4 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
SOME CONSIDERATIONS RESPECTING THE PRACTICAL VALUE OF SHELLS 
OF THE SHRAPNEL CLASS. 
BY CAPTAIN VIYIAN DERING MAJENDIE, R.A. 
CAPTAIN INSTRUCTOR ROYAL LABORATORY. 
In a former paper* I discussed the validity of General ShrapnePs claim to 
the invention of the shell which bears his name; I propose now to discuss 
briefly, and in a general way, the merits and alleged demerits of that 
invention. I shall not in the present paper touch upon the particular form 
of Shrapnel shell known as the Diaphragm, for I am anxious first to establish 
the merits of the Shrapnel class of shells, reserving for another paper an 
enquiry into the character and value of individual shells of that class.t 
There has always existed, and still exists, much difference of opinion as to 
the practical value of Shrapnel shell ; but it appears to me that the 
testimony borne to their efficiency on their first introduction, and during 
their employment in the Peninsula campaign is so overwhelming as to admit 
of no doubt on the subject on the part of those who choose to examine this 
testimony carefully and dispassionately; my chief difficulty in dealing with 
the matter consists in the selection of authorities in support of my views, 
from the large mass at my disposal. The Duke of Wellington, in a letter to 
Sir John Sinclair, dated 18th October, 1808, says, “1 shall have great 
pleasure in testifying at any time to the great benefit which the army lately 
under my command derived from the use of the spherical case shot, in two 
actions with the enemy—a benefit which I am convinced, will be enjoyed 
wherever they will be judiciously and skilfully used.” 
Colonel Eobe, commanding the Boyal Artillery, says, in a letter to General 
Shrapnel, “ It is admirable to the whole army. its accuracy 
perfect and its effect dreadful, as acknowledged by the French officers themselves 
at a conference with ours after the action of the 21 st .the artillery 
has been complimented both by them and by all our own general officers in a 
way highly flattering to us; and I should not do my duty to the service were 
I not to attribute this good fortune to a good use of that weapon with which 
you have furnished us. I told Sir Arthur Wellesley I meant to write to you, 
and asked if it might be with his concurrence, his answer was f You may 
say anything you please, you cannot say too much/”— Ordnance Select 
Committee Report on Shrapnel Shells, p. 14. 
“D’apres le General Eoy, les Anglais se seraient servis avec beaucoup 
Advantage contre nous de ce projectile a la bataille de Vimiera en 
Portugal.”— Instruction d’Artillerie, p. 299. 
* See Vol. III. p. 398. 
f It will not be possible altogether to avoid allusion to the Diaphragm shell, but I shall only 
allude to it where it is absolutely necessary, to make more clear some point which I may be seeking 
to establish, or to anticipate and reply to some objection which no longer holds good against the 
Shrapnel class of shells. 
