Author Topic: A Dictator picture I haven't seen before (Read 1470 times)

GGaskill · « **on:** January 29, 2006, 09:47:17 PM »

Although this picture is captioned as the Dictator, I am not sure it isn't just another 13" seacoast mortar somewhere else in the Petersburg siege.

Actually, looking at the crew, the tall gaunt guy on the right looks like the tall gaunt guy in the usual Dictator picture.

Santa Dave · « **Reply #1 on:** January 30, 2006, 08:42:10 AM »

I for one am disappointed!(GG It didn't work for me)
Dave

Double D · « **Reply #2 on:** January 30, 2006, 09:40:54 AM »

Here's that same gun emplacement from another angle taken 140 years later....last week

pyro_tek · « **Reply #3 on:** January 30, 2006, 10:42:45 AM »

Thanks for the photos. Does anyone have a shot or clear diagram of the elevation adjustment mechanism?
Thanks, p_t

pyro_tek · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2006, 10:46:07 AM »

Thanks for the photos. Does anyone have a shot or clear diagram of the elevation adjustment mechanism?
Thanks, p_t

Artilleryman · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2006, 12:46:12 PM »

Have you seen this one?

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/album_pic.php?pic_id=1143">

Double D · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2006, 01:11:30 PM »

CU_Cannon · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2006, 05:37:58 PM »

Here are a couple of pictures of the 13Â” seacoast in front of the old armory in Saratoga Springs NY.

Dictator · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2006, 12:30:09 PM »

I haven't seen that one pic before Norm, but you can tell it's the same crew as you see on many of the pics from Petersburg. The one below is at the Iowa State capital in Des Moines:
CU-one thing I noticed is your's shows the serial number up on the upper right side of the barrel. The one below has its on the lower right front on the belly in front of the trunion. It is #553

Artilleryman · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2006, 10:52:22 AM »

How about this one?

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/album_pic.php?pic_id=1147">

GGaskill · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2006, 11:34:03 AM »

I wasn't aware color film was available in the 1860's. (-:

Also, I thought the original Dictator was unaccounted for.

Who is crewing that one?

Artilleryman · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2006, 12:11:51 PM »

The 30pdr Parrott and the 13 inch seacoast mortar belong to the Paulsons. The Parrott is an orginal and the mortar is one of two that the Paulsons made. We were using 5 lbs of powder to fire the 200 lb shell one mile. They used 7 lbs of powder for a bursting charge. This is on the Fort McCoy range in Wisconsin.

The crews were there by invite. I was lucky enough to serve on both guns.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #12 on:** February 02, 2006, 12:19:13 PM »

Quote from: Artilleryman

The 30pdr Parrott and the 13 inch seacoast mortar belong to the Paulsons. The Parrott is an orginal and the mortar is one of two that the Paulsons made. We were using 5 lbs of powder to fire the 200 lb shell one mile. They used 7 lbs of powder for a bursting charge. This is on the Fort McCoy range in Wisconsin.

The crews were there by invite. I was lucky enough to serve on both guns.

I was wondering if that wasn't Range 10. It must have been quite a few weekends ago. I've seen TOWs and Dragons fired there out to 4000 meters - can't see a tank very well beyond that.

GREAT picture! Do you have more?

Artilleryman · « **Reply #13 on:** February 03, 2006, 05:55:09 AM »

This is a 13 inch seacoast mortar being fired at night. You have to take a picture or watch it in slow motion on video to really appreciate what happens, because it is over so fast.

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/album_pic.php?pic_id=1148">

entsminger · « **Reply #14 on:** February 09, 2006, 02:09:12 AM »

Wow!! To be on the crew firing Paulsons big 13 inch Seacoast cannon!! I can think of nothing I'd rather do than be there when the big mortar gets fired. How does one get to be a crew member at such an event? Are people ever invited who are not skilled artillerymen and don't own or shoot mortars but just want to watch. I hope to some day buy a 10 incher form Paulsons but can't afford one yet. I live in Va. Wish I lived up near Wisconsin. Seems like that is where all the big mortar action is.

Scott

Artilleryman · « **Reply #15 on:** February 09, 2006, 05:45:23 AM »

They modified the range at Fort McCoy and I don't think the Paulson's are shooting there now. What you might want to consider is the Camp Grayling Long Range Artillery match which is usually the third weekend in July. We will be using a new range this year which should be interesting. There has been a 10 inch mortar along with the 8 inch mortars participating the last couple of years. I will try to get the date from Matt Switlik and post it here.