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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
2. The lightest possible draught of water, to enable this powerful weapon to be 
brought into very shoal water in shore or in shallow seas. 
3. Perfect impossibility of foundering at sea through any combination of causes. 
4. Being so. constructed as to be shell-proof from any but the largest shells; and 
so that if pierced right through from top to bottom in several places, the vessel 
shall still float safely, and be capable of continuing in action. 
5. A construction such that, at the distant range intended for the use of the 
3fi-inch mortar, the sides and bulwarks of the vessel will be practically shot-proof; 
that below water, where capable of being reached by shot, the sides will be 
perfectly shot-proof;* and that even if pierced with shot, no serious damage will be 
sustained. 
6. That while her bulwarks rise a sufficient height efficiently to protect the men 
on deck, the whole mass lies so low in the water as, at the distance required for 
mortar practice, to present a very thin line to the enemy; and the hull being 
painted of a greyish sea-green colour, will be scarce discernible as .a mark ; and as 
respects the liability of the deck to receive shells, as compared with the floating 
batteries (“ Meteor,” &c.), the actual surface exposed to such vertical fire is less 
than that of the “Meteor” in the ratio 5560 to 6678, or presents about one- 
sixth less area. 
7. The battery is so arranged as to present two of her sides and one angle 
always to the enemy, so that all shot reaching her from thence will strike her sides 
at an angle of 45° to the surface of the hull, and hence have small penetrative 
power. 
8. As the long range of the 3 6-inch mortar precludes the necessity of ever 
bringing the battery within suitable range for effective horizontal fire, so it is not 
proposed to arm her with any very heavy guns. 
Bive long 32-prs., however, form part of her armament, for the purpose of 
giving an efficient defence to attempts at boarding or capture by gunboats. These 
guns, however, might occasionally also be serviceably employed in battering, or 
might be exchanged for an equal or smaller number of heavier guns. 
9. It is proposed that the battery be always attended by one or more tug-boats, 
to tow her into and out of action, or rapidly change position, &c.; and hence the 
engine-power put on board is very moderate—its action upon the two screws with 
which she is provided being chiefly intended to be used in shifting the mortar 
battery (when at anchor) in azimuth, so as to avoid the labour and loss of time in 
changing the direction of the heavy mortar itself. The engine-power and screws, 
however, will probably ensure a speed of from three to four knots an hour unaided. 
10. The surrounding bulwarksf being higher than the men’s heads above the 
deck, and standing rather more than 7 ft. above the deep water-line, free from all 
standing rigging or any other thing upon which a grasp may be maintained, render 
the battery extremely difficult to board, more especially from light vessels which 
are low in ilie water; and the bulwarks may be most efficiently defended by 
musketry from loop-holes, or from the top, by a wooden ‘'banquette” running 
round. Such of the ports as may not be in use are provided with stoppers of a 
peculiar construction, which will be equally shot-proof with the rest of the 
bulwarks. 
* Against 68 lb. round sliot, the most powerful projectile then in use. 
f The bulwarks were of heavy scantlings of teak, iron-plated, 
