396 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
(5) This kind of fire is unattainable by any troops that have not a regular 
laboratory, or cannot get a government supply. 
(6) Its effect is such that I have myself put 146 shot entirely through 
a deal target, two inches thick and nine feet square, at the distance of 
half a mile, the whole charge being 208 shot, at one discharge. 
(Signed) H. SHRAPNEL. 
Birch's MSS. in the R.A. Institution:— 
Hints 07i the March — Gunner’s Guide . 
" Upon the march it is advisable to have all the shells filled with balls, 
and a temporary or small hand-tap oiled, to keep in order, once a month, 
the screw at the top of the fuze-hole. Euzes for short ranges, beginning 
at 350 yards, to be always kept prepared, cut, and ready in bags, each bag 
containing fuzes for one range only, beginning at 350 yards, and fuzes kept 
ready cut for every one hundred yards afterwards, that is 450, 550, 650, 
750, and 850 yards, after which distance they may always be prepared in 
the field, there being plenty of time when the enemy is at a distance, slow 
firing being then most proper. 
“ All the balls in spherical case shot, proceed on straight towards the object, 
in the direction the gun is pointed, and do not fly about when the shell 
explodes. The * splinters of the shells also persevere, tolerably well, in a 
good direction towards the enemy, from the bursting powder giving them 
so inconsiderable a lateral velocity in comparison to a forward velocity by 
the charge from the piece of ordnance.”— Extracted from “ Rules laid down 
by Coloyiel Shrapnel for Spherical Case Shot Practice 
Two points of the greatest importance are distinctly asserted in the 
“ advantages ” before quoted, (1) a small bursting charge, and (2) the 
projectile being independent of the irregularities of the ground. 
Consequent upon the introduction of this projectile there was a complete 
change in the system of fuzes then in use. A certain number of lengths of 
fuze were carried in the limber boxes, distinguished by colours, and suitable 
for short and medium ranges; for long ranges they had to be specially 
prepared. In order still further to facilitate the service of these shells, the 
tangent scales of the guns were marked with the letter of the fuze corre¬ 
sponding to the range, so that the gunner had only to guess his range when 
both fuze and elevation were shewn him, without troubling him about 
degrees or minutes, or rates of burning. 
Thus, should the gun require an elevation of 4°, G fuze is to be used, the 
length of which will be -Jo, and the effect of the balls will extend from 1160 
to 1330. (Figs. 1, 2). 
I r* i 1 r i ■ p‘ i 1 r i 1 r i 1 i mI i 1 0 
| ! ; 1 j 1 
Cl*- |c 
Li 
1 11 111 HI 111 111 Jli a II 
2 <S 
Oil 
is 
Fig. 1. 
Flat side. 
About half the full size, for a light 6-pr., 6 ft. 
Fig. 2. 
Round side. 
