Oc'r. 2, 1891.] ENGINEERING.

387

THE CASTLE LINERS “DOUNE CASTLE” AND “LISMORE CASTLE.”

consrnucrsn BY MESSRS. BARCLAY CURLE, AND 00., LIMITED, SHIPBUILDERS AND ENGINEERS, GLASGOW.

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IN a recentnumberwe referred to the great deve comfortand safety of all who travel by thesesteamers and bil es of the cargoholds. These pumps may be
lopmentof the trade of our South African coloniesand are provided for equally with thoseof the faster mail supplie with steam either from the main or donkey
consequentdemandfor improved meansof communi boats. boilers.
cation betweenthe Cape and the mothercountry. The The principal dimensionsof the two new steamers Each vessel has poo and aft-er deck-housescom
illustrations and descriptions of the Castle liner are as follows: Length over all, 410 ft. breadth, bined, with a shadedec from side to side extending
;

Dnnottar Castleand of the Union liner Scot, given in ‘43 ft. in.; depth, 31 ft.; and the gross register over length of T8 ft., a bridge deck amidships,
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recent numbers,affordevidenceof the desire of the tonnage of each vessel 4050 tons. They which, with house forward and a shade deck from
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two companiesto meetthis demand. In this issuewe are built beyond the rules of Lloyd's Register, thc side to side over it, makesup a length of 134ft. The
give en ravings of two other handsome steamers, material usedfor the hull being Siemens-Ma.rtinsteel. after and bridge decks together have a length of
named DonneCastle and Lismore Castle, recently They are constructeduponthe cellular double-bottom 212ft. for passengers’ promenade(Figs. and 3). In
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built and enginedby Messrs. Barclay, Curle, and Co., principle, without any wells leading into the hold, and addition eachhas top-gallant forecastle. A special
Limited, Glasgow, for the Castle Mail Packet Com thusthe maximumamountof safety obtained. They featurehas beenmadein placingthe first-classaccom
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pany. \Vhile the Dunottar Castle takes the position are divided into nine water-tight com rtments by modationunder the bridge deck and forward the ma
of a direct express boat, carr ing only a transversebulkheadsfromthe topof the oublebottom chinery,while the second-class placedunder the after
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proportionately smapassenger
amountof cargo, two most to the upper deck, andhavetwo completesteel water shadedeck (Fig. 3). The third-class passengershave
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recentsteamersare to take up what known as the tight decks,in addition to which they have owerful, excellentaccommodation under the maindeck aft and
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intermediate combined assengerand cargo service double-actingduplex steam pum connecte with a.n the remainderof the ‘tweendeckswill be availablefor
betweenLondonandthe ape,via theContinent. The elaboratesystemof piping, exten ing to double-bottom emigrants or troops (Fig. 4). Special care has been
 388 ENGINEERING. [Ocr. 2, 1891.

given to light and ventilation for all_classesof pas It is the invention of Colonel R. Schmidt, director of when the trigger pulled the striker releasedand

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sengers. The accommodation is for thirty first, forty the federal military factory at Berne. The most the cartridge.
two second,and seventy third-class passengersand striking feature of the arm is the large number explodes ‘he emptycase withdrawn by a reverseseriesof

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800 emigrants or troops. There are ladies’bo_udoirs,of cartridgesthat the magazinecontains, viz., twelve. operations. The cartridges, like mostof those used
snioke-rooms,and chart-rooms. The upholsteringand Accommodation is found for this large number, on the Continent, have a groove round the base, in
decoration are very handsome,the windows in the without the use of an unwieldy magazine by placeof the flan employedhere. The hook of the

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staircase and the saloon being richly colouredwith making them lie alternately right and left as in extractor(Figs. and catchesout this grooveand

4)
‘
views of the castles and features of the nationalities the original Lee magazine. In other words the width drawsthe case back with the breechplug. The ex
from which the vesselstake their names. of the magazineis aboutoneand a half timesthe dia tractor itself a very strongand serviceabledevice.

