A Cannon Discovery Trip

[seacoastartillery]

     I saw the leather vent cover with it's strap; all the guns in the battery would have these or the domed covers made out of molded lead popular with navy guns.

     The big question here is one which we have studying for years, and, as yet, have not found a satisfactory answer.  The Big Question is:  Why is one implement always missing in these historic photos of heavy siege or seacoast artillery?  This common artillery piece implement is missing in "garrison duty" photos like the one just posted and also in "ready for action" photos like Skidmark posted of the "Sand Batteries" in front of Fort Barancas, near Pensacola, Florida.

     What is it??  Why is it always missing???


Tracy

[Zulu]

     I saw the leather vent cover with it's strap; all the guns in the battery would have these or the domed covers made out of molded lead popular with navy guns.

     The big question here is one which we have studying for years, and, as yet, have not found a satisfactory answer.  The Big Question is:  Why is one implement always missing in these historic photos of heavy siege or seacoast artillery?  This common artillery piece implement is missing in "garrison duty" photos like the one just posted and also in "ready for action" photos like Skidmark posted of the "Sand Batteries" in front of Fort Barancas, near Pensacola, Florida.

     What is it??  Why is it always missing???


Tracy

Worm?  I don't recall ever seeing any really large worms now that I think about it.
Zulu

[The Jeff]

Worm?  I don't recall ever seeing any really large worms now that I think about it.
Zulu

Zulu, here's the only picture of a seacoast gun that I know off the top of my head has a worm visible in it. This picture is of a banded Confederate columbiad on the James River above the Dutch Gap canal. I would have to assume this piece was rifled, but I don't know for sure. Here's the link to the full resolution version at the Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/cwp2003006040/PP/

[seacoastartillery]

      Jeff,    Mike and I like your style.  It's right out of the old TV show, Dragnet.  Much like Sgt. Joe Friday, you know, "Just the facts, ma'am".  That's a compliment, by the way.  So, since you appeared to find one worm, distorted by the sun a bit, but we agree, a worm nevertheless, we decided to renew our efforts and came up with a double whammy, but it's a modern photo so the worm it shows is not worth nearly as much as your image of an original, because it is a replica and open to interpretation.  But the second part of that photo is undeniably a Navy 32 Pdr. 60 cwt Gradual Increase Gun.  From the National List of Surviving Civil War Artillery we find that an original, Registry No. 114 is located at Fort McAllister today and that the documents exist which indicate that it was cast by Bellona Foundry upriver a bit from Richmond, Virginia.
 
 Thanks again, Jeff and Zulu, we appreciate your contributions,
 
 Mike and Tracy
 
 
 This photo was taken at Fort McAllister south of Savannah, Georgia by JM Riedy and displyed via this site:  www.panoramio.com  It is photo #  14450983 and can be used via these terms as it is under copywrite:  http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/
 
 Located on the Ogeechee River, Fort McAllister was a well designed earth work fort which protected the soldiers assigned there during several Federal Navy attacks.  During one such attack, a 15" shell from the Monitor Nahant  penetrated 18 feet of sand and marsh moss, scarp, near the base, but this was still short of the living and fighting spaces.  The main bombproof and hospital was never penetrated during these attacks.  Only an attack from the rear by Sherman's hardened veterans defeated this fort. 
 
 
 

[Zulu]

Worm?  I don't recall ever seeing any really large worms now that I think about it.
Zulu

Zulu, here's the only picture of a seacoast gun that I know off the top of my head has a worm visible in it. This picture is of a banded Confederate columbiad on the James River above the Dutch Gap canal. I would have to assume this piece was rifled, but I don't know for sure. Here's the link to the full resolution version at the Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/cwp2003006040/PP/

What is the item at the base of the ramrods?  I first thought it was a tampion but the rope is on the wrong side.
Zulu

[Double D]

 
What is the item at the base of the ramrods?  I first thought it was a tampion but the rope is on the wrong side.
Zulu

Moulding.

[Zulu]

 
What is the item at the base of the ramrods?  I first thought it was a tampion but the rope is on the wrong side.
Zulu

Moulding.

Moulding?  That thing with a rope on it?

[Double D]

Oh the tampion?  With a weight to hold it on?

[Zulu]

Oh the tampion?  With a weight to hold it on?

