alternatehistory.com

19 May

A Ronin-led revolt erupts in Mito, Japan, in support of the Sonno Joui policy.
In response, the Shogun orders that a hefty force be concentrated so as to extinguish this rebellion - it is quite near Edo, and presents a major challenge to Shogunal authority. The force is to be equipped with the heavy cannon from Ushidoshi Maru (specifically her four 110-lber Armstrong breechloaders) as part of a policy of "overawing the rebels".


20 May

The Bakfu discreetly inquires of the British representative as to the cost of more 110 pounder ammunition.

22 May

The #5 test breech for the 7" Armstrong-Elswick Gun having performed satisfactorily on the test piece, approval is given for a further set of tests at Shoeburyness.
Armstrong is pleased at this, as - in anticipation of the move - he has produced an additional four guns to the same design. (He feels optimistic about this one.)



25 May

George Fitzugh and a small group of Golden Circle Knights begin recruiting (not particularly discreetly) in various Confederate states for veterans willing to go on a military adventure to an unspecified location. Rather surprising Jesse James (recruiter in Arkansas) is that nearly two hundred Indians sign up in short order, mostly young men seeing an opportunity for honour overseas.



27 May

The Shoeburyness tests of the Armstrong-Elswick 7" gun begin.

The first test involves finding the maximum safe powder load, and to this end the test gun is fired with gradually increasing powder charges (an increase of 2 lb for each point in the sequence, with five fires per point). The gun (serial number 7) performs very well under this strain, with the gun finally bursting at 46 lbs of powder after an increasingly loud day and the breech still operational at the end of the process.

While 46 pounds is too high (and indeed the serial number 8 suffers cracks after four firings at this powder charge) 30 to 35 lbs of powder is considered quite possible at the outside, and the service charge is designated temporarily at thirty lbs of powder. If this causes #9 or #10 to fail in tests, the charge will be reduced.


Thus designated, the testing begins.

The 7" gun proves able to pierce the Warrior target at great range (800 to 1000 yards using Palliser) and Armstrong is reported as being relieved and gratified at this performance - he has finally cracked the problem of the armour-piercing breech-loading gun, it seems.
Unfortunately, later results in testing mar this somewhat, as it is noted that the lands of the rifling are becoming overly coated with lead - the higher velocity of the rounds compared to the previous Armstrong system has exacerbated the problem of the rifling system, and indeed serial number 9 is to some extent becoming a smoothbore.
Despite this issue, Armstrong is still inclined to see this as a qualified success - the breech is strong enough to withstand the demands being placed upon it, which is his main concern.



28 May

The serial number 9 gun is tested again at Shoeburyness, in order to determine maximum range from a level platform, and the rifling problem shows its severity in dramatic fashion when a common shell bursts in the muzzle (as the lead impinges on the shell body too much). Fortunately nobody is seriously hurt, but the gun is badly damaged as a result.

Red-faced, Armstrong agrees that the rifling definitely needs major work.

The final tests conducted for the day involve the mechanism of the breech, and speed of firing. It is found that the breech is overly cumbersome, requiring a great deal of effort to open or close under the current system, and that this affects the rate of fire - a comparable gun using the old system fired twice as fast.

Taken together, Armstrong views the two-day testing sequence a qualified success. The items on his agenda are to make the breech easier and quicker to use without compromising the solidity, and to improve the rifling system with which the shell engages.


31 May

The Shogunal army skirmishes with the Sonnou Joui force around Mito. The rebels fall back quickly when they come under 110-lber fire, retreating into dead ground, and slip away under cover of evening.