104 
SHOUT NOTES ON PROFESSIONAL SUBJECTS. 
Only a sufficient number of rounds to be fired in each series to enable the 
results obtained and the effect of a salvo to be accurately determined. 
The initial velocities to be measured. 
As there were a Norwegian steel shell and two steel shells from Seraing, at the 
Polygon, the committee was to decide, considering the state of the target, if it was 
convenient to fire them as well. 
Conclusions on the subject of firing solid shot against a parapet. 
A. Eight half, without plates. 
the parapet. The lower they hit, the higher they rise and the nearer to the 
exterior crest do they emerge. 
Experience proves that elongated solid shot fired at a distance of 200 metres, 
(656T8ft.) against a parapet of sandy earth, with an exterior slope of 45°, have 
a maximum penetration of 4 m '30. (13T2 ft.) 
The projectiles rise within the parapet. 
Those which hit at l m *50 (3*28 ft.), 
and even at two metres below the crest, 
come out towards the exterior slope, and 
usually fall at only a short distance from 
the parapet. The lower they hit, the higher they rise and the nearer to the 
exterior crest do they emerge. 
The projectiles which remain imbedded in the parapet, often have their heads 
downwards, and to the right. 
The projectiles having all struck the parapet in a space of two square metres at 
most, sand may be concluded to be an extremely favorable material for the con¬ 
struction of epaulments. 
B. Left side, with two plates inside fastened together, each 0 m -025, 
or 1 inch thick. 
The plates placed at 4 ra, 50 (13T2 ft.) from the exterior crest of the parapet are 
too far off to be touched. They retard, however, the formation of the crater. 
It would be interesting to fire against a parapet four metres thick, half of which 
was strengthened by two 1-inch plates, placed in the middle of the epaulment. 
These conclusions relate to the results obtained, when after each round the earth 
has been thrown back into the crater. 
The dimensions of the crater produced by the firing of twenty-six rounds, prove 
that it is quite impossible to cut away an 8-feet parapet of sandy earth so far as a 
metre below the line of fire. 
It follows that a parapet of this kind can resist a prolonged firing of pieced ^ 
the heavest calibre throwing solid shot. 
This experiment shews also that scarps will be completely protected from direct 
fire of heavy ordnance by counterguards with an excess of one metre in height. 
Conclusions on the subject of firing shell against parapets. 
Eight side icithout plates . 
The possibility of shells of the largest calibre, filled, but without fuzes, being 
made to burst in the earth, is a 'fact of the greatest importance, with a view to 
constructing coast defences. 
