1880.] Sfqucl to the ' Thunderer ' Oiui Explosion. 327 



been said, the accumulation of tlic gas in tlio receiver or the admission 

 of air has destroyed the vacuum, and then the exjiansion not being so 

 great, and the absorption of the heat being correspondingly less, the 

 powder explodes. 



I trust that the public, and above all the officers and men who are 

 to work guns such as these on board the ' Thunderer,' are now 

 thoroughly convinced that these guns are safe, when proj^erly used, 

 and arc only unsafe when, by almost a miracle of ill luck, they are 

 double-loaded. And looking at the large number of guns of this 

 design o^ large weights and calibres which are provided for our 

 turret si os and our fortifications, it is in the highest degree neces- 

 sary tha 'he absolute safety of these guns should be thoroughly 

 establish .. They have cost much money, they have involved a large 

 expendit '^f time, and they are the guns on which, at the present 

 moment vents, the country has to rely for its safety in the 



event of v . 



But ' may well be, looking at the fact of the increase in the 

 length of ^uns which is taking place, owing to the diiference in the 

 nature c^' the powder used, that muzzle loading will cease to be 

 practica . with guns of the largest dimensions, and that breech 

 loading ill be employed. If this be so, then all danger of a double 

 charge i done away with. 



There arc, of course, many attendant difficulties, and care will 

 have to be exercised as well with a breech-loader, as with a muzzle- 

 loader, Mid in fact one can conceive, that it will require some practice, 

 or some pecial provision, before those who load breech-loading guns 

 can be taught to believe, that the shot has to be put into the gun 

 point fc 'most, and that it has to precede the powder, and not to 

 follow i But this question of breech-loaders is one upon which I 

 must no urther enter ; at all events, not this evening. 



It or , remains for me to thank the authorities for their kindness 

 in allow ng the specimens from tlie broken gun to be exhibited here 

 to-night, and to thank you for the attention with which you havo 

 listened ) that which is, of necessity, to a very considerable extent, 

 a twicc-t id tale. 



[F. J. B.] 



