From the good folks at Historical Marker Database.
From a plaque at the Fort fisher, NC, Museum.
"The most effective gun in the fort" wrote Col. William Lamb about the 150-pounder Armstrong gun mounted at Purdie Battery midway along the sea front of the fort. (I wonder if it was named after Col. Purdie who was killed at Chancellorsville leading the 18th NC in a charge, the day after his men wounded General Jackson and who I've written about recently?)
It was manufactured by Sir William Armstrong & Co. in England and featured a rifled tube and weighed 16,000 pounds which could hurl a shell up to five miles. However, the gun's effectiveness was greatly reduced because there was not an adequate supply of shells causing it to be rarely fired.
After the fall of the fort, it became a trophy of war and today can be seen at West Point's Monument Point.
According to the Battle of Averasboro Museum, the battery was named for Col. Thomas Purdie.
Quite a Weapon. B-R'er
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
Showing posts with label Armstrong Gun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Armstrong Gun. Show all posts
Friday, July 9, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
The Armstrong Gun at Fort Fisher, NC
Armstrong guns were developed by Englishman Sir William Armstrong (1810-1900).
He also established the Armstrong Whitworth manufacturing empire. Both the Armstrong and Whitworth guns were very advanced examples of artillery and both used at Fort Fisher and the defense of the Cape Fear River. The Whitworths were especially useful in driving off blockaders when blockade-runners ran aground.
He first got involved in artillery during the Crimean War.
The company had problems building breech-loading cannons. In 1859, tests were conducted that showed breech-loading cannons were not powerful enough to penetrate iron.
Actually, I wasn't able to find too much on Sir William.
Make me a Big Gun. --Old B-Runner.
He also established the Armstrong Whitworth manufacturing empire. Both the Armstrong and Whitworth guns were very advanced examples of artillery and both used at Fort Fisher and the defense of the Cape Fear River. The Whitworths were especially useful in driving off blockaders when blockade-runners ran aground.
He first got involved in artillery during the Crimean War.
The company had problems building breech-loading cannons. In 1859, tests were conducted that showed breech-loading cannons were not powerful enough to penetrate iron.
Actually, I wasn't able to find too much on Sir William.
Make me a Big Gun. --Old B-Runner.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Fort Fisher's 150-pdr Armstrong Gun-- Part 5-- Empire Complicity and the Scamp
Definitely gathered that the writer wasn't happy about Britain's open aid to the Confederacy, then, there was the scamp.
Continuing with the article on the front page of the February 11, 1865 Harper's Weekly. No author was cited for it. Nice engraving of the gun, however.
"The gun is bronzed and mounted on a mahogany carriage, highly varnished. The whole piece is finished in the finest style. It was fired a very few times during the action. During the confusion attending the occupation of the works by the Union troops some mischievous person stole the sights. (The Scamp!)
The Armstrong guns are manufactured exclusively under the auspices of the British Government, and Admiral Porter, in his official report, states this fact as if it were conclusive proof of the British Government or someone high in authority, had presented the gun to the Confederate Government."
Alright, Who Stole the Sight? --Old B-Runner
Continuing with the article on the front page of the February 11, 1865 Harper's Weekly. No author was cited for it. Nice engraving of the gun, however.
"The gun is bronzed and mounted on a mahogany carriage, highly varnished. The whole piece is finished in the finest style. It was fired a very few times during the action. During the confusion attending the occupation of the works by the Union troops some mischievous person stole the sights. (The Scamp!)
The Armstrong guns are manufactured exclusively under the auspices of the British Government, and Admiral Porter, in his official report, states this fact as if it were conclusive proof of the British Government or someone high in authority, had presented the gun to the Confederate Government."
Alright, Who Stole the Sight? --Old B-Runner
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Fort Fisher's 150-pdr Armstrong Gun-- Part 4-- Empire Complicity and the Scamp
I came across an article in the February 11, 1865, Harper's Weekly that featured a picture of Fort Fisher's Armstrong gun on the front page. It was accompanied with an article which I will quote here. It was all one long paragraph. I have added paragraphs to make it easier to read.
