Cartridge ammunition makes quick firing practical

Hotchkiss-style quick firing combined the projectile and propellant in one cartridge instead of requiring them to be loaded separately. A small crew could pass in a complete round, close the breech, fire, and repeat the cycle at roughly twelve or more rounds per minute. The 1885 QF 4.7-inch Mark I shows the approach becoming the starting point for a durable Royal Navy gun family. The arrangement reduced the number of separate physical actions required from the crew. It marks an important stage in automation: simplify human work before technology is ready to replace it. The efficient ammunition package and shorter loading sequence produced the practical gain.