Re: Killdeer

Posted by Mike Zeares on December 20, 1997 at 20:29:32:

In Reply to: Re: Killdeer posted by Bill Rooks on December 20, 1997 at 14:57:22:

: Jo,

: I am sure there are some who can tell me if I am wrong or right
: with perhaps more authority than myself, but I am sure regarding the cannons and sheepskins...it was a safety issue. Closing air off the vents while they swabbed and then rammed fresh powder
: down the bore. That way, any live sparks attached to bits of
: cloth, paper whatever from the last firing would not ignite the
: next charge prematurely. I have not been a cannoneer when
: reenacting, but believe one of the commands given during the
: loading process of cannons is "stop your vents" i.e. block them
: off to exlude air. The compression of the rammer and charge
: going down the bore with a live spark still down there would act
: like a bellows in a forge and ignite that sucker white hot!!
: So "stop the vent" and keep that from happening. Anybody have
: a better idea?

: Bill Rooks

No, you've got it on the nose. This was such an important thing that gunners would use their thumbs to stop the touch hole if they had to. I assume that re-enactors don't try for this level of authenticity. :-)

Mike

Follow Ups:

• Not much action tonight is there? Bill Rooks 22:00:47 12/20/97 (2)
  • Re: Not much action tonight is there? Chris 18:33:19 12/21/97 (1)
    • Re: Not much action tonight is there? Bill Rooks 19:00:15 12/21/97 (0)

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Comments:
: : Jo,

: : I am sure there are some who can tell me if I am wrong or right
: : with perhaps more authority than myself, but I am sure regarding the cannons and sheepskins...it was a safety issue.  Closing air off the vents while they swabbed and then rammed fresh powder
: : down the bore.  That way, any live sparks attached to bits of
: : cloth, paper whatever from the last firing would not ignite the
: : next charge prematurely.  I have not been a cannoneer when
: : reenacting, but believe one of the commands given during the
: : loading process of cannons is "stop your vents" i.e. block them
: : off to exlude air.  The compression of the rammer and charge
: : going down the bore with a live spark still down there would act
: : like a bellows in a forge and ignite that sucker white hot!!
: : So "stop the vent" and keep that from happening.  Anybody have
: : a better idea?

: : Bill Rooks

: No, you've got it on the nose.  This was such an important thing that gunners would use their thumbs to stop the touch hole if they had to.  I assume that re-enactors don't try for this level of authenticity. :-)

: Mike


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