3-043-878 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The three occupants of the turret of H.M.S. Glatton when fired at, 1872. 'The turret-ship Glatton has successfully withstood the trial of being actually fired at by the 25-ton gun of the Hotspur...The special purpose was to ascertain whether the gun-carriages, slides, and machinery would be liable to injury by blows upon the walls of the turret, and whether the crew would be prevented from fighting their guns by the effects of the concussion from heavy shot striking the turret..Three living creatures - namely, a kid, a rabbit, and a hen - were placed in the turret to try upon them the effects of the concussion..our front-page Engraving shows the scene on board the Glatton when the men came up and released them from their confinement in the turret. Above and behind is seen the leather and canvas target, pierced with five or six holes by the preliminary shots...The gun of the Hotspur is one of the 25-ton 12-in. muzzleloading Fraser guns, turned out from Woolwich Arsenal, and a finer weapon...cannot be wished for. The shot had left a tremendous mark; but, in the opinion of all the officials present, the turret, with its guns, was perfectly fit to go into action...The kid, the rabbit, and the hen looked dazed, but had sustained no other injury'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.