You are probably right.  Put the weight in the barrel then the tampion.  The rope would hold it in.  As good an explanation as any.
Zulu

[The Jeff]

Oh the tampion?  With a weight to hold it on?

You are probably right.  Put the weight in the barrel then the tampion.  The rope would hold it in.  As good an explanation as any.
Zulu

Zulu, I think it's to help prevent corrosion. Take a look at these excerpts from the Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy:

56. When the guns are to be shipped for transportation merely, the same precautions are to be taken to guard them from injury as on shore, with the addition of a wad dipped into the composition which covers the bore, thrust into the muzzle, and connected with the tompion by a lanyard."

46. Whenever guns are to be struck below, or prepared for transportation, the gunner will see that the bores are washed with fresh water, carefully sponged, thoroughly dried, and coated with melted tallow, and a wad dipped in the same material inserted, and connected with a tompion by a lanyard. He is to see that the tompion is put in securely, and the vent and all screw-holes stopped by a plug of soft wood, and puttied over.

      Jeff,    Mike and I like your style.  It's right out of the old TV show, Dragnet.  Much like Sgt. Joe Friday, you know, "Just the facts, ma'am".  That's a compliment, by the way.

Thanks, there's enough misinformation and speculation on the internet without me adding to it. Sometimes I think spending an hour looking at the minute details in a historical photo or reading ordnance manuals can be as much fun as actually building or shooting my cannons. I promise I'm not addicted, I can stop whenever I want! 

[seacoastartillery]

         Mike and I agree with Jeff that anti-corrosion measures most likely involved the wad attached to the tompion.  Jeff sure found a great photo.  There are several other things in it which we very rarely see, if ever.  Taking a look at it below, you can see a socket-head lever which connects to the handles on the capstan wheel which raises and lowers the tube via the ratchet engaging pawl within the elevation box.
 
     You can also see some curious cleats on the rear, bottom of each upper carriage brace.  Perhaps they are supports for maneuvering hand spikes used to lever the tube up or down.  That really doesn't make too much sense though, with the elevating bar lying on the platform under the near, bottom, edge of the chassis as it is.  The elevating bar rests in a notch centered in the top edge of the elevation box, passing through the slot in the pawl and lodging in the ratchet recess cast into the tube's breech surface.  Since the preponderance is usually from 600 to 800 pounds on this size ordnance, and the mechanical advantage the five foot bar gives at 10:1, the men on the elevating bar have only to lift 60 to 80 pounds plus a little extra force to overcome trunnion friction.
 
 
      The BIG question then becomes, "Why then are those cleats on the carriage braces??"

 
      To learn all there is to know about how this type of elevation gear works, you only have to read Craig Swain's explanation here:

 http://markerhunter.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/columbiad-elevation/      The title of the article is: 

How do you elevate a seven-ton columbiad?

 Craig's photo of the 8-Inch Columbiad in Fort Darling (Drewry's Bluff) on the James River near Richmond, Virginia, shows that the slot in the pawl is much bigger than the one in Jeff's photo appears to be.  It would fit a 3/4" diameter elevating bar easily. 
 
 Tracy and Mike

P.S.  Well, it looks like we lost the photo that Jeff posted from the Library of Congress, but you can look back a few posts and find it.
 
 
 
 

[Double D]

Worked again!  Never fails. 

Someone can ask a question and no one answers.  After a I come along and toss out a WAG....and without fail, some one quickly comes along and corrects me with th right answer...unless its one of those rare times when my WAG is right.

Thanks Jeff.

[seacoastartillery]

     It's a time-tested technique that never fails, Double D.  The underlying fact is that nobody wants to be first when there is some risk involved.  I learned long ago that you miss out on too much in life if you are shy or afraid of a little risk.  You really need not worry about being laughed at around here for asking a question or answering quickly without much thought as DD just did.  The benefit is that you keep things going and you spur others to contribute which helps all of us learn.  This is the main reason we keep Double D. around here. He's fearless and right now an intrepid overseas adventurer.

    Tonight I will post side by side photos of two big Rebel guns on the James, so answering the question in Red  will be easier.

Thanks DD!

Tracy

[seacoastartillery]

    From 1862 onward the Confederate artillery batteries proliferated along the James River from Hampton Roads all the way to Richmond, for the Rebel leaders realized that the Monitor was not going away and that the CSS Virginia drew far too much water to go up the James to become a powerful floating battery anchored at a bend at the end of a advantageous reach.  Shortly after her famous battle with the Federal ironclad, Monitor, she was burned as Federal armies approached.
 
