mast howies

[RocklockI]

Some time back there was an interesting thread on mast mounted howizers on the old sailing ships  .

i believe cannonmn posted a photo of a painting showing one in action .

my question is , does anyone know what "sort" of howizers would have been used ? Just a "field expediant" anything handy or were there dedicated mast howizers .

gary

[cannonmn]

If I recall correctly, Gilkerson makes the case that in the case of the US Navy they were King howitzers.

[RocklockI]

Thank You !

[navygunner]

Can't remember but I think Farragutt had 12 pounders mounted on the Hartford's mast as they passed the forts at Head of the Passes. (Jackson and Phillip) will have to recheck the orn's. It would have been easy to swing the boat howitzers on their boat carriages and placed them aloft.

geo

[navygunner]

The howitzers used in the fore and maintops of Faragutt's fleet were boat howitzers most likely heavy 12's. As the Admiral issued his orders all ships were to lash the boat howitzers for firing abeam as they passed the forts. (vol. 18, pg 48 West Gulf Blockading Squadron Fe.21, 1862-July 14.1862. ORN's. Later in the same volume pg 185 in the USS Brooklyn's after action reports the howitzer crews fighting in her tops were singled out for praise.

Geo Dailey
gunnersmate USNLP
(western waters)

[RocklockI]

Thanks NavyGunner