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The last major conflict in which the SBML took part was the American Civil War. American mortars were generally of the same size as British. Their smaller pieces included a 12-pr (4.62-in), a 24-pr (5.82-in), also called a 'Coehorn', in bronze, plus 8-, 10-, and 13-inch in cast iron. As expedients both sides made use of wooden mortars.
12-pr (4.62-in) wood mortar
An American Civil War expedient produced by Federal Forces. A similar mortar produced by the Confederates was not nearly so successful.
NB: The Germans employed wooden mortars during World War 1. |
Figure 9 |
Their smaller pieces fired at a fixed elevation of 45° as in the British practice while with the larger pieces elevation was adjustable as in Figure 10. An alternative method of laying a mortar was to fire the first shot at 45°. If it fell plus, reduce the range by increasing the elevation. If it fell minus at 45°, increase the charge.
American 13-inch (33-cm) mortar Model 1861
Weight: 17120 lbs
Charge: 20 lbs powder
Range: 4200 yards at 45° elevation
Projectile: Common shell
Role: Coast defence and Siege operations.
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Figure 10 |
The Americans adopted a 15-in 'stone mortar' in 1839 to throw baskets of stones, grenades, or small shells in an anti-personnel role, but from the liklihood of the last two projectiles bursting prematurely near the muzzle, concluded it was more dangerous to themselves than to the enemy, so discarded it in 1861!
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