ARMOUR-PIERCING PROJECTILES. 
479 
The forged steel shells were obtained from the following sources ;— 
1. Messrs, firth and Co. 
2. Messrs. Sir J. Whitworth and Co. 
Thus there were in all thirteen different makes of shell to be tried. 
Six projectiles of each kind were ordered, and the prices ranged per 
shell from £1 4s. 9d. for the service pattern to £15 for those supplied 
by Firth. 
One shell of each kind was broken in the R.L. in order that the 
fracture of the metal might be examined. They were broken under 
a steam hammer, with the exception of the Terre-Noire and Whitworth, 
which were too tough for this treatment, and had to be cut. 
Of the chilled cast-iron shells, the “R.L. improved” gave decidedly 
the best results both as to depth of indent and amount of damage 
done at the rear of the plate. These shells were made of— 
Gun-iron ( i.e ., old cast-iron guns and shells) ... 83*0 p.c. 
Atlas metal (cuttings from Bessemer steel). 17*0 p.c. 
and were chilled like the service Palliser shells.* 
The other shells did less work on the plates, and all broke up on 
impact with the exception of one Finspong shell, which was badly 
cracked and set up. 
All three makes of cast-steel shell gave results decidedly inferior to 
those obtained with the “R.L. improved” shells. 
The shells with cast-steel bodies and chilled-iron heads supplied by 
Messrs. Cammell and Co., gave better effects on the plates than any of 
the above. The only other shells of this type, those supplied by 
Messrs. Vickers and Co., were too soft in the temper of the body, and 
produced small results. 
The Firth shells were soft in temper, and were decidedly inferior to 
the Whitworth shells. The latter gave excellent results. Some of 
them went clean through the target, and were so little altered that they 
were re-studded and fired a second and even a third time. 
The results obtained up to this time showed that it was of no use 
to make further trial for the present of cast-steel shells. 
* The first six shells only were made of this mixture. It is doubtful if they could be economi¬ 
cally supplied in large quantities, or whether a sufficient supply of Bessemer scrap could always be 
obtained. These shells gave really no better results than those given by shells made of the usual 
material. The 60 shell supplied with different forms of head were made as follows 
Per centages of 
9-in. Palliser shell. Gun-iron. Cwmbran white. Old shells. Scrap. 
1£ Diamr. head. 25 .. 25 . — . 50 
If „ . 25 . 15 + 5 p.c. of 
No. 4 Cwmbran. 10 . 45 
2 // ...... 25 . 15 . 15 . 45 
“Scrap” is deadheads, runners, and risers, &c., of Palliser shell. 
