Bui machines are not all-important, nor'can they always fill the bill. I watched men painting shells to protect them against rust, and doing it, with fairly big shells, at the rate of 100 an hour. Apparently they have tried hard io produce a gadget which could do this work, but no machine so far devised can paint shells as quickly and efficiently as these men do it. And, of course, the personal touch is important throughout the inspection department.
In the proof butts we saw—and heard—a Min. gun being tested which later will be mounted in a battleship. There was a flash and a mighty roar as a shell of solid steel was fired into a mound of sand, and the recoil sent the gun and the sleigh on which it was mounted running back up a short ramp. This may be dangerous work, and actually gunners and every one stand well back while the gun is fired electrically from a small office some distance behind. Several rounds are fred, and the muzzle velocity of each is measured by means of two screens and a chronograph, Other instruments record data as to the performance of the gu The Best Christmas Present for Gentlemen
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