Difference between revisions of "USS Princeton"
| Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
Four large guns were made for Princeton. The first was forged by the [[Mersey Steel and Iron Co]]. The second was designed by Commodore Robert. F. Stockton and made by the Hammersey Forge (see above). It exploded during demonstration firing, killing visitors and crew members. The third was a replacement for the above, made by [[Fawcett, Preston and Co]] with forgings by the Mersey Steel and Iron Co]]. This was never in service, and is preserved at Washington Navy Yard. A fourth gun was made of cast iron in the United States, but blew up after firing a few trial rounds.<ref>[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=dYZXtAhiA_0C&pg=PA70&lpg=PA70&dq=%22princeton%22+%22gun%22+%22mersey%22&source=bl&ots=334q6iF0Do&sig=ACfU3U3092jHiF1UPKbnjgWeWDIaGbP7ng&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjOqOTg37rmAhWGa8AKHYSWCGsQ6AEwAXoECAwQAQ#v=onepage&q=%22princeton%22%20%22gun%22%20%22mersey%22&f=false] 'The Iron Guns of Willard Park: Washington Navy Yard' | Four large guns were made for Princeton. The first was forged by the [[Mersey Steel and Iron Co]]. The second was designed by Commodore Robert. F. Stockton and made by the Hammersey Forge (see above). It exploded during demonstration firing, killing visitors and crew members. The third was a replacement for the above, made by [[Fawcett, Preston and Co]] with forgings by the Mersey Steel and Iron Co]]. This was never in service, and is preserved at Washington Navy Yard. A fourth gun was made of cast iron in the United States, but blew up after firing a few trial rounds.<ref>[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=dYZXtAhiA_0C&pg=PA70&lpg=PA70&dq=%22princeton%22+%22gun%22+%22mersey%22&source=bl&ots=334q6iF0Do&sig=ACfU3U3092jHiF1UPKbnjgWeWDIaGbP7ng&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjOqOTg37rmAhWGa8AKHYSWCGsQ6AEwAXoECAwQAQ#v=onepage&q=%22princeton%22%20%22gun%22%20%22mersey%22&f=false] 'The Iron Guns of Willard Park: Washington Navy Yard' | ||
by John C. Reilly</ref> | by John C. Reilly, Naval Historical Center, Washington, 1991</ref> | ||
Revision as of 19:24, 16 December 2019
1843 'The Largest Wrought Iron Gun in the World. — For the last two weeks L. B. Ward and Co. have been hammering out, at the Hammersley forge, at the foot of Fifty-ninth-street, North River, the largest gun, as it is said, that we have any record of. It is 14 feet long, three feet in diameter at the breach, and weighs 30,000 lbs. or 15 tons. It is made for government, and will be placed on board the Princeton steamer, Capt. Stockton, now at Philadelphia. This extraordinary gun is hammered out with a hammer weighing 15,000 lbs. The process of heating and hammering such an immense shaft is wonderful. The machinery for placing the gun in the furnace, of putting it on the anvil, of turning, cutting, and hammering, are so complete, that it is moved with a precision and facility truly astonishing. Cast-iron guns of this size, and larger, are frequently made, but no attempt, we believe, has ever before been made to make a gun of this size from wrought iron. It is calculated that the strength and power of this piece, when finished, will carry ball of one-third greater weight, and one-fourth increased distance, than the best cast-iron guns.— New York paper.'[1]
1845 'LARGE CANNON.- An immense cannon, intended for the American navy, is just being finished at the foundry of Messrs. Fawcett and Co., in this town. It is of malleable iron, of a superior quality, manufactured for the the purpose at the Mersey Iron works. The weight of metal previously to being bored was upwards of eleven tons, and the gun will be about eight tons when finished. The length is l3 feet, and bore 12 inches; outside diameter of the widest part 27 1/2 inches, the iron varying in thickness from 3 1/2 inches at the mouth to 7 3/4 inches at the opposite extremity. The exterior is beautifully finished, bearing a polish similar to engine work, which has cost considerable time and labour. This ponderous piece of ordnance will, on its completion, be placed on board the American frigate Princeton, which is expected here shortly to receive it, and mounted on the same carriage which supported the huge cannon that burst some time back, when several persons lost their lives. It is the largest ever made in this country, and will rank as one amongst many in other efforts of mechanical skill and ingenuity in iron work, which have emanated from Messrs. Fawcett and Co.'s establishmment. Before its delivery, the gun will be tested with a double charge of gunpowder, (45lbs.) and two balls, made for the purpose.'[2]
Four large guns were made for Princeton. The first was forged by the Mersey Steel and Iron Co. The second was designed by Commodore Robert. F. Stockton and made by the Hammersey Forge (see above). It exploded during demonstration firing, killing visitors and crew members. The third was a replacement for the above, made by Fawcett, Preston and Co with forgings by the Mersey Steel and Iron Co]]. This was never in service, and is preserved at Washington Navy Yard. A fourth gun was made of cast iron in the United States, but blew up after firing a few trial rounds.[3]