EXPERIMENTS WITH THE "PRINCE ALFEED" GUN.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXI, Issue 31, 12 April 1862, Page 6

EXPERIMENTS WITH THE "PRINCE ALFEED" GUN.

[From the Liverpool Albion.~\ Last week we noticed the result of some experimental trials with this gun, which were illustrative of several points of' present under discussion with regard to the eilicacy of different kinds of ordnance, when applied as assailants to the gigantic floating batteries recently introduced into the naval service of thi s country and also of France. The experiments noted last week showed that a spherical solid shot, 1401bs. weight, propelled by 201b3. of powder, against a target placed at 210 yards distance, composed of teak 18 inches thick, and covered with wrought iron plato -1% inches thick, neither perforated nor broke the target, although the plate was deeply indented, and the whole target was driven completely out of its place and overturned, notwithstanding all the precautions used to prevent its removal. Previous experiments, mado under the immediate direction of the Government, had shown that the most formidable ordnance which has hitherto been brought against the iron-plated frigates was the old smooth-bore 68pounders, weighing 95 ewfc , the ball propelled by 201bs. of powder j or, at all events, that these produced a more powerful elibct against iron-cased targets or ships than any of tbe more modern rifled cannon with which they have been tested. Calculating iroru the effects produced by the guns mentioned, a supposition gained credence that, by increasing the calibre of the gun and the weight of the projectile, a correspondingly increased effect would be produced. To test this theory, in some measure, was one of the objects sought to be achieved in the experiments with the "Prince Alfred" gun. The superiority of the smooth bore over the rifled cannon was believed to arise from the higher initiatory velocity of the shot from the former over the latter, tho difference being as 2,000 feefc per second for the smooth boro to 12,000 per second for the rifle ; and reasoning d priori, this appeared to favour the opinion as to tha increased effect from the increased weight of the shot. The " Prince Albert," being as yet of a smooth bore, of ten inches in diameter, and carrying a spherical ball of 136 lbs., or exactly double that; of the 68-pounder, the opportunity of testing the theory was a tempting one, and further experiments were tried with it on the beach between Crosby and Hightown a short time since. The same target was used aa in the previously recorded experiments. It was again fastened with the greatest care to insure its offering the utmost possible resistance ; a resistance, indeed, completely equal to that presented by the side of the Warrior or Black Prince, and placed at the same distance from the gun as on the former occasion. Iv this instance the ball was propelled by 30 ibs. of powder, or three-fourths of the full proportionate quantity used in the case of the 68-pounder. The result was that the target, which was struck near the centre of the target, was partially broken ; the indentation being upwards of six inches, while the teak at its back was splintered, but not penetrated. The shot, as has invariably been the case in such experiments, was broken into fragments. This concluded the experiments, as, from its shattered condition, the target could nob have resisted the effect of another shot. The plate which had sustained so crushing an ordeal was made at the Mersey Steel and Iron Works, and was o£ eioiilai 1 quality to tliose which, covered and protected Jones's angular target, which stood so well ill the experiments made at Portsmouth. The) resisting power of this plate excited the admiration of several officers who were present at the experiments with the "Prince Alfred," as, although the indentation was more than six inches deep, it was not entirely fractured. Ifc was also incidentally suggested as worthy of consideration, how far it might not be desirable to increase the charge of tho powder to 401b5., which would be in the same proportion as the charges generally used with the (58-pounder. It was incidentally mentioned on the ground that the gun will soon be removed to tho Mersey Iron Works for the purpose of being rifled, and so fitted to carry elongated shot of 5001b5., when ifc is expected the experiments will be resumed. If, however, as experience has hitherto shown, the smooth-bore has so decided an advantage, from the greatly superior initial velocity of the shot, 'the expectations fairly arising as to the effect of so enormous a shot may not be fully realized. Be this as ifc may, however, the experiments referred to aro of the greatest importance) although hitherto carried on on a comparatively small scale, as they tend to prove that a -l'jj--inch plate, when well made, is sufficient to arrest a shofc double the size aud weight of a 68-pounder, which has hitherto proved its most dangerous antagonist. Founded on the theory which has been previously alluded to as to tho effect of the increased size and weight of shot, ifc has been asserted that our floating batteries might be easily destroyed by merely increasing the sizo of the ordnance brought against them ; and that, consequently, our French neighbours might reap littlo advantage from their start in having firafc cased their frigates. Experiments, however, show that a limit to the cohesion of cast-iron Bhot has been reached ; aud almost practically demonstrate that plates SA, or, as now proposed, 6£ inches thick, if properly made, will be completely impenetrable, whatever the size of the ordnance brought to bear against them may be.

i ~ Origin of the Polkv. — Somewhere about the year 1831, a young peasant girl who was iv the sevvice of a citizen of Elbeteinitz in Bohemia, performed a dance of her own invention one Sunday afternoon for her special delectation, and sang a Buitable tune to it. The schoolmaster, Joseph Neruda, who happened to be present, wrote down the melody, and the new dance was soon after publicly performed for the first time in Elbeteinitz, About 1835, it made its entrance into Prague, and there it obtained the name of Polka, from the Bohemian word Pulka, or half, from the half step prevalent in it. Four years lafcer, ifc was carried to Vienna by a Prague band. In 18-10, a dancing-master of Prague danced the Polka with great scccess at the Odeon, whence it found its way with extraordinary rapidity in every dancing-room. The first polka that appeared in the music trade was composed by Frank Hilmar, teacher at Kopidlino; and eventually Labitzky, Liepmann, Prochaska, Swoboda and Titl produced some first-rate Polkas. The girl who discovered tin's renowned dance is now married, but no one knows her name. The "Polka Tremblante," or Schottisch, is also a Bohemian national dance, and was brought out in Paris by Cellarius in 1844. The "Lancers," now go fashionable, was introduced by Laborde in 1836, and is said to be founded on an English war-dance, in which the warriors waved their lances to the four quarters of heaven with strange movements. The American Blockade. — Both parties to the quarrel now raging in America aro anxious to secure, one English support, the other English inactivity. The Federal Government know perfectly well that the views of the French Government are unfavourable to their pretensions. The thing is beyond a doubt. If England were willing to apply a stringent rule to the observance of the blockade, for instance, France would readily second her. Hence we may anticipate at least a show of great friendliness to us on the part of the North ; and this reported offer of a passage through Maine is just one of the magnanimous looking things Mr Seward would be inclined to do. We have already expressed ouv views on the Bubject of interference with the so-called blockade, and we see now no reason for changing them. The question is one of policy. It is not purely or mainly a commercial question for us, whatever it may be for others ; it is a very mixed question, fraught with good and evil in large proportions, and not yet ripe for decision. The country may rest satisfied that the Government of Lord Palmeraton will take no hasty step on insufficient data, will be actuated by no nnworthy motives of temporary convenience ; but will give the facts a generous interpretation, and treat the whole subject of our relations with the two sections of the late United States in a baoad, deliberate, and statesmanlike spirit ; untainted by tho ehort-sighted policy tvhich" grasps at selfish objects, and unmoved by any threats intended to fetter the free and calm consideration of the serious problems about to demand a solution. — Globe. The Warhior. — The Warrior, 40, iron-clad steamfrigate had left Plymouth on her way to the North ; America and West India station.