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The lighting by electricity,the plant liavin_ been meterof a cartridge,and consequentlyit will admit It securedby lug near its centre taking into an

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supplied by Messrs. Siemens Brothers, wliie the a very considerablenumberwithout beingof any great undercut slot in the breechplug (Fig. 3). The ex
dynamosaredriven by Allen’s direct-actingcom ound depth. The magazineis filled from packets of car tractor laid acrossthe lug at right anglesand the

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engines. The installation includes masthea and tridges, eachcontaining six ; it thereforerequires the lug dropped into the ot. The extractor then

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signal lights, diving and search lamps. The engines contentsof two racketsto replenish it whenempty. l'0l3\t1l"(bringingthe flangeson thelug underthe over

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work at 200 revolutions. Electric bells are fitted It can, however, suppliedwith cartridgesone at a hanging edgesof the slot. Small nibs at eachend of
throughout the vessels. Messrs. Haslam, of Derby, time, like the Lee-Speed. By meansof a “cut-ofi"’ theextractorcatchinto depressionsonthe breechplug,
have suppliedrefrigeratingenginesto give 8000cubic the magazinecan be put out of action, and the piece and hold the two in line. To return to the bolt how

_to
feet of cold air, and the enginesare connected two usedas a single loader. Under these conditions the ever. When drawnback the outerend of the lug

it is
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coldchambers. For the auxiliary inacliinery,winches, reserveremains untoucheduntil the su rememoment pushesbefore the boss on the striker until the

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pumps, windlass,andsteamcapstans,there is, each of the attack, when a rapid stream of ullets can be other part of the lug catches the back edge of the
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ship, a large multitubular boiler, withseparate air and pouredout. Should the contentsof the magazinenot spiralslot. Continuedmotionthencompresses themain
circulating umps,so that all the auxiliary machinery be sufiicienta fresh supply can be inserted in eight spring(Fig. androtatesthesleeve,until thepieces

9)

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indepen(ent of the propelling engines and mam seconds. comeoppositethe grooves. If the handle of the bolt
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boilers. The motionfor operatingthe breechaction entirely shouldnow be releasedthe lug viill be caughtin the

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Each vessel is fitted with triple-expansion three rectilinear, as in the Mannlicher system. The bolt notch at the end of the groove,andthe striker will re

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crank engines,of which engravingsare given on our simply pushedin and out, and not rotated. The main cocked. Further motion of the bolt now draws

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two-page plate. The diameters of cylinders are as locking of the breechplug effectedat its rear end, the piecesD through the slots providedfor them,and

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follow High-pressure, 29§ in. intermediate,48 in. at very considerabledistancefrom the breech. The withdraws the breech plug, bringing the parts into
a
;

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low-pressure, 78 in.; the stroke being 54 in. The extractordoesnot rotate round the cartridgerim. the positionsshownin Fig.

1.
The bolt prevented

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working pressure 160lb. per squareinch. The high \Ve learn from the official handbookof the Swiss from drawing out entirely by a catch working in a
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pressurecylinder fitted with a piston valve taking Military Departmentthat the rifle will fire 20 aimed groove in its underside (Fig. 5). There are two
steamat the middle and exhaustingat both ends. The shotsa minutewhen used as a single loader. \Vith inclines in this groove which steady the bolt, both
intermediate cylinder has the usual double-ported the magazinein action will fire30aimedshotsin the when pushedhomeand when drawn out. By press
slide valve, and the low-pressurecylinder it
double same time, and 40 shots without aiming. The suc ing on the thumbpiece shown in Fig. the catch
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portedslide valve, Thoni’s patent, placed at the back cessiveshotscan be fired without removing the rifle can beremovedfrom the slot, and the bolt withdrawn.
of the low-pressureengine and worked by a strong from the shoulder. The weight 9§ lb. The total The breechplug can thenbetakencompletelyto pieces

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cast-steellever, thus reducing the over-all lengths of length of the barrel 30.7in. the calibre .295iu. for cleaningwithout the useof sin le tool, and with
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the enginesand making very compactdesign. The the numberof groovesin the rifling three, and they out any likelihood of losingany of pieces, as they

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reversinggear Brown Brothers’steamand hydrau makeoneturn in 10.6in. The bullet of hardened are all of substantialsize.

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lic type, with hand gear combined. The steam lead, in a steel envelope; its length 1.13 in., its The ring at the endof the striker (Figs.

2,
and

8)
l,
supply regulatedby a double-beatstopvalveworked diameter.32 in., and its weight .0302lb. The charge forms part of a safetydeviceby which the rifle can be
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from the starting platform, while there a separate of smokelesspowder 31 grains. This gives an placed beyond the risk of accidentaldischarge. By
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throttle valve, worked by Dunlop’s governor. The initial velocity of 1968ft. second. drawin back this ring and rotating from the posi
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Turning to the engravings on page 390 we will tion in ig. to that in Fig.

