381
cannon. Both were smoothbore and muzzle loading.
The cannon at Taipa Fort is classed as coast artillery. It is smooth bored with a calibre of 163 mm (6.4 in.), thus, in the terminology of the day, it is a 32 pounder. When it was put in place, the 32 pounder had only recently replaced the 24 pounder as the normal size, though larger pieces soon came into service. It would probably have fired balls of cast iron although explosive shells were starting to become more popular at that time. These would have been loaded at the muzzle and sent on their way by a charge of gunpowder.
Contemporary sources show that a U.S. Ordnance 32 pounder had a barrel weight of about 7,200lbs (3,300 kg). The overall length of the barrel of this cannon, including the end ring, is 94 inches (2.38 m), shorter than the U.S. Ordnance standard; hence its weight is likely to be a bit less. With a charge of 8lbs (3.64 kg) of powder, and at an elevation of 5°, a standard gun would have a range of about 1,920 yards (1,750 m). Greater elevation and bigger charges could increase the range to 4,000 to 5,000 yards (3,600 to 4,500m), although with greater range the accuracy would decrease. Its location on Taipa meant the range could easily cover the surrounding sea passages.
The mounting on this cannon is termed a "barbette" mount, meaning it is mounted to fire above the parapet. This allowed it to be swivelled round to give a wide angular field of fire. The mounting is in two basic parts. The barrel is mounted on a compact carriage of timber, bound with iron straps, and with iron wheels which allow it to move backwards and forwards on a lower carriage that provides a traversing mechanism. This apparatus consists of a grillage of timber beams, mounted on iron wheels and able to rotate about a fixed pivot.
The wheels run on granite tracks that form arcs around the pivot. The rear wheels are connected via a sprocket and chain to a manually operated mechanism that rotates the mounting. A screw attached to the rear of the barrel adjusted its elevation. This screw would be turned by means of a spike inserted into holes in its shaft.
The mounting had one other function. As can be seen from the illustrations, the gun's primary carriage sits on top of the main rotational framework. It is apparently separate from it and the small iron wheels
381
cannon. Both were smoothbore and muzzle loading.
The cannon at Taipa Fort is classed as coast artillery. It is smooth bored with a calibre of 163 mm (6.4 in.), thus, in the terminology of the day, it is a 32 pounder. When it was put in place, the 32 pounder had only recently replaced the 24 pounder as the normal size, though larger pieces soon came into service. It would probably have fired balls of cast iron although explosive shells were starting to become more popular at that time. These would have been loaded at the muzzle and sent on their way by a charge of gunpowder.
Contemporary sources show that a U.S. Ordnance 32 pounder had a barrel weight of about 7,200lbs (3,300 kg). The overall length of the barrel of this cannon, including the end ring, is 94 inches (2.38 m), shorter than the U.S. Ordnance standard; hence its weight is likely to be a bit less. With a charge of 8lbs (3.64 kg) of powder, and at an elevation of 5o, a standard gun would have a range of about 1,920 yards (1,750 m). Greater elevation and bigger charges could increase the range to 4,000 to 5,000 yards (3,600 to 4,500m), although with greater range the accuracy would decrease. Its location on Taipa meant the range could easily cover the surrounding sea passages.
The mounting on this cannon is termed a "barbette" mount, meaning it is mounted to fire above the parapet. This allowed it to be swivelled round to give a wide angular field of fire. The mounting is in two basic parts. The barrel is mounted on a compact carriage of timber, bound with iron straps, and with iron wheels which allow it to move backwards and forwards on a lower carriage that provides a traversing mechanism. This apparatus consists of a grillage of timber beams. mounted on iron wheels and able to rotate about a fixed pivot.
The wheels run on granite tracks that form arcs around the pivot. The rear wheels are connected via a sprocket and chain to a manually operated mechanism that rotates the mounting. A screw attached to the rear of the barrel adjusted its elevation. This screw would be turned by means of a spike inserted into holes in its shaft.
The mounting had one other function. As can be seen from the illustrations, the gun's primary carriage sits on top of the main rotational framework. It is apparently separate from it and the small iron wheels
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.