THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
265 
that, supposing them to start with the same initial velocity of 1350 ft. 
per second, the remaining velocity at 1000 yds. would be—of the 
former 1052 ft. per second, of the latter 1020; at 2000 yds., of the 
former 920 ft., and of the latter 889. 
“It was agreed to make trial of a gun of 3'3-in. calibre, as it was 
found that the useful capacity of the shrapnel shell would not be 
materially affected by the decrease of diameter.” * 
On the 28th March, 1871, authority was given to manufacture a 
3'3-in. gun, and demands were made on the 31st March, 1871, upon the 
Royal Gun Factories for the gun, and upon the Royal Laboratory for 
projectiles. 
The gun was issued to Shoeburyness on the 11th May, 1871, and was 
subsequently, by request, placed at the disposal of the Superintendent 
Royal Laboratory, to enable that officer to make preliminary experi¬ 
ments with projectiles. This course is usually followed, and the 
3'6-in. gun had been similarly placed at the disposal of the Royal 
Laboratory on the 18th January, 1871. 
The following table gives the particulars of the projectiles supplied 
by the Superintendent Royal Laboratory for the two guns. 
Table X. 
Table giving particulars of projectiles for 3'6 and 3'3-in. guns forwarded 
from Royal Laboratory on the 14th April, 1871. 
Calibre. 
Projectile. 
Nature. 
Contents of 
shrapnel. 
Length. 
Total 
weight. 
Bursting 
charge. 
3-6 
Shrapnel. 
f 63 bullets at 18 
1 per lb., and 56 > 
ins. 
9-35 
lb. oz. 
16 3| 
lb. oz. 
3-6 
Common . 
C at 84 per lb. ) 
10-20 
16 0 
1 1 
3-6 
Shrapnel. 
72 at 18 per lb. 
10-05 
16 14| 
- 
3-6 
Common. 
- 
10-8 
16 14J 
1 2| 
3-3 
Shrapnel. 
72 at 18 per lb. 
11-3 
16 1 
— 
3-3 
Common . 
- 
11-3 
16 0 
0 15 
On the 3rd June, 1871, the Superintendent Royal Laboratory stated 
that “the trial of shrapnel shells in the 3'3-in. gun at Shoeburyness has 
not proved satisfactory—three out of six having broken in the gun. 
“ It is evident that with this long shell and more rapid spiral, greater 
thickness is necessary; this will reduce the capacity considerably. 
It is scarcely surprising that on receipt of this it was decided that 
no further steps be taken for the manufacture of shrapnel shells 
* “ Report, 16-pr. Muzzle-loading Rifled Field Gun.” 1872. p. 2. 
f Extract from a letter addressed to Committee. 
