1832.] Iron Suspension Wheels. 533 



Two 12-pounders were next dragged through the same marsh. One mounted on 

 patent iron wheels, the other on wood, and the draft applied was four horses to 

 each (half the proper number) ; both moved through without stopping, but the 

 draft was evidently difficult to both. — It was observed, that the iron wheels with 3-inch 

 tire, did not collect earth about the rim as a 6-inch tire does when moving 

 through soft ground. 



The 24 and 12-pounder. were next placed in battery in front of the earthen butt, 

 and from each gun were fired three rounds with full service charges (shotted one to 

 each) — no visible effect was produced by this discharge. 



To learn what would be the effect of a cannon ball fired at one of the patent 

 iron wheels, one wheel was placed in front of the butt : the first discharge from 

 the 12-pounder in the battery disabled two spokes. They were struck in an oblique 

 direction, and the ball cut them as smooth as if it had been done with a sharp 

 cutting instrument, bending both to one side, but without a fracture or fragment 

 flying off. 



The second shot was directed to the face of the rim, which broke it, and bent 

 one end inwards ; one spoke was also cut through the nave, was grazed on the un- 

 der side, one end of the nave box cracked, and a small piece cut off the opposite 

 side of the rim. 



The effect produced on the wood wheels differed very materially, the first shot 

 from the same gun shattered two spokes, the splinters from which spread much. 



A second shot was then fired at the wood wheel, placed with the face of the 

 tire inclined to the front : the shot struck the tire a little below the centre of 

 the nave, shivered it to pieces, and scattered the numerous fragments of the 



shattered wheel in all directions, some to a considerable distance This wheel 



was no longer repairable. 



From the foregoing experiments, it is but justice to the patentees of the iron 

 wheels to record the advantage under which they appear. 



First. They are stronger and not so easily disabled in action, and when struck 

 with a cannon ball, do not splinter. 



Secondly. When they sustain an injury to the extent of two or three spokes 

 broken, the wheel might be continued in use till an opportunity occurred of re- 

 pairing it ; while a wooden wheel under similar circumstances would for the time 

 be unserviceable. 



Thirdly. The iron wheels are not subject to those changes which influence of 

 climate and changes of seasons work on wood wheels — we have seen in the course 

 of these experiments, that new wheels, that have lain a few years in store, would 

 require to be set up before sent on service ; no length of time can render that 

 necessary with the wrought- iron wheels. 



Under all these circumstances, we are of opinion, that the trial, which has been 

 made at Woolwich of the iron wheels, has been sufficiently satisfactory to warrant 

 a hope, that the further and more extensive experiments, which the Bengal Govern- 

 ment will be enabled to made, under all the vicissitudes of Indian climate, will bring 

 their advantages fully to the notice of the Honourable Court. 



The battery experiments were obligingly and ably assisted by the exertions of 

 Captain Rawnsley, of the Royal Artillery, who superintended laying the guns, and 

 which was done with an accuracy and effect hardly to be exceeded, and on the 

 present occasion was all that could be wished for. 



(Signed) Thomas Hardwicke, Major-General. 

 (Signed) W. Forrest, Lieut. -Colonel. 



