The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-05-09
COCHRAN'S BOMB CANNON.
WAsn1NGroN, Monday, April 13

WAsn1SGToN, Monday, April l3.
The rumors Of war have set some of
our people about considering whether we
are at all prepared for such an explosion.
What is the result? All our forts prove to
be almost entirely unsuppIied with ord
nance. We have plenty of forts, but pre-
cious little in them. Hence, some of the
various improvers Of FIRE arms, who have
been dancing attendance upon the Gov
ernment for a long time to no purpose,
have been brought out by the toscin, and
are offering their plans. II is passing
strange, but very true, that even the best
of these meets with opposition among the
official rersonages who ought to be fore
most in giving encouragement to every
improvement bearing marks of any thing
like promise. | allude to Cochran's Pa
tent Bomb Cannon. If a number of MEM
bers Of Congress had not seen its merits
and taken il up vigorously and fearlessly,
this great invention might never been
hear1 of-There is every likelihood, now,
of its getting into general use and SUPER
seding all other ordnance. II has been
tried twice here, in the presence of large
assemblies. The last trial was nn Satur-
day, April II, at The Arsenal. But before
| describe the triumphs Of this last expe-
riment, at which myself was present, I
will say word about the powers to which
the new invention makes claim.
First, then, it can fire sixteen shot in
the time required for two Of an ordinary
cannon; some say more. 1t can be man.
aged by six men; for the management of
an ordinary cannon, eleven are required,
$50 that each one saves the rations Of five
men. 1t has no rccoil, hence does not re-
quirc to be kept in its place by breeching.
1t is charged without either swab or ram
roA.-The rarid firing does not heat it.
Ordinary cannon must be cooled with vim
cgar and water after thirty discharges; but
Cochran's has been found perfectly cool
after ore hundred shots in rapid succession.
1t has thrice the durability Of ordinary cam
mon. All guns first fail at the breech,
where the charge first ignites and the ball
starts; but as Cochran's is constructed with
Il three chambcrcd revolving breech, of
course il must be of thrice the durability
01 tnGSC now In nSe'
1t las been observed by some Of the
members Of Congress VINO have Witnessed
experiments, that single steamer with
two siXty.foEr Founders constructed on
iCoclran's plan, might destroy any line of
battle ship. None OF the latter carry
heavier metal than the forty-two FOUNDER.
and while these were under the act of be-
ing loaded, an unbroken stream Of fire
would be pouring in upon tie line of battle
ship like reiterated thunder bolts so that
nothing could save her from sinking. The
steamer, TOO, being smaller in size, would
be less exposed. although so much larger
in power. The advantages from increased
celcrity would equally attend the use of
.Cochran's gun in (ortresscs. "For gar
rison eun," says letter of General Wad.
dy Thompson, Chairman of the Military
Committee" there cannot be doubt
about it. regard it as beyond measure"
observes he in another place." the great
est improvement in the way of fire arms
that | have seen.
On Saturday last, The attendance at the
Arsenal was very numerous. great num-
Der of Senators and Representatives ap-
peared. The experiments were thorough
ly successful. The first thirty two dis
charges were made within four minutes.
In the next experiment, seventeen dischar-
ges were made in two minutes and twenty
seconds. In the third, there were eight
within the minute. In the fourth, There
were three in a third of minute.