  CHAPTER I HOW PEACEFUL ARTS HELP IN WAR CHAPTER II GUNPOWDER AND ITS MODERN EQUIVALENTS CHAPTER IV A GOOD SERVANT, THOUGH A BAD MASTER CHAPTER V MINES, SUBMARINE AND SUBTERRANEAN CHAPTER VII WHAT GUNS ARE MADE OF CHAPTER IX THE GUNS THEY USE IN THE NAVY CHAPTER X SHELLS AND HOW THEY ARE MADE CHAPTER XI WHAT SHELLS ARE MADE OF CHAPTER XII MEASURING THE VELOCITY OF A SHELL CHAPTER XIII SOME ADJUNCTS IN THE ENGINE ROOM CHAPTER XVII HOW A WARSHIP IS BUILT CHAPTER XIX WHAT A SUBMARINE IS LIKE CHAPTER XX THE STORY OF WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY CHAPTER XXI WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY IN WAR CHAPTER XXII MILITARY TELEGRAPHY CHAPTER XXIII HOW WAR INVENTIONS GROW CHAPTER XXV THE AERIAL LIFEBOAT Title: The Romance of War Inventions A Description of Warships, Guns, Tanks, Rifles, Bombs, and Other Instruments and Munitions of Warfare, How They Were Invented & How They Are Employed Author: Thomas W. Corbin Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 E-text prepared by Simon Gardner, Chris Curnow, |
| Note: | Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive. See http://www.archive.org/details/romanceofwarinve00corbiala |
Transcriber's Note
Changes to the text (to correct typographical errors) are listed at the end of the book. A few cases of missing punctuation have been regularised in the advertisements without comment.
There are extensive blocks of publisher's advertising material included both before and after the title page, after the index and in a sixteen page catalogue at the end, which has (duplicate) page numbers 1-16, but may be referenced with unique page anchors 1C-16C.
THE IAN HARDY SERIES
by
COMMANDER E. HAMILTON CURREY, R.N.
Each Volume with Illustrations in Colour. 5s. each
Ian Hardy's career in H.M. Navy is told in four volumes, which are described below. Each volume is complete in itself, and no knowledge of the previous volumes is necessary, but few boys will read one of the series without wishing to peruse the others.
IAN HARDY, NAVAL CADET
"A sound and wholesome story giving a lively picture of a naval cadet's life."—Birmingham Gazette.
"A very wholesome book for boys, and the lurking danger of Ian's ill deeds being imitated may be regarded as negligible in comparison with the good likely to be done by the example of his manly, honest nature. Ian was a boy whom his father might occasionally have reason to whip, but never feel ashamed of."—United Service Magazine.
IAN HARDY, MIDSHIPMAN
"A jolly sequel to his last year's book."—Christian World.
"The 'real thing.' ... Certain to enthral boys of almost any age who love stories of British pluck."—Observer.
"Commander E. Hamilton Currey, R.N., is becoming a serious rival to Kingston as a writer of sea stories. Just as a former generation revelled in Kingston's doings of his three heroes from their middy days until they became admirals all, so will the present-day boys read with interest the story of Ian Hardy. Last year we knew him as a cadet; this year we get Ian Hardy, Midshipman. The present instalment of his stirring history is breezily written."—Yorkshire Observer.
IAN HARDY, SENIOR MIDSHIPMAN
"Of those who are now writing stories of the sea, Commander Currey holds perhaps the leading position. He has a gift of narrative, a keen sense of humour, and above all he writes from a full stock of knowledge."—Saturday Review.
"It is no exaggeration to say that Commander Currey bears worthily the mantle of Kingston and Captain Marryat."—Manchester Courier.
"The Ian Hardy Series is just splendid for boys to read, and the best of it is that each book is complete in itself. But not many boys will read one of the series without being keenly desirous of reading all the others."—Sheffield Telegraph.
IAN HARDY FIGHTING THE MOORS
"By writing this series the author is doing national service, for he writes of the Navy and the sea with knowledge and sound sense.... What a welcome addition the whole series would make to a boy's library."—Daily Graphic.
"The right romantic stuff, full of fighting and hairbreadth escapes.... Commander Currey has the secret of making the men and ships seem actual."—Times.
"By this time Ian Hardy has become a real friend and we consider him all a hero should be."—Outlook.
