524 
GOLD MEDAL PRIZE ESSAY, 1879 . 
its place in battle. A great opportunity is afforded by tbe clearly 
demonstrated powerlessness of infantry against even tbe most trifling 
earthworks. The Russian artillery was not able to supply the defi¬ 
ciency, and the result was the virtual failure of their summer campaign 
of 1877 in Bulgaria. 
Method of If we arrive at safety in using gun-cotton, it would appear that to 
sheii. ng the make our bursting charge a maximum we should make a modification 
in the construction of our common shells. The body might be cast in 
one piece, in the same manner as a shrapnel, and the head be a casting 
of iron, or better, gun-metal, of the same thickness, screwing on to the 
body after the insertion of the bursting charge. This latter should be 
made up into a solid piece, pressed into the exact shape of the interior 
of the shell, and to the greatest possible density. We believe that it is 
possible to press gun-cotton up to a specific gravity of nearly 2*0. By 
this means the shell would be completely filled with a solid mass of 
gun-cotton, a hole being left under the bouch for the reception of the 
primer, the detonator and primer being of course immediately under 
the fuze. 
It is important that the cotton should be pressed to a high density, 
because a great weight can be contained in a small space; the power, 
too, of the explosive is increased, since the particles composing it are 
brought into closer contact, thus rendering detonation more rapid and 
complete. 
By loading the shell in the above manner it is probable that we 
should be able to insert about 2 to 2Jlbs. in a 24-lb. 3‘6-in. shell with 
walls about *7 thick. 
When it is said that the cotton is inserted in a solid piece, we do not 
mean that it should be manufactured so; probably the best way would 
be to make it up in discs, the top and bottom pieces being moulded to 
the exact shape of the interior of the shell. The discs should, of course, 
be of the largest diameter compatible with ease of insertion in the 
shell. 
The bursting effect of such a shell, supposing it to contain 2ilbSi of 
gun-cotton, would probably equal that of the present 64-pr. containing 
7 lbs. of powder. 
Field parapets of ordinary strength would soon yield to the fire of 
guns throwing such shells with the velocity we advocate. 
Penetra- The penetrative power, as measured by the energy per inch of cir- 
SffiST cumference, is only slightly less than the 64-pr. The striking velocity 
of the 24-pr. at 1000 yds. is 1268 f.s., energy = 270 ft. tons, and energy 
per inch of circumference = 24 ft. tons. 
The striking velocity of the 64-pr., with a 10-lb. charge and muzzle 
velocity of 1360 f.s., is at 1000yds. 1070 f.s. The energy = 508 ft. tons, 
and energy per inch of circumference = 25*5. Thus the 64-pr. has only 
a slight superiority in penetrative power. 
To conclude, we must rely on increased effect from common shell in 
future from increased weight and velocity, and the employment of 
gun-cotton as a burster. 