      The most powerful batteries were built around the Dutch Gap Canal and at a point 7 miles south east of Richmond high on a bluff at the end of a long reach along which the Federal ironclads and gunboats would have to approach.  The Union called it Fort Darling and the south, Drewry's Bluff, but at nearly 107 feet above the river's surface, it was almost impregnable.  By 1865, the batteries at Drewry's Bluff had two 8" Columbiads, six 10" Columbiads, three 32 Pdr. Smoothbores, one 7" Brook Rifle, two 6.4" Brooke Rifles and three 12 Pdr. Howitzers.
 
      The following pictures are of original guns from this area on the James River, in their historical positions, all from the Library of Congress through Wikipedia.  After looking at these pics, please answer the question in red from our previous post, brought forward for your convenience.
 
       You can get the best answer by comparing the last two photos which we believe, after much study, both show 10" Confederate Columbiads with one as issued and the other heavily, double banded and probably rifled. 
 
 Tracy and Mike
 
 
                             The BIG question then becomes, "Why then are those cleats on the carriage braces??"   
 
 
 We have walked this ground for hours on two different occasions with pertinent reference books and maps, and believe that the first two batteries from the fort's right flank were 8" Rebel Columbiads because one is known to have been there in that location and it is  represented today by an authentic 8" gun, dated 1862 on a replic chassis and carriage made by Paulson Bros. Ordnance.  These two guns can shoot just about straight down the reach.  The angle of the third Columbiad, a 10" Gun, we believe, is shown clearly in the second and third photos we have posted below. The first photo is, we are quite sure, a 10" Confederate Columbiad in the fourth battery to the left of the 8" on the right flank.




This is, we believe, the 10" Columbiad in the third battery from the right flank.  No cleats on this one's braces either.




This is a close-up for the same one.  Note the same sponge and rammer holder in each pic.  It is BIG, looks like a TEN INCH to us. No cleats on this one either.




Finally we have Jeff's pic from a battery above the Dutch Gap Canal close to the Drewry's Bluff batteries.  It Has Cleats on both braces. Why?? 


   

[Zulu]

T&M,
I'll make a guess.
If the barrel was depressed enough to place a brace across the cleats, then the rear of the barrel could rest on the brace and allow servicing of the elevating mechanism.
Zulu

[Zulu]

I have been thinking about this.  Since no one else has chipped in yet, I'll hazard another guess.
I have wondered before how the vent was serviced on these big guns.  Those cleats look like pretty good foot holds to me.  Might keep you from slipping off the carriage.
Zulu

[Max Caliber]

I'm mostly a field gun man myself, but here's my WAG on this.

Zulu might be onto something in his post #74. The "cleats" may have been used to hold a bar across the carriage on which the breech would rest, depressing the muzzle beyond the range of the guns elevating mechanism. Generally, the muzzle was required to be depressed five degrees or more when a pent-house was installed on the carriage.

[Zulu]

I'm mostly a field gun man myself, but here's my WAG on this.

Zulu might be onto something in his post #74. The "cleats" may have been used to hold a bar across the carriage on which the breech would rest, depressing the muzzle beyond the range of the guns elevating mechanism. Generally, the muzzle was required to be depressed five degrees or more when a pent-house was installed on the carriage.

Max,
How would you get the bar across the cleats if that height was beyond the range of the elevating mechanism?
Zulu

[shred]

In the enlarged view the cleats appear to be wood and not especially sturdily attached, so regular prying doesn't seem to be a likely use, so I'm thinking footholds maybe.  The parapet wall is a bit taller than the others shown.

Also it's possible they were used to help free the elevation mechanism when it needed to be moved more than one notch and the elevation bar is sticking-- some of the manuals of arms have the #1 and #2 sticking handspikes in the muzzle in this case which might be less than preferable in some circumstances.

