MR. H. BERKELEYsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether the Low Moor Company (Iron-founders in Yorkshire) are making smooth-bored Guns for Her Majesty's Government, and for what purpose? The same Company having made cast-iron Guns, to be afterwards strengthened by Sir William Armstrong, how many were made, how many burst upon trial or failed, and how many succeeded? Did Guns made by Colonel Wilmot on nearly the same plan in Woolwich Arsenal succeed? Is not the Secretary of State for War aware that Guns made after the same plan have been adopted and are perfectly successful in Prance, and if not placed actually on board ship, are ready stacked for that purpose, both at Cherbourg and Toulon? Is he aware that the Russians have adopted that gun, and are at the present time manufacturing it in Liverpool?
§ MR. SIDNEY HERBERTsaid, he would reply to the Questions seriatim. First, the Low Moor Company were making guns, 68-poundcrs and 32-pounders, for the use of the navy. These guns would probably never be displaced by any rifled guns that could be made. The hon. Gentleman next asked whether the same company, having made cast-iron guns to be afterwards strengthened by Sir William Armstrong, how many were made, how many burst upon trial or failed, and how many succeeded? Upwards of 300 cylinders had been made for the purpose of being strengthened by iron hoops; five had been tested, and three of them burst; and that being a largo proportion, it was evident that there was something defective in the manner in which they had been hooped. It had, therefore, been resolved to await 958 the result of further inquiry; and he did not doubt they would succeed in finding a way in which they might be hooped more successfully. As to the next Question, did guns made by Colonel Wilmot on nearly the same plan in Woolwich Arsenal succeed? Colonel Wilmot hooped a gun which had been made by one of the great founders, and it burst at the thirty-ninth round, but showed considerable strength before bursting. He might remark that specimen guns were always tried to destruction, in order to ascertain what pressure they would bear. With respect to the last two Questions, was not the Secretary of State for War aware that guns made after the same plan had been adopted, and were perfectly successful in France, and if not placed actually on board ship were ready stacked for that purpose both at Cherbourg and Toulon? and was he aware that the Russians had adopted the gun and were at present manufacturing them at Liverpool? he had to reply that there certainly were guns at Toulon, which the French Government, it is said, had so little confidence in that they would not, unless using very low charges, place them in ships, but in places where, if they burst, the consequences would not be so disastrous as on deck. There was great doubt whether we did not apply too severe a test to our guns. Our powder was much stronger than that used on the Continent; and, consequently, guns might stand the test applied to them in France, and not be able to stand the same nominal test here. As to the last Question, his reply was that the Russians had not adopted that gun, but they had adopted guns made at Liverpool by the Mersey Company, which were of wrought-iron.
§ Motion, by leave, withdrawn.