The Sun.
London, England, 1864-11-15 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, AOVEMBE.R 15, 1864.

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Artillery Experiments at Portsmouth.

Shell-firing at the Alfred target frigate recoma
menced yesterday at Portsmouth from the Arm•
strong and Whitworth rifled naval 70 pounder guns,
the Special Committee being represented by Major-
General Randal Burnley (President), Capt. Wilson,
R,N., and Capt. Singer, R.N. The Whitworth Ord-
nance Committee were represented by Viscount Tor-
rington,Mr Whitworth being detained in Manches-
ter, at his works, in attendance upon Major-General
Sir John F. Burgoyne and Major. General Todleben,
The Elswick Ordnance Committee were unrepre.
sented. Yesterday's firing was a continuation of the
course commenced on the 4th inst., and reported in
The Sun of the following day :—" To test percussion
fuses with shell from the three guns against a
wooden ship, 25 rounds from each gun to strike din
rect, and 25 rounds en ricochet." The conditions of
the trial were the same—that is to say, the target
ship and Stork gunboat (the three guns being
mounted on the decks of the latter) were moored it,
the upper waters of Portsmouth harbour, 700 yards
apart, the committee, with Captain Astley C. Key,
C. 8., taking up their station on the deck of the Ere-
bus floating battery, which lay about 400 yards dis-
tant from and in line with the target ship, to watch
the effects of each shell as it was tried. The Excel-
lent's double screw launch was in attendance along•
side the battery, and at certain intervals in the firing
conveyed the committee, with Capt. Key and staff,
to and from the target ship to inspect the exact
amount of damage inflicted by the shells, internally
and externally. The firing on the 4th inst. reached
to 12 rounds per gun out of the allotted 25 per gun
of the direct firing. These were completed, and the
firing en ricochet commenced. The following was the
order of the firing :—Armstrong shunt muzzle
loader; shell, 411 b. bursting charge; Armstrong ex•
perimental fuse ; charge of powder. 101 b. Com-
menced en ricochet :-1. Hit direct and burst in the
ship. 2. Graz-d 40 yards from the ship, and burst
on ship's side. 3. Grazed five yards from ship,
and burst in her side at the water line. Nos. 2 and
3 shells had been pitched so favourably for doing
their maximullz amount of work on the ship, and
had so evidently done their work too, that the screw
launch was put into requisition, and a visit to the
ship made to inspect the damage. No. 1 shell,
which hit direct, had entered between two of the
main deck beams, and, bursting a few feet inboard,
had blown up the deck planking, &o. Tjie main
damage had, however, as was anticipated, been in-
flicted by the second and third shells. No. 2 had
entered just over the shelf-piece of the orlop deck,
and exploding in entering had blown the planking
of the lower deck—six planks in breadth by eight
paces in length—to matchwood. No. 3 had burst
in the ship's side at and above the water line, and
opened a hole about 4ft by 3ft, through which a
man could easily crawl into the ship's hold from a
boat alongside the ship. The water was rushing
inboard in a moderate stream, and the ballast had
therefore to be shifted over on the opposite side of
the ship to give her a heel over to starboard and
thus to stop the leak. Shell ricochet firing being
found dangerous to the ship's powers of flotation, it
was suspended for a time, and the " direct" firing
gone on with, the shunt gun going on with the fir-
ing with the same description of shell, fuse, and the
same amount of shell bursting charge and gun's
powder charge. Ten rounds were fired from the
gun, nine of the shells bursting in the ship, and one
shell bursting prematurely directly after leaving
the gun. The firing was next taken up
by the Whitworth muzzle loader; shell, 2-1
lb. bursting charge ; Colonel Boxer's fuse ; charge
of powder, 10 lb. Thirteen rounds were fired to
complete its quota of 25. All of them burst in
the ship, and the majority of the shots were " in
line" and the whole number in a small cluster.
The shunt next fired two shells " direct," to come
plete her number of 25, and an inspection of the tar-
get ship was then made,
Striking a wooden ship " direct" with shell causes
but little external damage, the explosion of the
shell taking place after passing through clear of the
side and driving everything then before it on the
vessel's decks. When the ship was ',examined, at
this stage of the firing, externally, yesterday, a
small round patch of "bIE zed" planking, about the
size of a crown piece, was all that told of the shell's
terrific force on making its entree. Inboard the re-
sults were very different—the main deck of the ship,
selecting it as the one on which the majority of the
shells exploded, was one scene of destruction. Great
gaps yawned under foot and over head in the plank-
ing, beams were riven and crushed out of their nor.
swrtwhhaiolietrohy:sussfprprsiroti
sides,n,
nnst
sprinkled
the
Irteehsl
dl
es
latter
initepttvdierhr
bsyubpigetl
mal positions, and the whole deck space was covered
form.
ana e knees t Pieces
ifmr oe theboe
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stanchions,
nschheilolne
sand o
nhard
a
tgoenthereael
ffcoenetcltuheniotntheeondladmbaegaerrcivauedseadt,bayndeatchhatewhealel
must have been in proportion to its bursting charge.
This, however, did not do quite justice to the Whit-
worth shells,
ushrsetlilnsg,
ch which,arge allowing
asc mpaforerdth:itdifferencethe
u shunt
n
gun, appeared to have done the most damage if
measured by the power evoked in the bursting of
the shells. istei
nainzgbtaseonarl adstt bolts t dh
ande
The wedge gun next was
brought into play to
make its 13 rounds of direct firing, as follows :
Wedge breech-loader; shell, 41 bursting charge ;
Armstrong experimental f use ;1 charge of powder,
91b. All 13 rounds burst in
the ship and equally
destructive results with the previous
firing ensued.
Firing en ricochet was next opened with the
Whitworth gun, and ten rounds fired, with these
results :-1. Grazed 80 yards distant from ship and
burst over. 2. Grazed 40 yards
from ship and burst
on graze, 3. Grazed 30 yards from ship and buret
just after graze. 4. Grazed at 90 and 20 yards from
ship and burst on d secon graze. 5. Hit direct and
burst in ship. 6. Grazed 30 yards from ship and
burst. 7. Grazed 50
yards from ship and burst
Hit direct and burst in ship. 9. Burst Areztvi