[seacoastartillery]

      Those are excellent ideas gentlemen and could very well be the primary intended purpose of the cleats attached to both braces on the “Banded” Gun.   However, before we get into all these ideas and our own, let us show you all what Max wrote about when he mentioned this:  “Generally, the muzzle was required to be depressed five degrees or more when a  pent-house was installed on the carriage.”  I was studying the artillery at Fort point about 4 years ago after a trip to California brought us there.  I came across a photo of a whole row of 10” Rodman Guns up on the  4^th level, Terraplein, mounted En Barbette.  Each had a thin board shack which enclosed the tube and, most importantly, it’s Wood, Seacoast, Front-Pintle, Barbette Carriage for weather protection.  Here is the photo we lost in a computer crash 3 years ago.  The pic is from Duck of D3ath as shown on Flicker from Yahoo.  Weird source name, but who cares; it is the correct photo.  It shows Pent-Houses!

Carriage and Gun weather protection with “Pent-Houses” at Fort Point.




 
     As for the argument for the wooden cleats being as steps to service the vent or perhaps remove or attach the front sight, we think they would be unnecessary on this cannon and carriage combination, after all none of the other original carriage images we have seen have them.  Using a total height figure of 53.5” above the chassis rail’s iron covering, the top surface of the tube could be seen and reached by almost any artilleryman.    We computed the dia. over the heavy 3” thickness of the additional iron of the reinforcing bands. The tube at 31.67 was turned down to 31.5” to provide an even surface for the two 1.5” thick wrought iron bands and they were heat shrunk on, making the O.D. larger at 37.5” plus distance, 16", off the cover surface of the chassis recoil rails to the bottom of the reinforce.  As for larger tube’s like the 15” Rodman Gun, there is evidence that they were needed and actually provided.  See photos below:

This 15-Inch Rodman Gun, seen in this colorized version was mounted on the Potomac River at Alexandria. This image from 1862 is an early one where the cleats or steps are not provided on the iron carriage of this huge gun.  Later versions did have iron steps.  This photo is from the Freako Diva Blogspot, not a site I normally frequent.  Two men can easily elevate the heavy tube with the five foot elevation hand spike, because it has no preponderance at all, just friction between the trunnion plate and the trunnions.




 
This later 50,000 pound, 15 Inch Rodman Gun at Fort Monroe being tested in 1863 shows the steps which are necessary so average height artillerymen can place the friction primer and place the sights on this huge gun.  Pic from:    www.almc.army.mil





     So, while the cleats can be used for all the things mentioned previously, Mike and I still believe that they were placed there, because of the tremendous weight of the wrought iron reinforce was added to the 650 pound preponderance weight of this gun.  We calculate that the addition of reinforcing bands 30” long and 1.5” thick each added 2,766 pounds to the 650 pound prep. For a total of 3,416 pounds for the artillerymen to lift each time they had to bring the tube back to nearly level for loading and then back up again for the calculated elevation angle.  Let’s assume that a 10:1 mechanical advantage was possible using a 5 foot elevation bar in the notch in the elevation box and through the pawl slot and into the ratchet recess with the blade end.  3,416 / 10 = 342 Lbs.  We believe this is a bit much even for two brawny artillerymen, much less two average ones.  We believe two more men were used to heave with their maneuvering hand spikes and the cleats were placed there so the hand spikes would not get chewed up on the two large nuts on the ends of the base timber to brace timber bolts. The nuts were at the bottom edge of where they needed to place their hand spikes.  342 pounds / 4 artillerymen = 85.5 pounds each which was doable.  This is our opinion and not 100% known, so all the other reasons are just as legitimate.  The reinforcing bands together have an I.D. of 31.5” and an O.D. of 37.5”.  This is a pipe weight calculator we use to save time:    http://www.jdfields.com/products/pipe-weight-per-foot-calculator.html

Mike & Tracy


If you click on the image, you can see how massive those reinforcing bands are.  We calculate that they are 30” long.  So, what do you guys think?  Was some help for those two unfortunates on the elevation gear in order?

[Zulu]

      Those are excellent ideas gentlemen and could very well be the primary intended purpose of the cleats attached to both braces on the “Banded” Gun.   However, before we get into all these ideas and our own, let us show you all what Max wrote about when he mentioned this:  “Generally, the muzzle was required to be depressed five degrees or more when a  pent-house was installed on the carriage.”  I was studying the artillery at Fort point about 4 years ago after a trip to California brought us there.  I came across a photo of a whole row of 10” Rodman Guns up on the  4^th level, Terraplein, mounted En Barbette.  Each had a thin board shack which enclosed the tube and, most importantly, it’s Wood, Seacoast, Front-Pintle, Barbette Carriage for weather protection.  Here is the photo we lost in a computer crash 3 years ago.  The pic is from Duck of D3ath as shown on Flicker from Yahoo.  Weird source name, but who cares; it is the correct photo.  It shows Pent-Houses!

