300 
SILVER MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1898. 
When this calibre has been at various times adopted for guns of such 
various powers as those in the above list, it is evident that it is generally 
suitable for field service. Moreover its adoption in conjunction with 
a 12^-lb. projectile would enable us to utilize our stocks of well-known 
and tested projectiles, and save us from having to design and try new 
ammunition as well as new guns. It should not therefore be reduced. 
We are now in a position to estimate the general possibilities of a 
Q.F. equipment. 
Mobility is the first essential—the weight behind the team with four 
gunners mounted should if possible be kept down to 38 cwt., or say 
4,300 lbs. Of this the limber with two men would require 2,000 lbs. ; 
this leaves 2,300 lbs. for the gun and carriage with two men on the 
axletree seats, or 2,000 lbs. when unlimbered in action. 
Next, an energy of recoil of 09 ft. tons should not be exceeded, while 
if possible a 12^-lb projectile should be adopted. 
A glance at Table F leads us to the conclusion that with above data a 
muzzle velocity of about 1,350 to 1,400 f.s. will fufil the requirements. 
It will be observed that, before the weight of the present 15-pounder 
is reached, there is a margin of 450 lbs., which, if necessary, can be 
added to gun and carriage, either to supply additional strength, or, by 
mere inertia, to reduce shock. But on no account whatever should the 
weight of the 15-pounder equipment be exceeded. 
Although 1,400 f.s. appears a low muzzle velocity, a study of Table G 
in appendix shows how very little is really lost at most ranges by the 
reduction from 1,540 f.s. the M.Y. of the horse artillery gun : only 
about 5 per cent at medium ranges. 
We therefore conclude that a Q.F. equipment does not necessarily 
involve any loss in mobility, while the loss of individual shell power is 
limited to the substitution of a shell containing 162 bullets 
for one containing 200 and a lowering of velocity for practical 
purposes of only about 5 per cent. ; against which must be set off the 
fourfold increase in the rate of fire. Table H in appendix sets forth 
the comparison in fire effect between such an equipment and the 
present service equipment, and shows an overwhelming superiority for 
the Q.F.’s. 
7. The necessity for still higher training of personnel—Officers 
and Men .—There can be no doubt that an equipment of a 
distinctly higher order, will demand corresponding advances in the 
training of its personnel. But this can safely be left to our officers and 
men. Calls made upon them have always been responded to. It will 
however be very desirable to give extra pay to trained and efficient gun 
layers, as is at present done in the garrison artillery. 
SECTION Y. 
The Balance between the Advantages and Disadvantages. 
Having now carefully gone through the leading pros and cons of the 
whole subject, it behoves us to weigh them well. Momentous indeed 
is the question under consideration, for on the decision may hang the 
issue of our next struggle against the armed Nations around us. Great 
are the advantages set out in Section III., and if fully realized in 
practice, they must be overwhelming. But great, too, are the disadvan¬ 
tages. On the one hand, we have an established armament, a system 
