THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
Ill 
Remarks. 
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On the completion of the trial of the 21st June, the target was dismantled 
by order of the Admiralty, with a view to ascertain with greater exactness 
the actual damage sustained by the structure. 
It will be observed by referring to the annexed drawing, that the greatest 
effect was produced by rounds Nos. 1041 and 1046, which struck nearly on 
the same spot, but the 
damage in this in¬ 
stance is limited to 
the penetration of the 
8" armour plate, and 
about 9" of the 
wood backing, the two 
3J" plates and the 
ribs immediately be¬ 
hind the point of 
impact are slightly 
bulged, but in other respects are uninjured, and the structure may be said 
on the whole to have sustained no material damage. 
The actual effect produced by the 13" gun or (600-pr.) with which the 
experiments were resumed on the 7th December, can only be determined by 
examination when the target is again taken to pieces; a course which the 
Committee understand the Admiralty intend to pursue. A reference, how¬ 
ever, to the Table of Effects will show the observed results of each round in 
detail. 
It will be seen that in no instance was the target penetrated when struck 
on a sound place, the only shot which did penetrate (round No. 1144) struck 
within 18 in. of the hole made by a previous round (No. 1142), where the 
iron must have been considerably weakened behind, by the tendency of every 
blow to break off a disc of metal, which is two or three times the diameter 
of the shot, on the reverse side of the plate, and would consequently have 
extended to the spot struck by No. 1144 : the protecting armour plate was 
8 in. thick in this place. 
It did not appear to the Committee that the plates were of first-rate 
quality; the welding seemed to be imperfect; they did not, however, crack 
to any great extent, taking into account the nature of the blows delivered on 
them. 
Opinion . 
The Committee, having carefully considered the above results, are of 
opinion— 
(1) That a structure such as is represented by the “ Hercules }} target 
appears to be practically impenetrable by the heaviest known ordnance, so 
long as it is in a sound state; and it appears to them to be a question well 
worth the consideration of the Lords of the Admiralty, whether it may not 
be advisable to reduce the power of defence in the “ Hercules ” by substi¬ 
tuting 8" iron plates for the 9" now proposed, and increasing her power 
