58 
SHORT NOTES ON PROFESSIONAL SUBJECTS. 
A curious anomaly resulting from these experiments is this : that a plate (No. 2) 
of inferior manufacture gave greater resistance than one of good manufacture 
(No. 8); for whilst we are told that “the first round caused the 10-inch plate to 
separate into two 5-inch plates, and the rest of the experiment was practically at 
a compound structure of two 5-inch plates,” and again, that “the two 5" plates,” 
(of which No. 2 was composed) “ appear to have been welded only at left top 
corner,” this badly manufactured 10" plate (No. 2) effectually resisted the penetra¬ 
tion of two Palliser shot, fired with the full battering charge, whilst No. 3 was 
completely penetrated by a similar projectile. 
As has been stated above, No. 3 plate was a sample of the contract taken by 
the Atlas Works for the supply of 10" plates for the “Monarch,” and passed 
successfully through the ordeal at Portsmouth, having been placed in the highest 
class, viz. Al. But after the results obtained at Shoeburyness, it seems doubtful 
whether the system still in use at Portsmouth of testing plates on wood backing 
with a light smooth-bore gun is any criterion of the real fitness of the plate for 
resisting rifled projectiles from heavy guns. Palliser projectiles from heavy guns 
fired at the plate in an unbacked state, seems a much more suitable and practical 
test. 
Lastly, the 10" plates gave conclusive evidence that the difficulty of obtaining 
perfect welds in thick armour plates is not yet overcome. The official report 
regarding No. 2 plate has here been quoted, and an inspection of No. 3 plate 
shews the like defect, though in a very much smaller degree. The correctness 
of the opinions expressed by Dr Percy in his book on Metallurgy,* published in 
1864, has received entire confirmation to the present time. 
“ The difficulty of manufacture, for reasons previously assigned, greatly increases 
in proportion to the thickness of the plate. Tendency to lamination in rolled plates 
under the impact of shot is the great evil, which has not yet been effectually sur¬ 
mounted, if indeed in the very nature of things it be possible to do so. Plates 
which from an examination of their exterior have appeared perfect, have been broken 
and laminated to an extent which would hardly be credited by persons who have 
not witnessed the fact. This is due to imperfect welding of the contiguous surfaces 
of the layers of iron composing the plates, caused by interposed cinder, which 
however liquid it may have been in the re-heating furnace, it is not possible should 
ever be completely expelled, even if the surfaces of the superimposed component 
layers were perfectly flat and smooth like plate glass; much less is it possible 
since those surfaces are always more or less uneven.” 
50. Horse Transport.! The following information has been extracted from 
an Official Memorandum J forwarded to the Committee by Lieutenant Chapman, 
B.H.A. 
Tenders for Transport Ships were opened on the 15tli October, by the 30th 
idem fifteen ships have been allotted, to be ready for sea on the 10th November 
only one, however, was ready for Troops during the whole of that month. 
This chiefly is stated to have arisen “owing to the very indifferent workmen em¬ 
ployed by the several Contractors” by which “continual alterations and condemna¬ 
tions had to be made”. 
“ All this time the vessels were constantly, indeed almost daily, visited by the 
Transport Committee, who endeavoured in every way to hurry on the completion, 
* Iron and steel, p. 740. 
f Vide No. 36, p. 39, for information on the same subject. 
X Memorandum regarding the fitting out of the transport ships taken up for the conveyance of 
troops to Abyssinia, by Major Fred. Roberts, R.A., Dd-, Assistant Quarter-Master General, 
Bengal Brigade, Abyssinian Expeditionary Force, Dated 31st December, 1867. 
