Silent Knights at Fort Miles Delaware

[nematode]

Friends at GBBPF, I am honored to present my Christmas gesture to all of you at the forum, from Fort Miles Delaware.

[dominick]

I visited Fort Miles last year.  It was an enjoyable family trip. They have a nice beach [Cape Henlopen] and some cool cannons.  I was looking for ideas for scale model artillery.  I think some of the Coastal Defense guns there are pre-1899 pieces. Photos below.   The bottom photo is an example of a build-up barrel.

6" Coastal Defense Gun


8" Coastal Defense Gun


8" Coastal Defense Gun Rear View


Right side barrel is 6" Coastal Defense Gun,  Left side, unknown.

[nematode]

you are right on all counts. cape henlopen is a nice beach and fort miles is a cool place to visit. when i was a boy the actual main sand dunes at cape henlopen had cement embuttments built into them. on top of each was a circular rail track and large cannons sat on the tracks - could be turned in any direction and of course the cannon could pivot up and down also. it was a great time to grow up and i'm glad some remnants still exist. thanks for your comments.

dominic would you mind if i used your photos to change my video? i am going to edit it down to less than 6 minutes and might be able to use your photos in between the trumpet playing.

[Cat Whisperer]

Did I miss the pre 1898 cannons?

 

[nematode]

good one Cat Whisperer. Construction at Fort Miles began in 1938 and was finished in 1941. I don't know anything about cannons so I wouldn't know ages for any but the fort is a cool place to visit. I pass thru it on the way to surf fishing sometimes.

[dominick]

Did I miss the pre 1898 cannons?

 

If I remember and read correctly, there is a placard that states that there were guns set up there since 1902.  The 8" coastal gun in the above photo is of a late 1800's design according to Ian Hogg's, History of Artillery.  I"m not sure if that particular gun is that old, but the design is.  

[nematode]

I was not able to read the plaques this time because all of them were covered with snow. I believe you are right that guns were in place along the dunes at Fort Miles before the formal base was constructed. It is interesting history. Thanks for posts.

[dominick]

Here's a link to the 8" Naval Gun.  http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_8-35_mk3_pics.htm

[dominick]

Below are two comparison photos of the breech between the gun from the above link and the Fort Miles gun.

[dominick]

dominic would you mind if i used your photos to change my video? i am going to edit it down to less than 6 minutes and might be able to use your photos in between the trumpet playing.

You can certainly use the photos.

[nematode]

Thanks for link and photos - that is a big bullet!

[Cat Whisperer]

VERY interesting.  BUT a bit off topic.

See the rules, note #2: http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,105055.0.html

So this thread now is locked.