70 
MINUTES OE PROCEEDINGS OE 
smaller, lighter, cheaper weapon, it is not surprising that the result, while 
it amply justified the action of the Prussian Naval Department, and saved 
it from the fate which had overtaken the Russians—who had already 
embarked largely in these guns—should have occasioned considerable 
disappointment and annoyance in Prussia. The resignation of the Presidency 
of the Prussian Artillery Committee by General Neuman—one of the most 
distinguished of continental artillerists, who had more or less guided the 
labours of the Committee for thirty years—-marks at least his view of the 
completeness of the failure. 
What was the cause of this failure ? Captain von Doppelmair answers 
the question. The initial velocity was too low. The lead jacket was too 
thick. The form and dimensions of the projectiles were unsatisfactory. 1 
These defects must be remedied, and in applying the remedies the 
Prussians necessarily at each point approximated the main features of 
their system nearer to those of the English system. With regard to 
the increase in initial velocity, the passing admission of Captain von 
Doppelmair, that “ high initial velocities had not been looked upon 
as particularly necessary in experiments with guns intended for firing 
against iron ships,” 3 implies that the Prussians had a good deal to 
learn when they entered upon this competition. But the readiness with 
which they now copied each detail of the English system, relieves them 
from the reproach of being slow to learn. We have seen that it 
had been found impossible to obtain any considerable increase in the 
initial velocity by increasing the charge of Prussian powder without loss of 
accuracy; we have seen also that the Prussian guns would not stand the 
English powder. It was therefore wisely determined to try Russian 
prismatic powder, and the result was—by using a charge of 52 lbs. the 
velocity, with a chilled shell of 386 lbs., was increased to 1286 ft.; with 
a shell of 292 lbs., to 1366 ft.; with Krupp's light steel, of 279 lbs., to 
1413 ft. per second. 3 The accuracy of the gun with this charge of prismatic 
powder also proved satisfactory, and superior to that obtained with Prussian 
powder—a result due, as Captain von Doppelmair explains, and as may be 
admitted, to the more uniform combustion of this powder. 4 5 The observation 
here naturally suggests itself, that whatever advantage in respect of greater 
accuracy and uniformity may be due to the use of a superior powder, would 
also accrue to the English gun if the same powder were employed. But the 
way to this conclusion is blocked by the convenient foreign theory, upon 
which we have before commented, that the English gun can use no other than 
English R.L.G. powder. The fallacy of this theory has been already referred 
to, 6 and will presently be more fully exposed; we now only call attention to 
it that it may be observed what an important and valuable theory it is for 
the foreign critics to maintain. In its way, it is almost as useful as 
another favourite and equally baseless theory of Captain von DoppelmaiPs, 
that “it is not possible for the English to make cast steel guns,” and that 
therefore we are “ compelled ” to employ inferior materials and modes of 
construction, the use of which renders breech-loading “ not available ” for 
England. 6 
1 Doppelmair, pp. 16-19. 
3 Ibid. pp. 20, 28. 
5 See p. 68. 
2 Ibid, p. 22. 
4 Ibid. p. 22. 
c Doppelmair, p. 24 