Carriage and Gun weather protection with “Pent-Houses” at Fort Point.




 
     As for the argument for the wooden cleats being as steps to service the vent or perhaps remove or attach the front sight, we think they would be unnecessary on this cannon and carriage combination, after all none of the other original carriage images we have seen have them.  Using a total height figure of 53.5” above the chassis rail’s iron covering, the top surface of the tube could be seen and reached by almost any artilleryman.    We computed the dia. over the heavy 3” thickness of the additional iron of the reinforcing bands. The tube at 31.67 was turned down to 31.5” to provide an even surface for the two 1.5” thick wrought iron bands and they were heat shrunk on, making the O.D. larger at 37.5” plus distance, 16", off the cover surface of the chassis recoil rails to the bottom of the reinforce.  As for larger tube’s like the 15” Rodman Gun, there is evidence that they were needed and actually provided.  See photos below:

This 15-Inch Rodman Gun, seen in this colorized version was mounted on the Potomac River at Alexandria. This image from 1862 is an early one where the cleats or steps are not provided on the iron carriage of this huge gun.  Later versions did have iron steps.  This photo is from the Freako Diva Blogspot, not a site I normally frequent.  Two men can easily elevate the heavy tube with the five foot elevation hand spike, because it has no preponderance at all, just friction between the trunnion plate and the trunnions.




 
This later 50,000 pound, 15 Inch Rodman Gun at Fort Monroe being tested in 1863 shows the steps which are necessary so average height artillerymen can place the friction primer and place the sights on this huge gun.  Pic from:    www.almc.army.mil





     So, while the cleats can be used for all the things mentioned previously, Mike and I still believe that they were placed there, because of the tremendous weight of the wrought iron reinforce was added to the 650 pound preponderance weight of this gun.  We calculate that the addition of reinforcing bands 30” long and 1.5” thick each added 2,766 pounds to the 650 pound prep. For a total of 3,416 pounds for the artillerymen to lift each time they had to bring the tube back to nearly level for loading and then back up again for the calculated elevation angle.  Let’s assume that a 10:1 mechanical advantage was possible using a 5 foot elevation bar in the notch in the elevation box and through the pawl slot and into the ratchet recess with the blade end.  3,416 / 10 = 342 Lbs.  We believe this is a bit much even for two brawny artillerymen, much less two average ones.  We believe two more men were used to heave with their maneuvering hand spikes and the cleats were placed there so the hand spikes would not get chewed up on the two large nuts on the ends of the base timber to brace timber bolts. The nuts were at the bottom edge of where they needed to place their hand spikes.  342 pounds / 4 artillerymen = 85.5 pounds each which was doable.  This is our opinion and not 100% known, so all the other reasons are just as legitimate.  The reinforcing bands together have an I.D. of 31.5” and an O.D. of 37.5”.  This is a pipe weight calculator we use to save time:    http://www.jdfields.com/products/pipe-weight-per-foot-calculator.html

Mike & Tracy


If you click on the image, you can see how massive those reinforcing bands are.  We calculate that they are 30” long.  So, what do you guys think?  Was some help for those two unfortunates on the elevation gear in order?

An excellent theory!
Another question.
The ratchet assembly shown in the above picture is locked into one of the lowest teeth.  How was the stop moved from tooth to tooth?
It seems that something had to support the barrel to be able to move the ratchet stop.
Zulu
 

[shred]

An excellent theory!
Another question.
The ratchet assembly shown in the above picture is locked into one of the lowest teeth.  How was the stop moved from tooth to tooth?
It seems that something had to support the barrel to be able to move the ratchet stop.
Zulu

This is what I found in a quick search, so might not be the actual practice used.  If M&T are right the preponderance was greatly changed, the handspike thing might not have been effective enough.  The only bit that worries me is the lack of wear marks on the cleats if they had been used repeatedly for prying, you'd expect to see notching in the wood and something a bit more substantial attaching the cleats.

