SHRAPNEL FIRE. 
195 
strike the object in the early portion of their flight, before they have 
attained a height of 6 ft., the following proportion of the cone is lost:— 
At 1000 yds. range the loss = ‘184 of the cone. 
n 1800 a n = '86 a 
n 1600 „ ii ='56 
a 2000 a a = *92 a 
In the case of time shrapnel, although at long ranges the bullets may 
start on the opening of the shell with comparatively small velocities, yet, 
in consequence of the greater angle of descent, they have but a short 
range, and consequently retaining a very sufficient velocity^ the whole 
of the cones are composed of effective missiles. 
In the case of percussion shrapnel the velocity of the shell decreases 
as the range increases, in the same manner as with time; but here 
the analogy between them ceases. Not only are the bullets affected 
by this loss, but also by retardation on graze; although, since they 
start at a larger angle of elevation, they require more instead of less 
velocity to render them effective as they progress. Both these 
causes of loss increase rapidly with the range and the consequently 
larger angles of descent and ascent. 
If these facts are taken in conjunction with those at p. 194, it is 
evident how soon percussion shrapnel cease to be effective from the 
bullets rising, and how few of these latter, even at ordinary ranges, 
still retain sufficient momentum when they have descended low enough 
to come again into play. In other words, the ground covered by 
percussion compared with time shrapnel is very small, and decreases 
rapidly as the range increases. 
When an obstacle, either natural or artificial, is interposed between 
a percussion shrapnel and the object, the amount of loss of effect is 
very great. 
Take, for instance, the parapet of the gun pit in the Okehampton 
experiments. It was 3 ft. high and the pit 2 ft. 6 ins. deep. A 
man of 6 ft., standing upright, had therefore only 6 ins. exposed to 
fire. When loading, the Nos. were placed in the ordinary position* 
Nos. 2 and 3 were 5*5ft., 4 and 5 lift, behind the parapet. A 
16-pr. R.M.L. was employed. The range was 2030 yds., and the angle 
of ascent of its percussion shell, therefore, was about 8°. 
The following table will give the portions of the men exposed to 
bullets in such a case ;— 
Burst. 
10 yds, 
20 „ 
80 „ 
40 „ 
56 a 
Nos. 2 and 3. 
passes clear 
T25 ft. 
, *21 „ , 
, '26 „ , 
. '29 „ 
Nos. 4, 5; and 1. 
passes clear. 
•034 ft. 
*125 „ 
*18 „ 
Under such circumstances, even the tallest man, standing bolt 
upright, is only very little exposed. A shorter man stooping slightly 
is perfectly safe* 
