The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-07-19
The Test of the Ironclads.

The operations at Alexandria gave the first
opportunity naval men have had to test the
merits OF the improved modern ironclad and
prove its superiority when pitted against guns
mounted ashore In forts of approved construc-
ton. The bombardment was practical trial
The Egyptians had, it is true, no vessels to man
euver IN opposition no rams, no torpedoes Nor
were their works armed with guns of equal
weight with the 81 ton guns of the English
ironclad Infexible The work to do was sim
pc. 1t was in the main a stand-still fight, and
the ironclads t the best of it. The forts and
earthworks of Arab Pasha were speedily
knocked about his ears but the ships came off
practically unhurt. The fact that he used solid
shot, and not shells probably shows that his
main hope was to sink the English vessels That
they resisted this fire so we'll bears witness to
the comparative impregnability of the modern
man of war Most of the ronclads were struck
The Invincible, a broadside ship, having but
six.lnch armor, was anchored during the action
of the formidable work. Fort Meks, Offering
fixed and broad target to the Egyptian rihed
cannon. The Invinclble was hit often and
penetrated six times, but she is one of a class
only partly protected. The enemy's shot rid
died her unprotected parts, scattering splinters
here and there, but her battery and water line
were we'll armored, and effectually resisted seri
Gus hut. She had but six men wounded The
Penelope, similarly constructed, was penetrated
hve tlmes-but in no vital part, owing to the
disposition of her armor-having one gun dis.
abled and eight men wounded The Inhexible.
by far the most powerful and best armored yes.
sci OF the fleet was hit five times, and one shot
went through her unarmored parts, killing one
man and wounding two Others
The Inhexible, when she was launched in
1876, was regarded as the most formidable en-
CINE of naval warfare in Che world. and still
compares favorably with the Dandolo and
Dullio, the two great Italian ironclads. armed
with 100 ton g1ns. She is a turn screw turret
ship, 800 feet long between perpendiculars and
70 feet IN breadth at the widest part. being lit
orally a rectangular armored castle All the
Vulnerable parts of the ship are nclosed in the
central citadel the remaining sections are simp
ly designed to float it. This " box" 10 feet bv
20, is armOred feet inches above the water
line and feet inches below it. The plating
varies in thickness. but at the most vital point
consists Of "a inches of solid iron. in two coats
each strengthened by girders. backed by teak
packing Z inches thick making a wall al in
ches through The turrets are placed on either
side OF the ship echcLon within the citadel
walls the fore-turret on the port side. 40 that
all four guns can be discharged simultaneously
IN the same direction. The guns can also be
depressed so as to FIRE down on the deck of an
enemy alongside The turrets of % feet inter.
nal diameter, are formed Of a single thickness of
armor. q inches thick backed with "a pucb
wood and inner iron skin. The Inaexible
has crew Of about $50 men, but two men can
work each Of the guns. She has a speed of Id
knots but is not a very handy vessel in a sea
way. Her first cost was about 5000 900 The
Infexible's 81 ton guns are designed to throw
projectile weighing 700 pounds with $50
pound charge Of powder, and the vessel carries