"In Fort Fisher our army found a splendid 150-pound Armstrong Gun weighing 15,739 pounds. Upon it was the inscription 'Sir W. C. Armstrong & Co., Newcastle-upon-Tyne. No. 9.' (Does this mean that it was the ninth cannon of this type made?)
This was quite evidently a present to the rebels from some prominent British gentleman if not from the inventor himself. (Ahh, the British supporting the Rebels,)
Great care had been taken of it, and general Whiting gave especial orders that it was not to be fired except under the pressure of necessity. It had the appearance of having been recently mounted."
So, the British More-or-Less Backed the Confederates. Who'd Have Figured That. --Old B-Runner
"In Fort Fisher our army found a splendid 150-pound Armstrong Gun weighing 15,739 pounds. Upon it was the inscription 'Sir W. C. Armstrong & Co., Newcastle-upon-Tyne. No. 9.' (Does this mean that it was the ninth cannon of this type made?)
This was quite evidently a present to the rebels from some prominent British gentleman if not from the inventor himself. (Ahh, the British supporting the Rebels,)
Great care had been taken of it, and general Whiting gave especial orders that it was not to be fired except under the pressure of necessity. It had the appearance of having been recently mounted."
So, the British More-or-Less Backed the Confederates. Who'd Have Figured That. --Old B-Runner
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Fort Fisher's 150-pdr Armstrong Gun -- Part 3
The Fort Fisher gun is one of two presented to the Confederacy by friends in England. The other one was at Fort Caswell and also captured. This one was sent to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It is believed to have been scrapped during World War II.
The 150-pdr at Trophy Point is the most photographed artillery piece there.
The gun tube weighs 15,737 pounds. It was described by one Union officer as "the most elegantly furnished piece of artillery I ever saw..." It was a muzzle-loader, but one of the most advanced weapons of its day and made of steel with iron bands, unique "shunt" rifling system that allowed easy loading, studs on the shell loosely guiding the round on its way down the bore.
When the gun was fired, the shell "shunted" to a set of shallow grooves and tightly nipped on its way out, insuring accuracy.
The gun fired two types of shell rounds; a shell which anticipated the modern "shaped charge" with a heat-activated fuze, and the other a flat-nosed, armor piercing range for short range work against ironclad ships.
Lack of ammunition limited the guns effectiveness.
There are many pictures of the one at Fort Fisher, both in its original position of the fort and at West Point.
There is a photograph of the Fort Caswell one at
www.seacoastartillery.com/photos.php?id=87.
It was picked out of the rubble of that fort after the explosion.
Interesting story. I am not sure of the guns range, but I am sure it was far, perfect for keeping those pesky blockaders at bay. A real friend to blockade-runners.
Glad a Copy at Least is Coming Back. --Old B-Runner
The 150-pdr at Trophy Point is the most photographed artillery piece there.
The gun tube weighs 15,737 pounds. It was described by one Union officer as "the most elegantly furnished piece of artillery I ever saw..." It was a muzzle-loader, but one of the most advanced weapons of its day and made of steel with iron bands, unique "shunt" rifling system that allowed easy loading, studs on the shell loosely guiding the round on its way down the bore.
When the gun was fired, the shell "shunted" to a set of shallow grooves and tightly nipped on its way out, insuring accuracy.
The gun fired two types of shell rounds; a shell which anticipated the modern "shaped charge" with a heat-activated fuze, and the other a flat-nosed, armor piercing range for short range work against ironclad ships.
Lack of ammunition limited the guns effectiveness.
There are many pictures of the one at Fort Fisher, both in its original position of the fort and at West Point.
There is a photograph of the Fort Caswell one at
www.seacoastartillery.com/photos.php?id=87.
It was picked out of the rubble of that fort after the explosion.
Interesting story. I am not sure of the guns range, but I am sure it was far, perfect for keeping those pesky blockaders at bay. A real friend to blockade-runners.
Glad a Copy at Least is Coming Back. --Old B-Runner
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Trophy Point, USMA
Trophy Point, just as the name suggests, features cannons that have been captured in America's wars. In 1837, a Military Academy Board of Visitors determined that West Point should be the site of the military's war trophies.
