The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1862-04-15 00:00:00

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DORSET COUNTY EXPRESS

DORCHESTER, TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 1852.

THE NEW ARMSTRONG GUN, IRON-
PLATED SHIPS, AND LAND FORTIFI-
CATIONS.

The impenetrable iron-plated vessels which we
were all talking about a few days ago—the terrors
of the Monitor which to all nervous persons
among us were so formidable—all that invul-
nerable panoply in which we supposed we had
succeeded in clothing our Warriors and Defences,
are things of the past, and the means of
aggression in naval warfare have again proved
superior to the means of defence. That knighted
vulcan, Sir William Armstrong,
,has forged a
thunderbolt for the 13r1tann5.c Jove which passed
through the strong mail-plated Warrior target,
and smashed it at a blow; and if the Warrior
had been there, she would have been smashed
too. Sir William Armstrong's new gun is built
op of wrought-iron coils, measures 14 feet in
length, weighs 12 tons without the carriage, and
has a diameter at the muzzle of 10. inches. At
present it is unrifled, and the ball it threw at
Sboeburyness, on Tuesday, was round and solid,
weighing about 152 lbs. The first shot was fired
with 40 lbs of powder, and struck a previously
shaken plate. This, however, it penetrated, as
well as the teak backing, and was only stopped
by the inner iron skin; the second, under similar
circumstances, had much the same effect. The
iron plate was shattered as though it had
been glass, and the 20-inch lining shivered into
match wood by the ponderous balls. Sir William
Armstrong then demanded an additional 10 lbs
of powder, and this enormous dose of 501bs. sent
the spherical shot through plate and timber and
skin with an unspent alacnty which would have
pierced or shattered the other side of the vessel
if the other side had been there. As it was, it
buried itself in the massive timbers that supported
the target, and loosened the blocks of granite by
which the target was backed up. With such a
weapon, the Monitor is no longer formidable to
us. Her deadly tower could be knocked about
the ears of those within it as easily as if it were
built with ordinary brick.; and the sides which
resisted the prow of the Merrimac, as well as the
shot of her broadsides, could be riddled as
thoroughly as though they were built of wood.
The strongest ironsides afloat may be sent to the
bottom by a single shot. To-day, therefore, it
is the turn of the artillerist, ea it was yesterday
of the armourer. Now there are two or three
inferences evidently deducible from this addition
to our experimental facts. In the first place we
must be cautions how we permit fancies derived
from simple facts—perhaps half seen and perhaps
imperfeetly recorded—to influence our actions or
to direct our expenditere. Only a few days ago
the Monitor was treated as itionfnerable, and we
were exhorted to leave off erecting laud fortifi-
cations for the protection of our coasts and
harbours. Immovable forts, whether mounting
50 or 500 guns, we were told, were utterly
useless against a single Monitor carrying only
two guns; now we find that at 200 yards range
the Monitor is as vulnerable as though she were
built solely of the pines of the forest ; and when
Sir William Armstrong has rifled his gun, it will,
he assures us, produce like effects at 400 yards
distance. Another inference deducible from the
experiments at Shoeburyness, is that our coast
fortifications were condemned a little too soon.
So far as recent experiments have gone, there
seems reason to consider that, presumably, forts
at shore are better than batteries afloat. We
psalm)t yet tell whether the new gun -could be
yfierked effectually on ..,14.44ik.1 Xterpelit4
"- I t

land drove the monster off its bed at the fourth
shot; what topsides, then, or cupola shield will
'resist it, and what ears bear its discharge in a
confined space? But it is quite certain that any
Fhn can be worked ashore. The earth will bear '
ything. The Secretary of the Navy, on
ursday night, in reply to Mr. Sheridan in the
House of Commons, expressed an opinion that
tile new guns might be carried, and perhaps
they may; but the special geographical pecu-
liarities of individual places apart, it is better to
have our guns ashore, if, as now appears, the
power of gunnery is the conclusive power, and
the most effective, when it can be thoroughly used,
will ensure the victory to its possessor. In some
harbours stationary guns on shore, perhaps,
, cannot be effectively brought to bear, and there
floating batteries, as nearly impregnable as
possible, are admissible; but in ordinary circum-
stances, on our present knowledge, forts are
preferable; for there is no limit to the power of
the ordnance which they can contain, and they
at least are invulnerable, and so far they are
preferable to wood, but recent experienee has
taught us that we ought not to rush wildly into
new expenditure. Every pound spent in inven-
tion No. i, is a premium on invention No. 2,
and so on without end. If we rashly and wildly
adopt the last discovery, the very efforts made
in so doing occasion another discovery. Some-
thing must of course be done. We must keep
within sight of science; we must pace with other
nations wish whom we may be at war as a con-
dition of our national security; but while the
destructive art is, as now, unsettled in its
theories, and restless in its changes—while we
should neglect no warning, we should be careful
to throw no money away. Our present position,
it must be admitted, is a difficult one, but there
is no help for it. We at all events possess one
gun such as no other nation at present possesses,
and we alone have at present the means of making
more.

