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Date | Original Topic | 27th May 2003 | Ammunition By Trevor Could anyone tell me what kind of ammunition the Artillary had at Islandlwana?
I am especially interested to find out if the cannons used canister against the attacking Zulu? | Date | Replies | 27th May 2003 | Adrian Whiting Trevor,
I believe the artillery carried shell (the fuse being adjustable to explode after a particular time had elapsed after firing) and case - effectively canister. Others may be able to assist with contemporary accounts of what the guns actually fired at the battle, but usually case would be a relatively short range type of ammunition.
I hope this assists. | 28th May 2003 | Trevor Adrian.
What I was wondering was. If the artillery had a kind of grape shot. As used for close quarter with the enemy. Such as in the Napoliaonic wars.
I just thought this kind of weapon would have decimated the Zulu's at close range.
I seem to remember the Boar Pioneers used this kind of weapon to great effect earlier on in the 19th Century. | 31st May 2003 | Adrian Whiting Trevor,
Case shot was pretty much what you have in mind.
At trials at Shoeburyness in 1867 the Gatling was trialled against a 9pdrArmstrong gun firing case. The Gatling achieved more hits on the target after the comparison than the Armstrong did (bearing in mind that the Gatling was firing case rounds itself). A further trial in 1870 eventually help lead to the Gatling's introduction into British service. The point here is that the artillery piece had a relatively low rate of fire. True, the artillery case shot was devastating at close range, but it then took effort to reload.
I think that the other issue at Isandlwana was one of the guns being outflanked, obviously the muzzle can only point one way !
Hope this helps !
Adrian | 2nd June 2003 | Trevor Point taken Adrian!
Thanks for the reply.
Trevor. |
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