The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-03-15
nected with the Captain and officers of the

the explosion Of one of the large guns on board
that vessel. on the 2Sth February last. This in
vestgalion has satisfied the Court
That. in the year 1889. Captain Stockton be-
ing in England, his attention was attracted to
the extraordinary and important improvements
which had recently been introduced. into the
manufacture Of large masses of wrought iron as
substitute for cast IRON for objects which re-
quired combination Of strength aud adhesive
ness or toughness. Large shafts for steam en-
gnes had been thus fabricated, which expert
ence had demonstrated to be superior in hose
qualities, which were desirable, 10 the same ar
tices manufactured of east iron. sa : laN
These circumstances appear to have led
Capt. Stockton 10 consider the question how
far the same material might be employed in the
construction Of cannon of large cali5re. He
appears TO have been animated by motives the
most patriotic, stimulated by the Iaudable desire
Of being himself instrumental in promoting the
honor of his country, and of eevating that
branch of the service with which he was per-
sonally connected. To what extent his inqui-
ries were carried, the Court has not been adj
vised-bul it is in evidence that he did advise
and consult with three gentlemen possessing,
from their scientific requirements and practical
experience on such subjects, very superior quail
! i6catiOns in questions of this character, and
whose opinions were entitled to high respect
Mr.. William Young, Capt. Ericsson, and Fran
| els b. Ogden, Esquires, are the gentlemen to
whom allusion Is made. After much debera-
| ton, and several consultations, with calcula-
tons furnished from the same quarter, Captain
Stockton determined upon the construction ofa
gun of the proposed dimensions, for the purpose
of testing the opinions of scientific men by the
results Of experience. cannon was accord
ingly made at the Mersey works, of Yorkshire
iron, which being approved Of, was shipped TO
the United States. Having been properly pre-
pared for the purpose, this gun was carried
10 Sandy Hook, and subjected TO what was
deemed the proper test. After the first firing
preparations were made to mount the gun. In
doing this crack was perceived opposite the
chamber, which induced Capt. Stockton to have
the breech Strengthened by putting bands
around it. These bands are represented as be-
| ing 1-2 inches in thickness. With this addi-
|
gun, the experiments were renewed, and the re-
suit was decided conviction upon the minds
of all connected with them, that, in general, the
antcipations of Capt. Stockton were perfectly
realised; and, secondly that if a gun Of this
construction should yield to the force Of the
trial, it would be by simple opening, and not,
as in cast iron, violent disruption and scatter
ing of the fragments
The success of these experiments was such
as TO decide Capt. Stockton forthwith to direct
the construction of another gun of a similar
character, TO be made of American iron, which
is usually regarded as superior in strength and
lenacity to the English iron. This second qua,
the same which exploded on board the Prince
ton, was constructed with chamber similar to
that Of the first gun, with an additional thickness
of twelve inches al the breech-a difference,
even if the metal were only of equal goodness,
far more than sufficiently 10 compensate for the
bands by which The first had been fortified.
| Application was made TO Col. Bomford Of the
Ordnance Department Of the Army, who, it is
well known, has been professionally occupied in
experimenting upon guns of large calibre, and
his opinion requested as 10 the proper proof to
which such gun ought to be subjected. The
proof suggested by Col. Bomford as suit
able one, will be found in his letter Of
Nov. 18th, 1910, appended 10 the record. The
new gun constructed by order Of Captain Stock
ton, exceeded in dimensions and weight, conse-
quenlly should also have surpassed in strength
that contemplated by Col. Bomford, they being
of the same calibre, and the proof TO which
this cannon was subjected, was much more Sc
we're than what was proposed sufficient by
that experienced officer.
! Ia view Of all the circumstances thus briefly
adverted TO, but mnutey detailed in the evil
dence which is spread upon the record, the
Court entertains a distinct and confident OPT
mon, that in originally forming the plan for the
construction of large guns, Capt, Stockton pro-
ceeded on well established practical facts that
in coming TO decision upon the feasibility of
the contemplated project, he did not rely upon
his own theoretical opinions, bot resot,d to
men of science and practical skill for advice,
and that he was fully sustained by their judg-
ment in every particular; that a series of ex-
perimenls and trials with the two guns fully
sustained The deductions OF the gentlemen
whose advice was sought, and justified the most
assured confidence in the durability and eff
cheney of the gun.
In regard 10 The mode of loading and firing
on every occasion, and empbaricaly that which
was followed by the explosion, it Is established
by the fullest proof, to the entire satisfaction Of
the Court, that every care and attention which
prudence and professional capacity could die
tate was observed. No shadow Of censure in