[544] See Admiralty survey of Gibraltar, by Capt. Aldrich, R.N.
[545] “Die Granate vor dem Stück crepirt ... wodurch ein Artillerist das Leben verloren habe.” Neues militärisches Hannovranisches Journal, Stück iv., p. 225, kindly communicated to me by Major W. Balck, German General Staff. Apparently by an eye-witness.
[546] Drinkwater’s “Siege of Gibraltar,” 1786, p. 87.
[547] “Die Bomben fielen so tief in den Sand, dass die Stücke niemand schaden konnten.” Hannovranisches Journal, as above.
[548] Capt. Sayer’s “Hist. of Gibraltar,” 1862, p. 291.
[549] Drinkwater, p. 89. The Hanoverian officer, speaking of the trial, says: “Versuch, welcher der Erwartung vollkommen entsprach.” Of the effect of the fire on the enemy he says: “ Die Brandröhren (waren) so genau bestimmt, dass die Bombe oft den Feind über den Köpfen crepirte ... und incommodirte den Feind unaufhörlich.” Journal, as before.
[550] “Universal Military Dictionary,” by Capt. G. Smith, R.A., 1779, art. “Shell.”
[551] Writing on 5th April 1813, Shrapnel said it was “nearly thirty years” since he began his experiments. “Synopsis of Reports and Experiments by the Ordnance Select Committee: Shrapnel Shell,” 1858.
[552] “Ammunition,” by Capt. (afterwards Col. Sir V. D.) Majendie, R.A., 1867, i. 350 ff.; “Memoirs of Sir J. Sinclair,” ii. 244.
[553] Shrapnel’s shell failed at the first trial, 3rd June 1803—they were too thin. After the second trial, 29th June 1803, “about a dozen” were recommended to be supplied to ships for each carronade.—Ord. Sel. Committee, “Shrapnel Shell,” p. 2.