§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether it is true that in the trials at Shoeburyness on Tuesday last, 5J-inch iron plates were penetrated by Shells, and the wooden backing set on fire; and, if so, whether the Admiralty still intend to build of wood the five new Ships, to be plated with iron?
§ LORD CLARENCE PAGETsaid, in reply, that on Tuesday last some very important experiments took place, not only with the Armstrong shells but likewise with the Whitworth shells; and, undoubtedly, he might state that those shells pierced plates 5½ inches thick. It was, however, quite impossible to state the extent of the effect produced by the shells until the target was taken to pieces. He mentioned this circumstance, because last year, when experiments took place, the House was exceedingly anxious to learn the results; and being asked a question upon the following day, he made a statement on the subject, and afterwards he had occasion very much to modify his expressed opinion. Therefore, he wanted a complete examination of the target, in order to be able to give, if the Mouse should desire it, a more accurate account than he could at present of the extent of the effect produced by the shells.
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONsaid, that the noble Lord had not answered a part of the Question put to him—namely, whether, as the wooden backing was set on fire and blazed up, that circumstance had any effect upon the intention of the Admiralty to build five new ships of wood?
§ LORD CLARENCE PAGETsaid, he must beg pardon for omitting to answer that part of the Question; but he could state, that the Admiralty had not, in consequence of these experiments on Tuesday last, as at present advised, found it necessary or expedient to alter the opinions previously expressed by him as to the desirability of preparing some wooden frames of armour-plated ships in the course of the year.