EXPERIMENTS WITH THE “PRINCE ALFRED” GUN.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 48, 29 May 1862, Page 6 (Supplement)

EXPERIMENTS WITH THE “PRINCE ALFRED” GUN.

(From the Liverpool Albion .) Last week we noticed the result of some experimental trials with this gun, which were illustrative of several points at present under discussion with regard to the efficiency of different kinds of ordnance, when applied as assailants to the gigantic floating batteries recently introduced into the naval service of this country and also of France, The experiments noted last week showed that a spherical solid shot, 1401bs. weight, propelled by 201bs. of powder, against a target placed at 210 yards distance, composed of teak 18 inches thick, neither perforated nor broke the target, although the plate was deeply indented, and the whole tarwas driven completely out of its place and overturned, notwithstanding all the precautions used to prevent its removal. Previous experiments made under the immediate direction of the Government, had shown that the most formidable ordnance which has hitherto been brought against the iron-plated frigates was the old smooth-bore 68-pounders, weighing 95 cwt,, the ball propelled by 201bs. of powder ; or, at all events, that these produced a more powerful effect against ironcased targets or ships than any of the more modern rifled cannon with which they have been tested. Calculating from the effects produced by the guns mentioned, a supposition gained credence that, by increasiug the calibre of the gun and the weight of the projectile, a correspondingly increased effect would be produced. To test this theory, in some measure, was one of the objects sought to he achieved in the experiments with tli ePriuce Alfred gun. The superiority of the smooth bore over the rifled cannon was believed to arise from the higher initiatory velocity of the shot from the former over the latter, the difference being as 2,000 feet per second for the smooth bore to 12,000 per second for the rifle ; and reasoning a priori, this appeared to favour the opinion as to the increased efiect from the increased weight of the shot. The Prince Alfred, being as yet of a smooth bore, of ten inches in diameter, and carrying a spherical ball of 136 lbs., or exactly double that of the 68 pounder, the opportunity of testing the theory was a tempting one, and further experiments were tried with it on the beach between Crosby and Hightown a short time since. The same target was used as in the previously recorded experiments. _ It was again fastened with the greatest care to insure its offering the utmost possible resistance; a resistance, indeed, completely equal to that presented by the side of the Warrior and Black Prince, and placed at the same distance trom the gun as on the former occasion. In this instance the ball was propelled by 30 lbs. of powder, or three fourths ot the full proportionate quantity used in the case of the 68-pounder. The result was that the target, which was struck near the centre of the target, was partially broken ; the indentation being upwards of six inches, while the teak at its back was splintered, but not penetrated. The shot, as have invariably been the case in such experiments, was broken into fragments. This concluded the experiments, as, from its shattered condition, the target could not have resisted the effect of another shot. The plate which had sustained so crushing an ordeal was made at the Mersey 7 Steel and Iron Works, and was of similar quality to those which covered and protected Jones’s angular target, which stood so well in the experiments made at Portsmouth. The resisting power of this plate excited the admiration of several officers who were present at the experiments with the “ Prince Alfred, ’ as, although the indentation was more than six inches deep, it was not entirely fractured. It was also incidentally suggested as worthy of consideration, how far it might not be desirable to increase the charge of the powder to-lOlbs., which would be in the same proportion as the charges generally used with the 6S-pounder. It was incidentally mentioned on the ground that the gun will soon be removed to the Mersey Iron Works for the purpose of being rifled, and so fitted to carry elongated shot of 5001b5., when it is expected the experiments will be resumed. If, however, as experience has hitherto shown, the smooth-bore has so decided an advantage, from the greatlv superior initial velocity of the shot, the expectations fairly arising as to the effect of so enormous a shot may not be fully realised.