SHORT NOTES ON PROFESSIONAL SUBJECTS. 
103 
70. Experiments with an 8|-inch Krupp’s steel gun at the Polygon 
of Brasschaet.*— The following experiments are of the greatest interest with 
regard to the defence of the Scheldt. Security of defence can only be effectually 
obtained by means of heavy ordnance sufficiently powerful to pierce the armour of 
the strongest vessels. 
With a view to constructing new forts to complete the defences of the Scheldt 
at the angle of Saint Marie, it was of great use to determine the effect of solid 
shot and explosive projectiles from guns of the largest calibre, against parapets of 
sandy earth. 
Consequently the government, after having collected all the information it 
could procure concerning experiments carried on abroad, ordered the hooped steel 
gun to be tried against earth parapets and against armour-plated targets, repre¬ 
senting the sides of iron-clad ships, of the Warrior and Bellerophon types. 
The following is the programme of the experiments 
First Fart .—To measure the tensions (with the Bodman apparatus) and the 
initial velocities ; to compare the prismatic powder and the large grained Belgian 
powder, and to determine which to choose for firing against the armour-plates, for 
which purpose it was arranged to fire fifteen rounds with charges of twenty-one kilo¬ 
grammes (46’30 lbs.) of prismatic powder from Prussia; fifteen rounds with Belgian 
large grained powder of 13 to 16 millimetres in (0*52 to 0*63 inches) diameter; 
and fifteen rounds with Belgian powder of 16 to 19 mill. (0*68 to 0*75 inches). 
The cartridges to be of O m T80 to 0 m T85 in diam. 
The charges to be regulated after obtaining the tensions and initial velo¬ 
cities. 
The tensions not to exceed 3,100 atmospheres, and the initial velocities to be 
not less than 400 metres (1312-4 ft.) per second. 
Cast iron projectiles to be used, of not more than 122 kilog. (269*45 lbs.) in 
weight, unless the tensions should fall short of the limit of 3,100 atmospheres, 
when they might be raised to 128 kilog. (282*19 lbs.) 
These trials would serve besides to determine the depth of penetration of the 
projectiles. 
(1) In a parapet of earth. 
(2) In a similar parapet with two 1-inch iron plates inside. 
Second Part .—To fire with the mo3t effective kind of powder. 
A. Against the plates. 
Cast iron projectiles to determine the elevation for steel shell and cast pro¬ 
jectiles. 
B. Against armour-plated targets. 
(1) Krupp’s steel shell beginning with those manufactured in 1868, 
(2) Palliser’s shell of the English pattern. 
(3) Palliser’s solid shot (English and Belgian). The influence of the thickness 
of the lead-coating on the penetration into the armour-plates to be at the same 
time determined. 
(4) The cast steel projectiles of the latest pattern, from the royal foundry at 
Liege, max. weight 128 kilog. (282*19 lbs.) 
16 
* Extract from the Report to the Minister of War, in Belgium, 1868. 