DORCHESTER. PITCHED COEN MARKET,
Saturday, April 12.—We suppose that the farmers
are waiting for better prices, as there was not a
single sample sack pitched; consequently we can
only quote prices as being nominally the same as last
week. _ _ .

DORCHRSTICR &PLR CORPS.—The Rev. John
Morton Colson, rector of St. Peter's, has been
appointed honorary chaplain to this corps, vice
the Rev. J. L Hawkins, resigned.
The member. of this corps will parade on Easter
Monday, the 21st inst., in full dress uniform, with
the band, at 2 p.m., and march to Weymouth, re-
turning in the evening by the South Western
Railway.
DORSET BATTALION OP RIFLER —The Officers,
mai-commissioned officers, and some of the members
of the let, (Bridport) ; 3rd (Dorchester) ; and sth,
(Weymouth) corps, assembled at Bridport on Friday
last, for battalion rope drill, under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Mansel, and underwent two or
three hours' sharp drill in the grounds adjoining the
seat of the high Sheriff, Joseph Gundry, Esq.
The following officers were present : Captain and
Adjutant C. C. Barrett, Captain Templer, Captain
Rindereley, Captain Thresher, Lieutenant Gaudry,
Lieutenant Coombs, and Ensign Tizard. We un-
derstand the next rope drill for these three corps
will take place at Weymouth.
Tux OLD LADY OF HIGH WEST-FITRKRT. —Every
observer of human nature has often noticed, in the case
of vain and foolish women, that the older they grow
the younger they wish to appear. Instead of dress-
ing in garments of sober hue, most suited to their
period of life, they will often put on light and airy
dresser made in the extreme of fashion, and of the
most gaudy colours. We regret to find that our
dietant rnlative of High West-street is not alto-
gether free from this species of ostentation. For
some six or seven weeks prior to her last appearance
in public, the weather had been exceedingly wet,
and on Thursday the piercing winds compelled the
public generall7 to don their winter clothing; yet
the old lady visited the whole of her small circle of
friends on that day, habited in a material she herself
some ten or twelve months ago designated as
"cheap and nasty." In short, to speak more
plainly—for truth, like murder, ought to come out—
the Doted Chronicle was printed on straw paper—a
class of paper we would not attempt to use for even
the "penny" Telegram.
UNITED FREE METHODIST CuuaCuxe. This
denomination have again opened a place for preach-
ing. They formerly occupied the Masonic Hall, and
subsequently associated with the Baptists. Pre-
ferring to have a building under their own control,
they have taken the British Schoolroom, the opening
of which for divine worship, under the present
susVces was celebrated by a tea and public meeting
on l'hu;sday last. Mr. J. Hill, of Came (an old
adherent to Free Methodism) occupied the chair.
Apprvpr ate addresses were delivered by the Rev. J.
Coleman, of London, (connexbinal secretary), the
Rev. J. D. Alford, the Rev. G. Moores, (Primitive
Methodist), and others. 1)Ir. Coleman's speech was
remarkably telling and powerful, the speaker being
in one of his happiest moods, and evinced a warmth
of feeling and gift of utterance not frequently
rivalled.

At the Hants Quarter Sessions held at Winchester
on Wednesday, Samuel Martin, recently residing at
Dorchester, and formerly a warder in the convict
establishment at Portland, was convicted on the
charge of embezzling monies to the amount of ria,
the property of Mr. E. Cable, of Christchurch, and
was sentenced to 4 months' imprisonment.
COMMITTED TO THE DORCIIESTSR GAOL. —"Hard
Labour: James Ryan, vagrancy at Dorchester, 7
days; John Allen, vagrancy at Everebot, 14 days;
William Thorne, vagrancy at Weymouth, 14 days:
Mary Brown, vagrancy at Wimborue, 1 calendar
month. impriconment : Henry Bendall, throwing
stones at Weymouth, 1 week.
UNIVERSITY BOAT BACE.—This race, which
always excites considerable interest in the sporting
world, came off on Saturday. Owing to the state of
the tide, the rowing commenced somewhat earlier
than announced. The Oxford gentlemen were
victorious, their boat beating the Cantabs by several
lengths. . . .

