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Thanks.Yes, the J&B Weld is drying in the offending hole.This Dahlgren Howitzer is mounted to the deck by a pin through plates attached to the deck. There were three pivot points arranged in an equilateral triangle on the deck. This was a very awkward arrangement. I've seen diagrams of later Dahlgrens that were mounted in the centre and rotated through 360 degrees by means of small metal wheels running of a circular track set into the deck.This arrangement was very awkward and took a lot of brute force and manpower to reload. Because it was muzzle loaded, the gun had to be turned around to be reloaded. The rear of the carriage was swung to either port or starboard attachment point. The front pin was removed and placed in one of these pivot points. Then the gun could be swung so that it turned 180 degrees. It could then be reloaded and the process reversed to return to firing position.Imagine doing this in close action! In an engagement, you probably had one shot and that was it. More about the actual firing of this howitzer in the attack on the Confederate C.S.S. Albermarie later.
Yes Dave,And we haven't even begun to put in the steam plant, ammunition, powder and shot, loading tools, 14 volunteers, captain, ten coal bunkers and much cordage for the spar torpedo!John
Dave the scale is 1:24, (1/2"=1 foot), so I would guess about 45 ft.John