From the same source.
Also on the USS Constitution, besides the 4 Chambers repeating guns was one 24-pdr. shifting grenade gun.
This apparently was a British weapon captured by the United States.
The gun was a Congreve "shifting grenade."
Sixty-six shifting grenade guns were found on the British brig "Stranger" enroute from England to Kingston, Jamaica where they were to be used in arming two new frigates being built there. The "Stranger" was captured by privateer "Fox" out of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
A prize crew took it to Salem, Massachusetts, in late September 1814 where they told the U.S. Navy about them.
Not much was known about them, but on February 20, 1815, Captain Stewart and the USS Constitution defeated the HMS Cyane and HMS Levant. Captain Fox of the Cyane wrote that he saw two of these guns on board the American ship.
Unfortunately, a quick look produced no other information on "shifting grenade" guns.
--Brock-Perry
2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
Battle of New Orleans.
Showing posts with label Stewart Charles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stewart Charles. Show all posts
Friday, August 19, 2016
The Armament of the USS Constitution Had Four Chambers Swivel Guns-- Part 3
On August 10, 1814, Captain Charles Stewart of the USS Constitution became aware of the experiments with the Chambers swivel guns and requested three or four of them. It is not known if they were delivered.
But later, twenty of Chambers' guns were sent to the newly completed frigate USS Guerriere. I could find no mention of these guns on this ship. Wikipedia lists its armament at thirty-two 24-pdrs and twenty 42-pdr. carronades.
It is believed that 114 Chambers swivel guns were made by 1814. Only two are known to exist today.
--Brock-Perry
But later, twenty of Chambers' guns were sent to the newly completed frigate USS Guerriere. I could find no mention of these guns on this ship. Wikipedia lists its armament at thirty-two 24-pdrs and twenty 42-pdr. carronades.
It is believed that 114 Chambers swivel guns were made by 1814. Only two are known to exist today.
--Brock-Perry
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
The Armament of the USS Constitution Had Four Chambers Repeating Guns-- Part 1
From "USS Constitution: All Sails Up and Flying" by Olof A. Ericson.
A Listing of the armament of the USS Constitution during the War of 1812.
Under the command of Captain Isaac Hull:
Thirty 24-pdr long guns on gun deck
Twenty-four 32-pdr. carronades on spar deck
One 18-pdr. bow chaser
Twelve 3-inch Howitzer swivel guns (4 in each top)
The Constitution's armament remained the same while commanded by Commodore Bainbridge.
When Captain Stewart assumed command on February 20, 1815, it had the same armament as well as four Chambers repeating guns.
--Brock-Perry
A Listing of the armament of the USS Constitution during the War of 1812.
Under the command of Captain Isaac Hull:
Thirty 24-pdr long guns on gun deck
Twenty-four 32-pdr. carronades on spar deck
One 18-pdr. bow chaser
Twelve 3-inch Howitzer swivel guns (4 in each top)
The Constitution's armament remained the same while commanded by Commodore Bainbridge.
When Captain Stewart assumed command on February 20, 1815, it had the same armament as well as four Chambers repeating guns.
--Brock-Perry
Thursday, May 2, 2013
The USS Constitution in Marblehead, Massachusetts
From Wikipedia
Yesterday, I mentioned the USS Constitution entering Marblehead Harbor and the guns of Fort Sewall protecting the ship from British pursuit. Here's a follow-up.
At the time, the Constitution was under the command of Captain Charles Stewart who took command of the ship in Boston in 1813 and made two cruises.
On the first, the ship sailed from Boston Decemeber 31st for the West Indies and captured five merchant ships and the 14-gun HMS Pictou. It chased the HMS Columbine and Pique, but both ships got away.
Off Bermuda, it was discovered that the mainmast had split and in need of immediate repair. The ship headed for Boston. On April 3rd, two British frigates, the HMS Junon and Tenedos sighted the Constitution and gave chase.
To gain speed, Stewart had the drinking water and food thrown overboard as he redirected the ship to Marblehead The very last item thrown overboard were the ship's spirits.
The citizens of Marblehead assembled what cannons they had at Fort Sewall and the British ships withdrew. Two weeks later, the Constitution made its way to Boston where it was blockaded for eight months.
Back on July 21, 1997, the USS Constitution sailed for the first time to Marblehead Harbor.
A Close-Call for the Constitution. --Brock-Perry
Yesterday, I mentioned the USS Constitution entering Marblehead Harbor and the guns of Fort Sewall protecting the ship from British pursuit. Here's a follow-up.
At the time, the Constitution was under the command of Captain Charles Stewart who took command of the ship in Boston in 1813 and made two cruises.
On the first, the ship sailed from Boston Decemeber 31st for the West Indies and captured five merchant ships and the 14-gun HMS Pictou. It chased the HMS Columbine and Pique, but both ships got away.
Off Bermuda, it was discovered that the mainmast had split and in need of immediate repair. The ship headed for Boston. On April 3rd, two British frigates, the HMS Junon and Tenedos sighted the Constitution and gave chase.
To gain speed, Stewart had the drinking water and food thrown overboard as he redirected the ship to Marblehead The very last item thrown overboard were the ship's spirits.
The citizens of Marblehead assembled what cannons they had at Fort Sewall and the British ships withdrew. Two weeks later, the Constitution made its way to Boston where it was blockaded for eight months.
Back on July 21, 1997, the USS Constitution sailed for the first time to Marblehead Harbor.
A Close-Call for the Constitution. --Brock-Perry
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