Wannueo.—Ws have this week the happiness of
reoording the marriage of Mr. Henry Baseembe, of
this town, with Miss Susannah Witt Darden. The
happy event came off on Thursday last at St.
Peter's Church, in the presence of a large concourse
of spectators, not a few of whom were of the gentler
sex. The bride was accompanied by four brides.
maids, all richly and neatly dressed, and carrying
bouquets in their hands. The Rev. H. Moule, rector
of Fordington officiated on the occasion. After the
ceremony had been completed, the happy couple,
after partaking of luncheon, started off to the British
metropolis to spend the honeymoon. The wedding
breakfast was sapplied by Mr. Wooleton, confec-
tioner, of Cornhill, in his usual style of excellence.
BROADMAYNE. SERIOUS ACCIDENT. —On
Thursday last as Henry, son of Mr. Taylor,
farmer, of this place was on his way to school,
he met with a serious accident. It appears
that the lad had charge of a jar of yeast, which he
had to leave on his way, and in getting down from
the wagon in which he was riding, his clothes caught,
and he fell, the wheel of the vehicle passing over his
thigh, and breaking it. Ile was at once conveyed to
the County Hospital, when every attention was paid
him, and we are glad to hear he is going on as well
as can be expected.
WEYMOUTH.—SIIDDEN DEATH. —A gloom was
cast over this town on Wednesday night by a report
that the wife of the Rev. Mr. Stephenson, the incum-
bent of St. John's, had died suddenly. She had
recovered from her confinement, which took place
some two or three months since, and on Wednesday
was in excellent health and spirits. She attended
divine service in the afternoon, and walked
down to the railway station in the evening with her
husband, who left by the 5 o'clock train for Bland.,
I ford. While she was sitting with her family, singing
the Evening Hymn, she raised her hand, and es -
claimed "Oh ! my head." and instantly expired.
Mr. Stephenson was immediately telegraphed for,
1 but being too late for the train, he posted fro,.
1 Blandford, and arrived about 12 o'clock the same
night. Thedecessed, who wasgreatly respected for her
amiable and ehriatian conduct, and her benevolence
to the poor, has left a family of seven children.
COLONRL SIR WILLIAM FREESTUN. —We regret
to state that Col Sir William Freestun is lying very
dangerously ill at his residence. We understand
that on Sunday he was not expected to live through
the night.
KING STREET.—The surveyor has commenced
patching the road in this street. Some good hard
atone is now laid on, but as it is only about two
inches in thickness, and being placed on the solid
bed of the road, the fresh material will be ground
to dust by the heavy wheels passing over it in less
than a month. Is there no one in Weymouth
capable of showing the surveyor how to make a
road? _

STLALING COAL. —Throe children, (Lonsia Jacket,
Ann Sims, and Mary Randall,) were on Thursday
charged with stealing coal, belonging te the Great
Western Railway. They first attracted the notice
of Mr. Martin, in consequence of having placed
themselves in a dangerous position on the line. He
accordingly sent a man to order them away, when
it was found they had been taking some of the coal.
The company did not ask for a prosecution, and the
. •

girls were consequently discharged with a caution.
THE RAMPOLE LEITER CARRIER. William
Walah, the Radipole letter carrier was on TburwLy
brought up on remand. The charge against him
was now altered from that to stealing a letter to
that of—" For that you, being in the employ of the
post-office, for conveying post lettere on the sth
. .

'April, &ere guilty of an sic. t of drunkenness, whereby
the safety of certain post letters were endangered ;
whereby you have inctinal a penalty of £20." Mr.
Howard was employedto prosecute, but no other facts
came out than those we have already given. Defen-
dant wee fined £4 and al coats; or in default. 3
months' imprisonment The money was paid.
A CAUTION To SELLERS AND BUYRREI OF MCAT. --
On Saturday, a butcher named A b Tabora Elounsell,
who rents a stall in the Weymouth market, was
`Aarged.before the magistrstek. Superinteadeut