Danish testfiring of cannons from 1864

thomas aagaard

Captain
Joined
Nov 19, 2013
Location
Denmark
As I mention in few other topics Denmark fought (and lost) a war against Prussia and Austria in 1864.
One succes was the navalbattle at Helgoland.
(http://www.milhist.dk/1864/helgoland/helgoland_uk.htm)

The steam frigate Jylland still exist as a museum.
With the help of the army they (and the museum at the Dybbøl battlefield) tested some different cannons today.

They used one of the original smothbore 30 pounders from the frigate.
For a target they made a copy of a part of the shipside.
It is 50cm thick made of oak. (the target had a total weight 3500kg)
So basically the ship was firing at itself.
Range 100m
Original rounds.

Look her for a short video.. (it is offcause in danish but you properly get the point)
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2014/03/25/121431.htm
I hope it works outside Denmark. If not say so, I will try find a way to copy it.

They used an artillery radar and highspeed cameras to get data on the shots.
(In the clip the mention velocity)

If the results gets published I will make sure to post some news.

They also tested two field pieces. They don't mention it in the news clip, but you can see a number of infantry targets, so I would guess that they tested canister also.


Expired Image Removed
 
Last edited:
A few details more about the firing of the 30pounder:
They first fired one blank shot with 1kg of powder.
The shirt shot with a round used 1½KG of powder.
The other shots used 3kg of powder. (the load used by the danish navy back then)
The rounds was original 30pond shot. They got "sandblowing" to remove rust, their averge weight was 14,9 kg or 14.9 ;-)
The test was done at 90m. (and not 100m as said in the TV coverage)

The fist round, that went high had a velocity of ca. 350 m/s
The round went about 2200m (according to the radar data)
(note Iamnot sure if this wat the shot that used 1,5kg of powder or 3kg)


A few picutes of the fireing of all the guns can be found here: (if you are on fb)
https://www.facebook.com/hokweb/photos/pcb.635076579878716/635076279878746/?type=1

Since some are not on Facebook: Here is the pictures:
Expired Image RemovedExpired Image Removed
Expired Image Removed

Expired Image RemovedExpired Image RemovedExpired Image RemovedExpired Image Removed
Expired Image RemovedExpired Image RemovedExpired Image Removed

Expired Image Removed
Expired Image Removed
 
Last edited:
Very nice. When I opened the first video, it plainly said "VIDEO - Kaboom !" Obviously, nothing was lost in translation. BTW--Sorry about 1864, my ancestors are from Prussia.
 
Really long fuse. On the up roll, lads! Ehh, on the next roll,boys!! ----Just shoot the darn thing!
 
Last edited:
Back
Top