Page 5 Advertisements Column 1

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 95, 30 September 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

Armstrong Guns for. Sydney Harbor Defences. — The four Armstrong guns which were ordered Iwo or three years since for the defence of the harbor were recently landed from the ship Madras, at the Circular Quay, and are now in the Government stores. ' At the time that they were ordered the English Government could not supply them, and sent plain gxins instead. The numerous discussions that have taken place respecting Sir W. Armstrong's invention have made the public familiar with its principle, but these are the first Armstrong guns that have yet been landed in Sydney* and will no doubt be regarded with some interest. The gun is long, and, comparatively to its length, of slender calibre ; the bore is rifled, so that it is in fact, to all intents and purposes, an enormous rifle ; it differs from the gun in oidinary use in being- constructed of wrought iron and steel, and in the adoption of the breech-loading principle, The guns sent to this colony are^O-pounders, and have come out packed in cases ; the cost of each is to be about L?Of>, but the invoices are not yet to hand. We believe that the guns are to be mounted immediately, but it is not decided where they will be placed. The ammunition sent with the guns consists of 1086 boxes. The shells, which are cased with lead, are of two descriptions, some longer than the others, but all of the same weight — 39 lbs ; the weight of the phot is 42 lbs. Some of the finest wheat in Hampshire is now growing near Lymington. The stalks aye upwards of 6 feethnrh, and about 15 to each root. The ear is 7 inches long, and contains nearly 150 grains. Thirteen of the great towns in Lancashire have recently declared, by means of public meetings, in favor of the recognition of the Southern 'Confederacy.