SHOUT NOTES ON PROFESSIONAL SUBJECTS. 
129 
The most favourable results hitherto obtained have been with a pebble powder 
having a density of 1*732, and grains of uniform size ; 70 lbs. of this powder gave 
an average velocity exceeding by 150 ft. per second the average velocity with 
60 lbs. B.L.G., whilst the maximum pressure indicated by the crusher gauges was 
only three-fifths as much. A single round of 60 lbs. of this powder gave 40 ft. 
more velocity than 60 lbs. B.L.G., with only two-fifths of the pressure, as indicated 
by the crushers. 
The principal average results, in various series of 6 rounds each, are shown in 
the following abstract, the pressures given being the highest, as indicated by the 
crusher gauges :— 
Pressure 
Nature of powder. 
Density. 
Charge. 
Velocity. 
(tons per 
square inch.) 
Remarks. 
lbs. 
( 
1-742 
60 
1318 
51 
R.L.G.4 
1-733 
60 
1321 
48 
C 
1-67 
60 
1313 
53 
Pellet .... 
1-677 
64 
1364 
25 
Prismatic, Russian. 
1-66 | 
61 
1335 
1425 
19 
29 
One round. 
68 
n Ritter. 
1-66 | 
61 
70 
1349 
1416 
m 
24 
One round. 
r 
1-732 C 
70 
1474 
29 
Uniform grain. 
Pebble . } 
1-782 
1-732 
70 
60 
1432 
1359 
21 
21 
One round. 
L 
1-782 
60 
1298 
15 
One round. 
All the working arrangements connected- with this gun have answered well, and 
are still in good order. The committee hope to terminate, shortly hence, the 
experiments they think desirable to make with it in the smooth-bore state, and 
then to have it rifled with a view to a further course of trials. 
8 -inch (Am.-—With this gun, which was used for the experiments described in 
the preliminary report, the committee propose to fire a series of rounds with pro¬ 
jectiles varying in weight from 170 lbs. up to 200 lbs. (those hitherto used having 
been 180 lbs.) before rifling it, and then to repeat the experiments with projectiles 
and powder of exactly the same nature and quality. These trials have been begun* 
but are at present suspended in consequence of the giving way of one of the trun* 
nions which had been lengthened in order to adapt the piece for being mounted on 
the carriage belonging to the 10-inch gun. They will be resumed in a few days. 
Application of Gun-cotton to Small-arms .—The proceedings of the committee 
in this branch of the enquiry have been confined to a few tentative trials with gun¬ 
cotton cartridges, modified in various ways, to obtain velocity and regularity equal 
to what are given by the service cartridge. 
Experiments in progress .—In addition to the experiments above mentioned, the 
committee propose to fire pebble powder from the 7-inch, 8-inch, 9-inch, 10-inch, 
and 12-inch rifled guns at Shoeburyness, with a view to determining the proper 
charges of that powder for those pieces. 
They have also prepared an arrangement for introducing crusher gauges into the 
base of the shot, in order to get a direct indication of the pressure exerted on the 
projectile as well as on the gun. 
