USS Niagara Museum Live Fire Demonstration

I'm not sure how I stumbled on this YouTube video, but it certainly was educational and horrifying at the same time. I've not been to the Erie Maritime Museum, but I expect it's exhibits and artifacts are exceptional.

http://www.flagshipniagara.org/erie-...seum/exhibits/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfsuIaTU92Y

Thank you for posting this interesting video.

That is rough. Those decks must have been hell.

I think sometime it is easy to forget when playing wargames what actual participants went through.

Thanks for posting, Jim.

Interesting video. :shock:

Nice to see the devastating effect of those cannonballs!

It would be hell to stand on the receiving end :shock:

Something for _Mythbusters_: Re-create the sidewalls of a Humphreys Frigate, and a typical British frigate; then use compressed-air "cannons" to fire one broadside from each ship at its adversary....

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Originally Posted by csadn

Something for _Mythbusters_: Re-create the sidewalls of a Humphreys Frigate, and a typical British frigate; then use compressed-air "cannons" to fire one broadside from each ship at its adversary....

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They'll never do it - no myth, just fact. The American frigates were far superior to the British ones.:sly:

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Originally Posted by Coog

They'll never do it - no myth, just fact. The American frigates were far superior to the British ones.:sly:

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Oh, they would -- it's an opportunity to build something really big, then demolish it (well, half of it, anyway >;) ).

Great video...

I have to think on the opening broadside of HMS Sovereign at the battle of Trafalgar. :erk:

...Royal Sovereign had all sails out and, having recently had her bottom cleaned, outran the rest of the British fleet. As she approached the allied line, she came under fire from Fougueux, Indomptable, San Justo and San Leandro, before breaking the line just astern of Admiral Alava's flagship Santa Ana, into which she fired a devastating double-shotted raking broadside...

Outstanding video.
I guess somebody had to have a few pairs of tweezers for afterwards.

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Originally Posted by Comte de Brueys

I have to think on the opening broadside of HMS Sovereign at the battle of Trafalgar. :erk:

...Royal Sovereign had all sails out and, having recently had her bottom cleaned, outran the rest of the British fleet. As she approached the allied line, she came under fire from Fougueux, Indomptable, San Justo and San Leandro, before breaking the line just astern of Admiral Alava's flagship Santa Ana, into which she fired a devastating double-shotted raking broadside...

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Bloody busyness...

I just visited the Erie Maritime Museum yesterday when I happened to be in the area.
Didn't get to see the Niagara, unfortunately -- its berth was empty and it must have been out cruising the lake.
But I did see this damage display installation in person, and it really is remarkable. You see all the smashed holes from the big carronades, 12-pounders, and grape on this replica side of a ship, and it really shows how nasty those flying splinters must have been.
Now I REALLY want to see SoG do the Great Lakes fleets some day -- or see a mod that could adapt the game to these battles.