GDG- Cannon Fire

[Bob Coffman - Info From Data Corp.]

>sound / loudness (decibals) be the same between a demonstration today and
an actual firing of the cannon

I believe they typically use less gunpowder for demonstrations/reenactments.
I'm not sure if the noise that resulted was affected by having shells
loaded.

>How much would the cannon actually recoil?

They recoiled quite a bit, and were usually rolled back into place.  I am
aware of at least one exception to that, and that is "retiring by prolong"
where the piece could be fired as it retreated, dragged by the "prolongs" or
ropes tied to the back of the piece and attached to the limbers.  In this
case the recoil would assist in moving the piece in the direction it was
headed.  This was a drastic, last ditch type of maneuver.

- Bob Coffman





-----Original Message-----
From: gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com [mailto:gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com]
On Behalf Of The Mills
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 2:16 PM
To: GDG
Subject: GDG- Cannon Fire

Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:


Hello All:

I was wondering if anyone could give some descriptions of cannon fire for
the various cannons used at Gettysburg, and here is what I am wondering.  

When I see a cannon demonstration today at the park, they are obviously not
using live ammunition and I am wondering how different it really is from a
"real" firing of the gun as had been fired during the battle.

For instance:  are they using the same amount of gunpowder (same type, etc),
and would the sound / loudness (decibals) be the same between a
demonstration today and an actual firing of the cannon?  I assume the
cannons wouldn't simply remain stationary, that there would be some sort of
recoiling.  How much would the cannon actually recoil?  If they did, would
the gun crews then roll them back to their original locations, or just fire
them from where they stopped, so in essence, after say 10 - 15 shots, the
cannon might be 100 yards from their original deployment?  

Also:  how was it different for a smoothbore Napoleon vs. the rifled cannon?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks
Andy
 
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