MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
412 
There was no fear of firing over yonr friends’ heads. General William 
Napier, in describing the retreat from Salamanca, 1812, says, “ Nevertheless, 
by giving a quick and well sustained fire, and then running down before 
the smoke cleared away, we gained the fords in safety. Boss’ guns fired 
shrapnel shells over our heads as we descended, and thus kept the enemy in 
check,” &c. 
At Busaco, another defensive battle, Sir John May writes, “ They (the 
shells) were of the utmost use, and their destruction very plainly perceived 
from the heights,” &c. 
This battle, says Belmas, made Massena “more circumspect.” Their 
losses, according to Napier, were about 4500 men, the allies 1300. 
Sir Henry Torrens, Adjutant-General to the Forces, thus writes; speaks 
well out; no hesitation; Horse Guards, 5th March, 1812, “I have seen this 
destructive arm used with great effect against the enemy in the battle of 
Boli^a and Yimiera, in Portugal: in the latter action I have no hesitation 
in attributing the success of our arms, to the amazing impression made upon 
his ranks by the spherical shot,” &c. 
Is it useful against boats ? 
Major Nicolls, Boyal Marines, writes :—Woolwich, March 16, 1812, 
“ Sir Bichard Keats would have had a severe drubbing in the Great Belt, 
but for them. The first shells he fired at the gun-boats they scampered 
off * * * I knew from the Danish officers that they could 
not get their people to stay at their oars, when the shells were fired,” &c. 
, Penzance experiments progressing favourably. 
Sir 
Penzance, 
December 14, 1812. 
It is with great satisfaction I have the honor to state for the information of the 
Master-General and Honourable Board that I have proceeded with the experiments 
at this place, which have succeeded admirably well, and from which the service 
will derive most essential advantage. 
The first object in view was to give greater velocities to the shot within the 
shells which I have accomplished, and at the same time have effected a more simple 
manner of using this new system of fire, which I make no doubt will be esteemed 
of some importance. 
The charges of powder are now so adjusted that the same fuze will suit every 
kind of brass gun without varying the degree of elevation, which introduces a 
material simplicity in the pointing of cannon. 
I have also adopted a new method of priming fuzes without quickmatch, and 
I consider this alteration an improvement of consequence, because quickmatch is 
very liable to get damaged, and also to lose the composition which should adhere 
to it; in either of which instance ignition cannot take place, and the shell can only 
act in such case as a round shot. I have fired several hundred of them with great 
certainty. These fuzes are made more expeditiously and at a less expense than 
those now in the service. 
In the construction of these tables I have been obliged to well ascertain the 
following particulars, viz.: 
(1) The elevation of the ordnance. 
(2) The length of fuze. 
