THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
241 
4thly. There can be no doubt that the defect was entirely remedied by 
the improvements introduced into the 1858 pattern shells, and that with 
shells correctly manufactured on this improved design no further failures in 
respect to the proper action of the balls took place. The fact seems to 
be established, (1) by the negative evidence borne by the absence of any 
unfavourable Eeports against the shells on this score subsequent to 1857 
and, (2) by the positive and very strong evidence afforded by the following 
table of practice carried on in 1858, with Diaphragm shells of the improved 
construction. The table is epitomised from a table given at length at page 
46, of Remarks on Diaphragm Shrapnel Shell . The targets were arranged 
in eight rows, each row 15 yards behind the one in front, except the two 
last intervals which were 30 yards, so as approximately to represent a 
battalion in column at half intervals. The frontage of each row was 80 feet, 
the height 8 feet. The whole of the targets were made of 1-inch boards, 
except the first row which was originally of 1-inch boards, but for which 
2-inch boards were afterwards substituted. It should be noticed that these 
shells were fired in one important respect under unfavourable circumstances 
for the most suitable elevation and length of fuze were not previously 
determined.” 1 2 It will he observed that out of 9600 no less than 9346 
bullets took effect, and of these 6299 went through the targets . 3 
TABLE 
SHOWING- THE PENETRATION OP BULLETS, THE RESULT OP 180 ROUNDS WITH DIAPHRAGM 
SHRAPNEL SHELLS, PROM 12, 9, AND 6 -pr. GUNS, 60 ROUNDS PER GUN AT THE FOLLOWING 
RANGES, YIZ.:— 
Range. 
No. of rounds per gun. 
Total 
No. of 
rounds. 
12 -pr. 
9-pr. 
6 -pr. 
yds. 
1200 
10 
10 
10 
30 
1100 
20 
20 
20 
60 
900 
20 
20 
20 
60 
650 
10 
10 
10 
30 
Total 
60 
60 
60 
180 
1 See P.S. respecting Reports made in 1863. 
2 Col. Boxer’s Remarks on Diaphragm Shrapnel Shell , p. 42. 
3 I shall be happy to afford any officers who may desire it occular proof that the shells do really 
burst in the directions indicated by the grooves, and that this arrangement answers the end 
required of it, if they will call at my office in the Royal Laboratory, where they may see a number 
of burst shells; or, should they call on a day when shells are being burst for proof (a per centage 
of all Diaphragm manufactured are tested in this way) they may themselves see them burst in the 
bursting cell belonging to the Department. 
I would also again refer the reader who is interested in the subject to the drawing taken from a 
photograph of a burst shell, which is given in my last paper, see p. 157. 
