Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-09
ENGLANDS WAR DOGS.
military Men Discussing the Modern HEAVY
isuus.

An important gathering OF scientific and
professional men, chiefly connected with
the army ana navy, took place at the United
Service Institution yesterday afternoon,
saws the London hetrS OF the 21st ultimo,
FOR the purpose OF hearing and discussing
paper on "The Heavy Guns OF 1884," by
Colonel +. Maitland, X. A., superintendent
oi the royal gun factories, Woolwieh.
Lord Harrington, Secretary OF State for
War, presided, and there was numerous
attendance. Colonel Maitland said that he
had been permitted TO lay before the insti-
tullon and the public the causes which had
led 10 the rearmament OF the naval and
military forces, the progress which had
been made. aud the comparative efficiency
Of the heavy guns now in possession OF
England and the other chief countries OF
the world. The change had been the con-
sequence Of improvements In powder. In
mechanical appliances, and In the produc-
ton Of large masses oi isteel--consideration
which affected all European nations, and
had led TO extensive reirmaments through
out the Continent. During the latter part
Of "thc seventies" England fell behiad in
the artillery race, but not To the
extent some imagined. for the short
breech-loaders OF the Continent are
now Just as obsolete as the short
muzzle.oaders OF England; and up to 1875
or 1876 the British guns were just as good
as any others. Then came period OF CON-
Varative stagnation, and England fell TO
lceward, for which during the last three
years we had been endeavOring 10 make
up. The delay had favored us, for In q
science which advanced so rapidly as gun
merry the power which waited longest had
the best OF il. provided that il was not
caught mapping by an important war.
Colonel Maitland proceeded ID describe the
improvements which have recently taken
place IN the composition OF powder and
the manufacture Of steel guns. pointing
to the advantages and disadvantages
OF the various developments pursued
in different countries, and declaring
that England by coming last had selected
and combined the best fcatul es OF all the
systems with a few improvements OF
our own, and obtained the best system OF
ordnance the world had known. IL would
be objectionable in 4 manufacturer not 10
adopt what he found best, and he was satis-
ted there was nothing to beat the design OF
the G3-ton gun ~ now being made in the
ROYAL gun factory. Not being hampcred
hv the necessity For utilizing old mate
IalS. we have been able Ia devote all our
energies to new guns instead Of alter
ing old and inferior guns, a. is being
largely done all over the continent. Ia
numbers we were still behind, but all that
i required il money and a little more time.
The armOr-plates OF the iron-cIads were
still Strengthening, and the guns and the
proicctiles must keep pace or become
worthless, and IL was 10 be hoped that the
country would seriously face the subject
and not refuse 10 pay itS war insurance.
In a discussion which followed lin the
course Of which Lord Harrington left for
the houses OF Parliament, accompanied by
Lord NOrthbrook, first lord OF the Ad-
miralty, Mr.. Brand, u. T., and others.
and AIR. w. fl. smith, NJ. p, took the CHAIR.
Admiral Hamilton spoke in justification
oi the delay in making change OF
war-matelial, on account OF the cnor-
nous expense, and, for the credit OF the
old mUzzle- leaders, said that not one OF
them was disabled 1t Alexandria by its own
fire. Hr. G.. Rcnde, OF the admiralty.
questioned the lecturers conclusions in
favor Of enlsrging the powder-chambsr I;
and Colonel Hope said that he tried sue
c,ssiully another cXpedicnt to meet the
same object by igniting charge in 40
places at once, and thereby aboli.hing the
wave" action. Sir Frederick Bramwell
thought Colonel Hope had not solved the
wave difficulty. which seemed insolvable.
After further discussion, it was arranged
10 continue the debate at future meeting,
and the proceedings terminated with the
usual vote Of thanks 10 the lecturer.