Tompions?

[Mark F. Jenkins]

Photo of the (post-Civil War) U.S. Monitor Amphitrite:

What am I looking at here, projecting from the gun muzzles? Are those shells placed just within the muzzle for some reason, some sort of tompion I've never seen before, or something else?


ETA: I'm sorry, the caption reads 'Amphitrite-class monitor Miantonomoh.'

 

[DaveBrt]

Photo of the (post-Civil War) U.S. Monitor Amphitrite:

View attachment 95044

What am I looking at here, projecting from the gun muzzles? Are those shells placed just within the muzzle for some reason, some sort of tompion I've never seen before, or something else?

I blew it WAY up and they appear to be shells. There is no cover over the end of the barrels, like you would see on tampons.

 

[AndyHall]

Concur -- they look to be painted a gloss black, with the bright horizontal strip a reflection of the bright space between the awning and the deck opposite.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

Why would they have shells way down at the end of the muzzle like that?

 

[Talos]

I imagine those aren't live shells and are placed there for decoration. I'm wondering if they're tompions with shell-shaped ends too.

 

[AndyHall]

I wonder if that's actually Amphirite. Images of her show her turrets raised higher on barbettes above the deck:

However, by Conway's, her sister U.S.S. Terror did not have barbettes, but "pneumatically powered mountings" instead. I'm not sure what that means, but it does look like Terror is a better match for the ship in the OP. Note also the muzzles of the after turret:

And finally, one more -- taken from the bridge of U.S.S. Terror at sea, on passage between San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, in July 1898 during the Spanish War. Don't know if she terrorized the Spaniards, but I bet she gave her crew some anxious moments:

All images LoC.

 

[Talos]

Ah hah, good eyes, Andy. I think I see a certain something sticking out of those aft muzzles too...

 

[rebelatsea]

I blew it WAY up and they appear to be shells. There is no cover over the end of the barrels, like you would see on tampons.

I think you may want to re read that DaveBrt LOL.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

I wonder if that's actually Amphirite. Images of her show her turrets raised higher on barbettes above the deck:

You're quite right; I botched the caption. It actually reads 'Amphitrite-class monitor Miantonomoh." Oops. (Edit made to OP)

 

[AndyHall]

I didn't mean to stomp on your post, but as you know many images like that are mis-identified at the source (lookin' at you, LoC).

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

No, quite okay. I was moving too quickly for accuracy. Though the photo still puzzles me. Basically, if they're shells, why photo them like that? It's not as if they're in the process of loading; those are breechloaders. It's not an "action" shot. I'm also wondering what kind of a strain is being put on the mounting with those weights just sitting there all the way down the barrel... it's just a bizarre image.

 

[Carronade]

I imagine those aren't live shells and are placed there for decoration. I'm wondering if they're tompions with shell-shaped ends too.

My thought also, maybe a display of what the guns fire for visitors while in port. Might be wood, painted appropriately.

 

[rebelatsea]

My thought also, maybe a display of what the guns fire for visitors while in port. Might be wood, painted appropriately.

I think you are right, maybe this was taken when she was brand spanking new vessel prepared for showing off to visitors.