36 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
came very near his own experience, and he could confirm many of his 
excellent observations. He referred to the very high estimation in 
which the productions of the Royal Arsenal were held in foreign 
countries, quoting the observation he had heard of by a foreign officer, 
that if an angel from Heaven came down to say that a certain projectile 
was good, he would not believe it unless the article had been adopted 
at Woolwich. (Laughter.) Captain Morgan also confirmed the obser¬ 
vations of Captain Browne as to the density of white metal as compared 
with grey, having himself had to examine shells of French pattern at 
Elswick, which he found to be heavier than others of similar bulk—a 
fact explained by the metal being whiter and denser. He referred, 
also, to the manufacture of chilled shells of the new pattern, expressing 
an opinion that the holes near the base are not so readily detected 
by the men engaged in their manufacture as the holes near the nose 3 
and should be carefully watched , as a possible means of danger . As 
to the percussion fuzes made at Elswick, he said that there the manu¬ 
facturers steadily adhered to Pattern No. 2, and that in proving their 
own guns, even at sea, he had never seen one fail on striking the water. 
He concluded by expressing an opinion that the service modifications 
in percussion fuzes had not been always attended with advantage. 
(Applause). 
Colonel Adye said he was sure the meeting would unanimously agree 
With him in thanking Captain Browne for his excellent and interesting 
lecture. (Applause.) They would no doubt also cor^pur with him in 
the opinion that discussions of this character were very desirable in an 
institution like that of the Royal Artillery; and that, in these days of 
scientific advancement, they were much indebted to any officer—espe¬ 
cially those employed in the Royal Arsenal—who had the means of 
gaining information, and was ready to impart it to those who, in the 
exercise of their regimental duties, had not the same opportunities. 
They would esteem it a great favour and kindness on the part of any 
officer similarly situated, who would come forward and tell them of the 
various improvements and alterations which were taking place in the 
manufacturing and scientific departments of the service; and he hoped 
that all present would concur with him in again thanking Captain 
Browne for his valuable paper. (Applause.) Colonel Adye continued 
to observe that Captain Browne had spoken upon so many subjects, that 
he should not attempt to follow him through the whole of his discourse, 
but he was desirous of asking him for information on one or two points. 
One was with respect to chilled shell. It was well known that latterly 
some of these shells had split, and injured the guns from which they 
were fired. They all knew that the “ Hercules 33 had come home with 
one out of the very few guns she had on board injured; and he believed 
there was a projectile now upon the table, the fracture in which must 
have existed for some time before it was discovered. Now, it was not 
satisfactory to think that the Palliser shells—in many respects so 
excellent—were liable to this serious defect, and he should like to know 
from Captain Browne whether there was a probability of overcoming 
the difficulty ? They had heard a great deal lately of Sir Joseph 
Whitworth's metal; perhaps the lecturer would tell them whether, by 
