Experiments, &C., in Her Majesty's Ship Excellent, During the Superintendence of Captain Sir Thomas Hastings, and Captain H.D. Chads from 1833 to 1849 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1850. Excerpt: ... EXPERIMENT 6. Practice against the Prince George, late Sheer Hulk m Portsmouth Harbour. 1838. This ship was appropriated by the Lords of the Admiralty for the purpose of trying the penetration of shot from guns of different calibres and charges, and also the comparative effect of shot and shells. The Prince George was placed 1200 yards from the Excellent. 1st. An 8ft., 50cwt., 32-pr. gun, A 9ft., 50cwt., 24-pr. gun, And a 9ft., 46cwt., 32-pr. gun (which had been a 48cwt., 24-pr.), were compared: --the two first-named guns were charged with 8lbs. of powder, and the last with 6lbs. Single shot were used in all cases. Between the time of firing, the shot holes were numbered; and when the day's firing was finished, the depths to which the shot had penetrated were carefully measured. The wood, though in some parts rotten, was generally in a tough and moist state, consequently few splinters were made. The result of the firing proved, that the 32 and 24-prs. of 50cwt. were equally accurate as to the flight of their shot, and they penetrated to the same depth. 2nd. A 56cwt. 32-pr., single shotted, with a charge of lOlbs. lloz. of powder was compared with a 65cwt. 8-inch gun, charged with a hollow shot of 48lbs., and 12lbs. of powder. The result proved, that the flight of these shot was generally accurate; but the penetration of the 32-pr. fired with of its shot's weight, was greater than that of the 8-inch hollow shot, more especially after bounding on the water. It therefore becomes a question, whether it would be advisable to establish an entire armament of 8-inch guns on the lower decks, even in ships capable of carrying them, since these guns are not now deemed capable of bearing a 10lb. charge of powder, with a solid shot. It is most important that men...