricity
The Romance of Modern Manufacture
The Romance of Scientific Discovery

By CHARLES C. TURNER

The Romance of Aeronautics

By HECTOR MACPHERSON, Junr.

The Romance of Modern Astronomy

By ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS,
B.A. (Oxon.), F.R.G.S.

The Romance of Early Exploration
The Romance of Modern Exploration
The Romance of Modern Mechanism
The Romance of Modern Invention
The Romance of Modern Engineering
The Romance of Modern Locomotion
The Romance of Modern Mining

By EDMUND SELOUS

The Romance of the Animal World
The Romance of Insect Life

By AGNES GIBERNE

The Romance of the Mighty Deep

By E. S. GREW, M.A.

The Romance of Modern Geology

By J. C. PHILIP, D.Sc., Ph.D.

The Romance of Modern Chemistry

By E. KEBLE CHATTERTON, B.A.

The Romance of the Ship
The Romance of Piracy

By T. W. CORBIN

The Romance of Submarine Engineering
The Romance of War Inventions

By NORMAN J. DAVIDSON, B.A. (Oxon.)

The Romance of the Spanish Main

SEELEY, SERVICE & CO., LIMITED.

* * * * *

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. HOW PEACEFUL ARTS HELP IN WAR 17

II. GUNPOWDER AND ITS MODERN EQUIVALENTS 27

III. RADIUM IN WAR 39

IV. A GOOD SERVANT, THOUGH A BAD MASTER 49

V. MINES, SUBMARINE AND SUBTERRANEAN 61

VI. MILITARY BRIDGES 75

VII. WHAT GUNS ARE MADE OF 92

VIII. MORE ABOUT GUNS 108

IX. THE GUNS THEY USE IN THE NAVY 120

X. SHELLS AND HOW THEY ARE MADE 135

XI. WHAT SHELLS ARE MADE OF 146

XII. MEASURING THE VELOCITY OF A SHELL 159

XIII. SOME ADJUNCTS IN THE ENGINE ROOM 164

XIV. ENGINES OF WAR 169

XV. DESTROYERS 184

XVI. BATTLESHIPS 191

XVII. HOW A WARSHIP IS BUILT 202

XVIII. THE TORPEDO 215

XIX. WHAT A SUBMARINE IS LIKE 223

XX. THE STORY OF WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY 240

XXI. WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY IN WAR 252

XXII. MILITARY TELEGRAPHY 264

XXIII. HOW WAR INVENTIONS GROW 276

XXIV. AEROPLANES 284

XXV. THE AERIAL LIFEBOAT 297

INDEX 313

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

A TANK _Frontispiece_

PAGE

MACHINE-GUN VERSUS RIFLE 32

AN ITALIAN MINE-LAYER 64

AN INCIDENT AT LOOS 80

AN 18-POUNDER IN ACTION 96

A GERMAN AUTOMATIC PISTOL 112

BOMB THROWING 136

BOMB-THROWERS AT WORK 160

THE TRIPOD MAST 208

LISTENING FOR THE ENEMY 248

DIAGRAM SHOWING THE PRINCIPLE BY WHICH THE AERIALS
ARE CONNECTED TO THE APPARATUS 251

THE PARENT OF THE TANK 280

THE "GUARDIAN ANGEL" PARACHUTE 304

THE ROMANCE OF WAR INVENTIONS