MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
412 
REPORT 
OP 
ORDNANCE SELECT COMMITTEE. 
No. 3841. Dated 21st July, 1865. 
7" M. L. WROUGHT-IRON (COMPETITIVE) GUNS RIFLED ON DIFFERENT 
SYSTEMS. (3rd Report). 
[Communicated by direction of the Secretary of State for War]. 
The Committee have the honor to report, that in the course of the trials 
of the competitive 7-in. M.L. wrought-iron guns rifled upon different 
systems, a question arose, having reference to the relative serviceability of the 
projectiles of the different systems, viz. whether the studs of such projectiles 
as required them, for example, on the shunt or “ Woolwich” systems, would 
become loosened by the corrosive action of salt water, which cannot at all 
times be kept from them in the naval service. 
With a view to determine this point, the Committee forwarded three shot 
fitted with studs, which had been recovered from the range at Shoeburyness, 
to the chemist to the War Department, who submitted them to the following 
severe trial. 
The lacquer was first removed from the lower portion of the projectiles, 
and they were then alternately immersed in salt water and exposed to the air 
for three days at a time, for a period of two months, after which they were 
exposed to the air for about a month. 
At the end of this trial no indication whatever was to be found of any of 
the studs having become at all loosened. 
The Committee think that this result fully proves the serviceability of 
studded shot for sea service, and their freedom from any special liability to 
deterioration by being kept in store : and considering the circumstances of 
the trial, they are of opinion that shot of uniform exterior such as those of 
Whitworth or Lancaster, are likely to have no advantages over studded shot 
as regards their resistance to the action of salt water. 
(Signed) J. H. LEEROY, 
Brigadier-General, 
President . 
