Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-10-09

| CocHRAN's PATENT BoMB CANNoN.-Sevs raj We
ry interesting and important experiments made
with Cochran's Cannon, on Tuesday last, at Sandy
Hook under the direction of Captain Newton, of the
S. steam frigate Fulton, and Mr.. Cochran, the in
veutor. The Secretary of the Navy gave orders
that the cannon should be tested TO the utmost and
| il has been done.
At nine o'clock, the steam frigate started from the
East River, with Commo dore Dekay, Captain Cow
din, Mr. Cochran, and several other scientific gen.
temen on board, including, of course, Captain New
ton, the commander Of the Fulton, and his officers
who all well acquainted with every branch Of
gunnery and artillery.
In one hour and forty five minutes, the steamer
reached Sandy Hook, which shows her to be very
fast sacr. In consequence of the shoal water, the
company had to be taken ashore on the shoulders Of
the sailors, who waded knee deep through the wa.
ter, and looked like many old men, the sh, u.
ders of many Snbads.
Soon after they landed, tie experiments commenc-
ed. The cannon had been taken down the day be-
FORE and was therefore ready. Its appearance can
not very well be described here without diagram.
All we say, is, that it has three chambers, is
made of brass, is six FOUNDER and is very eat and
compact in all its arrangements. 1t is now to be
seen at Nbio's Garden. Its advantages in battle
over common cannon are obvious.
First--Its efficiency in point OF CELEBRITY Is fully
equal to four guns now in use.
S.cond-It has the durability Of three common
guns for has three breeches and all guns first fail
the Breach where the charge gnites, and the ball
starts.
Third-Safety in charging. All guns ever used
require sponging al every discharge. This cannot
become SO heated as to require sponging at all
constructor of the gun is such hat It don't recoil
and consequently remains steady at the port hole;
and the time necessarily consumed in drawing it in,
to sponge, is saved and all danger in sending the
men outside to load is overcome.
Fifth-It can be loaded with the greatest cele-
rity and case, for throwing shells Ct large caibre
Sixth-lt only requires three or four men to ma
mage it, no matter what may be its weight. In the
British service eleven men are necessary TO manage
a sixty-iour FOUNDER
So far for its advantages. tits seen by the above
that they are very GEOGRAPHICALLY the last
When manned by persons familiar with its opera
tions, it can be discharged twelve times minute,
with accuracy and regularity. On Tuesday 1t dis
charged five ball cartridges in sixteen seconds The
balls discharged followed each other, and before the
first fired reached the water, another was whistling
through the air. But, in making five discharges in
sixteen seconds, sight be taken but once
In twelve discharges a minute, however, the gun
ner can take aim at each discharge. The quickest
time ever made with a common gun was in the
French army, when piece Of artillery was fired Sc
vcntimes, aid loaded for the eighth, in minute,
but without taking sight. These rapid discharges
of the old gun, however, are very dangerous, be-
cause it becomes over heated, and the powder is
liable to ignite, whilst Cochran's, having three
breeches keeps coel and therefore safe all the time
Cochran's cannon was fired fifty times within an
hour, without the of sponge, swab, printing
wire, or having vent tender.
Perhaps cannon never before underwent such a
test. Each cartridge weighed from one pound and
| a quarter to two pounds Of powder, prepared ex-
pressy the strength of which was thirty per cent
greater than that used in cur army and navy. And
| the percussion caps were equally powerful. They
forced fire through the flannel and paper wrapper
of the cartridges with and without failure
| Many other cannon would have exploded with like
| charges.
| 1t was impossible to ascertain how FAR the balls
| were thrown, for many went into the water. The
distance of one was measured and found be four
teen hundred yards.
The sccuracy with which Mr.. Cochran throws a
ball is remark able At the fourth fire Of the gun,
| and his first sight, he sent six FOUNDER directly
through the centre of the bulls eye, atarget five
hundred yards distant.
Ssmuch for the experiments, and advantages, and
capabilities Of this new instrument, to deal out
death and destruction. 1t is the greatest improve
ment of the kind ever made Not since the in
vention Of powder has such a dea'h-dealing cannon
| been offered TO modern warriors. Ii is TO be
principally used TO throw hollow shot and shells,
and win doubt, in a very short time, change en-
tirely the system Of modern warfare. After Henry
Clay had il tried at Washington, last winter,
he said 20 Mr. Cochran " should think that your
cannon ought to commend itself strongly 10 those
who charged with the care Of the public de-
| fence"
This cannon goes to England shortly with Mr..
Cochran and there's question but that the British
government will adopt it for their service. Our
val officers speak highly of it, and say that for gun
boats, no cannon is well adapted.
After the experiments were made, the Fulton
started her return, and reached the city in the
evening. capital dinner was given to the compa-
ny by Captain Newton, who did every thing in his
power TO have the cannon well tested, and the APP
pctites Of his guests well satisfied. lie succeeded
admirably in both More he could not have done
and we return him thanks.
OF his steam frgate, the Fulton-those under his
csmmand-the naval apprentices, and so forth, we
shall speak another day.
| The Hebrew Fast.