The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-26 00:00:00

EXPERIMENTS IN WOOLWICH

MARSHES.
Lieut.-Colonel Dundas, C. 8., Lieut.-Colonel Wylde' C.D.s
Lieut.-Colonel Chalmer, Assistant Director-General of Artil-
lery, Capt Palliser, Capt. Wingfield, Capt. Cockburn, Capt.
Berm, Capt. Derenzy, Capt. Gilbert, and a number of officers
of the Royal Artillery, Colonel Hawker, Lord Glenlyon,
Equerry to Prince Albert, and numerous scientific gentle-
men, assembled in the marshes at Woolwich yesterday to
witness experiments with a rifle ball one ounce and three-
quarters in weight, formed in the shape of a sugar loaf, which
was found to carry 1,200 yards with decided effect, as at
that distance it perforated a-target of wood two inches thick,
and some of the balls or sugarloaf forms of lead, were dug
out of the ground from a depth of several inches, after hav-
ing passed through the target. Mr. Lancester and his son
from previous experiments, had ascertained that the for-
mation of a ball on the same shape as a sugar-loaf gave
it a great advantage over balls of a spherical form, as it re-
quires less windage, and consequently the momentum is
greater with an equal quantity of gunpowder acting on a
circular body, which also loses a great part of its force by
revolving on its own axis during its progressive motion.,
This was clearly illustrated during the experiments carried
on yesterday by Mr. Lancaster, junior, who, at 1,200 yards'
distance, demonstrated that he could carry his balls that
great distance, from a rifle more than four calibres less in
bore than the common musket, but also that the velocity
was so great that the sugarloaf-shaped ball perforated a
two-inch board and sunk into the earth of a mound, without
in the least degree altering its shape, merely showing a very
small fluted abrasion on its tapering part, made by the
different degrees of hardness in the grain of the wood. The
day was very unfavourable for experiments with balls at
long ranges, owing to the strong breeze which prevailed, but
the result exceeded the most sanguine expectations of those
present.
Fifty-seven rounds were fired during the experiments,
several of them too low in the first instances, as the parties
at the range signalled when they entered the mound after
ricocheting, instead of their first range. Mr. Lancaster, jun.,
found this out on a subsequent occasion, and had the target
removed to a more eligible position, when out of eighteen
rounds fired, ten entered the target. As a proof of the ex•
cellent aim at the long range used, it may be mentioned that
he hit the target three times in succession, and that en no
occasion out of the fifty-seven rounds, were any of the balls
above twelve or fifteen feet east or west of the target, but
by far the greater majority within from one foot to one yard
of the object against which they were directed. The expe-
riments with a rifle ball of the form alluded to have been so
satisfactory, that Mr. Lancaster contemplates making expe-
riments with others made to be fired from six-pounder guns;
and if the same power and range is obtained by them, the
principle will be found an immense saving and of great ad-
vantage to the British service. Mr. Lancaster makes no
secret of the plan.

AQUATICS.
HENLEY REGATTA.-FIRST DAY.

This great aquatic event, appointed for yesterday, and to
be continued to-day (Friday), was inferior to none that have
preceded it in either the interest it created, the number and
excellence of the entries, or value of the prizes offered for
competition. Amongst those present were, the Earl of Fal-
mouth, Lord Anson, Lord Camoys and family, with others of
distinction.
The races commenced at three o'clock, with the
Contests for the Silver Wherries—A four-pair oar race.
First Heat.
London—T. H. Fellowes, Leander Club ...................• 1
Oxford—E. Fellowes, Exeter College
Oxford—J. W. Conant, St. John's 2
Oxford—W. C. Stapylton, Merton
Oxford—F. Boyds, Brasenose
Oxford—W. Polehampton, Pembroke ..................... •••
Conant and Stapylton had been the favourites. It wag
throughout a capital race. Conant and Stapylton took the
lead, all being at a very dashing pace, Royds and partner
being second. Off Kemenham Lodge the winners rowed by
the second boat, and challenged, when they
.made the shoot
to the straight water- The then leading pair went in ad-
vance and won by two lengths. The third boat was about
the same distance astern.

