DYNAMITE SHELLS.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3968, 30 May 1885, Page 4

DYNAMITE SHELLS.

A farther trial of the newly-invented dynamite shells took place on March 12 on the banks of the Potomac, about halfway between Georgetown and the Chain bridge, Washington. The district authorities refused to permit the trials within the Corporation limits of Washington, on account of the destructive concussions -• r l)ich were among the results of the pre limniry trial * few days before at the Navy Yard. Four shots were fired with six inch shells, curjing 111b bu v stiDg C'mrgcs of nitre gelatine, which contains about 95 per cent of pure nitroglycerine. The raDge wa9 1000 yards, and the target was a perpendicular ledge oi solid trap rock on the south bank oi the river. The first shell struck nea • the eastern margin of the ledge and exploded by concussion, shattering the face of the rock for the radius of about 30 feet, and carrying •way several tons of debris, which were hurled for hundreds of yards up and down the stream. The secoud shell struck nearly in the centre of the ledge, explod ing as before. It opened a cavity in the ledge about 25 feet in diamrter, and evacuated a pit or crater about G feet deep Some of the fragments of rock from thi a explosion were hurled half a mile, one piece weighing nearly 12 pounds, being thrown clear across the canal and lodging near a farm house. The oth.r shots weie similar in their effects. A large concourse ol people assembled to view the trial, among whom, in addition to several officers of the army and navy, were the military attache's of the German, French, and Italian legations, and the Russian Minister in person. The trial was regarded as a success in every respect, and as a conclusive proof of the destructive powers of the six inch shells. 'I he next test in the series was made with eight inch sheUs, carrying thirty-five pound charges of nitrogelatine. According to the Herald's correspondent, the meinbi'is of the Foreign Legations present manifested great interest in the trial, particularly the Russian i»lini«ter ni.d the German military at'ache, wo 'ooh copious mitts ol the proceedings. Suiie of Mt militai) auii na al experts pre.-ent ex r resold ihe opinion that any one of the nhella fired would have completely wrecked any unarmoured ship afloat and scriou?ly racked the strongest ironclad The safety of the system oi firing seems to be assured.by the two trials that hnve betn mode, the shell leaving the gun in every inetHnce as safely as an ordiuary powder cha-ee ehell could do.