Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-20

AFTER FOUR SHOTS
The third shot was fred at 1902 at the nickel
steel plate and produced startling effect. The
shot was broken, one-half Of it remaining in
the plate and the other half being thrown en-
tire back to the firing butt. 1t was evident
that there was either IN immense strength on
the part OF the plate or an accidental weakness
in the she'll The next rouna would probably
demonstrate the facts. The Englishmen began
to explain, but not with much force as yet.
ANOTHER OF THE SAME KIND.
1t was 1890 when tho lanyard was pulled for
the fourth time, and when tho spectators
reached the butts again cry Of wonder went
up on all sides. The shot had struck the plate
squarely, and, after penetrating almost through
the steel, had been then thrown bodily back to
a distance Of thirty feet, where it was found
quite hot. 1t was apparently uninjured and
might be used again for all the layman knew.
A careful measurement showed that the blow
had shortened it 11-l00 of an inch, and that it
was not set up" that is, bulged or fattened
in the least, SO that it could. with very little
treatment, and new copper collar, be put into
the gun and fred again. The point Of the shell
was highly polished by the impact. Neither
of tho French plates had 20 far developed any
cracks, except mt the immediate edge OF the
burr, and the amazement ran high.
ANOTHER wHAcK AT TIE ENGLISH PLATE.
The defeat OF the English steel compound
was made very manifest at the fifth shot, which
was fred at 12:47 and which penetrated so that
the base of the projectile was fifteen inches
from the face Of the plato. This carried the
point thirty-two inches from the outer edge OF
the target or within fourteen and q half inches
Of complete penetration, the entire butt being
forty-six and half inches. The former cracks
were developed in high degree and the en-
tire lower section OF the plate was visibly weak
ened, while the bolts OF the backing were
strained again.
Shot number six started on its brief tourney
at 1:23, and penetrated about sixteen inches
into the nickel plate. A good many fragments
flew through the air, but these. it was found
came almost entirely from the burr, while the
plate was uncracked Two bolts wore started
in tho backing aud one in the side iron was
started trife.
THEY CONCLUDED TO 90 on.
This was as much firing as the board had in
tended to do with the six-inch gun, as it was
rather expected to do sufficient damage with
the smaller piece to let the eight.inch gun give
the final stroke with one shot But the French
plates were showing marvellous tenacity and
strength, and the experts concluded after a
brief consultation with the Secretary and Com
modors Folger to 60 ahead with two more
shots in each plate.
ANOTHER AT THE cREUsoT PLATE.
Accordingly number seven was fixed at 1.4S
against the all-steel Crcusot. Again the pro-
jectile was thrown back entire. going through
the sand bags piled in front of the guns. and
landing on the floor Of the gun shed. 1t was
1-l00 The point Of the shot had lust per-
forated the steel. The English people had by
this time given out the impression that their
plate was the worst produced from the Shelf.
field works in ten years, but q steel man, who
had spent considerable time at Sheffield.
declared afterward that In his opinion the
present plate was the best that the Cammell
firm had ever made