342 Recent Changes in British Artillery Materiel. [July, 



and tires, but cannot be substituted for oak as a material 

 for spokes. 



2. Carriage Frames and Bodies. 



In this instance the committee are led to the opinion that 

 it would not be expedient to make any changes in the 

 materials which have heretofore been used in the construc- 

 tion of carriage frames and bodies beyond the following ; — 



i. Oak to be used universally for frames instead of ash, 

 on account of its greater durability in store. 



2. Iron angle plates to be used at the joints of all frames 



extending each way to a distance of from seven to 

 twelve inches. 



3. One side of all futchells and the back of splinter-bars 



to be faced with iron plates. 



The wheel marked K, with certain modifications, is 

 strongly recommended for adoption into the service for use 

 with transport carriages ; but the Director of Artillery does 

 not consider that the necessity for a new pattern wheel has 

 been established, and consequently the service pattern 

 remains unaltered. 



The table on page 340 shows the wheels experimented 

 upon. 



V. The table on page 341, showing the velocities and ranges 

 of the English as compared to some of the continental 

 field guns, is satisfactory. In these days of improved small 

 arms, it is essential that our field artillery should possess 

 long ranging powerful weapons, and in this respect it 

 appears we are in advance of the continental armies at 

 present. 



It has been asserted that our gunnery declined during the 

 last few years of the old French war because the enemy 

 seldom came out of port to face it, and alarmists have not 

 been found wanting who see in our long-continued inactivity 

 of peace our gunnery in danger of deterioration. It needs 

 only a visit to Shoeburyness to convince the most sceptical 

 that there is no fear of our artillery failing through desue- 

 tude ; but there is one danger which ought to kept in view, 

 and that is, our stock of powder is limited. When we have 

 to buy Belgian powder in time of peace, where are we to 

 obtain a sufficient quantity in actual warfare ? We need a 

 second establishment as large as Waltham Abbey in the 

 northern or midland counties. 



