Disabled CS Cannon

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

The damage done to the wheels was clearly done by incoming artillery projectiles, not by an explosion in the muzzle.

Perhaps.

As I said, I'm no expert.

But I would think incoming artillery would have done a lot more damage to the carriage wheels than breaking a couple of
wooden spokes and dislocating part of the wheel.

Original image:

 

[Biscoitos]

Perhaps.

As I said, I'm no expert.

But I would think incoming artillery would have done a lot more damage to the carriage wheels than breaking a few
wooden spokes.

The damage that is shown was done by solid shot or shells that did not explode.
Pure kinetic energy.

The damage done to the carriage wheels in this situation is very severe, in my opinion. But then again, the bombardment was very intense.
Only during extended sieges would this many projectiles strike in such a small area.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

The damage that is shown was done by solid shot or shells that did not explode.
Pure kinetic energy.

I'm honestly not trying to start an argument.

But if this "kinetic" energy of a sustained bombardment by solid shot only managed to break a few wooden wheel spokes,
I really can't believe the same (solid shot) would shatter an iron cannon tube ... even if a direct hit.

Put it out of action ? .... of course !

But in IMHO, not nearly the amount of damage as shown in the original photo of the exploded tube.

 

[7thWisconsin]

That kind of damage is consistent with the damage solid shot would do. Solid shot was intended for counterbattery fire, and Federal artillerymen were very skilled. You could inflict that kind of carriage damage with well-aimed fire. Cannon wheels are not like wagon wheels, although they look similar. They´re designed to carry a lot of weight, especially over uneven ground. Cannon recoil when fired, and that carriage won´t stand moving, so the gun is out of action even if the tube were still fireable (which this one clearly isn´t).

 

[Biscoitos]

I'm honestly not trying to start an argument.

But if this "kinetic" energy of a sustained bombardment by solid shot only managed to break a few wooden wheel spokes,
I really can't believe the same (solid shot) would shatter an iron cannon tube ... even if a direct hit.

Put it out of action ? .... of course !

But in IMHO, not nearly the amount of damage as shown in the original photo of the exploded tube.

The kinetic energy of shot that went through the wheels was not exhausted by passing through the "few wooden spokes". The wheels did not stop, but only
slowed the shot down. A solid shot delivers all its kinetic energy when it hits a truly solid object. Thus it can do more damage, as in knocking pieces off a cannon.
See my post and images of the tube with the trunnion knocked off.

If you wish to believe that this cannon was damaged by a shell which exploded in the muzzle, more power to you.

I have nothing else to say about your belief.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

the gun is out of action even if the tube were still fireable (which this one clearly isn´t).

Very true.

However, I still ask my original question,

Would a direct hit by a counter artillery battery do the same damage to an iron tube (solid shot or explosive) ?

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I have nothing else to say about your belief.

Thanks for your scientific explanation.

 

[7thWisconsin]

Very true.

However, I still ask my original question,

Would a direct hit by a counter artillery battery do the same damage to an iron tube (solid shot or explosive) ?

Actually, I think it would, but there are other factors to consider. I think this tube was destroyed by a direct hit from a very large caliber gun, and it would have inflicted similar damage on an iron tube.

 

[observator]

Thanks for posting this url
Photo # 31, on the 2nd page, titled "The Confederates had only field pieces with which to defend their works...battered guns...were mounted in the camp of Duryea's and Bainbridge's battery..." shows the gun pictured in the post that started this thread, but from a stereoscopic view.
The caption identifies it as one of the "battered guns."
Quite a few of the 68 post seige photos show Confederate artillery pieces damaged or dismounted by Union artillery.

Glad to be of help