Sighting in a 32 pounder

[frontrank2]

A 32 pound gun on a truck carriage, on the deck of the USS Thomas Freeborn circa 1861.

 

[Booner]

It looks like if they fired that cannon it would shake that boat apart

 

[donna]

Great photo. Never seen before.

 

[Bonny Blue Flag]

There is a dog, facing the opposite direction, standing next to the last man in line.

--BBF

 

[AndyHall]

U.S.S. Thomas Freeborn, in a detail from an A. R. Waud illustration:

 

[frontrank2]

It looks like if they fired that cannon it would shake that boat apart

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

It looks like if they fired that cannon it would shake that boat apart

My first thought as well.

Even with the thick tackle, I can envision the first time that 32 pounder was fired . . . the recoil would tear down the bulwarks and send the gun overboard.

There is a dog, facing the opposite direction, standing next to the last man in line.
--BBF

Great eye !

 

[BlueGrayBlood]

There is a dog, facing the opposite direction, standing next to the last man in line.

--BBF

Observe the short figure next to the gentleman by the wheelhouse. Maybe a young 14 year old in sailor cap (a lid also referred to as a "pork pie") next to the captain in another style of "pork pie" hat or "boater" hat. The fellow sighting the gun also wearing similar style hat.

Great picture!

How did they balance the ship? Can't see a cannon on port.

Put all the barrels of beer in the forward hold, port-side compartment. Stand back !

 

[BlueGrayBlood]

U.S.S. Thomas Freeborn, in a detail from an A. R. Waud illustration:

View attachment 98334

The sketch shows a very low waterline. Lower than depicted gunnel in the engraving for the Mathias Point engagement.
The sketch also may indicate an aft gun. Another 32-pounder ?
The engraving may imply that they are firing off the port. Maybe they would swing the trucks to fire off either side, starboard or port.

Shift the beer barrels !

 

[BlueGrayBlood]

The sketch shows a very low waterline. Lower than depicted gunnel in the engraving for the Mathias Point engagement.
The sketch also may indicate an aft gun. Another 32-pounder ?
The engraving may imply that they are firing off the port. Maybe they would swing the trucks to fire off either side, starboard or port.

Shift the beer barrels !

Scrolled down the wiki link
and there it was all along

Armament: two 32-pounder guns