| Galveston January 28th 1862 |
| |
| Col. E. B. Nichols |
| Comdg Milt. Det. |
| |
| Sir, |
| In pursuant to Special Order No. 137
requiring us to test and try Two Rifle Six Pounder Cannon manufactured
and p??nt?st for Trial by Mr. G. B. Nichols of Galveston {Superintendent,
Galveston, Houston & Henderson RR}, beg leave to offer the
following Report. |
| Very Respty Your Obdt Sevts |
| J. J. Cook Lt Col |
| Wm Edgar Capt Lt Arty |
| W. Spaulding Good Capt. |
| |
| Galveston January 29th 1862 |
| |
| Col E. B. Nichols |
| Comdg Milt Dist |
| |
| In pursuance of Special Order No. 139
dated Galveston Jan 28th 1862 we the undersigned proceeded to the R.
R. Depot where we found Mr. G. B. Nichols in waiting with his guns. We
proceeded to try and test them with the following results viz -- |
| With 3 deg elevation and 1 lb of Powder,
missile weighing 9 pounds which was wrapped with cord, was fired at a
distance of 1200 yards at a Target 4 feet in diameter. The shot passed
in a line with and about 2 feet to the left of the Target, making the
first graze about 50 yds beyond making 3 Ricochets and it reached its
final resting place the extreme distance being about 2500 yds. |
| 3 Shot were fired by the same Gun with the
same quantity of Powder with similar results. Then was tried a shot
with a leaden collar weighing about one pound more. This though
heavier than already tried with the same quantity of Powder, gave
greater satisfaction: with 3 1/4 deg elevation was fired at the same
object which passed over about 6 feet and on a line with the Target.
The first graze being about 1600 yards from the gun with five
ricochets ere it reached its final resting place passing on a distance
of about 3000 yards. The second shot of the same description was tried
with about the same result. |
| The 6 pound shot was fired at 9 deg
elevation which reached a distance of about 3 miles falling apparently
without fora. The 7 pd and 8 pd shots were fired 1 1/4 pd Powder and
18 deg elevation, the time of flight being 20 seconds ere the ball
struck and must have reached a distance of upwards of 3 miles. The
firing being upon the water, no accurate account can be given further
than by approximation. The Guns were not tested in the usual manner.
Rifle Guns will not admit of the test normally made with smooth bore
guns, particularly when breech loading, as the chamber will not admit
of more than a single charge, though in our opinion the Guns will bear
all the pressure necessary to put on them without the slightest danger
of accident and when single shot is required they are preferable to
the smooth bore Brass Guns now in use. And would also call the
attention of the Col. Comdg to the following facts, that said Guns
will not require more than one half the number of men to work them
that is required to work the ordinary 6 pdr gun now issued. The labor
of No. 1 and 2 entirely done away with and the duties of other numbers
lessened so much that 2 more men could be easily dispensed with, and
for a Six Gun Battery of such Guns as Mr. Nichols presents, 74 men
including 6 Sergeants to serve would be amply sufficient whereas it
takes at least 90 men including 6 Sergeants to serve a 6 Gun Battery
of the Guns now in use. |
| Mr. Nichols Breach Loading Rifled Cannon
is somewhat complicated, but we find it strong in all its parts and
not at all liable to get out of order, and even should an accident of
this kind happen the parts are simple and could be readily repaired by
any ordinary workman. |
| Very Respectfully |
| Your Obdt Sevts |
| Jos. J. Cook Lt Col |
| Band Battn Artillery |
| Wm Edgar |
| Capt Light Batty |
| W. Spaulding Good |
| Capt Ordnance Officer |