3-043-880 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The turret of H.M.S. Glatton: effect of the last shot, 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...The gun of the Hotspur is one of the 25-ton 12-in. muzzleloading Fraser guns, turned out from Woolwich Arsenal...[The shot] struck the turret wall in its weakest part - in the centre of the turret wall, upon a bolt head, and upon the lower edge of the upper 14-in. armour plate at its longitudinal junction with the lower plate, but in perfect line with the mark, though lower than intended...in the opinion of all the officials present, the turret, with its guns, was perfectly fit to go into action. None of the gun-fittings or gear was injured in any way... The shot from the 26-ton gun had, in fact, done its best, and under such favourable conditions as could not well occur in actual engagement with an enemy's ship under steam, but had failed to disable or disarm the turret'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.