Second Heat.
Oxford—W. H. Milian, Christ Church
Oxford—M. Haggard, ditto
Cambridge—E. P. Woolstenholme, Trinity ...... .
Cambridge—S. Vincent
Oxford—E. Tonks, Queen's College ..... . ................. ..• 0
Oxford—E. E. Woodman, Magdalen Hall ..................
Milman and partner went away with the lead, maintained
it, and came in first, the other pairs fouling. It was subsea
quently decided that as Tonks and partner had fouled Wool•
stenholme and Vincent twice, that the latter pair should ror
the heat again with Milman and Haggard.
Milman
Haggard
Woolstenholme
Vincent
It was an excellent race, Milman and Haggard leading,
but being waited upon during the whole distance closely by
their opponents. Off the poplars on nearing the straight
course, the second pair made a very determined and rapid
spurt, but as it was met by a corresponding effort on the
part of their opponents, they were unable to go by them.
Won loy half a length only.
'third Heat.
Cambridge—F. George, Trinity -.1
1
Cambridge—W. Maine, Trinity ••••
Oxford—F. M. Wilson. Christ Church g
Oxford—W. U. Heygate, Merton ..
..••
Cambridge—Colquhoun, Trinity Hall }
3
London—Colquhoun, Leander Club ... ............... •••
They started together, George ,and Maule shortly taking
the lead. Won by two lengths.
The Colquhouns were rowing very excellently when they
neared the bank, and were much retarded.
TDB DIAMOND SCULLS FOR GENTLEMEN SCULLERS.
First Heat.
London—T. H. Fellowes, Leander I.
Cambridge—W. P. Cloves, Trinity 2
They started level, Cloves, however, shortly afterwards
slipped or broke his stretcher. It was, however, a smart
race, the winner not shaking his opponent off until near home.
Second Heat.
Oxford—E. G. Moon, Magdaler . ......
I
London—E. G. Peacock, Leander
Peacock came in first by some yards, but the race was
decided in favour of Mr. Moon, in consequence of Mr. Pea-
cock having fouled him shortly after the start.
GRAND HEAT FOR TIIE SILVER WHERRIES.
Messrs. Millman and Haggard
T. II Fellowes and E. Fellowes
F. George and W. Maule
It was so clean a start that it was difficult to saysir
some seconds which pair led. The winner then gra"- Yei;
showed in advance, retained it, and won by about thr
lengths.
TRIAL HEAT FOR THE STEWARDS CHALLENGE cur.
London—The Guys. Healey—The Dreadnought,
G. Cooper, stroke J. Page, stroke
3. H. Ferguson 3. Owthwaite
2. Gruggen 2. Morgan
1. Forster 1. Ive
A. Poland, steerer. Paulen, steerer.
It was the finest race of the whole day. The Dread-,
nought took the lead and maintained it half the distance,
when the Guy's came alongside. Some beautiful work fol-
lowed, and the Dreadnought again took a slight lead. 111
another half minute they were oar and oar, and within a
dozen yards of the winning post. They continued together,
and it was decided to be a dead heat.
FINAL HEAT FOR THE DIAMOND SCULLS.

E. G. Moon
T. H. Fellowes ... 0

It was won easily, Mr. Fellowes being " used up."
The day's sport concluded at eight in the evening.

