Accuracy of Some Civil WarMortars

[Parrott-Cannon]

http://books.google.com/books/about/Siege_artillery_in_the_campaigns_against.html?id=1HMDAAAAYAAJ
  The data in the article above was used to calculate the accuracy of 3 different mortars at a range of 800 yards.  The article did not specify the powder loads or weather conditions.  The data was collected at 3 different forts during the civil war.
The 10 inch siege mortar was capable of placing 50 % of its shell within 37 yards of the target.
The 8 inch siege mortar was capable of placing 50 % of its shell within 51 yards of the target.
The 24 pound Coehorn mortar was capable of placing 50 % of its shell within 78 yards of the target.

[Artilleryman]

Thanks for posting this.

[Parrott-Cannon]

Thanks for posting this.

You are welcome.  The article also mentioned that an iro clad was about 100 yards long, which means the 10 and 8 ichches mortar had a better than 50% chance of hitting an ironclad.

[Artilleryman]

Thanks for posting this.

You are welcome.  The article also mentioned that an iron clad was about 100 yards long, which means the 10 and 8 inches mortar had a better than 50% chance of hitting an ironclad.

Maybe not 50%, wouldn't it depend on if you were lined up with the length of the ship (bow to stern) or the side of the ship (port to starboard). 

[Parrott-Cannon]

Thanks for posting this.

You are welcome.  The article also mentioned that an iron clad was about 100 yards long, which means the 10 and 8 inches mortar had a better than 50% chance of hitting an ironclad.

Maybe not 50%, wouldn't it depend on if you were lined up with the length of the ship (bow to stern) or the side of the ship (port to starboard).

I agree.
 
 

[Artilleryman]

Interestingly it appears that even if you could hit the ironclad it wouldn't do any good as the deck armor had been improved.