The plans of M. Paixhans, in particular those for the adoption of shell fire on a large scale, were viewed with much misgiving in this country. But, as already noted, Great Britain moved very cautiously in the counter-measures which she took in view of the policy then under review in France. It is probable that the publication, in 1828, of a memoir by Captain F. A. Hastings, R.N., commanding the Greek steam vessel of war _Karteria_, had great effect in encouraging the authorities to countenance shell fire. From this memoir it appears that Captain Hastings was led, by arguments similar to those which influenced M. Paixhans, to consider the possibilities of discharging at an enemy something more devastating in effect than the solid sphere of iron in general use. His navy was inferior in numbers to possible rivals; he expressed the opinion that this inferiority might be nullified by the use of shell, but he “got well laughed at for his pains.” Soon afterwards, however, he came across Paixhans’ work. Acting on his ideas, he applied shell fire with great success in action, and at once became an enthusiastic advocate of the new arm. One great objection to its adoption he almost laid to rest: the increased danger due to the carriage of shells. He denied that there was any increased danger. On the contrary, he considered charged shells less dangerous than powder in cartridges, if properly packed. They were less dangerous, he argued, because their use involved bigger and therefore fewer guns than an ordinary ship would carry. Therefore there was less confusion in action, less jostling, more working spaces, and fewer cartridges and projectiles to be handled. In support of his opinion he could point to an entire absence of accidents during his commission in the _Karteria_. In 1829 a general increase of calibre was obtained by the inexpensive expedient of boring out guns to their next larger calibre; in which operation the opportunity was taken to arrange for a reduced allowance of windage for the guns thus altered, and thus to secure a double gain, of increased calibre and improved discharge. Experiments were made with shell fire _à la Paixhans_. Tentative designs of shell gun were produced by the ordnance department, and guns of 8-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch calibre were made; one of which, an 8-inch, mounted in H.M.S. _Phœnix_, made very effective shooting at San Sebastian in the year ’36 and gave thereby an advertisement to shell fire. And then, in 1837, came the French decision to adopt a shell gun armament generally.