THE IRONCLAD COMBAT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3306, 10 September 1872, Page 2

THE IRONCLAD COMBAT.

Some interesting experiments of the power of our ironclads in actual warfare have just taken place inside the Portland breakwater. The Glatton was moored with her bow towards the north, and kept from shifting by her two bow anchors and a stern one. The Hotspur was placed directly opposite her, at the measured distance of 200 yards, having both bow and stern cables out Both vessels had steam up, in case of any accident occurring. On tho right of tho Glatton's turret, waa a canvas screen, on which four sighting shots were tried before tho proper elevation was obtained. The first shot struck tho target on the extreme left, about midway between the top and bottom edge. The second was almost in an even line with it, being about half a foot below, on tho extreme right. The third was something like midway between tho two, but at least two feet lower. The fourth and last shot was about a foot above the second one in a perpendicular line. Next came the first solid shot at the defenceless and motionless Glatton, and strange to say, the gunner failed in his aim, the shot going some two feet above the turret. The next shot hit the turret in the centre, the 600-pounder striking a four-inch diameter iron bolt, which forced its way through three skins of plate and backing wood inside the turret, causing a rent of about 2ft on one side and 6ft on tho other. It made a great gash in the turret, extending 17in one way and 19in tho other. The force of the blowalso caused the upperportion of the turret to be lifted about 3in. Another shot was aimed at the flange of the turret just on a line with the deck, the object of this experiment being to ascertain if the revolving machinery was damaged. A splendidly directed ball was sent homo just at the junction of tho turret with tho deck, the ball burying itself about Bin. in the massive plate, and rebounding. This shot was not so destructive as the first one, as it did not do tho least damage to the interior of the turret. No harm was, however, done to the nachinery on which the turret revolves, and tho general opinion of scientific men is that the Glatton made a wonderful resistance. It is said that a 25-ton gun propelling a ■6001b shot at a distance of 200 yards, has .sufficient force to raise 6700 tons to the height of a foot.—English paper. . j