MR. WHITWORTH’S 3 POUNDER RIFLED CANNON.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 195, 14 June 1860, Page 3

MR. WHITWORTH’S 3 POUNDER RIFLED CANNON.

At the first glance it is difficult to realize the fact that the 3-pounder—the long, thintube, like a telescope on wheels, and only, weighing 208 lb. —can really be one of the most formidable engines which, the science of modern warfare has produced,—a terrible weapon, capable, witli a charge of powder noc very much greater than is used in a large duck gun, of- dealing almost certain death at a distance of five miles. As compared with .the bluff, thick, flat-muzzled service gun of a year ago, both Armstrong’s and Whitworth’s gun seem-almost to be animated by an instinct or intelligence of their own; and nothing would more forcibly illustrate the triumph of mind over matter than to see the cumbrous mass of iron now called a 68-pounder placed side by side with a Whitworth 3-pounder tube, capable of destroying its ponderous antagonist at a distance of 10,000 yards! The bore of the three-pounder is about L| inches in diameter ; its rifling, of course, is at the same pitch, but the length of the gun being shorter than the 12-pounder-—about 5 feet 2.inches —the shot is not turned so much before it leaves. Practice, then, with this three-pounder commenced with 10 dvgrcis-elevation at 4000 yards, the charge being only seven ounces and a-half of powder. One man worked the gun with great ease, firing it, without the least attempt at hurry, four times in less than four minutes. The sound of the projectile was scarcely audible. The first shot fired entered the sand at 4,171 j-ards distance, and only six yards to the left of the line; the seond struck at 4,179 yards at only four yards to the left ; she third at 4,224 -yards, at two yards from ■ the line.

The elevation was then altered to 20 degrees, the same charge of 7| ounces being contiuued for the range of posts from 6,000 to 7,000 j f ards distant. The first shot at this tremendous range struck the sand at 6,760 yards, and only five yards to the left of the true line The second struck at 6,784, and 12 yards from the true line in the same -direction; the third, at 6,720, was 16 yards out of the line. This deviation to the left was contrary to the usual deviation of the gun, and arose from rather a strong wind which had set in from the sea. The gun was therefore laid more to the right, and threw a fourth shot 6,910 yards’ distance, and only 2 yards to the left of the true line! The charge of powder was then increased to 8 ounces, and the elevation of the gun raised to 35 degrees. The practice then made was really extraordinary. The first shot alighted in the sand at 6,970 yards’ distance, only 22 yards to the right of the line. The second fell at 8,900 yards, and only 10 yards left of the line; the third at 9,059 yards, 10 yards to the right; and the fourth at the immense range of 9,164 yards and 22 yards to the right. Midway between the guns and the target the flight of the projectiles over head could just.,, be heard, and .no more.— Times.