If it be possible to
ignore these considerations in the manufacture of guns of small caliber,
and where the thickness of metal is not sufficiently great to admit of
strongly developed internal stresses, such is by no means the case with
the colossal and costly weapons of the present day. In these the
thickness of metal in the tube and hoops is very great; hence the
extreme probability of very considerable internal stresses developing
themselves. That the strength of large guns is often far below that
anticipated is demonstrated, year by year, by the repeated cases of
failure. Consciousness as to the want of strength in such guns is made
evident by the precautionary measures as to their use everywhere
adopted. The heavy artillery produced in the gun factories of Europe is
constructed with all the skill, science, and experience which engineers
and artillerists can command, and therefore it would seem that instances
of defective strength should not arise. Such cases, however, do occur
everywhere, and irresistibly give rise to the suspicion that not only is
the system of construction of guns of large caliber faulty, but also
that the conditions of their manufacture must be considered as
defective. Bearing in mind the enormous sums of money expended by every
nation in order to secure an armament of completely trustworthy guns,
this question demands speedy and searching investigation.
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