This gun is introduced into naval services with the especial objects of, first, repelling torpedo and boarding attacks; second, for use against light merchant vessels where a light, long-range artillery fire is most effective. The gun has five barrels, and can be fired at a rate of from 60 to 80 shots per minute without forcing. Its ammunition is shell and case-shot, the weight of projectile ranging from one and a half pounds in the light calibre to four pounds in the heavy one. The extreme range is about 4500 yards. The barrels are assembled about and revolve around a central axis, the cartridges being fed through a chamber in the left upper side of the breech-casing. There is but one lock, and each barrel fires once during a revolution. The cartridge on falling into the chamber is carried forward by a cam into its barrel, being pushed close home and receiving good support when passing in front of the firing-pin. The latter is retracted by a cam, plunging forward as the centre of each cartridge comes in front of it. The rim of the cartridge-case is then seized by an independent extractor, withdrawn, and dropped to the ground. Although the crank is turned steadily, there is a certain amount of lost motion in the revolution of the barrels. This takes place as the cartridge reaches the firing-point, and during this short time of rest one cartridge is fired and another empty case is ejected. No elevating-screw is used with this gun. It is mounted on trunnions in a saddle, and projecting from the rear of the breech-case is a wooden shoulder-piece, while underneath is a handle to allow a support with the left hand. The cartridges are permanently attached to the rear of the projectiles. The shells are of steel with a percussion fuse. The barrels of the gun are made of Whitworth compressed steel of the finest quality. This gun has up to the present time proved the most effective torpedo-gun in existence. Its only rival at present is the Nordenfeldt gun, which is not yet thoroughly developed. [Illustration: Chamber. (Longitudinal Section.)] [Illustration: Chamber. (Vertical Section.)] _The Gatling Gun._ [Illustration: Long Pattern.] [Illustration: Short Pattern.] This gun, which has as yet been unequalled as a mitrailleuse, finds a place in the armament of nearly all the navies of the world. Hitherto the object of the gun in naval use has been simply to aid the small-arm fire whenever the latter was made necessary, but at present it is the design to increase the calibre of the gun so as to enable it to fire projectiles of two or more pounds. What modifications will be required in the present type of gun are not as yet known; but although the Gatling and Hotchkiss guns are both American inventions, they must not in their present stages of development be considered as rivals. The Gatling is as a rule confined to the use of small-arm ammunition; on the other hand, the Hotchkiss is to be in reality classed with boat-guns.