1. Premature ignition:
3rd May 2010, accident happened while loading an Organ Cannon (6 short, 20inch lenght barrels). Gunner was standing in fron of muzzles and leaning over them while ramming home charges in each barrel separately.
On the 3rd or 4th barrel an ignition occured(propably leftovers from a previously fired paper cartridge). 3 barreles fired and the guy in question received a flash in his face from the vent holes he was leaning over. Additionally the muzzle flash ignited a few powder cartridges on his bandolier (musketeer's bandolier). No permanent injuries, only severe burns.
2. Premature Ignition:
2008, exact date unknown, young cannoneer was ramming home a charge while the residual cartridge from a previous charge caused the cannon (a quarter-culverin, big stuff) to fire - no wet swabbing was performed as in previous accident (the boy was a member of same group as the guy above). Boy was cast with his rammer several yards and had broken ribs was hospitalised due to severe burns for an extensive period
3. Powder Flask explosion:
This one is only partially related to a Cannon incident. It happened to an experienced Cannonner after an artillery battle between a ship and an on-shore Fort.
17th April 2011 - After the battle one of the cannoneers was standing and watching the ship depart as his powder flask, which he carried inside a leather bag on his left hip exploded.
The cause is unknown although the flask in question turned out to be made of steel coated in brass rather than made from brass as the producer stated - we suspect some spark made between an object in the gab and the flask itself (i was standinga few yards from the explosion and he was not smoking a cigar as some try to tell).
A part about 1" diameter and a few others of the said flask shot through the man's left forearm shattering both bones in multiple places. Man (a close friend of mine actually) still has his left forearm secured by an exoskeleton which they put him in it to help it heal
4. Premature Ignition:
7th of May 2011 Cannoneer was loading a Mortar during a 1st World War Event - the mortar barrel was not swabbed after previous shot and heat from the barrel ignited the powder while he was ramming it - in mortars we dont use cartridges so the powder was loose in the barrel. This event left the guy without the top part of his left hand's little finger
Most of this accidents which occur here in Poland are related to not wet swabbing after each shot...
i do it every time and people tell me i shouldnt because then i risk a misfire when the powder becomes wet...
I always use aluminum foil to make cartridges as it always burns down completely and even if not, it doesnt burn in the barrel after the shot, so powder cant get wet from the swabbing.
NEVER EVER would i put loose powder in a barrel (except a mortar where it cant be done other way) nor use paper for cartridges (no matter how historically inaccurate aluminum foil is)
Hope you find my insights informative
3rd May 2010, accident happened while loading an Organ Cannon (6 short, 20inch lenght barrels). Gunner was standing in fron of muzzles and leaning over them while ramming home charges in each barrel separately.
On the 3rd or 4th barrel an ignition occured(propably leftovers from a previously fired paper cartridge). 3 barreles fired and the guy in question received a flash in his face from the vent holes he was leaning over. Additionally the muzzle flash ignited a few powder cartridges on his bandolier (musketeer's bandolier). No permanent injuries, only severe burns.
2. Premature Ignition:
2008, exact date unknown, young cannoneer was ramming home a charge while the residual cartridge from a previous charge caused the cannon (a quarter-culverin, big stuff) to fire - no wet swabbing was performed as in previous accident (the boy was a member of same group as the guy above). Boy was cast with his rammer several yards and had broken ribs was hospitalised due to severe burns for an extensive period
3. Powder Flask explosion:
This one is only partially related to a Cannon incident. It happened to an experienced Cannonner after an artillery battle between a ship and an on-shore Fort.
17th April 2011 - After the battle one of the cannoneers was standing and watching the ship depart as his powder flask, which he carried inside a leather bag on his left hip exploded.
The cause is unknown although the flask in question turned out to be made of steel coated in brass rather than made from brass as the producer stated - we suspect some spark made between an object in the gab and the flask itself (i was standinga few yards from the explosion and he was not smoking a cigar as some try to tell).
A part about 1" diameter and a few others of the said flask shot through the man's left forearm shattering both bones in multiple places. Man (a close friend of mine actually) still has his left forearm secured by an exoskeleton which they put him in it to help it heal
4. Premature Ignition:
7th of May 2011 Cannoneer was loading a Mortar during a 1st World War Event - the mortar barrel was not swabbed after previous shot and heat from the barrel ignited the powder while he was ramming it - in mortars we dont use cartridges so the powder was loose in the barrel. This event left the guy without the top part of his left hand's little finger
Most of this accidents which occur here in Poland are related to not wet swabbing after each shot...
i do it every time and people tell me i shouldnt because then i risk a misfire when the powder becomes wet...
I always use aluminum foil to make cartridges as it always burns down completely and even if not, it doesnt burn in the barrel after the shot, so powder cant get wet from the swabbing.
NEVER EVER would i put loose powder in a barrel (except a mortar where it cant be done other way) nor use paper for cartridges (no matter how historically inaccurate aluminum foil is)
Hope you find my insights informative