SEELEY, SERVICE & CO. LIMITED
THE LIBRARY OF ROMANCE
Each volume profusely illustrated. Ex. Crown 8vo. 5s.
"The Library of Romance offers a splendid choice."—Globe.
| THE ROMANCE OF PIRACY By E. KEBLE CHATTERTON, B.A. author of "the romance of the ship" With many illustrations | THE ROMANCE OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY By C. R. GIBSON, F.R.S.E. With many illustrations |
| THE ROMANCE OF AERONAUTICS By CHARLES C. TURNER "A valuable contribution to the literature of this most marvellous subject."—British Weekly With forty illustrations | THE ROMANCE OF SUBMARINE ENGINEERING By THOMAS W. CORBIN author of "mechanical inventions of to-day" With many illustrations & diagrams |
| THE ROMANCE OF MODERN ASTRONOMY By HECTOR MACPHERSON, Junr. With thirty-seven illustrations | THE ROMANCE OF THE SHIP By E. KEBLE CHATTERTON, B.A. With thirty-four illustrations |
| THE ROMANCE OF SAVAGE LIFE Describing the Habits, Customs, Everyday Life, Arts, Crafts, Games, Adventures and Sports of Primitive Man By Prof. G. F. SCOTT ELLIOT M.A., B.SC, F.R.G.S., F.L.S., &c. With forty illustrations | THE ROMANCE OF THE WORLD'S FISHERIES With descriptions of the Many and Curious Methods of Fishing in all parts of the world By SIDNEY WRIGHT With twenty-four illustrations |
| THE ROMANCE OF MODERN SIEGES By the Rev. EDWARD GILLIAT With sixteen illustrations | THE ROMANCE OF MODERN PHOTOGRAPHY By CHARLES R. GIBSON, F.R.S.E. With sixty-three illustrations |
| THE ROMANCE OF ANIMAL ARTS & CRAFTS H. COUPIN, D.Sc., & J. LEA, M.A. With twenty-seven illustrations "A charming subject well set forth."—AthenÆum | THE ROMANCE OF MODERN ENGINEERING By ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS B.A., F.R.G.S. With many illustrations |
| THE ROMANCE OF MODERN LOCOMOTION By ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS B.A., F.R.G.S. With twenty-five illustrations "Crisply written, brimful of incident. To intelligent lads should be as welcome as a Ballantyne story."—Glasgow Herald | THE ROMANCE OF MINING By ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS B.A., F.R.G.S. With twenty-four illustrations "We cannot praise this book too highly."—British Weekly |
| THE ROMANCE OF POLAR EXPLORATION By G. FIRTH SCOTT With twenty-four illustrations Extra Crown 8vo. 5s. "Thrillingly interesting."—Liverpool Courier | THE ROMANCE OF THE MIGHTY DEEP By AGNES GIBERNE With illustrations "Most fascinating; admirably adapted for the young."—Daily News |
SEELEY, SERVICE & CO. LIMITED
THE LIBRARY OF ROMANCE
Lavishly Illustrated. Ex. Crown 8vo. 5s. each volume
"Splendid volumes."—The Outlook
| THE ROMANCE OF THE SPANISH MAIN By N. J. DAVIDSON, B.A. (Oxon.) With many illustrations | THE ROMANCE OF THE GREAT WAR By N. J. DAVIDSON, B.A. (Oxon.) With many illustrations |
| NEW & REVISED EDITION THE ROMANCE OF MODERN ELECTRICITY By CHARLES R. GIBSON, F.R.S.E. With forty-five illustrations "Admirable ... clear and concise."—The Graphic | NEW & REVISED EDITION THE ROMANCE OF MODERN INVENTION By ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS B.A., F.R.G.S. With twenty-five illustrations |
| THE ROMANCE OF MODERN EXPLORATION By ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS B.A., F.R.G.S. With twenty-six illustrations "A mine of information and stirring incident."—Scotsman | THE ROMANCE OF EARLY EXPLORATION By ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS B.A., F.R.G.S. With sixteen illustrations "Vivid and vigorous."—Glasgow Herald |
| THE ROMANCE OF MODERN MECHANISM By ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS B.A., F.R.G.S. With thirty illustrations "A genuinely fascinating book."—Liverpool Courier | THE ROMANCE OF MISSIONARY HEROISM By J. C. LAMBERT, B.A., D.D. With thirty-nine illustrations "A most entrancing volume."—Expository Times |
