3-021-131 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Experiments at Shoeburyness [Southend, Essex] on the Plymouth Breakwater Target: the splinter-proofs, 1868. Testing artillery '...on different iron structures designed for land fortifications...[The] structures to be fired at, were erected about 100 yards within the low embankment of the Thames...A number of splinter-proof buildings were provided, in which the visitors were required to take refuge when the bugle sounded "make ready," and the signal to "fire" was only given when everybody was safely under shelter. The gun was then fired by the galvanic battery, after which the effects were observed and recorded...The firing...was concluded on the third day. The result is considered satisfactory, as only one shell had exploded inside'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.