tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406619839841800067.post7648602811498120498..comments2024-03-28T00:14:47.581-07:00Comments on Dawlish Chronicles : Nelson's Ship Smasher - the 32 PounderAntoine Vannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00490972848447907013noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406619839841800067.post-50067586406840099542021-10-16T02:50:05.972-07:002021-10-16T02:50:05.972-07:00Great article if anyone wants to get a feel of jus...Great article if anyone wants to get a feel of just how big these guns were please see the below link. <br />https://youtu.be/KVBJd6HUp9ARob Machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01317189434585679439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406619839841800067.post-88563472439335091092016-12-24T03:53:33.298-08:002016-12-24T03:53:33.298-08:00Many thanks Thomas - I'm very pleased that you...Many thanks Thomas - I'm very pleased that you enjoyed it. Feedback like yours keeps me researching and tapping the keyboard.<br /><br />Best Wishes to you and yours for Christmas and New Year: AntoineAntoine Vannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00490972848447907013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406619839841800067.post-76365813795895901792016-12-17T20:46:25.921-08:002016-12-17T20:46:25.921-08:00Thank you for a marvelous article. I had no idea o...Thank you for a marvelous article. I had no idea of the complexity required to load and fire a 32 pounder. The enormous manpower is unimaginable. Hell would have been a welcome relief in the minds of some, I'd imagine. Your writing has made their lives heroic.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14159885750232059439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406619839841800067.post-78070343080704314592016-11-13T09:38:21.141-08:002016-11-13T09:38:21.141-08:00I've no details on that but I imagine that it ...I've no details on that but I imagine that it slowed down very considerably, due not only to casualties but exhaustion, thirst, reduced visibility within the ship, breathing problems etc. A glimpse of Hell! I suspect that broadsides were much more ragged after the first three or four.Antoine Vannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00490972848447907013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406619839841800067.post-15855179199595854092016-11-12T09:45:25.322-08:002016-11-12T09:45:25.322-08:00From what I understand the RN managed a higher rat...From what I understand the RN managed a higher rate of firethan enemy ships and concentrated on firing into the hull to maximise casualties. In a long engagement I assume that the rate of fire would slow down as gun crews became tired and suffered caualties. Do you know how many rounds a gun crew could manage in an hour?Stephen Barkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03076287980465633357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406619839841800067.post-3800772569461332782016-11-11T15:26:00.900-08:002016-11-11T15:26:00.900-08:00I agree, John. It was the ability to choose exactl...I agree, John. It was the ability to choose exactly the right moment to fire on the roll that always impressed me. All the more so since there was a slight delay - which probably wasn't consistent, between pulling the firing lanyard and the main charge igniting.Antoine Vannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00490972848447907013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406619839841800067.post-35630459103068477012016-11-11T13:18:10.079-08:002016-11-11T13:18:10.079-08:00Another excellent article Antoine.
With my own mar...Another excellent article Antoine.<br />With my own marine background, and family history I find it fascinating.<br />When you take into account the movement of the ship due to sea and swell, they performed wonders. I think their advantage was increased by their practice of "live firing" and actually using powder and ball.<br /><br />Cheers!<br />John JacksonJohn Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02095349741824511293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406619839841800067.post-70065834935944644852014-11-19T07:57:48.345-08:002014-11-19T07:57:48.345-08:00Ryys: I suspect that you're spot on as regards...Ryys: I suspect that you're spot on as regards raking fire. I imagine that RN training was so relentless that the guns could be shifted - and manned - rapidly on any bearing.And considering the often poor morale and training of the French and teh earlier, often literal, decapitation of experienced officers, I suspect that A British ship could almost always get in its first broadside obliquely, before swinging weapons around to bear on the beam once distance had closed. Antoine Vannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00490972848447907013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406619839841800067.post-10576665048062967362014-11-18T10:26:53.551-08:002014-11-18T10:26:53.551-08:00A very good description, particularly of the layin...A very good description, particularly of the laying of the guns. I have to wonder if a big gun laid to its extremity as two ships were coming to broadside ever took out its opposite number on the opposing ship such that the lead 32 pounder would smash the aftmost 32 pounder opposite. The British crews were purportedly more adept and better trained at using the full sweep of their guns, allowing a more destructive "drive-by" than were generally the French and certainly the Spanish. Raking shot could therefore cause considerable mayhem before actual "broadsides" in the Hollywood sense were exchanged.Rhyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00598445145507204424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406619839841800067.post-19944723541444628262014-11-16T12:30:16.595-08:002014-11-16T12:30:16.595-08:00Dear Lucy:
Well worth a detour to Portsmouth when...Dear Lucy:<br /><br />Well worth a detour to Portsmouth when you visit the UK. HMS Warrior, close to her, is also beautifully restored.<br /><br />Best Wishes: AntoineAntoine Vannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00490972848447907013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406619839841800067.post-8413912699581456582014-11-16T12:28:44.673-08:002014-11-16T12:28:44.673-08:00Richard:
I guess this is and excellent suggestio...Richard: <br /><br />I guess this is and excellent suggestion for a future blog!<br /><br />Regards: AntoineAntoine Vannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00490972848447907013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406619839841800067.post-22995330955187928392014-11-14T21:38:42.487-08:002014-11-14T21:38:42.487-08:00Excellent article, and great photos. It is my drea...Excellent article, and great photos. It is my dream to see the Victory some day!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10717760956959685592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406619839841800067.post-73111180228800024382014-11-14T17:27:56.110-08:002014-11-14T17:27:56.110-08:00Now you have to execute crossing the TNow you have to execute crossing the TSkyejamiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00627942546563677089noreply@blogger.com