The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-11-07
Movable and InlmOvablc Forts.

An article in the London Times epitO
mixes the result of the recent experiments
at ShOeburyness, respecting which SO much
interest prevails. In this contest between
Notifications and ships, the latter, accord
ing to the reasoning of the writer, have q
decided advantage, and this fact proved, it
follows that all the money now spending on
the land-works at Portsmouth, for the pro-
lection of the harbor, is so much money
recklessly wasted. 1t was declared by the
opponents of the land-wOrks that irOn-cased
frigates in such waters as Portsmouth could
enter the harbor, anchor at distance of
fifteen hundred or three thousand yards
from any battery, and then shell the dock
yards and arsenals with perfect impunity.
To this assumption the reply of the Royal
Commissioners was, that a good cannon
could be effective against the Warrior
target at three thousand yards, and that
Sir William Armstrong was the man TO
| make it.
The recent experiments have not realized
this anticipation. The great Horstall gun
pierced the target al a distance OF two
hundred yards, but at a distance of eight
| hundred there was 10 accuracy-lt could
not be relied on. The WhitwOrth ritied
gun was then tried at Il range OF six hun
dred yards. and was successful, not only
with shot, but even with shell. But this
range-ahout third of a'mle-was far in
arrear of the Commissioners anticipations
and the Times is compelled to admit that
''no gun has been produced yet which
could pierce the sides of q trigate like the
Warrior at three thousand yards, or even
at half that range This, we presume,
may be deemed conclusive, as far as the
experiments have proceeded. The Com
missioners' gun, therefore, has yets to be
made, and it is to be remembered that,
while the Whtworth Gun, whfcfr weighs
seven tons, is only effective at SIX hurNred
yards, the heaviest gun which can with
safety be placed in a ship must weigh less
than five tons. The pertinent qnesti0u is
then asked eff the new Whitwmth gum
should be too heavy for naval use, and yet
not strong enough to be worked WITH fun
effect from Il fort, how is it to be turned to
account?"
The truth is that Lord Palmerston, with
indecent haste. has asked an enormous
sum OF money from Parliament for the
erection of forts, that these experiments
prove to he practically useless. 1t WILL it
is said, require thirty thousand men to man
them, and the guns have yet to be invent
ed that will render them practically useful.
Hitherto all the experiments have proved
that moving torts-tiat is, ships on water
have q decided advantage over fixed
forts like those at Portsmouth, and that
! long ranges, which may be attained at sea.
are imperative on land. even with a gun
OF extraordinary weight We could wish
| these experiment to proceed. provided the
forts which are now building at Ports
mouth were discontinued until the meet
ing OF Parliament, by which time conclu-
| sion, more definite and accurate may have
! been arrived al. In the present state Of
Europe there is really no necessity for pro-
ceeling with costly work like the erection
| OF forts which may not be worth the price
| OF the stone and mortar. The same oi!iec-
ton applies, but with less force, to the
new iron clad steamers. But an nsijtii-
cient armor ship may be turned 10 some
account, whereas al inefficient fort Is worse
than uselcss-it is relying on a broken
reed. SO far the independent members OF
| Parliament who contcnded thar i'll case Of
invasion-at the best an absurd idea-thc
! best defence WAS substantial Channel
Fleet, have proved true prophets, while
! those who relied for safety on immovable
| forts have seen their views tal>ifiel-iir-
r,fUui jt1tps