During the Civil War, many USMA graduates became generals (on both sides), and nearly 50 captured Confederate cannons were added to the collection.
The cannons on display were either captured or surrendered to US forces in the War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War and the Spanish-American War. Cannons from World War I to the present are located in the West Point Museum.
In 1897, General John S. Schofield dedicated the 46 foot tall granite shaft called the Battle Monument, which stands as the most prominent memorial. It is there to honor fallen regular army troops from the Civil War.
Of course, the Fort Fisher Armstrong gun, which I have been writing about, is also at Trophy Point and is a major attraction.
Trophy Point is also one of the most popular attractions in the whole Hudson Valley commanding an impressive view.
A nation's Trophy Case. --Old B-Runner
During the Civil War, many USMA graduates became generals (on both sides), and nearly 50 captured Confederate cannons were added to the collection.
The cannons on display were either captured or surrendered to US forces in the War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War and the Spanish-American War. Cannons from World War I to the present are located in the West Point Museum.
In 1897, General John S. Schofield dedicated the 46 foot tall granite shaft called the Battle Monument, which stands as the most prominent memorial. It is there to honor fallen regular army troops from the Civil War.
Of course, the Fort Fisher Armstrong gun, which I have been writing about, is also at Trophy Point and is a major attraction.
Trophy Point is also one of the most popular attractions in the whole Hudson Valley commanding an impressive view.
A nation's Trophy Case. --Old B-Runner
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Fort Fisher 150-pdr Armstrong Gun-- Part 2-- Returns to Fort Fisher
The US Military Academy was gracious enough to return the Armstrong gun tube to Fort Fisher a few years ago. Sadly, I didn't get to see it, but I did see the carriage that was made for it. I also was told the state site had plans to have a replica tube made and placed on that carriage.
In November 2004, the cannon arrived at Fort Fisher and remained on display until February 2006. That's the original gun tube that was at the fort when it fell. It weighs 16,000 pounds (sure glad I didn't have to pay the postage on that one).
The original carriage was described as almost being like house furniture. It was mahogany and rosewood with a high finish with brass fittings.
This was probably the first time since 1866 that an original cannon from the fort was back at it. The current 32-pdr at Sheppard's Battery is not an original.
That Would Have Been Something to See, an Actual Cannon from the Fort Returning to It.
In November 2004, the cannon arrived at Fort Fisher and remained on display until February 2006. That's the original gun tube that was at the fort when it fell. It weighs 16,000 pounds (sure glad I didn't have to pay the postage on that one).
The original carriage was described as almost being like house furniture. It was mahogany and rosewood with a high finish with brass fittings.
This was probably the first time since 1866 that an original cannon from the fort was back at it. The current 32-pdr at Sheppard's Battery is not an original.
That Would Have Been Something to See, an Actual Cannon from the Fort Returning to It.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Fort Fisher 150-pdr Armstrong-- Part 1
HMdb, Historical Marker database recently ran an article about the 150-pdr Armstrong gun captured at Fort Fisher January 15, 1865.
At the time it was considered one of the most-advanced artillery pieces in the world and was made in 1864 by Sir W. G. Armstrong & Co. in England and was said to be a gift from private donors in England to the Confederacy (most likely from folks with interests in blockade-running). It was a rifled, muzzle-loading cannon.
After its capture, it was shipped to the Military Academy in 1865 and had a prominent place at Trophy Point for the next hundred years until deterioration of the wooden carriage. A new, identical carriage was made and the gun was returned in 1982 as a gift from the USMA Class of 1932.
One Magnificent Gun. --Old B-R
At the time it was considered one of the most-advanced artillery pieces in the world and was made in 1864 by Sir W. G. Armstrong & Co. in England and was said to be a gift from private donors in England to the Confederacy (most likely from folks with interests in blockade-running). It was a rifled, muzzle-loading cannon.
After its capture, it was shipped to the Military Academy in 1865 and had a prominent place at Trophy Point for the next hundred years until deterioration of the wooden carriage. A new, identical carriage was made and the gun was returned in 1982 as a gift from the USMA Class of 1932.
One Magnificent Gun. --Old B-R
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