THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
421 
of iron, were constructed and tested in 1862-63 ; these were Mr Fairbanks 
(two), Mr Scott Russell's, Mr Samuda's, and Mr Hawkshaw's (two). 
The result of the experiments on some of these targets is recorded, 
in the “ Proceedings,"* and it is sufficient here to state that, weight for weight, 
the wholly iron structure proved inferior, for resistance to projectiles, to the 
combination of iron and wood as adopted in the “Warrior." 
It may be well to say a few words oil Mr Hawkshaw's targets, for they 
were constructed on a plan which has found much favour in the United 
States of America, viz. the employment of laminated armour in lieu of 
thick armour plates. 
Mr Hawkshaw's reason for approving this method of plating is thus 
explained by him :— 
“ He had designed two targets for the Iron-plate Committee, and in doing so, 
he had merely considered the best mode of structural arrangement. They were 
made of plates of such a size and thickness, as to prevent the joints from coming in 
the same line with each other, and to secure as nearly as possible, a perfect bond 
and a uniform strength throughout. The iron in the targets was also disposed in 
such a manner, that each plate should bear a strain, as nearly as might be, in all 
directions. He considered, that such a mode of construction would be that which 
would be most available for fixing armour plates to a vessel’s side. But he was 
quite aware, and he had stated before the targets were made, that plates so lami¬ 
nated, would not be so successful in resisting shot, as if they were welded into one 
solid mass. On the other hand, such an arrangement of the plates afforded great 
facility of construction. By its means the thickness of the plating could be 
increased, or diminished as required, and the iron could be wrought into any form 
which might be thought desirable. A ship, or a fort, could thus be made more 
structurally perfect, than by any other system with which he was acquainted; and 
at present, he was not aware of any other plan so good for securing a homogeneous 
structure.” 
Mr Holley gives the following reasons for the adoption by the Americans 
of the “ laminated ” principle:— 
“ Laminated armour, takes hold of a large area of the ship’s side, and has great 
continuity and tenacity compared with single rigid detached slabs, held each by its 
own fastenings without aid from the rest. In addition to this, laminated armour 
forms a practically continuous girder to resist the other strains brought upon the 
vessel.Americans having great guns and knowing their effects, at once 
selected laminated armour for the purpose of resisting these effects .” 
And again, 
“ The thin armour plates employed to give continuity to the side of a ship need 
not constitute the entire protection. The 14" armour—six 1" plates, one 4" plate, 
and four 1" plates—illustrates the principle of the “ Dictator’s ” armour. The outer 
thin plates, breaking joints, may be compared to a continuous elastic skin which 
holds the thick resisting plates in their places. The inner thin plates are an elastic 
backing, which gives room for the thick plates to yield without breaking the ribs 
and prevents damage from splinters.” 
The Special Committee on Iron in reporting on one of Mr Ilawkshaw's 
targets, stated that the damage was confined to a small portion round the spot 
where the shot struck, and considered that the plan afforded great facilities of 
construction, but they added that the targets “ were found to be very weak 
in proportion to the quantity of metal they contained.” 
* Vide Vol. III. pp. 44, 91, 99. 
