§ MR. BERNAL OSBORNEwished to put a Question to the Secretary for War. Certain experiments had recently been made at Shorncliffe with a light 12-pounder rifled gun, and especially as to the effect of rapid firing. He believed that a Commission of officers had been appointed to report upon the condition of those 12-pounder guns after that rapid firing; and he wished to ask, first, Whether those officers had made their Report? and next, whether it was true that a large proportion of those guns were altogether unserviceable, being greatly damaged by the shifting of the external coils, the splitting of the internal coils, the chipping of the screws, and the breaking of the vent pieces?
SIR GEORGE LEWISsaid, although he had notice of the intention of his hon. Friend to ask a Question, he had not been made aware of the particular Report to which he intended to refer. He had received a Report from Colonel Cuppage of the results of certain experiments with 1217 the Armstrong 12-pounder gun, which had lately taken place at Shorncliffe; but those experiments were of three kinds. Some of the firing was at 1,000 yards, against sea targets to try the effect of the guns on an enemy landing from boats. Other experiments were at various ranges, in order to test some assumed defects in resisting cavalry; and, lastly, experiments to test the effects of rapid firing. He believed the Report upon all the three classes of experiments was, that they were eminently successful.
§ MR. BERNAL OSBORNEBut as to the present condition of the guns?
§ MR. BERNAL OSBORNEgave notice that next Session he would call the attention of the House to the present condition of the War Office, in regard to the management of rifled ordnance, and to the position of Sir William Armstrong as Director of Rifled Ordnance.
§ In reply to Sir DE LACY EVANS,
SIR GEORGE LEWISsaid, that it was impossible to lay any Report upon the table during the present Session; but the hon. and gallant Member could revive the subject in the next Session.