The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-25 00:00:00

Naval and Military Intelligence.

The Lords of the Admiralty have approved the
machinery proposed to be adopted for working the
large 12-ton 300-pounder Armstrong rifled guns
with which the ironclad frigate Bellerophon, 14,
1,000-horse power, is to be armed, and instructions
have been given for one of the training machines to
be immediately constructed from the plans submitted
by Mr. Reed, in order that it may undergo a variety
of tests, chiefly with the view of ascertaining its
capabilities of satisfactorily withstanding the shock
of the discharge of the guns. Should the new ma-
chinery pass through this ordeal satisfactorily, it is
intended to place one of the 12-ton guns, worked on
the new principle, on board either the iron-clad frigate
Pallas, or Favourite, whichever can be first made
ready for sea, in order that the application of the
principle to monster guns worked at sea, under all
circumstances of rolling, pitching, and other exi-
gencies, may be carefully tested, and the results re-
ported upon. In conjunction with the new plan of
training guns of the largest calibre on board iron-
clad vessels of war, the Lords of the Admiralty have
decided on testing the improved form of iron gun-
carriage, the invention of Commander Scott, of the
Royal Navy, on which it is proposed to mount the
Bellerophon's guns, and which, judging from the
models and plans exhibited at Chatham, seems to
possess very great facilities for running the guns in
and out, as well as for elevating and depressing
them, as compared with the system hitherto in use in
the service. The results of the trials which are
shortly to be made are looked forward to with the
keenest interest. It is believed that the working of
ship's guns by machinery will inaugurate an entirely
new era in naval gunnery, for should the results an-
ticipated prove suecessful, of which no reasonable
doubt exists in the minds of those qualified to form
an opinion, the problem which has hitherto been
the stumbling-block to the employment of monster
guns at the broadside will be solved. The plans
and drawings of the new machinery show the
mechanism employed by Mr. Reed to be exceed-
ingly simple, so that it will not readily get
out of order, even in the hands of seamen.
Another most important feature in the inveation is
that the apparatus by which the guns are to be
worked will be placed below the gun deck and be-
neath the water-line, thus rendering it secure from

injury by shot or shell. . The only portion of it which
will be seen on the gun-deck will be a kind of steer-
ing wheel for each gun, by the aid of which some
three or four seamen only will be able to shift it
from side to side to side and train it with the utmost
nicety in any direction. Although, however, every
precaution will be taken to prevent the machinery
becoming injured the ordinary trade tackles, &c.,
will be supplied to each gun in the event of any un-
forseen accident. During the last few days the
officials connected with the War-office—to which
department everything is confided relating to the
armament of vessels of war—have made frequent in-
spectors of the Bellerophon, in order to ascertain
the extent of accommodation offered for the heavy
armament intended for her, and it is satisfactory to
know that from the manner in which that frigate
has been built there is abundant room afforded at
the broadside ports for ten of the 300-pounders
which it is intended to place in the central battery,
while arrangements have at the same time been
made to enable her to carry a formidable armament
at her armour-plated bow battery, the guns of which
will fire in a direct line with her keel.
The new wrought-iron carriage intended for the
service of the 600-pounder gun, " Big Will," has
been completed at Woolwich Arsenal. The gun
was mounted upon it on Saturday, and after a series
of trials by the officers of the department, the ma-
chinery was brought to work well, inasmuch that
the elevating and depressing the muzzle, and point-
ing the gun for firing, were performed.
with apparent
ease by a single gunner. The slide, &c., of the same
description of manufacture, will also be ready in a
few days.
The Imperial Ottoman screw frigates Ertoroul,
Capt. Hassan Rey, and Hudavendighiar, Captain
Ahmed Bey, arrived at Spithead on Monday from
the Thames, where they have been recently, fitted
with new machinery. The Ottoman screw line-of-
battle ship now receiving her machinery at South-
ampton is expected to arrive at Spithead from that
port to-morrow. All three vessels will go into Ports-
mouth harbour to complete their outfit previous to
finally sailing from English waters for Constanti-
nople.
Our Portsmouth correspondent has received a let-
ter from Malta relative to H.M.S. Royal Oak, from
which the following extracts have been taken :
" The Royal Oak's bottom was found to be foul
beyond all conception. Immense quantities of zoo-
phytes, weed, and coralline flourished in the wildest
profusion, and so hard had the little insects formed
their habitations that nothing short of general oorap.