turely under the ship's quarter. 10. Grazed at 90
yards' distance, and burst close to ship.
But few words need be said relative to the above
ten rounds, the fact being that Colonel Boxer's fuses
proved much too sensitive for ricochet firing, and
gave Mr Whitworth's shells no chance of striking
the ship laterally and and exhibiting their 91Za Xi-
-7111011 power in Cast direction, as the shunt shells
had fortunately been enabled to do. Three more
shells, en ricochet, from the shunt gun concluded
the day's firing—No. 1. Grvwd at 20 yards' distance
and burst in ship. No. 2. Hit direct. No. 3. Burst
at ship's water line, on the spot where the third
shell from the commencement burst, and entered
the ship the space of a timber's breadth abaft the
former shell, crushing a timber and slightly enlarg.
ing the aperture,
The firing will be again resumed this morning
with shells en ricochet, and some of Mr Whitworth's
21-inch shells will be fired with 51b. bursting
charges.

ineffective, as the results aheady developed and to be
developed before the end of the year will clearly show. In
truth, the nature of the negro cannot be changed by the
offer of more or less money: all he desires is to eat, drink,
and sleep, and perform the least possible amount of labour.
Tho difficulties in procuring a fair amount of labour on
plantations are insurmountable. In the first place, instead
of having a family cook for the whole body of hands en-
gaged in field work, each separate family and each indivi-
dual bachelor and maid must have a separate fireplace and
cooking establishment going on—so that there aro about 30
different cookshops on my place, consuming much of the
time that Gen. Banks's orders directed to be given to the
field. Again, I always had an hospital and nurses for the
sick, and a children's house, with a good motherly woman
to take care of the children, while their mothers were en-
gaged in the field, Now, all is changed —not one when sick
will go the hospital, or a child to the children's house, The
result is that many of them lay up for days and weeks,
when not sick, by hiding away, and when really sick re.
quiring a well nurse for nearly every one sick. Now, anyone
with the least attention can see that the loss of time must be
enormous, and this loss, independently of the total lack of
full time and faithful labour, when ostensibly performing
their labours in the field. I am safe to say that Ido not
receive more than half of what would be considered by any
impartial judge as fair labour from the labourers 1 have
employed. I have upwards of 100 labourers employed on
my plantation, including old and young, but it is seldom
that more than 60, of all grades, can be found at work. It
may be asked why I do not apply to the provost-marshal,
and have them brought to order. I answer that I have
tried to get on orderly and efficiently as far as it has been
in my power ; but it would require the provost-guard to be
constantly on the move to bring and continue things in any
proper working order. Well, at the commencement of this
year, 1864, I fell in with General Banks's orders, and made
it the interest of my labourers to go on faithfully and make
a good crop ; but the work was an up-hill business all the
time. The result of the year's work is thus far known
—viz., From 300 acres in cotton, less than 20,0001 b seed
cotton ; about one half, or at most two thirds corn enough
to support the place another year ; of cane, after putting up
for seed the amount ordered by General Banks, if I make
50 hogsheads of sugar, I shall be thankful. lam really
fearful I shall not make enough to pay expenses of working
the place, saying nothing of interest on capital
In my remarks above I have said that the ordinary labourers
engaged on my plantation before the war kept it in perfect
repair and in good working order, but under the present
order of things not a ditch has been dug—the old ditches
and draining canals are all being fast filled up with weeds,
and grown up with bushes from sft to 15ft high, The fences
are all rotting down, the buildings are decaying and going
to ruin, with no means of preventing or remedying the evil,
for I cannot get half labour enough performed to work the
apology for a crop as it should be worked. Such is the pre-
sent condition of things ! Wherever you look the eye rests
on nothing but the relics of former things fast passing to
destruction. No live thing can bo raised with the least
likelihood of enjoying it when grown. Stealing is the order
of the day 1"

