The important and multifarious duties with which the Ordnance
Board — formerly "Board of Experimental Guns" — was specially
charged were so great as not to admit of any one of its members devot-
ing the time necessary for a thorough investigation -and discussion of
the subject. In view of this fact, Capt. Merryman recommended, on
May 21, 1877, "that an application be made to the Chief of Ordnance
for the detail of an officer for this special service." Colonel Crispin,
president of the " Ordnance Board," concurred in this recommendation
in his indorsement of June 1, 1877, upon Capt. Merryman's letter, and
further recommended that said officer should place himself in commu-
nication with Capt. Merryman and the Ordnance Board, "for such
suggestions and instructions as may be deemed proper to give him."
These recommendations were approved by the Chief of Ordnance June



388 LIFE-SAVING ORDNANCE.
G, 1877, and Lieut. D. A. Lyle, Ordnance Department, was "specially
assigned to this duty, in addition to his regular duties at the National
Armory, Springfield, Mass. This officer entered upon the duty at once,
and the results of his labors are embodied in the report from which the
following sketch is taken.
No claims of great originality are made, as this apparatus, like the
Parrott patent, is a direct evolution from the system of Captain Manby,
which dates back to the beginning of the present centur}'. The ad-
vances which have been made during the past year ai'e the result of
careful study and conscientious experiment. The data recorded are of
value for future reference.
