“USS
Constitution”
Old Iron Sides
The USS Constitution was one of the 6 frigates ordered built by an Act
of Congress. They became the first
fleet of the United States Navy.
The name "Old Iron Sides" was coined for the USS Constitution
during a battle of the war of 1812, when British soldiers saw their shells
"bouncing" off the side of the ship at close range.
The USS Constitution was launched in 1797 (just over two hundred years
ago), after being approved by Congress, and a letter from George Washington who
named her. Over 1500 trees were used from Maine to Georgia.
Paul Revere provided copper fastenings. Her cannons were made in Rhode
Island. She carried as many as 54. The USS Constitution sailed around the world,
and survived 42 battles, also seeing action in Europe, and South America. In
1854 she patrolled the West African coast looking for slave traders. During the
Civil War she acted as a training ship. After
being in dry dock, and having under gone many repairs, she sailed again after
116 years on July 21, 1997. The
Constitution (Old Iron Sides) is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the
United States.
Although
your cannon can fire small cannon balls, we don't encourage it due to
safety issues. However if you want
to fire it, please follow these directions.
1.
The cannon must be un-mounted from the wood display base.
Unhook the rope at both tie downs, and tilt the cannon upward to release
it from the rear hook.
2.
Insert a 2.5-inch fuse into the "vent" hole, bending it to a
right angle.
3.
Pour 20 grains of fg (1fg) or ffg (2fg) Black Powder into the
barrel. This is about one scoop of the measurer.
Do not overload the cannon!
It is imperative to use only real black powder!
Do not use smokeless powder or the "stuff" inside fireworks!
4.
Form a small round ball out of dry tissue paper to use as wading.
Insert this into the barrel and using the ramrod, push the tissue wad and
powder to the rear of the barrel.
5.
If desired, insert a .30 caliber ball into the barrel (No.1 buckshot is
.30 inches) let it roll back to the
wading. Always point the cannon
away from you and others during loading and firing!
The balls on the wooden plaque are for decoration only.
Never "double load" a cannon! (Only one
powder charge and one ball)
6.
Point the cannon away from people, buildings etc.
Before lighting the fuse, insure that no one is in front or will be
in front of the cannon when it goes off!
7.
Light the fuse and retreat. The
cannon will move back due to recoil!
8.
Clean the cannon and oil inside and out after firing.
Treat the cannon with more respect than a loaded gun
You don't know where the first shot
will go!
Cannon-Mania, LLC ~ Stratford, CT