414 



MEMOIR OF DANIEL TREADWELL. 



considerable ; still, I had rather encounter it than to deliver to you guns which, although satisfy- 

 ing the terms of the contract, may not bear the extreme charges which may be attained upon the 

 principles of the invention properly carried into practice- If, therefore, you will have the kind- 

 ness to write to me that you assent to the extension of time, — say to October, to guard against 

 unforeseen delays, — I will go on as above proposed, and I shall probably have the guns done in 



all August. 



Very respectfully yours, 



Daniel Treadwell. 



These were finished in November, 1844 ; and although their weight was less 

 than 1,900 pounds, the calibres being seventy inches long, one of them was proved 

 with a succession of charges, commencing w T ith eight pounds of powder, one shot, 

 and two wads, and ending with twelve pounds of pow T der, five shot, and three 

 wads. 



They were accepted by the Government, and then, as in the case of the six- 

 pounders, subjected to the severest test proofs in comparison with other Govern- 

 ment ordnance. 



Colonel Talcott writes to Mr. Treadwell : 



" We have usually carried on the firing to three thousand rounds with cast-iron guns, when 

 they would sustain that number. Your guns will doubtless be able to stand twice three 

 thousand. I will soon propose a scale of increasing charges, similar to what has been done with 



other guns, that we may have elements for a fair comparison, so that when we do publish the 

 fact he who reads can judge correctly." 



As Captain Huger, who had tested the guns, was not particularly impressed with 

 their advantages to the service, Colonel Talcott suggested to the Secretary of 

 War " the expediency of sending him to the works on the Mill-dam to satisfy him- 

 self on the point whether any required number of guns could be made equally 

 good, — that is, all alike, — and also to banish any doubts he may have of their 

 strength." Orders were at once sent, and Captain Huger went to Boston, and 

 reported to the Secretary of War as follows : — 



mechanical 



_ £ _ v? ^,«*V* M.± W^X ^^ »V11 JXAXW 11 M.M. **X^V,»l^x*.~~- W 



scientific attainments of Professor Treadwell, I am of opinion that it is well worth the attention 

 of the Department to give him such encouragement as will allow him fully to test his invention 

 as applicable to the manufacture of guns for throwing heavy projectiles ; and it seems to me that 

 the point at which he should commence is the highest calibre of cast-iron guns in use, the ten- 

 inch guns. If successful in making guns of this calibre, and overcoming the increased recoil due 

 to their want of weight, we might progress with heavier calibres. If projectiles of such weight 

 could be thrown with convenience and accuracy, we will have advanced a long step in the science 

 of artillery. The effect of such projectiles must be tremendous. It is evident such guns will be 

 particularly suited for shipping, and will be, if found practicable, far more serviceable for the 

 navy than on land." 



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