The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-05-04 00:00:00

armu anb Nab.

On Tuesday last the troops belonging to the Royal Ind
East India Company's Engineers at Chatham were en-
gaged in some siege operations of a somewhat novel
character, for the purpose of testing the merits of a
portcullis chain barrier, the invention of Captain Spen-
cer Wentinacott, RE., and its capabilities of resisting
the effects of several charges of gunpowder and round-
shot. On of the chain barriers was erected beneath the
archway of the ss'lyport, leading to the Spur-battery,
and Fort Amhurs Redoubt, where the experiments
took place. The invention is exceedingly simple, and
consists of nothing more than • chain three-eighths of an
inch in thickness, which is formed into squares of about
a foot in length, and composed of five links. The merit
claimed for the invention by Captain Westmaisott is
that it will effectually resist the passage of troops into
a fort or garrison, and that, owing to its non-resistance,
it cannot be destroyed in the ordinary way by charges
of gunpowder. The experiments which were tried
on Tuesday in the presence of about 200 officers,
were undertaken with the view of ascertaining whether
the portcullis could be destroyed. A charge of 80lb. of
gunpowder was first fixed against the barrier, and the
thick wooden doors closed. The powder was then fired,
the result of the explosion being that, although the
doors were shivered to atoms, the brickwork
of this sallyport loosened, and all the shutters
and doors of the rooms nearly blown off, yet the chain
remained perfect. Captain Wentinacott then had
another charge of 80Ib. of gunpowder hung on the chains
of the barrier, and on thin being fired not the least
impression appeared to be made on the chain portcullis.
On the whole the experiments, which were witnessed
by a large number of scientific gentlemen, were con-
sidered very satisfactory, and should the newly-invented
chain portcullis fall in acting as an impassable barrier,
It will, it is supposed, prove wherever used a formidable
obstacle to the passage of troops.

Bl'Arrnlco Aiturxr.—The Gazette de Francs, in com-
menting on the hart standing armies of the Continent,
which it declares necessary on account of the "Revolu-
tion," multi; the following reflection on their practical
utility :—" It is worthy of remark that those nation, of
Europe, the urinios of which are the weakest in propor-
tion to the extent of their territory and to the number
of their inhabitants, effect and preserve the greatest
conquests. HU not England ummeeded with her sixty
or eighty thousand soldiers in maintaining her rule over
islands, kingdoms, and empires dispersed over the globe,
and in protesting a ammonia three time, more eon-
siderablo then that of several great continental nations
put together ?"
Pending expected orders for the disembodiment of the
militia regiments quartered at Portsmouth, volunteer-
ing for the line haa been going on for seine days peat,
with the following results :—The Remommon Militia
has given one man to the 11th Dragoons, 2to the Bth
Hussars, several to the 13th Light blragoons, 6 to the
second battalion of the 4th Foot, 30 to the woad
battalion of the 10th Foot, 10 to the second battalion of
the 12th Foot, 2 to the second battalion of the 13th
Foot, and 24 to the 29th Foot. The 2nd West York
Militia has given 2to the sttoondbattalion of thel2th Foot,
1 to the second battalion of the 17th, and 1 to the fourth
battalion of the 80th Regiment. The Lancashire
Artillery Militia lose given 29 to the Royal Artillery, 3
to the second battalion of the 12th Foot, and 12 to the
second battalion of the 13th.

The Admiralty steam yacht Osborne, Master Com-
mutter Bower, which hwi been bsent about i fortnight
In attendanoe on Ms Prince of Wales during his tour
In Ireland, returnod to Portsmouth on Monday after.
noon. The Royal yaoht Fairy, Mr. D. N. Welch,
Muter, R.N., wu =looked on the came day.

Sir John Palcingion, First Lord of the Admiralty,
has intimated his intention of continuing to rive
annually for competition among such of the student' of
the Royal Naval School, New-oross, as are the sons of
naval and marine °Moors, the merino cadetship which
was ant granted by the Reel of Ellenborough and con-
tinued by succeeding First Lords of the Admiralty.
His Royal Highness the Commandevin•Chief has
given &notions for a certain numberof offioers, selected
from sash of the regiments serving at home, to proceed
to Chatham, where they are to be attached to the
Indian depot battalions, for the purpose of underpin' a
course of instruction at that garrison in all the branohes
of their profeulon.