Even after its introduction into our fleets the shell gun was regarded by many as of doubtful value. For some years previously the opponents of shells had agitated the question of a compromise: viz. the use of hollow shot uncharged, instead of solid balls. And when M. Paixhans had published his great scheme they had held that more advantages would have been offered by it if he had stopped short at charging the shot with powder, and had advocated merely hollow shot, which by their larger size would give the advantages of heavier calibre. But the argument for hollow shot was finally demolished in 1837 by a writer whose views carried great influence. Incorrectly attributing to M. Paixhans himself the proposal to use them, Captain Simmons, R.A. proved clearly and conclusively their comparative uselessness. The adoption of hollow shot, he showed,[110] would be tantamount to a reversion to the use of stone or granite projectiles; it mattered little, for practical purposes, what the projectile be formed of, so that its density be what was desired: whether hollow iron or solid granite. Except the Turks, who still guarded the Dardanelles with granite-firing cannon, all nations had abandoned granite in favour of the heaviest metals, and no one questioned the vast improvement thereby obtained, “except the inventors of the carronade and the promoters of this same system, improved by M. Paixhans.” As a matter of fact the carronade was designed for the special circumstances in which hollow shot were not without value. And M. Paixhans, as we know, never intended to forego the use of a charge of powder in the cavity of his _boulet creux_. But the arguments of Simmons sufficed to kill the advocacy of hollow, uncharged shot. Doubt was cast, too, on the capacity of the shell gun to project its shells to a sufficient range and with sufficient striking velocity in action. In the case of the first shell guns cast, a strict limitation had to be placed on the powder-charges which could safely be used; and this involved a limitation of range, apart from the reduction due to the lower specific gravity of the projectile. Both French and English shell guns suffered in this respect. For this reason they had been deemed by the French specially suited for use in steam vessels, which could by their locomotive power attain the desired range. But, it was said, steam gives the power of avoiding, as well as of closing to action; and steam, it was foreseen, was a giant which would one day haul even ships-of-the-line into position for battle. Might not future actions be fought at considerable ranges? And for close-quarter work, could not our powerful long guns, double-shotted, be used with greater effect than shell guns?