Charge

The nature and the quantity of the powder used for ordnance.

Howitzer Charges. The only howitzer used in the U. S. Navy to-day is the 3-inch, weighing 300 and 500 pounds respectively--the lighter one being used in boats. The charge for the 300-lb. gun is 12 ounces of cannon powder; for the 500-lb. gun 16 ounces of cannon powder; the weight of the projectile is 10 pounds, and the range about 2 miles.

Ordinary Charge. That which gives a muzzle-velocity of 2,000 feet per second.

Reduced Charge. That which gives a muzzle-velocity of 1,700 feet per second.

Rifle Charges. The maximum charge for the 6-inch rifle is 43 pounds of brown prismatic powder, with about 1 pound of black prismatic in the rear of the charge for quick ignition. The weight of the projectile is 100 pounds, and the range between 5 and 6 miles. The weight of this rifle is 10,000 pounds; this is exclusive of the carriage.

The maximum charge of the 8-inch rifle is 120 pounds of brown prismatic, with two pounds of black prismatic powder in the rear of the charge. The weight of the projectile is 250 pounds, and the range about 8 miles. The weight of this rifle is 27,000 pounds, without the carriage.

The maximum charge for the 10-inch rifle is 250 pounds of brown prismatic, with 4 pounds of black prismatic powder in the rear of the charge. The weight of the projectile is 500 pounds, and the range about 10 miles. The weight of this rifle is 57,000 pounds, not including the carriage.

Service Charges. These are divided into two classes, full and reduced. The first is used when extreme range and penetration are required, and with armor-piercing shell. The latter is used when only ordinary ranges and penetration are required, so that the gun may not be subjected to an unnecessarily heavy strain.

Shell Charges. An amount of explosive contained in a shell sufficient to break and scatter the same when it strikes; or when it attains the limit of its flight, as when a time fuse is used. The amount of shell charges varies with the size and thickness of the shell.

Small Arm Charges. The standard small arm for the U. S. Navy is the Lee detachable magazine rifle of 45 calibre. The revolver is the Colt double action of 38 calibre. (See Table of U. S. Naval Breech-loading Guns.)

Torpedo Charges. The regulation torpedo charge is about 30 pounds of gun cotton, exploded by means of 30 grains of fulminate of mercury, which is itself first exploded by electricity.