8. POINT.
41. Executed as in barbette gun. No. 27, with the following modifications: No. 2
goes to the traverse wheel Instead of No. 4, and No. 4 turns the handle of the
elevating screw, by direction of the gunner.
Ifs greater elevation than one notch is to be given, the gunner, by means of the
elevating-bar, transfers the pawl to the proper notch, and, if necessary, Nos. 1 and 2
insert a handspike in the muzzle, to enable the gunner to free the purl from the
notch.

[seacoastartillery]

   

Another question.

The ratchet assembly shown in the above picture is locked into one of the lowest teeth.  How was the stop moved from tooth to tooth?
It seems that something had to support the barrel to be able to move the ratchet stop.

Zulu       

     Zulu,     To answer your question completely, I suggest that the best explanation that exists anywhere was written by Craig Swain who maintains an excellent series of blogs on a host of artillery subjects.  One of his best, I believe, was that written to explain Exactly what you ask, so please read his blog called "How do you elevate a 7-ton Columbiad."  The link is below:

                                                 http://markerhunter.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/columbiad-elevation/   

     In our opinion, the only thing you must do in addition to what he describes, is to get two more artillerymen with regular, maneuvering hand spikes, one on each side of the breech, prying the breech upward to help the first two on the elevation bar, lift the massive breech of this reinforced 10" Columbiad so the pawl could be withdrawn from it's recess to be placed in another.



     Below is what Shred is concerned about and we are telling everyone right now that these a very legitimate concerns!
We hope to provide explanations of equipment and it's use in logical ways consistent with standard  CS Army practice on Seacoast Guns along the southern rivers and coastline.  The concern in Red below will be answered later nonight after I get some help taking a photo of a real, full size, maneuvering handspike in use levering a 10 Columbiad breech upward in my basement, without damaging an identical cleat next to a 2" square nut on the timber brace of a huge carriage for this impressive Columbiad, in the basement.  Please check in to see this phenomenon later.

     At this time we can provide an alternative to the section in Green below and, hopefully explain why the practice described in the manual just cannot work in the case of out very heavy preponderance on the reinforced 10"Columbiad.  Shred we respectfully submit this to you:  Instead of a standard 650 pounds of prep. to lift with the elevating box lever, the CSA artillerymeny were faced with a total of 3,416 pounds preponderance aft of the trunnions.  The book tells the Nos 1 and 2 to take a handspike to the muzzle, insert it, and, without actually saying it, to hang on the handspike thereby placing the weight of two men, lets say 360 pounds total dangling from a place near the end of the tube. The distance from just in front of the mushroom cap style cascabel where you would place a lifting hand spike to the Centerline of the trunnion is 45" on this Columbiad.  The distance from the trunnion CL to the artillerymen hanging on to the hand spike two feet from the muzzle is 95".  So they have a mechanical advantage of  2:1 which means that they can exert a force of 720 pounds (forgetting about friction) in their attempt to overcome the 3.416 Pounds of preponderance at the breech end.

     Assuming that, even if you have a mechanical advantage of only 5:1 with your elevation bar, the weight the dangling fellows would have to overcome is only 683 pounds, which they at 720 pounds could do.  We are, however, not thinking about the lack of control that Nos. 1 and 2 have.  It's all or nothing for them.  Not very helpful to the gunner who needs finely controlled lifting for his pointing efforts.  So, we are back to 4 men at the breech sharing the load with some finesse demanded by the gunner.  That's the way we see it.

       

This is what I found in a quick search, so might not be the actual practice used.  If M&T are right the preponderance was greatly changed, the handspike thing might not have been effective enough. The only bit that worries me is the lack of wear marks on the cleats if they had been used repeatedly for prying, you'd expect to see notching in the wood and something a bit more substantial attaching the cleats.

    8. POINT.

41. Executed as in barbette gun. No. 27, with the following modifications: No. 2
goes to the traverse wheel Instead of No. 4, and No. 4 turns the handle of the
elevating screw, by direction of the gunner.
Ifs greater elevation than one notch is to be given, the gunner, by means of the
elevating-bar, transfers the pawl to the proper notch,

and, if necessary, Nos. 1 and 2
insert a handspike in the muzzle, to enable the gunner to free the purl from the
notch. 

