Gun rigging

[ETNZ]

Hi all, I am just working my way through the planking on my 1/64 caldercraft Aggie. During the drying time, and I play putting the canon together. Can anyone tell me what size cord to use for the main breech rope?

[mtaylor]

For English ships, the breeching rope is the same size as the cannon bore.  And (I hope I'm recalling this right) 2 and 1/2 times the length of the bore.  Thus, when the gun is fully run in, there's about 18" to 2 feet between the muzzle and the the port cill.

[Ponto]

I realize space was always a premium aboard the vessels but I often wondered if the  2 feet or so was enough to take care of business between each fired round?

 

jp

[ETNZ]

Thanks guys. I guess in those days, the sailors were a far different stature to today's! Thanks for the descriptive info too bilge rat.

[popeye2sea]

That is a common misconception.  The average height of a human has not changed much in hundreds of years.  They just leaned out of the gun ports sometimes to service the guns.  Or they used thick rope for the handles of the sponge and rammer.  Made for a flexible handle that would bend around corners.

[Ponto]

"Leaning out of the gun ports".... during a skirmish????? ummm.... I think I'd prefer to man the tackle at back end of the cannon please......

 

 

jp

[mtaylor]

"Leaning out of the gun ports".... during a skirmish????? ummm.... I think I'd prefer to man the tackle at back end of the cannon please......

 

 

jp

 

They did.  There are also battles recorded where the gunners would reach across and take the other guys tools... fight each other with swords and pikes.  Sometimes they were that close together.

[Ponto]

LOL..........I suppose the "rookies" (don't know the seafaring equivalent?) were stuck with the business end of the cannons having to lean out the gun ports when called for.......nasty business that would be!!!

 

jp