THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
299 
In the first place, we notice that systems of the second class are 
necessarily breech-loading. We have not space to go into the question 
of the rival merits of muzzle-loading and breech-loading; but we 
observe that* if it be decided that muzzle-loading is best, the systems 
of this class must be necessarily rejected. 
The other conditions we must look to in making our decision are as 
follows:— 
Ease, cheapness, and certainty of manufacture. 
Liability to injury or deterioration.—Mechanically-fitting iron and 
steel projectiles are liable to rust; and this is a serious matter, as on 
account of their small windage a very slight departure from smoothness 
will cause the shot to jam in the bore, either in loading or discharge. 
Soft-coated and studded projectiles get their coatings and studs injured 
by the shocks of transport. Studded projectiles appear to be rather 
weakened by the holes cut in them for affixing the studs. 
Liability of shot to jam in the bore.—Hard mechanically-fitting 
projectiles are liable to this fault, either from carelessness of manufacture 
or rust, on account of their small windage. Studded projectiles have 
also been found to jam, through the studs being forced out of the 
grooves and caused to override the lands. 
Safety in use.—The first lead-coated projectiles were dangerous to 
fire over the heads of your own troops, as the lead used to strip off. 
This fault has, however, been rectified. 
Liability to injury of the bore of the gun. 
Fuzes.—Systems which have no windage, or very little, cannot ignite 
their fuzes by the flame of the explosion. Complicated percussion 
arrangements are therefore required to ignite the time fuzes, which 
render them very uncertain in their action, and expensive. The 
Germans, however, say that their time fuzes act sufficiently well if used 
fresh, before they have had time to deteriorate. 
So far we have been considering the principles of the first class— 
viz., those which affect the chance of hitting; let us now turn to those 
of the second—viz., those which influence the effect produced. 
The former class we were able to discuss generally, as the same 
principles hold good whatever may be the object fired at ; but in dis¬ 
cussing the second class, we must consider the various objects aimed 
at> and services required, separately. 
We will consider the services in the following order 
(1) Artillery for ships and coast defences. 
(2) // fortresses and siege works. 
(3) a field service. 
And in each case We will consider the principles by which, and the 
conditions Under which, the projectiles will produce the most effect. 
I .—Naval Service and Coast Defences. 
Ship guns may have to be used either against armoured or unarmoured 
ships and boats, against cpast batteries and fortifications of iron, 
masonry, or earth, or for bombardments. 
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