258 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
We see from Table VII. that in the case of the 3*3-in. gnn the recoil 
of the first round was not observed. From the second to the fifth 
round the gun recoiled freely, and the distance is stated. From the 
sixth to the twelfth round the recoil was “ stopped ” by sand-bags 
placed behind the wheels. From the thirteenth to the fifteenth it was 
“ checked” by placing a drag-shoe under each wheel; and for the 
remainder of the rounds it was “ stopped ” as above. 
The range, however, was practically unaffected by the nature of recoil. 
Whether the recoil was free, was “ stopped,” or was " checked,” the 
range was practically the same. 
We see also from Table VIII. that the recoil of the 3’6-in. gun 
was " stopped ” in a similar manner. I cannot, therefore, admit the 
soundness of the conclusion that the greater range of the 3*6-in. gun 
at 2° " can only be accounted for from the fact of the 3‘3-in. gun being 
allowed to recoil, while the recoil of the 3*6-in. gun at the same ele¬ 
vation was checked.” 
But this leads us to another point that has a most important bearing 
on this question of recoil. 
What is the meaning or significance of the words " Becoil checked,” 
" Recoil stopped ?” 
Do they mean that the gun is lashed down so as to be almost im¬ 
moveable ; or that the free motion backwards of the gun and carriage 
is immediately subjected to restraint ? 
Nothing of the kind. These terms, which are interchangeable, only 
signify that some means has been taken to prevent the gun and 
carriage from running off the platform on which the practice takes place. 
The note to Table VII. informs us that " the gun was placed on low- 
level platform, shot range.” 
This means that during practice the gun and carriage stood upon a 
wooden platform placed on the Shoeburyness sands at one extremity 
of the "shot range”—viz., a particular line of pegs 50 yds. apart. 
This platform is of limited length, and is surrounded by the muddy 
sands ; if, therefore, the recoil of a gun is too lively, or the surface of the 
platform—which is covered by the tide at high water—more “ slimy ” 
than usual, the recoil is " checked ” or " stopped.” 
There are various ways of doing this. Sometimes a couple of hand¬ 
spikes or a few sand-bags are laid behind the wheels; sometimes a 
drag-shoe is so placed that the wheel takes it on recoil—but in any 
case the gun and carriage move freely for some distance before the 
" checking ” process is brought into play. In the case under discus¬ 
sion, the gun and carriage recoiled freely for 6 ft. 
Let us see now what effect the quickness of recoil would, under such 
circumstances, have on the angle at which the shot leaves the bore. 
The investigations of the Committee on Explosives have shown that 
with R.L.Gr. powder, a projectile having a muzzle velocity of about 
1300 f.s., takes about 0*0075 sec. to travel through the bore. 
Let us assume that the 16-pr. shell has taken even 0*01 sec. It 
is evident that this represents the time during which the recoil may 
affect the projectile, since its having any effect is “ on the supposition 
that the recoil commences before the shell is clear of the muzzle.” 
