240 ARTILLERY 



In trying the initial velocity of the shot by means of a ballistic pendulum, I was 

 enabled to observe its penetrating power. When fired with charges of 13 oz. of 

 powder, a 3-lb. bullet passed through 2 feet 2 inches of hard elm timber, and flattened 

 against a cast-iron block forming the back of the pendulum. The initial velocity was 

 similar to that generally obtained with round shot fired with proportionate charges, 

 viz. about 1,550 feet per second. 



' In the course of the experiments made with the gun, upwards of 500 rounds were 

 fired ; and ample opportunity was thus afforded of judging as to the durability of the 

 parts affected by the loading at the breech. At first the fitting surfaces which closed 

 the bore were of unhardened steel ; but these soon failed, being cut away in nume- 

 rous small channels by the ignited gases. The steel was then hardened ; but instead 

 of being rendered more durable, it yielded to the action of the powder more rapidly 

 than before. Conceiving, therefore, that the erosion was not a mechanical action, but 

 a chemical effect of combustion, and that a metal which was a better conductor of heat 

 than steel or iron would be less liable to burn on the surface, I was led to substitute 

 copper as the material of the parts affected, and no further difficulty was experienced. 

 The copper fittings applied for this purpose consist of two annular pieces, one of 

 which is screwed into the breech end of the gun, and the other fixed upon the breech- 

 piece. These fittings can very easily and quickly be repaired, when necessary, by 

 means of a tool provided for that purpose, and can also be removed and replaced by 

 others kept in readiness for use ; and there is nothing to prevent these operations 

 being performed by the gunners when on service, if they be previously instructed. 



1 The advantages of loading at the breech may be stated as follows : 



' 1st. It permits of a bullet being used of a larger diameter than the bore, by which 

 means accuracy of fit is secured, and the material of the bullet is forced into the 

 grooves of the bore. 



' 2nd. Any ignited matter remaining in the gun after firing may with ease and cer- 

 tainty be removed, or, if left in the gun, it will be thrust forward from the part where 

 its presence would be dangerous, by the insertion of the succeeding bullet. 



' 3rd. In the arrangement which I have adopted, the perishable part of the gun, 

 viz. the vent and its vicinity, is comprised in the moveable breech-piece, which may be 

 easily replaced when worn or otherwise injured. 



' 4th. A rifled gun loaded at the breech may be more rapidly fired than a rifled gun 

 loaded at the muzzle, because the fouling of the bore presents no impediment to the 

 insertion of the bullet when introduced from behind ; but as compared with smooth 

 bored ordnance of the ordinary description, there is probably nothing to gain in poir t 

 of quickness of firing. 



' The gun was remarkably free from tendency to become heated by firing, a fact 

 which can only be explained upon the supposition that the heating of a cannon is 

 occasioned, not by the contact of the flame, but by some molecular action of the 

 metal, produced by the explosion, and more effectually resisted by wrought-iron than 

 by cast-iron or bronze ; but possibly the compound structure of this gun may also 

 operate to deaden vibration, and prevent the evil in question. 



' It may, perhaps, be objected to this gun, that from the smallness of the bore, it 

 cannot be applied for throwing shells as well as solid projectiles ; but the fact is, 

 these two purposes are incompatible with each other, unless both be imperfectly at- 

 tained, for while the one necessarily requires a large bore, the other demands a small 

 one ; and it therefore seems preferable to have separate guns specially adapted for 

 each application. As a civilian, I speak with diffidence upon the advantages which I 

 believe the long range of this description of field-gun will afford in its military ap- 

 plication ; but I may be permitted to observe, that the incident which chiefly con- 

 tributed to direct my attention to this subject still appears to furnish a forcible illus- 

 tration of its importance. I allude to the memorable service rendered at Inkermann, 

 by means of two 18-pounders, laboriously dragged from the batteries, and ultimately 

 directed with great gallantry and success against the Kussian artillery, at a distance 

 from which the numerous but lighter guns of the enemy could not effectually reply. 

 Now, these two battery-guns were but a clumsy substitute for light, long-range guns, 

 which would have rendered the same important service with more promptitude and 

 ease, and could have operated at a greater distance from the enemy's fire. It is, per- 

 haps, chiefly as ' guns of position,' commanding important points at great but as- 

 certained distances, that these rifled guns would be valuable, because long range can 

 only be made available where distance can be determined, which it cannot easily be 

 in the rapid operations for which ' field-pieces ' are employed. It is, therefore, as 

 adjuncts to, and not as substitutes for, the present description of field ordnance that 

 I propose the adoption of these guns ; and when fully brought to perfection, I believe 

 they will furnish a most important addition to the artillery of an army. 



' With respect to the construction of heavy ordnance by the process of twisting 



