The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-02-16

PERKINS STEAM GUN.-The fol.
lowing very interesting account of Mr.
Perkins Steam Gun, is copied from the
London Times.
"The nevhborhooa ofmr. Perkins safe
" steam engine manuiactory, near the
Regents Park, was on Tuesday thrown
into great coi.sternation by some trcmcn-
dous reports, arising from the discharge of
his steam gun. Since fatal accident,
which occurred several months ago, where
q lady threw herself from u gig in conse-
Quence, rs it was at the time incorrectly
supposed, of her horse having taken fright
at the prodigious noise made by the steam
gun, that terrific engine of destruction had
not been permitted to be discharged by the
individuals belonging TO mr.. Perkins's con
Sern. On Tuesday morning, however,
coon after s o'clock, patrols were observed
stationed on all the roads leading towards
the msnuiactory, accompanied by, men
with pacards on boards, warning all pas
sengers on horseback or in carriages to
go through the Regents Park, instead Of
proceeding by the right road leading in
front of the manuiactory. Soon after .,
numbers of military officers, in carriages
and on horseback alghted at the manutac-
tory. They were soon followed by the
Duke of Wellington, and Immediately af-
,crwards the discharge OF steam, which
had been previously occasional and OF cont
paratiyely slight force, commenced with n
continued roar, resembling the loudest
thunder we ever heard. The group Of
eminent persons then assembled, consisted
or his Grace the Master General of the
Ordnance, and his staff; the Marquis OF
Salisbury. Mr.. Peel, Sir II. Hardinge, Lord
Fitzroy Somerset, the Judge Advocate
General, and many military oiNcers oi the
highest rank; together with a committee OF
Engineer and Artillery officers, who, II
appeared had been officially appointed by
The Duke Of Wellington TO examine into
the merits OF this wonderful specimen o'
human ingenuity and destructive power
The discharges Of the steam now became
almost iucessant for two hours, during
which, its incalculable force and astonish
ing rapldity in dscharging balls excited
amazencnt and admiration IN all present
A. first the balls were discharged at shor
intervals, in imitation of artillery firing. a
cainst an iron target, at the distance ot ),
wards. Such was the force with which
they were driven, that they were complete
ly shattered 10 atoms. In the next expcrl
ment the balls were discharged at framt
of wood, and they actually passed through
eleven one inch planks of the hardest deal
placed at the distance ofan inch from eacl
other Afterwards they were propelled u
gainst an iron plate ouc-iourth of an incl
thick, and at the very first trial the bal
passed through 1t. On all hands this wa
declared 20 be the utmost effort of fore
that gunpowder could exert. Indeed W
understand that this plate had been brougli
&c tally from Woolwich, for the purpos
OF ascertsining the comparative force c
steam and gunpowdcr. The pressure c
steam employed TO effect this wonderit
force, we learit, on enquiry, did not q
first exceed TO atinosphcrcs, or 900 lbs. {
The SQUARE inch:-and it was repeated!
stated by mr. Perkins that the pressur
migbt be carried even to POO atmosphere
with perfect safety. Mr. Perkins the