MECHANICS AND USEFUL ARTS. 95 



This butt was erected on the mud, at a distance of 460 yards, and the 

 practice took place at high water from guns of several calibres, and 

 various charges of powder, both shot and shells, were fired. A.i inter- 

 vals between the firing, boats visited the butt to examine the effects of 

 particular shot on the iron work. It was found that on the side that 

 the shot entered a large and tolerably round hole Was made in the iron 

 plate, the circumference being much jagged and the edge turned in- 

 ward. On the opposite side, where the shot passed out, the hole was 

 larger and also jagged, the edge of the hole turned outwards, with oc- 

 casionally some rivets started. Some of the shot on entering, and 

 from striking against angles of the iron ribs, were broken in pieces, 

 the fragments passing out at the opposite sides, making holes of vari- 

 ous sizes and forms. Shells also appeared to have a very destructive 

 effect on the iron-work in creating splinters, and the pieces of shell 

 passing out through the plates at the opposite side, the off-side in all 

 cases suffering most. Of course, neither shot, nor shells, nor grape, 

 nor canister would lodge in iron vessels, as would be the case in 

 wooden vessels. To test the effect of the splinters inside the vessel, 

 a slight plank bulkhead had been run up between the iron sides of the 

 butt. This was found entirely shattered, and shows clearly how 

 dreadfully the crew of an iron vessel would have suffered, more espe- 

 cially when it is considered that the splinters from the jagged iron in- 

 flict the most dangerous description of wound, even a slight one pre- 

 disposing the party hurt to tetanus or lock-jaw, and otherwise being 

 most difficult to cure. From the experiments made, it is certain that 

 iron vessels are not fit to cope with vessels of wood ; neither are they 

 fit to go against batteries ; for it is now tolerably certain that the fatal 

 effects of every shot received on board would be quadrupled by the 

 tendency of the iron-work to splinter, fly off, and destroy every thing 

 in the immediate vicinity of the concussion, more especially when the 

 ball itself is also likely to split and break to pieces. 



With a view of remedying the destructive effects of shot on iron 

 vessels, Lt. Walter, R. N., has invented a preparation which he calls 

 Kamptulicon. It is a composition, the principal ingredients being In- 

 dia-rubber and sawdust, and it is proposed to line the sides of iron ves- 

 sels with it, to the thickness of twelve inches. The projector asserts 

 that, from the peculiarly adhesive qualities of the prepared solution 

 with wTiich it is applied, the necessity of any fastening is obviated ; 

 that it closes, by collapsing, the hole made by the entrance of shot ; 

 that it receives and imbeds in itself the terribly dangerous splinters ; 

 that it deadens concussion ; and lastly, that its buoyancy will keep a 

 ship afloat, even if riddled with shot. The result of some experiments 

 has been also published, the object of which was principally to test the 

 practicability of its adhesion to the iron, without the use of bolt or bar 

 of any kind. A target of iron, six feet square, to which the Kamp- 

 tulicon lining was attached by means of a solution prepared for the 

 purpose, was erected at a distance of forty yards from a thirty-two- 

 pounder. Four shots were fired with the iron surface presented, with 

 a very curious effect, two of which deserve especial notice ; namely, 

 the third, which, fired with a reduced charge, to represent a long range, 



