2-970-024 - /Heritage Images

Large Mortar, cast at the Vauxhall Foundry, Liverpool, 1856. 'This immense mortar was cast at the works of Messrs. George Forrester and Co...The rough casting weighed about thirty tons; having had a head cast on it the same length as the finished mortar. The metal is entirely of charcoal iron, from the Acadian Company's mines, near Nova Scotia. It is a very pure and strong metal, showing in analysis very little, if any, sulphur...The shells...weigh, uncharged, rather more than 5 cwt. each; and it is expected that with a full charge, or about 40 lb. weight of powder, the range will exceed 7000 yards...The diameter of this monster mortar is 18 inches in the bore, by 5 ft. 8 in. length of chamber, its outside dimensions being 3 ft. 9 in. diameter by 7 ft 6 in. long. The finished weight is 14½ tons'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.