414 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF OUR IRON-CLAD FLEET, AND A FEW REMARKS 
OK 
IRON SHIELDS EOR COAST BATTERIES. 
BY 
CAPTAIN A. HARRISON, R.A. 
Although the results of the various experiments which have taken place 
at Shoeburyness on iron-plated targets have been recorded in the “Pro¬ 
ceedings” from time to time, I think that a general description of the 
several plans which have been adopted in the construction of our armour 
clad fleet may, notwithstanding, prove of interest. 
Hardly a day passes without some allusion being made in the public 
prints to one or more of our iron-clads, and I therefore hope, that with the 
aid of a few drawings, this paper may be useful in enabling any officer, who 
is interested on the subject, to acquaint himself with what has been doing 
regarding the reconstruction of our navy, and towards obtaining the requisite 
protection, for our guns and gunners, from the large projectiles which will 
undoubtedly be used in all future warfare. 
No decision has yet been arrived at relative to the plan of iron defence 
best adapted for coast batteries, but two of those which have been tested 
(Thornycroft bars and Captain Inglis's shield), have been so favourably 
reported on that it seems probable they may be ultimately selected for 
the protection of the embrasures of our fortifications. I shall therefore 
give a short description of each system, notwithstanding that they are still 
on the experimental list. 
The ship targets to which I shall allude are the following 
“Warrior,” “Minotaur,” “ Bellerophon,” “ Lord Warden,” 
and “ Small Plate.”* 
The history of the employment of iron for defensive purposes in the shape 
of armour plates, has been so often related of late years in Professional 
Papers, Pamphlets, &c., that very few words on this part of the subject will 
here suffice. 
Mr Holleyf asserts that “the first authenticated experiments with artillery 
upon iron armour, were made by John Stevens, Esq., of Hoboken, United 
States, during the war of 1812.” The exact nature of these experiments is not 
stated, but Mr Holley informs us that “Mr Stevens then proposed, for the 
defence of New York, a vessel to be propelled and rotated (to train the guns) 
by steam, and to be clad with inclined iron armour.” I think, until this 
* The description of this target does not strictly come within the province of this paper, as it is 
not a plan of armour plating adopted in the construction of our iron-clad fleet, but, as the plan has 
been largely employed in the French iron-plated ships, it is of comparative interest in considering 
the systems adopted in our navy. 
t “ Ordnance and Armour,” by A. L. Holley, B.P. 
