“Careful observation of the effect of the firing upon the hull of the vessel failed to develop any damage other than the breaking of the cast-steel port-sills and the starting of some light wood-work. The shock of discharge was slight on the berth-deck, and observers there were unable to observe which 6-inch gun had been fired. The deck, hull, and fittings, with the exception of the port-sills, hinges to superstructure doors and vegetable lockers, and some of the light wood-work, have every appearance of strength and ability to endure the strain of continuous firing of the guns. The blast of the forward 8-inch gun, when fired abaft the starboard beam, will not permit the crews of the starboard 3-pounder rapid fire and 1-pounder rapid fire to remain at their guns. When the after 8-inch gun is fired forward of the port beam, the crews of the after 47-millimetre revolving cannon and of the port after 1-pounder rapid fire cannot remain at their guns. When the forward 6-inch shifting gun is fired on the port bow or directly ahead, the crew of forward 8-inch gun cannot remain at their places. When the after 6-inch shifting gun is fired on the starboard quarter or directly aft, the crew of the after 8-inch gun cannot remain at their gun. The inability to fire parts of the secondary battery under certain conditions is due to the great arc of fire given to the 8-inch guns. This can hardly be called a defect. It is thought that a screen can be placed between the 8 and 6 inch guns which will enable them to be worked together forward or aft. “The pivot socket of the 8-inch carriage should have a broader bearing surface, and should be rigidly bolted to the steel deck and to the framework of the ship in such manner as to distribute the strain over a larger area. The clips and clip circles of the 8-inch and 6-inch carriage should be made of steel. The clips should have larger bearing surfaces, and should be shaped to fit the circle. The circle should have double flanges, and be bolted (not riveted) on each flange to the steel deck. There should be no appreciable play between the clips and the circles. All bolts used in the battery fittings should have the nuts locked. “The clip rail of the tower mount should be altered to fit the mount. This change will make the compressors effective, and allow the guns to be used with safety. The port-sills should be replaced by heavier sills, made of the best quality of malleable cast-steel. The plan of testing the hull, guns, and fittings of the _Atlanta_ arranged by the Board contemplated a more extended use of the main battery, but the weakness developed in the port-sills and in the sockets of the 8-inch carriages rendered further firing inadvisable.”