152 
MINUTES OE PROCEEDINGS OE 
ON THE CAUSES WHICH LED TO THE SUPERSESSION OF THE ORIGINAL 
SHRAPNEL SHELL, 
AND THE ADOPTION OF THE DIAPHRAGM PATTERN. 
BY CAPTAIN VIVIAN DERING MAJENDIE, R.A. 
CAPTAIN INSTRUCTOR, ROYAL LABORATORY. 
I have already discussed the validity of General Shrapnel’s claim to the 
invention of the class of shells which bears his name/ and I have attempted 
to establish in a general way the practical value of shells which fall under 
the common denomination of “ Shrapnel.” 1 2 I now propose to discuss the 
relative merits of individual shells of this class —“ Shrapnel,” " Improved 
Shrapnel,” and “ Diaphragm Shrapnel;” and to do this the most convenient 
plan will be to explain in the present paper the causes which led to the 
original Shrapnel shells being superseded by the “ Improved” and 
Diaphragm” Shrapnel, describing so much of the construction of the 
two last named projectiles as may be necessary; and reserving for a 
succeeding paper an examination into the merits and alleged demerits of 
the Diaphragm construction. 
The valuable properties of the original Shrapnel shell were neutralized 
to a great extent by one very serious defect, viz. a liability to explode 
prematurely. 3 Before the introduction of Boxer’s fuze this defect was 
attributed principally to ce the setting down of the fuze composition, caused 
by its own vis inertia, together with the concussion of the air, both tending 
to cause the same effect at the time of the explosion of the charge ;” 4 it was 
also thought to arise in some cases from the shell being too weak to with¬ 
stand the shock of the discharge. 5 6 
Although this defect was obviated to some extent by thickening the shell, 
and in a greater degree by the introduction of Boxer’s fuze, it was not 
1 See “ Proceedings,” Royal Artillery Institution, Vol. III. p. 398. 
2 Vide, p. 4. 
3 For proof of the existence of this defect, see Synopsis Ordnance Select Committee Reports 
on Shrapnel Shell, pp. 35-8-9, 66-9, 70-8, &c., &c .; also Colonel Boxer’s Remarks on Diaphragm 
Shrapnel Shell, p. 2, &c. 
4 Synopsis of O. S. C. Reports on Shrapnel Shell, pp. 66, &c. In the old pattern fuze the 
composition was exposed and unsupported at the bottom, and it is easy to understand how the 
effect mentioned in the text might be produced by the shock of the discharge—particularly when 
the shortness of these fuzes (one inch) is considered; evidently also the liability to accidental prema¬ 
ture explosion would increase as the range decreased, owing to the shorter length of fuze which 
would be used for the shorter ranges. 
6 Synopsis of O. S. C. Report on Shrapnel Shell, p. 8, &c. 
