The first text in Naval Ordnance and Gunnery for the use of midshipmen was prepared in 1861 by Lieutenant Edward Simpson, U.S.N. This text was revised by the author in 1871. Since that time the following revised editions have been published:
1875—by Commander A. P. Cook, U.S.N., assisted by instructors of the Department of Ordnance and Gunnery at the Naval Academy.
1884—by Officers of the Department of Ordnance and Gunnery at the Naval Academy.
1894—by Lieutenant Commander R. R. Ingersoll, U.S.N. Revised
by the author in 1899.
1903—by Commander W. F. Fullam and Lieutenant T. C. Hart, U.S.N. Revised by the authors in 1905.
1910—by Officers of the Department of Ordnance and Gunnery at the Naval Academy, under the supervision of the Head of Department, Commander H. K. Hines, U.S.N.
1914—principally by Lieutenant Commander R. I. Curtin, U.S.N. Lieutenant Commander T. L. Johnson was the Head of Department. In this edition the subject matter was limited to, and the title was changed to, Naval Ordnance.
1921—by the Officers of the Department of Ordnance and Gunnery at the Naval Academy, major credit for the work of revision being given to Commander F. D. Pryor, U.S.N. Commander A. P. Fairfield was the Head of Department. In this edition the following pamphlets were inserted as Chapters:
“The Elastic Strength of Guns, 1916,” by Philip R. Alger, Professor of Mathematics, U.S.N.
“Graphic Representation of the Relation of Pressures and Shrinkages of Built-Up Guns for the States of Action and Rest,” by Lieutenant Commander L. M. Nulton, U.S.N.
“Recoil and Recoil Brakes,” by G. A. Chadwick, Chief Draughtsman, Bureau of Ordnance.
“Practical Interior Ballistics,” a Bureau of Ordnance Pamphlet.
1925-revised in minor particulars, the major portion of the revision being credited to Commander J. B. Rutter, 1J.S.N. Commander W. S. Anderson was the Head of Department.
1933—principally by Lieutenant Commander T G Peyton, U S N. Commander C. R. Robinson was the Head of Department.
In the present revision, some new material has been added; obsolete, incorrect, and duplicate material has been eliminated; portions of the text have been rearranged and amplified; matter considered to be unnecessary or in too great detail for study by midshipmen has been omitted or abbreviated; and the several changes noted below have been made:
(1) The order of chapters, in some instances, has been revised to present the subject matter in a more logical order.
(2) The chapters on “The Elastic Strength of Guns” and on the “Graphic Representation of the Relation of Pressures and Shrinkages of Built-Up Guns” have been omitted.
(3) That part of the chapter on “Metals Used in Ordnance Construction” not repeated elsewhere has been combined with the chapter on “Gun Construction.”
(4) The chapter on “Anti-Aircraft Guns” has been omitted, as it has been fully covered in other chapters.
This revision has been accomplished by Lieutenant Commander Philip P. Welch, U.S.N., and Lieutenant T. C. Evans, U.S.N., under the direction and supervision of the Head of Department of Ordnance and Gunnery, United States Naval Academy.
JULES JAMES,
Captain, U. S. Navy.
U. S. NAVAL Academy,
DEPARTMENT OF ORDNANCE AND GUNNERY
June, 1937
Principles of Naval Ordnance and Gunnery (1965)
Description of 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 inch Seacoast Guns ... (this is an Army manual; 1917)
Flashless Powder Tests in Navy 16-inch Guns (1945)
Service Live of Naval Gun Barrels: 20mm to 16-inch (1952)
Technical Data for 16-inch 50-caliber MK 143, MK 144, and MK 145 Assemblies (1984)
US Navy Gun Barrels 76mm thru 16-inch: Informational Handbook (1986)
Battleship 16"/50 Caliber Gunnery Handbook (1988)
RANGE AND BALLISTIC TABLES 1935
RANGE AND BALLISTIC TABLES 1946