| THE ROMANCE OF INSECT LIFE By EDMUND SELOUS With twenty illustrations "Well merits its alluring title."—Daily Telegraph | THE ROMANCE OF PLANT LIFE By G. F. SCOTT ELLIOT, M.A. With thirty-four illustrations "Intensely interesting."—Leeds Mercury |
| THE ROMANCE OF EARLY BRITISH LIFE Prof. G. F. SCOTT ELLIOT, M.A. "A masterpiece of scientific knowledge, brilliant invention, and genuine humour."—Liverpool Courier | THE ROMANCE OF THE ANIMAL WORLD By EDMUND SELOUS With sixteen full-page illustrations "A very fascinating book."—Graphic |
| THE ROMANCE OF BIRD LIFE By JOHN LEA, M.A. With thirty illustrations "Most fascinating, suggestive, and readable."—Spectator | THE ROMANCE OF MODERN GEOLOGY By E. S. GREW, M.A. With twenty-five illustrations "Absorbingly interesting."—Scotsman |
| THE ROMANCE OF MODERN CHEMISTRY By J. C. PHILIP, D.Sc., Ph.D. With thirty illustrations "A fascinating exposition in popular language."—Illustrated London News | THE ROMANCE OF MODERN MANUFACTURE By C. R. GIBSON, F.R.S.E. With forty illustrations "Well planned, well written, and well illustrated."—Pall Mall Gazette |
SEELEY, SERVICE & CO. LIMITED
POPULAR SCIENCE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
By CHARLES R. GIBSON, F.R.S.E.
"Among writers for boys on science, easily the most skilful is Mr. Charles Gibson. He writes so clearly, simply and charmingly about the most difficult things that his books are quite as entertaining as any ordinary book of adventure. Mr. Gibson has a first-rate scientific mind and considerable scientific attainments. He is never guilty of an inexact phrase—certainly, never an obscure one—or a misleading analogy. We could imagine him having a vogue among our young folk comparable with that of Jules Verne."—The Nation.
"Mr. Gibson has fairly made his mark as a populariser of scientific knowledge."—Guardian.
JUST PUBLISHED
THE STARS & THEIR MYSTERIES (Vol. III. Science for Children Series). With Coloured Frontisp. & other Illustrations. 3s. 6d.
OUR GOOD SLAVE ELECTRICITY (Vol. I. Science for Children Series). With Illustrations. 3s. 6d.
"An exquisitely clear book for childish beginners."—The Nation.
"Told in simple and remarkably clear language, and with such ingenuity that many pages of it read like a fairy tale."—Glasgow Herald.
THE GREAT BALL ON WHICH WE LIVE (Vol. II. Science for Children Series). With Coloured Frontispiece and other Illustrations. 3s. 6d.
"Capital."—Field.
"A most fascinating and suggestive story of the earth. Mr. Gibson not only knows his subject thoroughly, but has the capacity of conveying the knowledge to young folk."—Church Family Newspaper.
THE ROMANCE OF MODERN ELECTRICITY. Describing in Non-technical Language what is known about Electricity and many of its interesting applications. With 41 Illustrations. Extra crown 8vo, 5s.
"Admirable, clear and concise."—Graphic.
"Very entertaining and instructive."—Queen.
"A book which the merest tyro, totally unacquainted with elementary principles, can understand."—Electricity.
THE ROMANCE OF MODERN PHOTOGRAPHY. Its Discovery and its Applications. With Illustrations. Extra crown 8vo, 5s.
"There is not a dry or uninteresting page throughout."—Country Life.
"The narration is everywhere remarkable for its fluency and clear style."—Bystander.
THE ROMANCE OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. A Popular Account of the most important Discoveries in Science. With 30 Illus. 5s.
"The most curious boy of mechanical bent would find such a book satisfying."—Westminster Gazette.
THE ROMANCE OF MODERN MANUFACTURE. A Popular Account of the Marvels of Manufacturing. 5s.
"A popular and practical account of all kinds of manufacture."—Scotsman.
"Just the sort of book to put into the hands of senior boys as a school prize."—Sheffield Telegraph.
HEROES OF THE SCIENTIFIC WORLD. An Account of the Lives, Sacrifices, Successes, and Failures of some of the greatest Scientists in the World's History. With 19 Illustrations. Extra crown 8vo, 5s.
