Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
Instruments of Death
Here in the UK, the TV channel "Yesterday" is showing a history series named "Instruments of Death". The programmes are centred around individual battles, the weapons that were used and the wounds they inflicted.
I watched the first programme, about the English Civil War battle of Naseby. The presenter talked about and demonstrated matchlock and doglock muskets, pikes, mortars and buff coat protection. This was very interesting for me because this is not a period I follow.
The next two programmes are about Towton (War of the Roses - another English civil war) and Hastings. I shall watch them with interest, particularly as Towton is only 10 miles from where I live. The Yesterday website does not have details of the remaining three programmes. If you can I recommend you watch the programmes.
I watched the first programme, about the English Civil War battle of Naseby. The presenter talked about and demonstrated matchlock and doglock muskets, pikes, mortars and buff coat protection. This was very interesting for me because this is not a period I follow.
The next two programmes are about Towton (War of the Roses - another English civil war) and Hastings. I shall watch them with interest, particularly as Towton is only 10 miles from where I live. The Yesterday website does not have details of the remaining three programmes. If you can I recommend you watch the programmes.
Monday, 12 November 2012
Friday, 9 November 2012
Fort Nelson - French Artillery
Fort Nelson is home to the Royal Armouries' collection of artillery. There are two pieces of French artillery, captured in action by British forces.
This is a bronze 6 pounder field gun, made in 1813, named L'Avocat.
It fired a 2.7kgs projectile to around 550m.
This is a 75mm QF Schneider-Creusot field gun, made in 1895 and was captured in Southern Africa during the Boer War.
It fired a 6.6kgs shell to around 8km and fired 8 - 10 shells per minute.
This is a bronze 6 pounder field gun, made in 1813, named L'Avocat.
It fired a 2.7kgs projectile to around 550m.
It fired a 6.6kgs shell to around 8km and fired 8 - 10 shells per minute.
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Visit to Fort Nelson
Following on from my last post, here is a map showing Portsmouth and the location of the ring of forts built in the 1860's.
Fort Nelson is on the Northern edge on the line that reads
Fort Wallington - Fort Nelson - Fort Southwick - Fort Widley - Fort Purbrook - Farlington Redoubt.
The forts are named after the nearest village, except for Fort Nelson, that is named after the nearby Nelson monument.
The map is copied from"Fortress - A History of Military Defence" by Ian V. Hogg, published 1975, the year I bought the book.
Fort Nelson is on the Northern edge on the line that reads
Fort Wallington - Fort Nelson - Fort Southwick - Fort Widley - Fort Purbrook - Farlington Redoubt.
The forts are named after the nearest village, except for Fort Nelson, that is named after the nearby Nelson monument.
Fortress Visit Report No.4, Fort Nelson
Visit to Fort Nelson, near Portsmouth, England.
October 2012
During the later 1850's the UK government became aware of developments within Emperor Napoleon III's France. Their concerns were around the development of Cherbourg, only 130 km from Portsmouth, the development of the new steam powered armoured warships and the increasing range and power of artillery. A Royal Commission recommended the building of new defences around strategic ports at a suitable distance to counter these developments in armaments. Collectively these forts are known as Palmerston's Forts.
Parliament voted a huge budget for the forts. Design and sighting work was completed in 1859 and 1860 by Royal Engineers. Construction was carried out by civilian contractors during the 1860's. However, during this period it became clear that Napoleon III was not looking to attack UK. France suffered two major defeats, first in Mexico then in the Franco Prussian War of 1870-71, this latter leading to Napoleon III's downfall. The forts became known as Palmerston's Follies.
Fort Nelson was used by the military until the 1970's. Hampshire County Council bought the site in 1979 and some conservation work was completed. In 1995, Fort Nelson opened as the Royal Armouries museum of artillery. A lot of time and money has been spent to convert the site to modern museum standards. During 2011 new facilities and display areas were opened to the public.
Fort Nelson is named after this monument to Lord Nelson, erected in 1807, following his victory and death at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Fort Nelson is around 500 metres from here.
Fort Nelson is of a polygonal design with open cannon position on a parapet surrounding a large terreplein.
The main entrance, with new door.
Defence for the main entrance was this double height caponnier, with cannon and musketry ports.
Additional exhibition space has been created by infilling with steel and glass. This allows good display height and members of the public can get close contact with the artillery pieces. In the front is a British 3.7inch anti-aircraft gun. Behind is a German 88mm anti-aircraft gun.
In a separate gallery, this 32pounder gun is installed in the main caponnier. It was planned to use such pieces as flank guard gun, firing caseshot.
At 15.00hrs every day, this 25pounder WW2 cannon is fired.
Unfortunately, my camera batteries ran out, so another visit is required. On the north side of the fort there are good local defence works, such as another caponnier and a mortar battery, another visit and report will cover those.
October 2012
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| These two pictures are copied from the Fort Nelson Souvenir Booklet |
During the later 1850's the UK government became aware of developments within Emperor Napoleon III's France. Their concerns were around the development of Cherbourg, only 130 km from Portsmouth, the development of the new steam powered armoured warships and the increasing range and power of artillery. A Royal Commission recommended the building of new defences around strategic ports at a suitable distance to counter these developments in armaments. Collectively these forts are known as Palmerston's Forts.
Parliament voted a huge budget for the forts. Design and sighting work was completed in 1859 and 1860 by Royal Engineers. Construction was carried out by civilian contractors during the 1860's. However, during this period it became clear that Napoleon III was not looking to attack UK. France suffered two major defeats, first in Mexico then in the Franco Prussian War of 1870-71, this latter leading to Napoleon III's downfall. The forts became known as Palmerston's Follies.
Fort Nelson was used by the military until the 1970's. Hampshire County Council bought the site in 1979 and some conservation work was completed. In 1995, Fort Nelson opened as the Royal Armouries museum of artillery. A lot of time and money has been spent to convert the site to modern museum standards. During 2011 new facilities and display areas were opened to the public.
Fort Nelson is named after this monument to Lord Nelson, erected in 1807, following his victory and death at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Fort Nelson is around 500 metres from here.
Fort Nelson is of a polygonal design with open cannon position on a parapet surrounding a large terreplein.
 |
| Haxo casemates. |
The artillery positions on the flanks are open to enfilading fire so are in Haxo casemates.
The main entrance, with new door.
Defence for the main entrance was this double height caponnier, with cannon and musketry ports.
Additional exhibition space has been created by infilling with steel and glass. This allows good display height and members of the public can get close contact with the artillery pieces. In the front is a British 3.7inch anti-aircraft gun. Behind is a German 88mm anti-aircraft gun.
In a separate gallery, this 32pounder gun is installed in the main caponnier. It was planned to use such pieces as flank guard gun, firing caseshot.
At 15.00hrs every day, this 25pounder WW2 cannon is fired.
Unfortunately, my camera batteries ran out, so another visit is required. On the north side of the fort there are good local defence works, such as another caponnier and a mortar battery, another visit and report will cover those.
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Mallet's Mortar
Recently I visited Fort Nelson, just outside Portsmouth, England and saw this monster.
This is one of two Mallet's Mortars, built but never fired in anger in the 1850's. It stands over 2 metres tall. Built in parts for easy transportation, it fired a shell weighing 1000 - 1300 kg over a distance of 2500 metres. This example was never fired.
This is one of two Mallet's Mortars, built but never fired in anger in the 1850's. It stands over 2 metres tall. Built in parts for easy transportation, it fired a shell weighing 1000 - 1300 kg over a distance of 2500 metres. This example was never fired.
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