2,
whole of the shaftin including crank and tail shafts, the cockingcatchcanbe
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has been made by Tiessrs. Vickers, Shefiicld. The now proceedto describethe details of the mechanism. madeto entera secondslot in the cap at the end of
crankshaft built up and in threeseparate Fig. showsthe actionwith the bolt drawn back, the thebreechplug (Fig. in which canno longerreach

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and interchangeablepiecesarrangedbolte together. The air, uppermostcartridge in the magazine being visible. the cartridge. All theparts of the breech actionare
circulatin feed,bilge, still, and sanitary pumps,are The foreshortening,resultingfromthe eyeof the spec then securelylocked.
,

all worked by levers driven off the crossheadof the tator beingsomeheightabovethe breech,partly hides The ma azine,as will be seenfrom the engravings,
intermediatepressureengine,and are all arrangedto the magazine the size of this latter can,however,be a strongiy built casecapableof standinga very con
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give easy accessfor working. Besides these pumps sten from Fig. ll, which to scaleof two-thirds, the siderableamountof rough usage. It slides in slot
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s.
there are fitted a large pumpand feedheater,both by dimensionsof the magazine beingabout in. by 3} in. cut for in the stock, and by meansof a lever with a.
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Messrs. \Veir. There a centrifugal pump by by 31in. In Fig. the bolt seenas appearswhen (Fig. can be raised and lowered about

1)
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Tangye for ballast tanks, and also arrangedto withdrawn from the rifle. Its parts are delineated uhumbpiece
in. n its lower positionthe end of the breechplu
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9 lug,
8,

draw from the sea and discharge suflicient water in Figs. to Fig. being the breech- Fig. the passes over without touching the cartridges,an
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through the condensersto enablethe enginesto run at extractor, Fig, the bolt, Fig. the dc ing sleeve, consequentlyno feeding takes place, no matter how
5

full speed in the event of the ordinary circulating Fig. the head,Fig. thestriker, andFig. the main vigorously the bolt may be operated. In the raised
8
7

pump giving way. A large suctionvalve also fitted spring. Fig. 10showsthe cartridge clip, Fig. ll the positiontheplug catchesthe uppercartridgeanddrives
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to draw water from the bilges in the eventof leak. the magazine,Fig. 12 the platform, and Fig. 13 the forward. The cartridges lie alternately to right
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A duplex auxiliary pumping engine fitted to feed magazinespring. and left (Fig. ll), the upper one being held from
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the main and donkeyboilersand to circulatewater in Behind the body of the rifle a long piecebored to slipping out by the turned-overlips of the magazine.
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getting up steamin themainboilers,to supplywaterfor two diameters; the rear portion fits the revolving Before the rear portion of the cartridge escapesfrom
deck service, and pump out bilges and ballast tanks sleeve (Fig. 6), while the forward portion fits the the lips the fore portion safely within the chamber
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when the centrifugalpump not available. A \Veir’s breech plug (Fig. 3), and forms a shoulder which of the barrel. The bottom cartridge restson
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plat

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evaporator is fitted, to make about 14 tons of fresh limits the forward travel of the bolt. The body form (Fig. I2) of such a forui as to oblige to lie to
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Waterper day for the boilers,and in addition has slotted out to admit of the cartridge being inserted, oneside. This platform restson spring of the shape
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connection with two large Chaplin's distillers so and of the emptycasesbeingejected the edgesof the shownin Fig. 13,which feeds steadily upwards.
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;

arranged that the steam evaporatedfrom the sea openingare nicely rounded. The cartridgesare issuedto the troops in cases of
water can be usedas drinking water. Steam engines The action of the variousparts by no meanseas six (Fig. 10). The case madeof millboardwith metal
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are fitted for hoistingashesin eachstokehold. to explain in print, although appearssimple enough lips, and quite insignificant in value. To fill the
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Steam supplied to the enginesby two steelmulti to man with the rifle in his hands. As we have magazinethe case inverted over its mouth, into
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tubular double-endedboilers, each 14 ft. in. in already said, the wholeseriesof operationsof cocking which fits quite readily. A slight pressure with
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9

diameter by 18 ft. in. lon . There are six Fox's the inainspring,inserting a cartridge, and extracting the thumb on the bottom cartridge then forces the
8

corrugated furnaces in each oiler, with a separate and ejecting the case,are performed by pushing the cartridgesthrough the elastic lips of thecase,and also
combustionchamberfor eachfurnace. There are thus handlebackwards and forwards in a straight line. through those of the magazine, the operation being
twelve furnacesin all, each ft. in. meandiameter. There no turning movementwhatever given to the erformedin a secondor so. It requirestwo casesto
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4
3

