Gunnery Experiments

Abstract

I HAVE read with interest the leading article on Gunnery Experiments in NATURE, vol. xxi. p. 437. The question seems to me to be one not alone of build, but—and perhaps principally—of muzzle-loading versus breech-loading, and of rifling for or without studs. The Admiralty seem to think so, as appears, I presume, from their resolution to adopt breech-loading for the turrets of the Colossus. With breech-loading double loading is an impossibility, as well as jamming of studs, since there are none, at least in the first artilleries of Europe. I dare say Sir W. Palisser's build is better than any other known in England; but then with it the best guns would be breech-loaders.