MEPPEN EXPERIMENTS. 
285 
Versailles in 1871* with the Germans, stated that out of 70 B.L. 24-prs. no less 
than 36 had become unserviceable during 15 days’ firing; and that had the French 
held out another week, the German siege batteries would have been silenced and 
their guns unfit for use, chiefly from weakness at the breech. A letter in the 
“Times” signed “Armed Science” amply confirmed these statements.f Herr Krupp 
himself, in 1878, in a letter to the “Times,” said that after the war “the German 
Government remodelled the whole of its field and siege breech-loading artillery.’* 
Therefore it is apparent that up to 1871 the German field and siege guns, firing 
very small charges, became unserviceable in large numbers on active service; and 
a great power, after a most successful campaign, found itself compelled to remodel 
the whole of its field and siege artillery. We are told that all these defects have 
been remedied, but the recent improvements have not undergone the crucial test of 
war; and if guns of small calibre display such weakness with small charges, what 
may we expect with 70-ton guns in a prolonged and rapid action? At all events, 
we must, I think, suspend our judgment, and I would point out that from these 
grave defects of breech mechanism the muzzle-loading guns are absolutely free. 
There is one point in which I quite agree with Captain Orde Browne—namely, in 
the desirability of carrying on extended and crucial experiments with heavy breech¬ 
loading guns. Several of various calibres are, I understand, now under manufacture, 
and will soon be ready for trial as to power, safety, and rapidity of fire, &c. The 
problem stands in this way :—It seems admitted that guns made on either system, 
will yield practically the same results as to range and general power; it therefore 
remains to be seen whether guns on a breech-loading system are equally safe in 
prolonged and rapid action, and in all the hurried incidents of service in dark, 
confined turrets, or between decks, and with partially trained men. So far as our 
own experience goes, and that of other powers also, there is reason to doubt 
whether they are so, or from their nature can be thoroughly relied on; but should 
these grave defects be overcome, and whilst safe should they prove more handy, 
more rapid in their fire, and more convenient for certain situations, the officers and 
men of the service will have no hesitation in adopting them. We are not wedded 
to any system, but are only anxious for the best weapons, and I have every con¬ 
fidence in the knowledge and skill of those who are in authority and responsible 
for these matters. Some years have passed since I had any real voice in these 
questions, but I cannot help still feeling an interest in them. The officers of the 
Koyal Artillery have no personal interests to serve; they have no selfish motives in 
recommending one system more than another; they are not wedded to a muzzle or 
a breech-loading system. They are ready, as they have always been, to consider 
the best interests of the service. I would also add that we artillerymen recognise 
the fact that our guns have to be manned and fought by sea as well as by land; 
and we cordially recognise that in a great naval, military, and colonial power, and 
the necessity not only of unity of system, but of unity of feeling and support from 
the officers of the Koyal Navy. I am sorry to have detained you so long, and yet 
I feel that I have only touched the fringe, as it were, of this great and difficult 
subject. (Applause.) 
Major-General S. E. Gordon, C.B., K.A., saidIt appears to me that 
breech-loading is, in a manner, forced upon us by circumstances; we have 
* See letter in <e Times” of that date. 
f Colonel Maitland reported that two Krupp field guns out of fire were disabled in one battery 
in the Turkish war by the fire of the enemy, which injured the breech mechanism. 
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