The speedattainedwhenrunning " thelights” on the bolt B. The only part that turns the sleeve the magazine.
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Clyde was14.4knots, the indicatedhorse-powerbeing (Figs. and 6), on which are two parts of an inter \Ve are indebted for the loan of this rifle to Mr.
2

3250,andthenumberof revolutions75. The propeller rupted screw D that lock into the rear of the body, Fritz Marti, of \Vinterthur, Switzerland, who the
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of steel with four blades, the diameter being 18ft. and resist the powder ressure. On the bolt there agentfor the exploitation of this weapon in foreign
B

in. and the pitch 21ft. in. The hull and ma double lug F. his lies in the spiral slot in the countries.
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6

chinery of both vesselswerebuilt under the superin revolving sleeve,but part of also reachesthrough
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teiidenceof Mr. John List and Mr. George Scott, the the sleeveand through the slot (Fig in the rear
3)

company's superintendents in London, and Mr. end of the breech-plug,and takesunderthe head on NOTES FROM THE UNITED STATES.
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Robert Munn, the superintendentin Glasgow. It the striker spindle (Fig. 8). PIIILADELPHIA, September24, 1891.
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worthy of record, as showing the long businesscon \Vhen the soldier about to insert a cartridgethe THE railmakers are disappointed at the sluggish
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nection betweenthe owners and builders, that these partsare in the positionshownin Fig.
1.

He presses characterof demandfor rails. Orderson September

1

two steamersmake up s. total of forty ships and the bolt forward, and that piece carries with the for the yearwere894,798tons. Deliveries700,000tong
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steamersthat Sir Donald Currie and the lines with breechplug, since at this momentthe lug (Fig. lies up to that date. Quotations30dols. to 31 dols. Orders
which he connectedhave,from time to time, ordered in the notch in the end of the spiral groove on the last week 25,000tons in \Vestcrn Pennsylvaniamills.
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of Messrs. Barclay, Curle, and C0. rotating sleeve(Fig. 6). The interruptedscrewpieces Estimate of inquiries now on the market30,000tons.
1,

D enter groovesin the body, to be seenin Fig. and The situation ot a greatmanysmall railway companies
as they pass along them receive a slight rotation, in this country suchthat they are not ableto order
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THE SVVISS MAGAZINE RIFLE. sleeveround

sufficient to carry the until the lug necessary material,becauseofinability to makecashpay
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\Vi-: havealreadygiven descriptionsof the English

standson the inclined part of the slot. By this time ments. Bondsand securitiesare not lookedupcn\\ iih
magazinerifle (the Lee-Speed),"the Austrian rifle (the endof the breechplug
Maniilicher),'l'the Belgian rifle (the Mauser): and the the cap at the almostu to favourby the American investingpublic. At the same
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Germanrille,§ and now we continue the seriesby that the end of the body. Further movementof the olt time there a gradual and healthy improvementin
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rotatesthe locking sleeve,until the lug occupies the railroad situation on this side. Recent develop
B

adopted by the military authorities of Switzerland.

the straight part of the groove faintly indicated in mentsas to the conditionof some of the leadingrail
* lsciussninc, vol. li., pageF166. The rotationof the sleevecarries the lugs way properties, has createddistrust amonginvestors
6.

Fig.
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Ibz:d.,page265. round in a groove cut in the body of the gun, and and others,and for the presentcasts suspicionupon a.
§ 1+

page402.
1'l>z|zl., securelylocks the breechpiece. The locking catchH goodmanysecurities. The iron trade generally in
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Ibid., page576. on the striker spindle now held by the trigger, and a betterconditionthan a monthago. Autumn demand
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ENGINEERING, QCTOBER 2, 1891.

TRIPLE-EXPANSION ENGINES OF THE CASTLE L]

BARCLAY, CURL

(For Description

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 INERS “DOUNE CASTLE” AND “LISMORE CASTLE.”
, LIMITED, SHIPBUILDERS AND ENGINEERS, GLASGOW’.
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