" gbe spectator," 3une 22nb, 1850
SOME remarkable military rocket practice having been lately exhibited at Shoebury-Ness with rockets made by Mr. Hale on a new plan, Prince Albert resolved to test the effectiveness of the plan with his own eyes. Mr. Hale attended at Osborne on Saturday with twenty rockets, each of ten pounds weight, loaded after his manner by hydraulic pressure, and mounted with a weight poised according to his device, so as to prevent the missile from starting till the explosive mixture has already exerted a large amount of force. The rockets were fired between Osborne House and the water to North-west, and at the range of one mile made flights of surprising precision. While the experiments were in progress, the Queen's yacht ran round a point nearly into the firing range, causing the Prince some anxiety ; but the aim has been made so reliable that the practice was not discontinued, and the yacht came on and landed Colonel Bouverie within a short distance of the firing- station. Some of the shell-headed rockets burst after they had fallen in the water, as was intended ; and the report was dis- tinctly heard on shore. The Prince was much pleased ,with the experiments, both in a military and a scientific point of view.
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