Rock Mortars

[Grey Havoc]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3F2odr2MsQ


From the comments thread:

A Barratt​

1 year ago
There's a rock mortar in Gibraltar, dating to Napoleonic war times. Literally a large diameter hole drilled into the rock, with the idea of firing large shells at Spanish ships in the bay. It wasn't successful, but the bang was probably quite exciting!

By any chance does anybody have pictures of this, or other attempts to weaponise the rock cannon concept?

 

[Firefinder]

Do know of a similar concept which involves digging a hole.

Put a explosive charge at the bottom.

And full the hole with what ever is around.

Rocks, scrap, naplam...

And when the enemy is in range, set it off but either command or tripwire. The explosive charge will basically toss what ever is in the hole out a few hundard meters.

Was mainly used for defensive purposes.

Forgot what it was called...

Want to say foogass? fumegass?

Saw it on the old Military Channel years ago...

Edit: of course I find it right after I post...

Fougasse (weapon) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[riggerrob]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3F2odr2MsQ


From the comments thread:

A Barratt​

1 year ago
There's a rock mortar in Gibraltar, dating to Napoleonic war times. Literally a large diameter hole drilled into the rock, with the idea of firing large shells at Spanish ships in the bay. It wasn't successful, but the bang was probably quite exciting!

By any chance does anybody have pictures of this, or other attempts to weaponise the rock cannon concept?

Few things are more dangerous than drunken miners with too much to explosives, too much time on their hands and too much alcohol.
Hah!
Hah!