3-043-881 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Firing trials against H.M.S. Glatton in Portland Roads, 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...In order the more closely to watch the effect of shot striking the turret upon the carriage gear, Mr. Eames, the Inspector of Machinery in Chatham Dockyard, remained in the captain's cabin of the Glatton, with a party of men to give him assistance...[After the shots were fired] 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.