In 1859 the French launched “La Gloire”. This armoured warship was developed using knowledge gained during the “Crimean War” when it was found that “Roundshot” fired from smoothbore cannon would bounce off the sides of “Armoured Ships” and cause no damage. Her appearance rendered all of our coastal defence forts, and our wooden walled warships, obsolete overnight.
This sparked an arms race the like of which had never been seen before, and whose effect is carried on to this day. Although explosive shells had been available for smoothbore cannon for many years, they were still spherical and had minimal penetrative effect. A pointed, cylindrical projectile was required, along with a much higher velocity when fired.
The earliest, successful guns and projectiles that fitted this bill were those produced by Sir Thomas Armstrong in the 1860’s. The guns were “Rifled” and the projectiles were lead coated to allow the rifling to grip and rotate the shell thus giving it greater accuracy and range. The lead coating also sealed the gap between the shell and the bore thus minimising the amount of “Windage” or “Blowpast” of gases and ensuring that more of the energy from the gunpowder’s explosion went into driving the projectile.
Also, because it was now cylindrical, much greater weight of impact could be concentrated on its target than was possible with spherical shot. There was a drawback with “Armstrong” guns, however, in that the metal technology of the day was not quite up to the mark, and there were many instances of the breeches of these guns blowing out and killing and maiming the gun crew. Also the lead coating was prone to stripping off on firing and the shell would become unbalanced and fly off in unpredictable directions.
By the mid 1860’s guns reverted to being muzzle loaded. This was not the apparent retrograde step it first appeared. Gun manufacturing and casting techniques were better understood and weapons up to 17.25″ calibre could be made. Those around Plymouth ranged from a fairly small 2.5″ (7 & 9lb.) field gun up to 12″ or 13.5″ pieces. Most common size found is the 6″ (64lb) shell, but 9″ & 12″ are frequently seen as well.
These guns were rifled with 3 or 5 or more coarse grooves, the shells carried a series of Copper / Bronze studs which rode in the grooves to impart rotation to the shell on firing.
Because the shell had to be a fairly loose fit in the guns bore to allow it to be loaded, a large copper disc was first placed on top of the powder charge before the shell was loaded.
This “Obturator” or “Gas check” would be forced onto sharp radial ribs on the rear of the shell on firing and through this grip would spin the shell to stabilise it in flight. These can sometimes be found but are usually badly damaged.
Largest RML ever produced were the 17.25″ (100 ton) weapons that were emplaced on Malta and Gibraltar. Only example now existing is on Malta at Fort Rinella.
RML Guns continued in use until approx. 1895-1900. Many old and obsolete smooth bore cannon given a new lease of life by having a “Rifled liner” inserted and expanded into place by firing a heavy “proof” charge. These were called “Palliser Conversions” an example of which can be seen at Dartmouth.
By 1890’s technology allowed newer and better Breech Loading Guns to be manufactured. The shells for these guns were also fairly different in that instead of studs ( and the weakness they built into the shell body) they were fitted with a circular “Driving band” an inch or more up from the base of the shell. This again provided a gas seal and also provided the means to spin the shell in its passage up the guns barrel.
Roger Inglott says
A friend of mine found a couple of these guns in the sea just of Fort Ricasoli in Malta.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhQygzgbCZ8&feature=player_embedded
Tim Thornton says
Hi,
I am a collector,
do you have any RML shells you would either sell or swap?
TIm.
jon williams says
hi,
great webpage
I have a few recently dug RML shells for sale. 3 Armstrong lead coated. 10inch (length) and 9 inch and 5 brass studded rml hollow shells. 3 7 inch (length) and 2 9 inch. I also have a cannonball approx. 8 inch diameter, with fuse hole. Very heavy. All above could do with clean, RL can be seen on body and on brass studs as well as dates 1881 – 1886 etc. I have photos mob 0798414986 thanks jon
I live near Plymouth.
Phil says
Jon,
Very interested but your phone number is missing a digit.
Donald Bryant says
Re. the 100 ton gun: Surely there is also one in Napier of Magdala Battery on Gibraltar