   

[shred]

Yeah, that was what I was thinking.  Another thought came to me vis-a-vis lack of wear in that it's possible (I didn't check the provenance) that the picture is of a nice shiny newly mounted gun versus an old one that's been shot a lot and thus less photogenic.

[seacoastartillery]

      The concern in Red below will be answered later tonight ( slight delay for "real work" to be accomplished) after I get some help taking a photo of a real, full size, maneuvering handspike in use levering a 10 Columbiad breech upward in my basement, without damaging an identical cleat next to a 2" square nut on the timber brace of a huge carriage for this impressive Columbiad, in the basement. Just use you imagination a bit, O.K.?
 
Shred wrote:

FIRST:
"The only bit that worries me is the lack of wear marks on the cleats if they had been used repeatedly for prying, you'd expect to see notching in the wood and something a bit more substantial attaching the cleats."

Also,

SECOND:
"Another thought came to me vis-a-vis lack of wear in that it's possible (I didn't check the provenance) that the picture is of a nice shiny newly mounted gun versus an old one that's been shot a lot and thus less photogenic".

    Please Shred, don't worry, leave that to Mike and I; we worry about all of that so you don't have to.  We pick it apart and dissect it, rearrange the pieces and put it back together.  If only Humpty Dumpty had us around when he had his great fall!  Anyway, I believe we have looked at your photo of the banded gun enough times and have had some very serious meetings to discuss all the possibilities in order to logically answer every question.


FIRST:
     We agree with Shred that if the cleats had actually been used, themselves, for prying (by supporting the maneuvering handspike as it was used for prying) that you would indeed see wear marks, notching and even crushing of the cleat or block of hardwood.  However, by studying that photo of the banded 10" Columbiad repeatedly, we have come to the conclusion that the cleat was not used to support the handspike directly, but used only to block the side of the handspike and to keep it from it in position on the Brace timber and prevent it from sliding down the angled Brace.  Please see the photo below:





You can see in this close-up that the cleat keeps the side of the handspike about 1/4" higher than the sharp edges of that 2 X 2 inch nut which would certainly destroy the solid oak handspike in short order.





SECOND:
     Shred's supposition, we believe has lots of validity.  You can see in this photo what happens to the edge of a beam like the Brace timber when a handspike is repeatedly used to lift 6, 7, or 8 hundred pounds many times during a battery action.





     To add further credence to what he wrote, take a good look at the top edge on the Brace timber closest to the tube.  Do you see the notably rounded over area further up the Brace in the area of the heavy reinforcing bands?  This carriage has certainly been used with a different tube in place, just as Shred suggested.  When?  We don't know, but the tubes were not changed out for the photo!  That much we can figure out by seeing the rounded over Brace edge on the other side just above the cleat which you world expect with the tube and carriage combination shown.

Click on photo to Enlarge.




     

[Double D]

What is the purpose of the ratchet system at the bottom of the pawl?  Minor elevation adjustments?  When  full range is achieved the hand spikes would only need hold and not lever, while the pawl was loosened and adjusted a notch for major elevation change.

[The Jeff]

I'm not so sure the rounding of the upper part of the brace timber was due to a handspike compressing the fibers of the wood when a different gun was mounted. It looks to me that the brace has been thinned down to allow the current gun to pivot up to high elevations of fire. Certainly there would be some compressing, and I think I can make out a bit on the far brace just above the cleat.


To back up my idea, take a look at this banded piece at Fort Moultrie:








The part of the brace nearest the trunnions is noticeably carved out and it gradually tapers back to full width past the end of the band. The sturdy cleats on the brace do lend credence to your theory that more handspikes were needed to deal with the preponderance of banded guns. This is a very interesting photo with things you don't see often. There's a trunnion band, breech band, sight, cleats, and elevation markings on the rear edge of the band.

[Cannoneer]

Jeff,
First of all, you are good, secondly, your observation is directly on the mark (which is why you're good). The braces on the carriage were "shaved" in order to accommodate the circumference of the band on the gun, because that carriage was not designed with these banded cannon in mind. This practice was not new to our CW, there are examples of older naval carriages where the same thing can be observed.

[The Jeff]

Thanks Cannoneer. There's so much to learn by looking at high resolution period photographs. I've got a copy of "The Big Guns" on the way so I can continue my addiction I mean research. 

[Cannoneer]

You're welcome, Jeff. You made an excellent choice when you decided on "The Big Guns."