444 
ORGANISATION AND EMPLOYMENT OP SIEGE ARTILLERY. 
Russian 1875, experiments were carried out in Bussia to try the effect of 
tnais with, night fire with shrapnel, the object being to ascertain whether working 
finda? 1 ' 6 * 0 parties could be prevented repairing a damaged parapet, 
effects. Firing took place at a range of 1166 yds. from two 24-prs., weight 
of shell 78 lbs. (containing 230 bullets), time fuzes. The gun was laid 
by means of two pickets 47 yds. apart, planted by day in the plane of 
sight to the front of the gun. Elevation having been given by quadrant, 
the tangent scale was raised a convenient height to give a line of sight 
on to both pickets ; at the point where this line cut each picket, a 
lantern was placed by means of a sliding ring. The tangent scale being 
clamped, the gun was laid by it on the lanterns. 56 dummies were 
spread over the ruined parapet, and 20 shells were fired ; it was found 
that 45 dummies were struck by 201 bullets or pieces of shell, the con¬ 
clusion arrived at being “ that the repairs of parapets even by night 
can only be effected with a risk of great loss.” 
Ammuni- For a British siege train 500 rounds per piece of ordnance composing 
t o'com- 6 the unit has been allotted as the quantity necessary to commence a 
" British ge *siege with. 
tram.” In reference to the above, Prince Hohenlohe states —“ the necessary 
store of ammunition h^s fluctuated in practice between 300 and 500 
rounds per gun.” 
The following table shews the per centage of the various projectiles :—■ 
Nature. 
Com. 
shell. 
Shrap¬ 
nel. 
Bat¬ 
tering. 
Case. 
' Star. 
Car¬ 
cases. 
Dble. 
shell. 
f 64-pr. 
60 
30 
8 
2 
Heavy \ 40-pr. 
60 
36 
— 
4 
— 
— 
— 
unit. 1 8‘3-in. howitzer 
90 
— 
— 
2 
2 
6 
— 
(.7-pr. 
30 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
70 
r 40-pr. 
68 
30 
_ 
2 
_ 
_ 
— 
Light 3 25-pr. 
60 
36 
— 
4 
— 
— 
— 
unit. I 6‘3-in. howitzer 
90 
— 
— 
2 
2 
6 
— 
(.7-pr. 
30 
— 
— 
— 
~~ 
70 
Carriage of To. avoid the. inconvenience of carrying and storing powder in bulk, 
powdei. £ 0 save time, and for greater security, all cartridges are to be 
carried filled in metal-lined boxes, all shells are to be filled, and together 
with the case shot, carried in wooden boxes. 
Carriages. 
Carriages, Each piece of ordnance must be provided with a carriage for firing 
from, the description of which will vary with the nature and purpose of 
the piece. 
It is important that as heavy ordnance as possible should be brought 
up, the maximum weight for transport by 12 horses (more cannot be 
advantageously employed in one team) is calculated to be 100 cwt. ; 
this weight must, therefore, not be exceeded by the gun on its transport 
