The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-03-08
WHOLE NO., $50.
Columbiads, Mortars, Dahlgren Guns,
&c. &c.

&C., &c.
Inquiries are made as 10 the nature Of
the cannon called Columbiads. We End
the following description Of these formid-
able guns in an exchange 4
"a Columbiad is a heavy gun. capable
of projecting a solid shot or shell. with q
large charge OF powder, and at an angle !
OF projection from FIVE degrees below 10
thirty above the horizon; it may be said,
therefore, 10 combine the essenlial quati-
ties Of the gun, the howitzer and the
mortar, and it may be used in place Of
either one or the other Of these pieces in
sea.coast cannon. ..
AT present there are two sizes of CO.
Iumbiads in use in our service, viz : the
eight inch and the Ten inch. The former
weighs about 5000 lbs. the charge Of
powder 10 lbs, the solid shot 81 lbs, and
the shell 48 lbs. The latter weighs about
5000 lbs, the charge OF powder Is lbs.,
the solid shot l25 lbs, aud the shell 100
lbs. .- e.,
1t is understood that certain number
Of ten inch Columbads are mounted en-
! 6orbete, or upon the most elevated portion
! Of Fort Sumter as the extra range Of
these pieces is about three miles, an ex-
tent OF country abou; six miles in diameter
will be commanded by Them; this. how
ever, does not embrace the city Of Charles
ton, for that is understood 10 be about 81
miles from the Fort. Fort Moutrie being
only about mile distant, and being with
out easements 10 protect its garrison or ar
mameni, is subject to the direct fire from
the Coumbiads Of Fort Sumler."
The following explanations are taken
from the Scientific american
A mortar is very short cannon with q
large bore, some Of them thirteen inches
in diameter, for firing shells. Those in
use in oar army are set at an angle
Of As degrees, and the range Of the shell
is varied by altering the charge Of powder.
The shell is caused to explode at jus:
about the time that it strikes, by means
OF a fuse, the length Of which is adjusted
to the :ime OF fight TO be occupied by the
ball, which, Of course, corresponds with
the range. The accuracy with which
the time OF the burning of fuse can
be adjusted by varying its length, is sur
prising; good artillerisls generally sue-
ceeding in having their shells explode
! almost at the exact instant OF striking
In loading mortar, the shell is carefully
placed with the fuse directly forward ,and
when the piece is discharged. the shell is
SO completely enveloped with flame, that
the fuse is nearly always fred. The fuse
} is made by filing a wooden cylinder with
. Ease powder, the cylinder being Of sufi-
t cient length for the longest range, 10 be
cut down shorter for shorter ranges as
required.
A Dahlgren gun is an ordinary cannon.
/. except that il is made very thick at ,he
breech for some three or four feet, when
, it tapers down sharply to less than the
usual size. This form was adopted in
consequence ofthe experiments of Captain
Dablgren. of the U. s.. Navy, having
, shown that when gun bursts it usually
gives way at the breech. The Niagara
is armed with these guns, and at the
Brooklyn Navy Yard, there are sixty,
, weighing about 5000 pounds each, and
/ six of 1900 pounds weigh each, tho
n former Of which are capable Of carrying
/. nine inch, and the latter ten inch she'll
G distance Of two or three miles; and
9 there is one gun Of this pattern
! which weighs 1926 pounds, and is war
:. ranted 10 send an eleven inch shell fouI
4 miles
n A casecate is a stone roof 10 q for'
# made sufficiently thick to resist the force
= Of cannon balls, and casemate gun is
VI one which is placed under easemate.
y A barbette gun is one which is placed
Y on the top of the forIifcation.
g An embrasure is the hole or opening
= through which guns are fred from forti.
:, fcations.
t Loop holes are openings in walls.to drs
2 musketry through.