Rensselaer Republican, Volume 28, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 November 1895 — Cannon on a Bicycle. [ARTICLE]

Cannon on a Bicycle.

A bicycle troop has been organized in Brooklyn, and it is but a question of a short time before the suburban police of all our cities will be mounted upon the silent, isteel steed. It was given, however, the thousands of people -who viewed the inonsLer bicycle parade on the Otean boulevard recently, says the New York .World, to witness the -ftrstrbicycVe~cahnon, the first of a'pack of-flying light artillerv. and for which an application for a patent has been made ' The vehicle was a twin cycle,, in appearance a tricycle, and known as a duplex. It is especially light and strong. The cannon, a steel rifled affair thirty-four inches in length, eight inches at the butt and four at the muzzle, and weighing about fifty pounds, is swung between the two rear wheels, resting upon the connecting axle and is further supported from above. An ingenious mechanism permits of the piece of ordnance being raised or deflected to any angle. The caisson containing tlie ammunition is carried on another duplex. Four artillery men equip a battery. They are at once gun crew and motive power. Two men on the seats can propel the machines with-their heavy loads at a faster gait than horses have ever shown in similar service. The work of wheeling the gun into position is the work of an instant.