Canon Port Covers/Lids

[acaron41120]

When the canon is not run out and the port covers/lids are closed, did the fit flush with the hull or overlap the canon port? 

[Snug Harbor Johnny]

  For wooden ships, that would be flush in most cases from what I've seen.

[Fritzlindsay]

The port is framed by hull frames on the sides and sills on top and bottom.  There are three thin (1"-1.5" thick) linings/stops on the sides and on top of the lower sill that are recessed so the outer layer of planking on the lid winds up flush with the surrounding planking, be it wales, or other planks.  The lids had an inner layer with planks running vertically and the outboard layer ran horizontally to match the hull planking. Unlike many build logs, there was no lining on the bottom of the upper sill.  Studying contemporary models confirms this.   Drawing below probably is a better description than words.

Fritz

From Euryalus Volume II page 8

 Preble Hall contemporary models

Edited February 27 by Fritzlindsay

[acaron41120]

Fritzlindsay, thanks for the explanation, illustrations and photos. That answered by question perfectly!

 

[dafi]

The lids were smooth with the planking, but I observed different handling on applications complementing the whales:

- Sometimes there was an application applied onto the lid complementing the line of the whale. These ones I suppose were to be nailed-on features and not thicker planking per se as the whales were.

- Sometimes the lid cuts a whale without an application, leaving a "gap".

I never found the time to research if these two versions were favoured to special eras or if there is a rule/pattern to be seen, to decide whitch one was more probable of a certain ship. Are there any observations/facts known?

 

And another question that often rages on and that fits here nicely:

Was there a stop on the lid too?
Some older models like the Prince show a stop also on the lid, nailed on as the second layer, also the Vasa has them.

But later on this feature is seldom shown in models. The Bellona Modell is one of the few ones.

The battle rages as some say, it needs this stop on the lid unconditionally to really make sure that the lid can be closed watertight, as the two profiles join together in a way that a fast "caulking" can be done to seal it off.

 

Others say, it is no problem to seal it watertight even if the stop on the lid is missing, also the fitting of the lid is easier or less danger of that it gets stuck due to warping or the hinges  getting worn.

 

Is the any more knowledge about this matter? Was the stop a common feature that was only omitted in most of the models?

 

All the best, DAniel

 

Edited March 5 by dafi

[dafi]

PS:

Just noticed after uploading:

Also to my previous personal understanding there there should not have been a stop on the upper sill as mentioned above.

 

But it seems Belona´s model shows them. And a quick look at the pictures I took from Vasa shows them too. Too be honest I would expect one there as for sealing the lid off as this area needs some greater tolerance/space as for easy fitting of the hinges, no stop would leave a bigger gap there.

The only contemporary source of an actual fitted gunport is the one of Colossus.
original Source, not available any more: http://www.cismas.org.uk/downloads.php

original Source, not available any more: http://www.cismas.org.uk/docs/Colossus Monitoring and Investigation Report.pdf

Page 32 ff especially page 35

The stop beam below the inside of the port is particularly interesting. Attention: Image is upside down.

 

 

Also interesting is the position of the scupper, which does not seem to follow the rhythm of the ports.

There are two parallel ledges on the left and right in the lower area of the gate: possibly to insert a half-height splash guard

Above the gate are two things that could possibly indicate the two eyebolts for lashing in marching position. Above the port there is also a worn semi-circular surface against which the guns were braced.

XXXDAn

 

Edited March 5 by dafi