PENETRATION OP IRON PLATES BY STEEL SHOT. 435 



system would gain another chance, viz. that of making the greatest number 

 of hits for a given number of shots. 



Suppose an iron-clad is desirous of running past a fort which defends an 

 important harbour or roadstead, she would, if possible, ijrobably pass at a 

 rate of over 10 miles an hour. The fort in this case would only have time 

 to fire a few rounds at her ; and if the effect of those rounds was merely an 

 external racking, the vessel might receive no real injury at all — nothing, at 

 least, which would in all likelihood stop her. On the contrary, a happily 

 directed punching shot would have the chance of destroying the machinery, 

 blowing up the magazine, or establishing a leak at the water-line. 



In attacking an iron-clad by the racking system, the whole effect is directed 

 against the casing or armour plating of the vessel, which, for all offensive 

 purposes, is harmless ; the enemy which we want to cripple are the men and 

 guns behind the armour. 



It appears from these considerations that an attack on the "punching" 

 system will probably be attended with gain in time, as the vital parts of the 

 vessel cannot be reached so quickly by an attack on the " racking" system ; 

 and even were an enemy's ship ultimately shattered, and her offensive power 

 destroyed by the effect of heavy blows, this result might not be effected before 

 she accomplished her object, partly, if not altogether. 



The attack on the " punching " system is carried on in an easier manner 

 than that on the " racking " system. The former employs light rifle guns, 

 from 6 to 12 tons, the latter unwieldy heavy ordnance of from 12 to 50 tons. 

 The " racking" projectiles are heavy cast-iron shot fired with relatively small 

 charges ; and the loading and working of such projectiles and guns cannot be 

 carried out as easily or expeditiously as in the case of a system which uses a 

 lighter shot and relatively larger charge. 



The question of expense is one which, although it should come last in an 

 inquiry of this nature, is too often made the most important consideration. 

 If, however, we compare the cost of the 9-inch 12-ton gun, as fairly repre- 

 senting the " punching " system, and the American 15-inch smooth-bore gun 

 as representing the " racking " system, we shall find that the total cost of 

 gun, carriage, and 100 rounds of ammunition is very much the same for 

 each gun. 



On the one hand, the money will have procured a gun which can send a 

 shot, and possibly may send a shell, through the strongest iron-clad yet afloat 

 at 1000 yards range. On the other hand, a gun will be obtained which, if 

 fired with service charges, cannot pierce the above ship at any distance 

 whatever — whose shot at 1000 yards would, if cast iron, merely indent the 

 armour and fall back broke into the water, and if steel, would merely lodge 

 in the ship's side, and whose shell would be absolutely worthless against 

 an iron-clad, and even against wooden ships or earthworks, inferior to the 

 9-inch rifle shell both in accuracy and bursting-power. 



23r2 