"The whole field of science is well covered.... Every one of the 300 odd pages contains some interesting piece of information."—AthenÆum.
THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF AN ELECTRON. With 8 Illustrations. Long 8vo, 3s. 6d. net.
"A brilliant study."—Daily Mail.
"Quite a unique book in its way, at once attractive and illuminating."—Record.
THE WONDERS OF MODERN ELECTRICITY. With 17 Illustrations and Diagrams. Extra crown 8vo, 2s.
THE WONDERS OF MODERN MANUFACTURE. With 22 Illustrations. Extra crown 8vo, 2s.
SEELEY, SERVICE & CO. LIMITED
THE ROMANCE OF WAR INVENTIONS
A Tank.
These weird-looking engines are literally moving forts, and are the evolution of a peaceful agricultural machine fitted with "caterpillar" wheels, that is, a broad band encircles the driving wheels, and so the whole construction moves as it were on its own revolving platform and is thus prevented from sinking into the soft ground. The principle itself is not new, as it was adapted to transport carts during the Crimean War.
THE
ROMANCE
OF
WAR INVENTIONS
A DESCRIPTION OF WARSHIPS, GUNS, TANKS,
RIFLES, BOMBS, AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS
AND MUNITIONS OF WARFARE, HOW
THEY WERE INVENTED & HOW
THEY ARE EMPLOYED
BY
T. W. CORBIN
AUTHOR OF "THE ROMANCE OF SUBMARINE ENGINEERING,"
"MECHANICAL INVENTIONS OF TO-DAY,"
&c., &c., &c.
With many Illustrations
LONDON
SEELEY, SERVICE & CO. LIMITED
38 GREAT RUSSELL STREET
1918
Extra Crown 8vo. With many illustrations. 5s. each.
"Splendid Volumes."—The Outlook.
"The Library of Romance offers a splendid choice."—Globe.
"Gift Books whose value it would be difficult to over-estimate."—The Standard.
"This series has now won a considerable & well deserved reputation."—The Guardian.
"Each Volume treats its allotted theme with accuracy, but at the same time with a charm that will commend itself to readers of all ages. The root idea is excellent, and it is excellently carried out, with full illustrations and very prettily designed covers."—The Daily Telegraph.
By Prof. G. F. SCOTT ELLIOT, M.A., B.Sc.
- The Romance of Savage Life
- The Romance of Plant Life
- The Romance of Early British Life
By EDWARD GILLIAT, M.A.
- The Romance of Modern Sieges
By JOHN LEA, M.A.
- The Romance of Bird Life
By JOHN LEA. M.A. & H. COUPIN, D.Sc.
- The Romance of Animal Arts and Crafts
By SIDNEY WRIGHT
- The Romance of the World's Fisheries
By the Rev. J. C. LAMBERT, M.A., D.D.
- The Romance of Missionary Heroism
By G. FIRTH SCOTT
- The Romance of Polar Exploration
By CHARLES R. GIBSON, F.R.S.E.
- The Romance of Modern Photography
- The Romance of Modern Electricity
- The Romance of Modern Manufacture
- The Romance of Scientific Discovery
By CHARLES C. TURNER
- The Romance of Aeronautics
By HECTOR MACPHERSON, Junr.
- The Romance of Modern Astronomy
By ARCHIBALD WILLIAMS, B.A. (Oxon.), F.R.G.S.
- The Romance of Early Exploration
- The Romance of Modern Exploration
- The Romance of Modern Mechanism
- The Romance of Modern Invention
- The Romance of Modern Engineering
- The Romance of Modern Locomotion
- The Romance of Modern Mining
By EDMUND SELOUS
- The Romance of the Animal World
- The Romance of Insect Life
By AGNES GIBERNE
- The Romance of the Mighty Deep
By E. S. GREW, M.A.
- The Romance of Modern Geology
By J. C. PHILIP, D.Sc., Ph.D.
- The Romance of Modern Chemistry
By E. KEBLE CHATTERTON, B.A.
- The Romance of the Ship
- The Romance of Piracy
By T. W. CORBIN
- The Romance of Submarine Engineering
- The Romance of War Inventions
By NORMAN J. DAVIDSON, B.A. (Oxon.)
- The Romance of the Spanish Main
SEELEY, SERVICE & CO., LIMITED.
