246 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
APPENDIX. No. 3. 
EEPOET 
OP THE 
ORDNANCE SELECT COMMITTEE. 
No. 1988, dated December 2, 1861. 
ON THE EFFICIENCY OF ARMSTRONG GUNS EMPLOYED IN RICOCHET 
FIRE. 
1. The Committee have the honor to submit the following Eeport of 
Experiments made under instructions received in June to test the efficiency 
of Armstrong guns when employed in enfilading a battery, and the distance 
at which the fire is most destructive and certain. The work in Plum stead 
Marshes was put in repair for this trial. It consists of a single face about 
340 ft. long, with two flanks. It is divided unequally by four traverses, 
and further derives essential protection from a screen or bonnette of earth 
10 ft. high and 30 ft. long, at the angle of the nearest flank. Ground 
platforms were laid for four guns, and two mortars (the latter were un¬ 
occupied) ; iron traversing platforms for two guns; wooden traversing 
platforms for two guns; and there were two guns on naval carriages not 
on any platforms; in all ten guns mounted. In addition to which, on 
the last occasion of fire, a second row of three guns was formed 50 ft. in 
rear of the proper armament, leading up to a small field magazine which it 
was desired to strike. 
2. After some preliminary practice to ascertain the ranges due to 
reduced charges and high elevations, the Committee proceeded on the 
30th October, and 6th November, to ricochet the work; 950 yds. from the 
nearer angle, or 1000 yds. from the centre, was fixed on as a proper distance 
for the battery, being beyond the risk of much annoyance from an enemy's 
riflemen. The guns in battery were— 
(1) Smooth-bored 32-pr. of 25c. 
(2) „ 8-in. of 62c. 
(3) Armstrong 40-pr. 
(4) „ 20-pr. 
(6) „ 12-pr. 
The work fired at not being visible from the battery, owing to an inter¬ 
vening parapet, pickets were set up in proper alignment on this parapet 
at 340 yds. in advance, to aid the laying of the guns, and a non-com¬ 
missioned officer was posted near them, under cover, to signal the apparent 
result of each shot. 
