Jobe Holiday
Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2010
- Location
- The Perpetually Frozen North
In a previous thread "Donna" posted:
"Lady Polk". Episcopal bishop and Confederate General Leonidas Polk was gratified that his men had named a 10-inch Dahlgren in honor of his wife, Frances. The rifled piece required a specially trained nine-man gun crew. It was first fired during the November 7, 1861, battle of Belmont, Missouri, in which the gunners noted the accuracy of the weapon. Its projectiles were enormous, and some referred to them as "iron gateposts". When the Federals withdrew, the fully loaded "Lady Polk" was left in place. A few days later, Polk arrived and asked to see the gun. He was warned that since the loaded cannon had cooled with a charge primed to fire, there was a danger the weapon would explode if it was fired again. Nevertheless, the order was given, and the huge cannon burst, killing ten of the thirteen men in the gun crew as well as observers. Polk was knocked to the ground and his horse was killed."
Does anyone have any thoughts, or information, as to why there would be any difference between firing the gun cold with the first shot, and firing it after it has set loaded and become cold again?
Jobe
"Lady Polk". Episcopal bishop and Confederate General Leonidas Polk was gratified that his men had named a 10-inch Dahlgren in honor of his wife, Frances. The rifled piece required a specially trained nine-man gun crew. It was first fired during the November 7, 1861, battle of Belmont, Missouri, in which the gunners noted the accuracy of the weapon. Its projectiles were enormous, and some referred to them as "iron gateposts". When the Federals withdrew, the fully loaded "Lady Polk" was left in place. A few days later, Polk arrived and asked to see the gun. He was warned that since the loaded cannon had cooled with a charge primed to fire, there was a danger the weapon would explode if it was fired again. Nevertheless, the order was given, and the huge cannon burst, killing ten of the thirteen men in the gun crew as well as observers. Polk was knocked to the ground and his horse was killed."
Does anyone have any thoughts, or information, as to why there would be any difference between firing the gun cold with the first shot, and firing it after it has set loaded and become cold again?
Jobe