The World's Biggest Gun
|
This Site:
|
MARCH 30, 1861.] HARPER'S WEEKLY. 205 (From Previous Page) Distance between rimbases 48 inches. Diameter at muzzle 25 " Thickness of metal behind the chamber... 25 " Thick. at junction of bore with chamb. 16 1/2 " Thickness at muzzle .. 5 " Weight of gun 49,100 This gun is usually loaded with 35 pounds of large-grained powder, which projects shells of 305 to 335 pounds weight. A solid shot for a gun of this size would weigh 425 pounds. The following table will show the range of the gun with the shells above-mentioned, at various elevations: At 6° elevation (and 35 pounds powder), 2017, 1937, 1902, 1892, and 1873 yards. At 10° elevation (and 40 pounds powder), 2700, 2900, 2754, and 2760 yards. At 28° 35' elevation (and 50 pounds powder), 5298, 4950, and 5375 yards. Major Barnard thinks that at 39° elevation, and 40 pounds powder, a range considerably beyond 4 miles might be attained. The events of the past few weeks have unfortunately directed no small share of public attention to the subject of coast Do this look like a forge ?" replied Orlick, sending his glance all round him with an air of injury. " Now, do it look like it ?" I asked him how long he had left Gargery's forge? " One day is so like another here," he replied, " that I don't know without casting it up. However, I come here some time since you left." " I could have told you that, Orlick." "Ah !" said he, dryly. "But then you've got to be a scholar." By this time we had come to the house where I found his room to be one just within the side-door, with a little window in it looking on the court-yard. In its small proportions it was not unlike the kind of place usually assigned to a gate-porter in Paris. Certain keys were hanging on the wall, to which he now added the gate key, and his patchwork-covered bed was in a little inner division or recess. The whole had a slovenly, confined, and sleepy look, like a cage for a human dormouse : while he, looming dark THE FIFTEEN-INCH COLUMBIAD.TESTING THE BIG COLUMBIAD AT FORT MONROE, VIRGINIA.--[FROM A SKETCH BY OUR SPECIAL ARTIST.]defenses, and Major Barnard's able refutation of Sir Howard Douglas's fallacies in relation to land fortifications have been much discussed. The state of the controversy may be briefly summed up. The Crimean War proved the worthlessness of wooden ships as opposed to land-batteries, when properly manned and worked. Accordingly, at the conclusion of that war, fighting nations began to think of arming their vessels of war with iron plates : the result of that movement is to be seen in the new iron-clad ships Warrior and La Gloire, of which we published engravings in a recent number. It is demonstrated that the old cannon carrying 24-pound, 32-pound, and 42-pound balls and shells produce no impression upon vessels of this class. But it is also admitted that even such iron-clad vessels as La Gloire and the Warrior could not withstand shots fired from 10, 11, and 15 inch guns. Hence it follows that, if our forts are to be placed in a condition to resist the assault of iron-clad ships, they must be armed with cannon of the class which we now illustrate. To convince the public of this truth has been a constant effort with such distinguished soldiers as Major Barnard. One difficulty with regard to big guns has arisen from the fact that guns beyond a certain calibre (found by experience to be 10 inches) are deficient in strength when cast in the usual way —viz., in one single piece, and afterward bored out. This difficulty was obviated by Captain Rodman, in the case of the 15-inch Columbiad at Fort Monroe, by casting the gun hollow, and cooling it from the interior by introducing a stream of water into the core. In England, the new guns of great calibre are cast in several pieces. It is to be hoped that no time will be lost by our Government in acting upon the successful experiments of the past, and in providing our forts with guns which can overmatch the iron plates of the navies of foreign nations. GREAT EXPECTATIONS.
A NOVEL.
|
|
||
|
Site Copyright 2003-2018 Son of the South. For Questions or comments about this collection, contact: paul@sonofthesouth.net |
|
Are you Scared and Confused? Read My Snake Story, a story of hope and encouragement, to help you face your fears. |