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

SHREWSBURY AUTUMN MEETING.
Mr Frail's gathering follows Liverpool with an easy and
convenient transition—accommodating the owners of horses
as well as the racing public, and, as it is the last (with the
exception of Warwick) of the " flat" affairs of the season
generally produces good sport and a large attendance. The
card to-day was somewhat overcrowded for a November
afternoon, nine races and a match being set for a decision.
The Battlefield Handicap was an easy win for the Marquis
of Hastings's light weight Catalogue, who cut down the
two favourites, Queen of Trumps and Armadillo, at the
finish in hollow style. There was a very good race for the
queen's Plate, which looked a very open affair for the two
or three engaged, and resulted in a fine struggle between
the favourite, Oldminster, and Dr Syntax, the latter win-
ning by a neck. Coup d'Etat could not act in the Shobdon
Court Stakes, and Persuasion's fine turn of speed availed
her nothing against that good horse Birdfinder, who is
running into great form. The Carnival Nursery is always
a prominent feature in the first day at Shrewsbury, and
with the Gold Cup divides the honours. It brought out a
fair field, and the warm favourite, Side Wind, with Jemmy
Grimshaw (against whose rush there is no contending)
" up," won from start to finish. Cambuscan, Lord Bur-
leigh, Catalogue, and Moulsey met for the Cup, and Lord
Statuford's handsome son of Newmiuster landed the odds
laid on him without being extended.
Mr Fiail has made some extensive alterations and im-
provements in the arrangements of the stand. telegraph,
&c., and the first day's racing augurs well for the success
of the meeting.
The Racing Plate of 3 soya each, with 20 save added, for
2 yr-olds and upwards; weight fcr age, with selling and
other allowances; the second horse to save his stake—
the winner to be sold for £BO. About 1 mile. 5 subs.
Mr Ten Brocck'a Peignoir, 5 yrs, Bst 91b (£10)
(Fordham) 1
Mr. Wright's Hurrah, 2 3115, Gst llb (£4O) (j. Grimshaw) 2
Lord Stamford's Procella, 3 yrs, 78t81b (£10) (Crenshaw) 3
Mr R. Sly's Teddy, 6 yrs, Bst 91b (£10) (Morris) 4
Betting-7 to 4on Peignoir, and 6to 1 agst Teddy.
After running a few strides Peignoir went to the front,
and came on with a clear lead, Hurrah lying second, with
Teddy and Procella in attendance to the turn into the
straight, where Peignoir had all his horses beaten, and won
in a canter by three lengths; a bad third. The winner was
bought in for 95 guineas.
Match, £5O each. Five furlongs.
Mr Brayley's Viceroy, 2 yrs, Bst 101 b (Cannon) 1
Mr J. P. Preston's Anadyomene, 2 yrs, Bst 61b (Parry) 2
Betting-11 to 10 on Viceroy.
The favourite waited upon Anadyomene to the enclosure,
where he got up and won a fine race by a head.
The Battlefield Handicap of 5 soya each, with 30 soya.
added. Second horse to save his stake. Winners extra.
About three-quarters of a mile. 25 subs.
Marquis of llastings's Catalogue, 2 yrs, 61b 101 b
(J. Grimshaw)
Mr Naylor's Concordia, 3 yrs, 7st 51b (Perry) 2
Lord Poulett's Armadillo, 3 yrs, 7st 21b (Loates) 3
The following also ran :-0 verstone, Avondale, Queen of
Trumps, Confederate, Cutaway, and Forester.
Betting-3 to 1 each agstArreadillo and Queen of Trumps,
5 to 1 aget Catalogue,and 6 to 1 each agst Forester and Cut-
away.
