Named after the West Point and MIT graduate Army Captain David A. Lyle (1845 - 1937). The Lyle Gun was used to "shoot" a tethered projectile across to vessels run aground near coastal shorelines. Afterwards, a heavier line was attached to a "breeches buoy" and the crew and passengers would be pulled to safety. This particular Lyle Gun was donated to the Museum by Robert May, KP Class of 1944.