350 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
iron on H.M.S. “ Alfred/' at 420 yds., with 12 lbs. charge, penetrating also 
9-in. oak backing. 
C.- WrOUGHT-IRON OR HOMOGENEOUS-IRON GUNS. 
C. 1.—Experimental, No. 105. Homogeneous-iron hooped 70-pr. of 
70 cwt.; calibre; shot, 7 0 lbs. ; one turn in 8 ft. 4 in. A crack appeared 
after proof on the 22nd April, 1861, running along one of the angles for a 
length of 3 ft., and ran through the female screw of the breech plug, so as 
to permit water to be easily forced through. (See Report, No. 1630— 
20 qi w )• The proof charge was 18 lbs.; the gun had fired—• 
417 
2 rounds 
2 „ 
3 „ 
5 lbs. charge. 
7 „ 
^ » » 
1 rounds . 12 lbs. charge. 
2 „ . 18 „ 
= 10 rounds. 
C. 2.—Experimental, No. 102. Eellow gun to the last, and subjected to 
the same proof, which it has passed without apparent injury; but the Com¬ 
mittee have not yet been in a position to carry into effect Lord Herbert's 
84 
instructions of the 25th March, 1861, w with reference to an experimental 
421 
trial of it. 
C. 3.—Experimental, No. 106. Eellow gun to the two last, but described 
as of wrought-iron. To be reported upon by the Admiralty; but not yet 
84 
ready for issue— w . 
421 
C. 4.—Experimental, No. 107.—Similar to the last; not yet delivered, 
and no instructions received by the Committee respecting its future trials. 
2. In addition to the above, there is a class of breech-loading guns, 
which are expressly recommended as equally available as muzzle-loaders, and 
which may be considered in the latter capacity on the present occasion. 
• 
D. 1.—Experimental, No. 104. Breech-loading 80-pr.; calibre; 
weight, 81 cwt. 3 qrs.; one turn in 8 ft. 4 in.; homogeneous iron hooped. 
This gun fired about 40 rounds at Southport, with charges of 12 and 14 lbs., 
previous to its purchase by the War Office. 
After proof at Woolwich with 24 lbs. charge, on 22nd November, 1860, 
it was sent to Portsmouth, where, after twenty-one more rounds, a dangerous 
fracture was discovered on 31st January, 1861, in the inner cylinder, and it 
is not considered to be in a fit state to use; the Committee have requested 
permission to test it to destruction, but have been informed that Lord Herbert 
withholds his approval of this proposition until Mr Whitworth has had an 
opportunity of stating his views on the subject. Mr Whitworth requested 
that, before anything more was done, certain accurate gauges should be made, 
and these have only just been reported ready. 
