114 Observations on the 



to this weight, but that he thought it too great, and proposed a 

 42-pounder of 52J cvvt. We may, therefore, safely assume 

 that it was a serviceable gun in every respect ; and as it was 

 ten feet long, a diminution of six inches in length might either 

 have reduced this weight, or, retaining the same weight, have 

 obtained a greater thickness of metal at the breech. 



It appears, from the best authorities, that the weight of the 

 42-pounder gun has varied from 55J cwt. to 65 cwt., and the 

 length from 9 to 10 feet. The greatest length now allowed 

 for sea-service guns, is 9J feet. The brass 9^ feet 42-pounders 

 of the famous Royal George, which was, we believe, the last 

 ship in our service armed with brass guns, weighed rather more 

 than 61 J cwt. each. From these facts we may infer, that suf- 

 ficient steadiness of recoil can be obtained when the ratio of the 

 weight of the gun to the shot is greater than that of 147 to 1. 



There cannot, therefore, be a doubt but that the 42-pounder 

 might be again introduced into the catalogue of sea-service 

 ordnance, with a weight of 61 cwt., or half a ton lighter than 

 the present French 36-pounder gun : now, if we dispensed 

 with the useless mass of metal about the muzzle, which only 

 detracts from the elevation, depression and training of the gun, 

 and renders its service doubly delicate*, and disposed it about 

 the breech, so as to give a more conical form to the piece, there 

 would result the advantages of a greater projection of muzzle 

 beyond the port, and a much stronger gun. This conical form 

 has been fully proved to be the proper one for sea-service, as 

 exemplified in the Congreve 24-pounder, which forms the pre- 

 sent arm of the upper decks of our fir^t rates. 



* All gunnery operations at sea ought to be reduced, if possible, to an 

 unity of purpose, and the mind of the gunner should not be distracted by 

 two intentions, viz., hitting his mark, and preventing the swell of the 

 muzzle from breaking away the side of the port in the recoil, and doing 

 other mischief, on account of this contact taking place. The muzzle swell 

 should be got rid of, and the chace carried right through, excepting at the 

 quarters, where the swell might be left, so as to afford a sufficient hold 

 for the muzzle lashing, when the gun is housed. Such a piece of ord- 

 nance could not wood or strike the side of the port in its recoil. The 

 present ordnance could, at a small expense, be altered, to effect such a 

 desirable purpose. It is true that the quarter sights would thus be aban- 

 doned, but at sea they have very rarely been of any service, and, with the 

 present sights, are rendered wholly unnecessary in the operation of point- 

 ing guns on board ship. 



