The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-11-07
Movable and ImmOvable 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 a
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 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 Horsfall gun
pierced the target at a distance OF two
hundred yards, but at a distance of eight
hundred there was no accuracy-it could
not be relied on. The Whitworth ritled
gun was then tried at range of six hum
dred yards, and was successful, not only
with shot, but even with shell. But this
range-about third of a'mile-was far in
arrear of the Commissioners anticipations,
and the Times is compelled to admit that
emo gun has been produced yet which
could pierce the sides of a frigate 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 Whitworth gHn, whfcff weighs
seven tons, is only effective at SIX hupApd
yards, the heaviest gun Witch cam with
safety be placed in ship must weigh less
than five tons. The pertinent qaestisu is
then asked: eff the new WhitMuth gun
should be too heavy for naval use, and yet
not strong enough to be worked with fi8
effect from 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 be 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 forts-that is, ships on water
have 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 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 conclr-
siOns more definite and accurate may have
been arrived at. In the present state of
Europe there is really no necessity for pro-
ceeding with costly work like the erection
Of forts which may not be worth the price
of the stone and mortar. The same Objec-
ton applies, but with less force, to the
new iron clad steamers. But an INSULT
cient armor ship may be turned to some
account, whereas an inefficient fort is worse
than useless-it is relying on a broken
reed. SO far the independent members of
Parliament who contended that in case of
invasiOn-;t the best an absurd idea-the
best defence was a substantial Channel
Fleet, have proved true prophets, while
| those who relied for safety on immovable
forts have seen their views falsified-Lir-
eyDOOl Times.