This paper presents the results of a theoretical study of radiation from a cylindrical source of finite length, the walls of which are subjected to symmetric lateral and tangential stresses. Three divergent wave systems are generated, P, SV, and SH, and their amplitudes are calculated in terms of the stresses operative on the walls of the “equivalent cavity.” The zonal distribution of amplitude in the three wave systems is calculated, and the total amount of energy in each is estimated. It is shown that under the action of a lateral pressure only, an SV wave of amplitude 1.6 times the maximum amplitude of the associated P‐wave is beamed from the source in directions making angles of 45° with the axis of the source.