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#1 tripper

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Posted 15 October 2015 - 04:30 AM

Is there a minimum range at which It is not possible to to fire at a target on the up roll.

#2 Cpt M

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Posted 15 October 2015 - 09:21 PM

"Is there a minimum range at which It is not possible to to fire at a target on the up roll. "

 

There is no minimum range, per se.  Given the rolling of a ship (even in calm water) and the amount of elevation the guns are capable of , even at 25yds, the lower deck guns of a 1st or 2nd rate would be able to put rounds aloft.  As a house rule, you might consider anything less than 12.5 yds as minimum range for firing on the up roll for lower deck guns on a 3 decker (1st and 2nd rates).  I would not apply this to any other ships, however.



#3 HalC

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Posted 03 December 2016 - 09:34 PM

Is there a minimum range at which It is not possible to to fire at a target on the up roll.

 

One of the discussions I had on another board regarding ranges of engagement, I dug up information regarding the stats on the HMS VICTORY by looking at a drawn to scale drawing in the book (it was a fold out from the book) and then measuring it properly.  It would seem that a good rule of thumb (at least for Square rigged ships of the SOL class ships), was to double the breadth of the ship - as the length of the yardarm from the mast was about equal to the deck's width.  That being the case, assuming right angles for the sails, it would seem that yardarm to yardarm could be in the neighborhood of 50 yards.  Then take into account the angle of the yardarms with the wind, and the distances might be closer yet.

 

I have a question though.  I've a set of gunnery tables listing max range in yards, for a gun at a 6 degree elevation.  Does anyone know why this was used as a guideline?  Anyone interested in that information (Naval Guns) can find it in a book NELSON'S SHIPS by Peter Goodwin.  I'd recommend that book to anyone interested in the various ship classes, armaments, crewing, etc - as it lists quite a few ships that Admiral Nelson sailed upon in his career. 



#4 Cpt M

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Posted 05 December 2016 - 11:41 PM

" I've a set of gunnery tables listing max range in yards, for a gun at a 6 degree elevation.  Does anyone know why this was used as a guideline?"

 

No real idea as to why such an seemingly arbitrary elevation was chosen. The authors have the same tables (different source).  Their main use is mostly as a means of comparing the relative performance (to a degree.  The number of factors involved in gun performance in this period is substantial) of the various guns.  But it should be used carefully.  






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