While still in a molten condition in the mold, the steel used in manufacturing guns and shafting is subjected to hydraulic pressure until the ingot has cooled, thus insuring the solidity of the metal. The upper head of the compressor weighs 125 tons, and the lower one, including the cylinder through which the hydraulic pressure is applied, 135 tons. _Courtesy of the Bethlehem Steel Co._] [Illustration: AMMUNITION.[32] (See page 410.)] [Illustration: TWO-HANDED ELEVATING GEAR.[32] (See page 410.)] [Illustration: RANGE FINDER AND PREDICTOR; HOME AND DISTANT STATION INSTRUMENTS.[33] (See page 410.)] [Illustration: ARMOR PIERCING PROJECTILES, CAPPED AND UNCAPPED.[33] (See page 410.)] [Illustration: RANGE FINDER AND CHART ATTACHMENT[34]. (See page 410.)] [Illustration: EIGHTEEN-INCH, THIRTY-CALIBER TORPEDO GUN.[34] (See page 410.)] [Illustration: FIRING GEAR FOR GUNS.[35] (See page 410.)] [Illustration: FUSES.[35] (See page 410.)] The range of these giant cannon is enormous and their destructive power great, this being added to by the fact that the explosive shell has replaced the solid round shot of old-time gunnery. A 14-inch gun of 45 caliber can discharge a 1,400-pound projectile at a muzzle velocity of 2,600 feet per second. If we compare this with a locomotive going at the speed of sixty miles an hour, we have in the latter a speed of eighty-eight feet per second to compare with the 2,600 feet per second of the cannon ball. From this we can well conjecture the vast speed with which the latter moves, its enormous range and vast powers of destruction. [Illustration: THREE-INCH HORSE ARTILLERY GUN, LONG RECOIL CARRIAGE AND LIMBER Length of gun, 85 inches (28 calibers). Weight of projectile, 12 pounds. Travel of projectile in bore, 74.65 inches (24.88 calibers). Weight of charge, 17.1 ounces of smokeless powder. Muzzle velocity, 1,750-foot seconds. Muzzle energy, 255-foot tons. Weight of gun, carriage and limber, containing 36 rounds of ammunition, 3,355 pounds. Ground clearance, 18 inches. _Courtesy of the Bethlehem Steel Co._]