Forester headed Confederate in a couple of strides, and
made the running, the latter going on second with Arma-
dillo, Avondale, Queen of Trumps, and Concordia lying up
—Overstone, who appeared outpaced, bringing up the rear,
As they rounded the far turn Queen of Trumps ran past her
horses and joined the leader, but running wide on entering
the straight she was headed by Armadillo, Catalogue, and
Concordia, who waited upon Forester to the distance,where
the latter was beaten, and the lead was at once taken by
Catalogue, who wen in a canter by four lengths. There
were three lengths between the second and third—Queen
of Trumps was fourth—Cutaway and Confederate, sido by
side, were next.
The Queen's Plate of 100 guineas; for 3-yr-olds, Bst 61b;
four, 9st 71b; five, six, and aged, 9st 131 b. Three
miles.
Mr 5, Thellusson's Dr Syntax, 4 yrs, 9st 71b
(Fordham) 1
Mr Perry's Oldminster, 6 yrs, 9st 131 b
Lord Wilton's Atherstone's dam colt, 3 yrs, Bst 61b
(Doyle) 3
The following also ran : —Honest John, Turn of Luck,
Vanquisher, Rose, and Nell Digby,
Betting-3 to 1 agst Oldminster, 4to 1 agst the Ather-
stone's dam colt, 5 to 1 agst Honest John, and 6 to 1 agst
Dr Syntax.
Nell Digby cut out the work at her best pace, followed by
Honest John and the Atherstone's dame colt ; then came
Dr Syntax, Turn of Luck, and Rose, the rear being brought
up by Vanquisher and Oldminster. They ran thus with
no material alteration for a mile and a half, when Nell
Nigby having performed her allotted task dropped away
beaten, leaving the Atherstone's dam colt with a slight
lead, which he held into the straight, whon he was joined
by Dr Syntax and Oldminster. The three from this point
ran in close company to the distance, when Oldminster ap-
peared to have a trifle the best of it, but Fordham persever-
ing to the end got up in the last stride, and won a fine race
by a neck; a bad third; Turn of Luck was fourth, Honest
John fifth, and Rose next. The others were pulled up and
did not pass the post.
The Shobdon Court Stakes of 10 soya each, 5 ft, with 50
sews added, for 2-yr-olds and upwards. Weight for age,
with maiden aßowances. Winners extra. About three
quarters of a mile. 16 subs.
Mr Cherry's Birdfinder, 4 yrs, 9st llb (H. Grimshaw) 1
Marquis of Hastings's Attraction, 3 yrs, Bst 9lb
(Cuetance) 2

Mr W. Phillip's Persuasion, 3 yrs, Bst 41b
(J. Grimshaw) 3
The following also ran :—Coup d'Etat, Paris, and Queen
of Trumps.
C. Gray weighed for Captain Mechall's Sympathy, 2 yrs,
Oat 71b, carried Oat 81b, but on her way to the post she
bolted and attempted to jump the rails, and fell Bragging
the lad some distance before he was extricated.
Betting-2 to 1 agst Coup d'Etat, 4to 1 agstPersuasion,
5 to 1 agst Birdfinder, 200 to 15 agst Attraction and Paris.
On the flag being lowered, Attraction, with Queen of
Trumps at her side, got away in front, and with Coup
d'Etat, Persuasion, and Biidfinder lying up, made the run-
ning to the turn into the straight, but on reaching the
dis-
tance the last-mentioned drew forward, and at the distance
came up next the rails and won in a canter by four lengths;
a bad thitd ; Paris was fourth, and Coup d'Etat filth. Queen
of Trumps was last, but did not pass the post.
The Abbey Handicap of 3 soya each, with 20 soya added,
for :3-yr-olds and upwards; the second horse to save his