BARBARITY.—We regret to state that a very mali-
cious outrage was committed on the evening of last Monday, or
morning of Tuesday, by some person or persons, on six fine young
calves, the property of W. Mitchell, Esq., Alloa. The calves, which
were grazing in a park near Allen, and said to have been intended
for the cattle show, were all found, on the morning of Tuesday, to
have their tails cut off with a knife almost close to the top. The bar-
barons act has excited universal indignation among all classes in
Alloa. A large reward has been offered for the discovery of the per-
petrators.—Stirling Journal.
DEATH OF THE MARQUISE D'HARCOURT--Vire
stated the day before yesterday that the venerable Marquise D'Har-
court lay dangerously ill at St. Leonard's-place, in consequence of
having taken a large quantity (two ounces it is said) of laudfunnu,
in mistake for a draught sent to her by her medical attendant, Mr'
Brown, of Windsor, and we have now to announce the melancholy
fact that notwithstanding all the active exertions made to counteract
the poison, and the strong hopes entertained for some hours that
those exertions would be successful, her Ladyship expired this morn-
ing shortly after seven o'clock. In consequence of this lamentable
catastrophe, it has been deemed expedient that an inquest should be
held on the remains, and infbrmation of the circumstances bast
been transmitted to the county coroner, who resides a
Reading.—We have received the following from another cor-
respondent. We regret to state, that intelligence was yesterday re-
ceived at the French Embassy, and at the Hon. Colonel CavendLsh a.
announcing the demise of the above much esteemed lady, which
event took place early yesterday morning, at St. Leonard's 11111.
near Windsor. Her Ladyship was the relict of Major-Geheral ~
Amedee Harcourt, Marquis D'Harcourt, a Peer of Frstioe, who WAS
killed by a fall from his horse in 1831, and has left two sons and
daughter to lament her loss. William Bernard Harcourt, E3q.. of
St. Leonard's Hill, married in 1837 to Elizabeth, eldest daughter of
the Hon. Colonel Cavendish—George, married in 1844, to Paolo,
daughter of the Comte and Comtesse de St. Aulaire ; and Mary.
married to the Comte de Castres, son of the Duc de Cs-stres, a reef
of France. Many families of distinction are placed in mourning by
the death of this excellent lady.
THE UNDER bHurEvALTy.—Mr. Baylis, of the firm.
of Baylis and Drewe, of Basinghall-street, has been appointed
Under Sheriff to Alderman Challis; and Mr. Resmard's Under
Sheriff will be Mr. Tilleard, of the firm of Tilleard, ion.
and Free-
man, Old Jewry.
We understand that his Excellency 'Viscount Falk-
land, the Governor of Nova Scotia, has determined on relinquishing
the governorship of that portion of our Amerireetn
colonies'
this country
will
embark at Halifax early in August, on his eare, daily expected to.
arYysehuipcastedepubeairttuhreoffrthome
Viscountess Falkland and the Hon. L. Vi'• c
her
thLa:
arrive at Liverpool from Halifax,
Nova Scotia having been hastened by
honourable gentleman.
THE LATE PoPE.—This forenoon there wits 4 solemn
m
high mass and dirge at St.ary's Roman Catholic Chapel, Moor-
fields,B—Early this morning BRESLAU, JUNE • two or three
forthe repose of the soul.' of the late Pope.
fire in the Mantllergasse. six
houses were completely destroyed by
We regret to hear that E. Rice, Esq,, 111.:P ,
or seven penons perished in the flames.
representatives of Dover, labouring indis-
position, repr is still under severe d has been compelled to
an pair off for the rerratinder of the
session. The
Hon. Member is about t continental
o embark on a
tour.— Kentish Observer. one of

BR
On the 18th inst., the lady of I
ThomasTHS. Ware, Esq., of -Upper ThUr•
low-place, Hackney
On the 19th inst. -road, solicitor, of a daughter. On the 19th inst., at Preston-street, Brighton, Mrs. Thomas Price,
of a son.
On the 13th inst., at Barnet, Herta, the wife of tbss Rev. T. T.
Smith, M.A., of a daughter.
On the 21st inst., at Ramsbury Manor, the lady of D. Hale Webb,
Esq., of Stratton Audley, Oxon, of a daughter.
On the 22d inst., in Eaton-place, Lady Hawley, of a diaughter.
Oh the 22d inst., at Myere-street, Myddelton-square, Mrs. J.
Harding, of a son.
On the 22d inst., at Chesham-street, Belgrave.squarca, the lady of
Sir H. D. Goring, Bart., of a daughter.
On the 18th inst., at Vieux Luc, Calvados, the lady of Lieutenant-
Colonel Carmichael, C.D., of a daughter.
On the 22d inst., at Eton College, the wife of the Rev. John
Wil-
liam Hawtrey, of a son.
On the 22d inst., at Berry-hill
unalibeCusrlane'claris42dbrZykall YAulegohifanWdigeriht:
of a son.