336 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
17. It is apparent that none of the cast-iron 32-pr. guns rifled, approach 
the Armstrong naval 40-pr. in precision; but the Committee consider that 
it would be too much to attribute this inferiority altogether to the systems 
on which those guns were rifled. They have more than once pointed out, 
that to compare systems of rifling properly, the guns must be of the same 
length, and both guns and projectiles be made with equal mechanical per¬ 
fection and finish. The former condition (equality of length) is in this 
instance answered, but not the latter. However, they are of opinion that 
these muzzle-loading guns, however made, would not have equalled the 
Armstrong breech-loader in uniformity or precision. It is remarkable that 
the gun rifled on the Trench system, which comes out very well in the com¬ 
parison, made rather better practice with a first supply of shells, which 
were without zinc facing to the bearing side of the patch, than with those 
which were subsequently made for the gun. 
18. Efficiency of projectile (Min. 5547).—The relative efficiency of solid 
shot must be measured by the velocities given by equal charges. Mr Britten 
appears to have a decided advantage here over the other competitors. The 
same remark applies to common shells, but must be combined with a large 
capacity for the bursting charge. 
The actual bursting charges are as follows :—- 
Table IX. 
Name. 
Weight of shell, 
empty. 
Bursting 
charge. 
Relative weight of 
bursting charge 
of shell. 
Scott . 
lbs. 
38-8 
lbs. oz. 
4 13 
•124 
Shunt . 
50-5 
5 
13 
•115 
French . 
59-4 
5 
5 
•090 
Lancaster . 
45*8 
4 7 
•076 
Britten ~. 
46-9 
3 
7 
•073 
Haddan . 
61*1 
3 
6 
•065 
Jeffery. 
45-4 
2 8 
•055 
Lynall Thomas ... 
65*3 
1 
5 
•025 
Commander Scott’s form is the most advantageous for a shell in respect to 
capacity, and Mr Lynall Thomas’s the least so; considering that if cast-iron 
guns are rifled, they must be used with low charges, and will generally fire 
common shells, the Committee give precedence, in respect to the efficiency of 
the projectile, to Commander Scott. It will be observed that they have 
placed this merit third in rank, because insufficiency of velocity or of burst¬ 
ing charge cannot be alleged against any of the systems; the capacity of the 
smallest shell is equal to that of the 8-in. common spherical shell, and the 
initial velocity of the whole is equal to that of the service rifled guns. 
Commander Scott’s projectiles have the further merit of being of convenient 
exterior form, easy to pile, but little liable to injury, and simple in manufac¬ 
ture, being only exceeded in this respect by Mr Haddan’s. Both require a 
touch of the planing tool on the bearings; the latter requires nothing more, 
but Commander Scott’s bearings are previously zinced. On the other hand, 
both require to be used with a wad or sabot, which is much to be avoided. 
