The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-02-27
BURSTING A BIG GUN.
The Experiment that Solved the
Doubts of British Gunners.
TTnndon TiuaS

The Experiment that Solved the
Doubts of British Gunners.
LONDON TimesI
Yesterday afternoon the problem sci
by the accidental explosion of the 38-ton
gun on board the Thunderer was solved
by the bursting of the sister gun by a
double loading. The preliminary tests
already made and recorded have shown
that the theories of the shot slipping and
the shot jamming were unfounded, and
it only remained for the committee to
demonstrate their own hypothesis.
Their decision being practically in favor
of the gun and the accepted principles of
gunnery, was naturally questioned by
the advocates of contrary systems, and
consequently the greatest possible inter-
est was felt in yesterdays experiment,
as was manifested by the large attend
ance of official personages, military and
naval officers, and scientific men. Prep
arations commenced about II o'clock,
and while these were proceeding the
spectators examined arrangements and
discussed probabilities They saw before
them great pyramid of earth, which
contained the bursting chamber, and al
most touching it compact square pile
of yellow sacks, which they were told.
contained sand, and were piled against
and above but of earth 40 feet thick,
intended to receive the projectiles and
any fragments of the gun that might be
driven in that direction. As far as
could be gathered, the majority of opin-
ions were against the contingency of
bursting the gun. The members Of tho
committee remained true to their con-
viction that double loading had burst
the former gun, and their expectation
that the same conditions would bring
about the same result in the present case.
Mr.. Braunwell, indeed, whose opinions
had been strongly expressed to the like
effect, declared that the issue was beyond
question. The gun was carefully loaded
under the supervision of Captain Morley,
proof Officer, and others specially ap-
pointed to be present in the cell, and
then diagram was painted outside the
gun, showing the positions of the two
charges and their projectiles. First was
rammed home the Palliser cartridge OF
10 pounds of pebble powder; next the
Palliser shell of 10 pounds, and the
papier-mache wad. The second charge
followed--namely, IS pounds of powder,
common shell, and another wad, and
the double loading was complete. As
marked on the outside Of the gun, IS
pounds Of powder lay just in the position
where the gun swells in thickness to
strengthen the powder chamber, and
many who had been skeptical were con-
vinced by this illustration that the igni-
tion of a charge in such a weak and i'm
proper position would be at least risky.
At last, al who wished to had visited
the gun, and had had the opportunity of
forming an opinion, and the bell was
sounded as warning to retire. The
splinter-roof houses, which had been re-
served as covers for the principle visit
ors, were very little in demand, for ev-
cry one wished to see whatever there was
to be seen, and accordingly the spectators
retired some 300 yards to the left front,
where the high bank dividing the river
from the marsh afforded capital posi-
tion for bird's-eye view of the scene.
Some doubts were expressed as to the
safety of the position, but the suspense
was of short duration. Captain Morley
was seen to retire to the instrument
room, and Sergeant, after seeing that
the ground was clear, dived for few
moments into the bursting-cell for the
purpose Of adjusting the electric fuse to
the vent. A second bell was then rung.
An instant after Captain Morley had
touched the fatal pin, and the pyramid
of earth seemed to be lifted by dense |
mass of smoke and wreckage, which few |
into the air to the accompaniment of a
loud report. For some time the smoke
poured out, and before any one could
enter it was necessary to make use of the
fire-hose; but anxiety to know the result
overcame all idea of danger, and several
Of the committee CROPPED into the cell.
and came out again with the tidings that
the gun had "gone." The engineers un-
der Col. Noble were not long in making
everything secure, and presently the lit
tie dark cell was filed with persons
stumbling over the broken fragments of
the gun, the breech end only Of which |
remained on the carriage, resembling
with marvellous fidelity its unfortunate
now exhibited in the Royal
Gun Factories. Hearty congratulations
were exchanged, and it was admitted
that the cause of the Thunderer explo-
sion had now been conclusively estab-
lished and the reputation of British guns
for refusing to burst, except under con-
ditions that never ought to arise, tri-
maintained.