68 
MINUTES OF PKOCEEDINGS OF 
What said Benjamin Bobins before he died? 
“ I shall therefore close this paper with predicting, that whatever State 
shall thoroughly comprehend the nature of rifled barrel pieces, and, having 
facilitated and completed their construction, shall introduce into their 
armies their general use with a dexterity in the management of them, they 
will by this means acquire a superiority, which will almost equal anything 
that has been done at any time by the particular excellence of any one kind 
of arms; and will fall but little short of the wonderful effects, which 
histories relate to have been formerly produced by the first inventors of fire¬ 
arms.” 
What single advantage has the smooth-bore over the rifle gun. Is it as 
accurate? No. 
As generally effective ? No. 
As light? No. 
In what then consists its superiority ? “ It has been proved by experi¬ 
ment to have a greater penetrating effect at short distances, and as naval actions 
will in future be fought at these short distances, we should arm our vessels 
with large smooth-bore guns, throwing heavy shot with a high velocity.” 
But by what right is it assumed that naval actions are to be fought at 
short distances for the future? Is it because it suits the smooth-bore 
guns? No doubt it would have suited the Macedonian much better if she 
had fought her action with the United States at short distances than at long; 
but the American would not follow suit, and by keeping at a distance and 
taking advantage of his long range guns he gained the day. Exactly the 
same thing occurred in the action between the j Essex and the Phoebe , except 
that in this case the British captain took advantage of his long range 18-prs., 
chose the distance that suited his guns , and in a very short time compelled his 
enemy to surrender. 
In this action the 32-pr. carronades, which formed the armament of the 
Essex, would have been very formidable at short ranges , but they were almost 
useless at the distance at which the action was fought. 
Again, it will be remembered in what a mortifying position a gallant 
British officer found himself on Lake Ontario in 1813, when he was pounded 
by long range guns, at such a distance that he had only six guns in his fleet 
with which he could reply. It is possible that this may occur again if the 
British navy be armed with an inferior weapon. 
6. I admit that the rifle guns of the service at present are idle against 
iron plates properly constructed and firmly backed. Why ? Because the pro¬ 
jectiles they fire are animated with a low velocity. But why not correct this; 
it is easy to find a remedy. Put in more powder. Construct a muzzle load¬ 
ing rifle gun to throw a heavy projectile with a large charge of powder; you 
will get a higher initial velocity than the smooth-bore gives under the same 
circumstances; greater penetration, greater accuracy, in fact every advantage. 
The whole question now reduces itself to iron . That a large muzzle-loading 
rifle gun can be constructed on Sir W. Armstrong's excellent principle 
none who knows anything about the construction of these guns will for a 
moment deny. • 
The rifle gun might be made, moreover, lighter than the present 
150-pr. smooth-bore, and yet throw the same weight of shot and use 
