The Largest Cannon

The largest gun that has ever mounted on a disappearing carriage, remarks Engineering, bas recently undergone trial at the proof grounds of Messrs. Armstrong, Mitchell & Co., at Silloth. The gun and its carriage have been manufacturad at the Eliswick Works lor the government of Victoria for the coast of the colony. Undi-.r ordinary conditions the gun Is cntirely hidden from view in a pit, and is raised into tiring positon by the action of comprcssed air working in a cylinder, thus remalnlng exponed to the enemy's tire a few seconds only. The recoil of the gun itself compressor the air, so that the wettpon is in a sense automatie. By an arrangement of mirrors sighting can be accuratety effocted without necessitating an exposure of the party working the gun. At the trials tlirce proof charges o) 250 pounds of prismatic powder wat tired, and aftorwards several rounds with :i charge of 230 pounds of browu powder for tho pmpose of test ng the range and the accuracy of fire. Th projectile welghs 500 pounds, and aï initial velooity of 1960 feet per socond was oblaiiicil. The Elswick carriage worked smoothly and wel), the gun, which weiglu thirty tons and has a calibro of too indios, buing raised into üring position in frotu eighteen to tweuty seo onda. A careful examination of llie cairiagí after the oompiet on of tho le-tt discovered no sigua of injury or weakness.