The Historical Maritime Society

About HMS - Naval Gunnery

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HMS are the first re-enactment society in Britain to re-create naval gunnery and it forms a spectacular aspect of the society's presentations. The audio-visual, and nasal, effect of black powder artillery never fails to raise a gasp and testifies to the impact that these archaic, but wonderfully dramatic weapons must have had. You can imagine the noise and confusion that would have been present when these guns were fired in the confines of a ship in battle.

Gun crews are intensively trained by the Gunner, and other experienced users of artillery. They fire HMS's 12 pounder carronade, unique in this country, and its one pounder swivel gun. All must have the appropriate licences and safety is the paramount consideration.

Click on the pictures below to see the gun firing sequence used in firing an 18 pounder long gun onboard HMS Trincolamee. Use your browser 'back' button to return to this page.

Cast Loose your Gun	Level your Gun	Take out your Tampion	Prime your Gun	Run Out your Gun	Point your Gun
Fire!	Fire!	Worm and Sponge	Load with Cartridge	Load with Shot and Wad	Ram Home Shot and Wad