FIRING THE SALUTE ON THE USS CONSTITUTION

[230RN]

FIRING THE SALUTE ON THE USS CONSTITUTION

https://youtu.be/O3qslTxVnfQ

This was kind of disappointing, but not unexpected.

[K Frame]

WTF? Sounds like a cap gun.

[WLJ]

WTF? Sounds like a cap gun.

Looking at what they're loading basically that's all they are.

[230RN]

Guessing at it, I'd figure 10-12 grams of blank powder and the rest talcum powder.

Looking at videos of the salutes from across the bay, I half-wondered how come they seemed to be loading from the breech, but then let it pass.  I could understand lack of recoil, since they were obviously not real loads, but like I said, my mind went on to other things.

[BobR]

I wonder if any of them are Gunner Mates? All of the noise goes out the other end, yea, that's it,out the other end.

bob

[zxcvbob]

I wonder if any of them are Gunner Mates? All of the noise goes out the other end, yea, that's it,out the other end.

bob

That probably is part of it.  What are those guns anyway?  (Originally 24-pounders, I think) The barrels don't look original and that's an awfully small breech; they must be modified to *only* shoot blanks    Maybe from Hotchkiss mountain gun cartridges.

[230RN]

Here ya go:

https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/uss-constitution-original-guns/

Actually black powder, acc to this link.

[HankB]

Here ya go:

https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/uss-constitution-original-guns/

Actually black powder, acc to this link.

From reading that link, nobody knew what the hell they were doing. Or worse, they didn't care.

[zxcvbob]

Here ya go:

https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/uss-constitution-original-guns/

Actually black powder, acc to this link.

I was close with the Hotchkiss; those were 42mm and the Constitution has 40mms.  Still seemed like mighty weak loads, though :(  Hopefully they were louder outside the ship.

[WLJ]

Maybe we'll learn more here.
Haven't watched it yet but I figured it was as good a place as any to drop it

Drach visits the USS Constitution

USS Constitution - The 2022 America Tour!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTsdaQBJONg

Edit: I skipped around to see and it's toward the end. Those charges are a little bit more impressive from the outside. They even let Drach fire one.
Edit Edit: Info on the gun and charge starting at 44:50

[WLJ]

40:53 Drach just couldn't help himself and managed to get a shot in at Adm Beatty 

[MechAg94]

I caught that video this morning.  Sounded pretty loud to me, but I didn't expect them to use full power shots. 

The different types of ammunition was interesting.  I don't think I have seen a couple of those.

[WLJ]

Info on the gun and charge starting at 44:50