The Dynamite Cruiser Was Nearly as Dangerous to Her Crew as the Enemy

War is Boring ^ | March 15, 2018 | Robert Beckhusen

[C19fan]

On June 13, 1898, the cruiser USS Vesuvius crept within one-mile of the Cuban coastline and began launching explosives from her monstrous compressed-air cannons — quietly, as far as the Spanish soldiers ashore in their fort knew until the shells landed. The nighttime shore bombardment targeting Santiago was Vesuvius’ first combat mission.

She still remains one of the strangest warships of the modern era. A custom-built “dynamite gun cruiser,” Vesuvius had a unique arrangement of three 15-inch pneumatic cannons capable of launching 550 or 200-pound shells with a jolt of compressed air. Fascinating from an engineering perspective, Vesuvius’ cannons penetrated into her hull at an angle — effectively making the cruiser a giant, floating triple gun.

[C19fan]

Looks like a yacht.

[KC_Lion]

Still a better weapon platform than the LCS.

[BenLurkin]

Dynamite guns are an interesting concept. Potential ad hoc artillery for anyone who has the technical know-how to launch a pumpkin pneumatically.

[rlmorel]

Fascinating. I am a naval buff, but never heard of this. Thanks for posting.

[Steely Tom]

If the Navy resurrects the concept, the vessel should be christened the Jimmie Walker.

[DaveA37]

Having served on two different “CA Class” heavy cruisers during my military career, I can say I am glad it was NOT on the USS Vesuvius.

[wally_bert]

Beat me to the Jimmie Walker reference.

[WayneS]

Cool. This is the first “Early Pumpkin Chucker” Thread I’ve ever seen on FR...

[ferret_airlift]

Indeed it was done, with the Sims-Dudley dynamite field artillery piece seeing service the Rough Riders. It was quiet, and didn’t make smoke, but not terribly accurate, though Teddy apparently found it more effective than normal artillery. It might have been interesting with some refinement

[WayneS]

She was also relatively small for a cruiser given the unique armament. However, her firing range was poor at a maximum of one mile with the larger, 500-pound shells

Using compressed air to toss a 500 lb projectile one mile is an impressive feat. Unfortunately, one mile is nowhere near a long enough effective range for a naval gun.

[WayneS]

Did you serve on the Newport News?

[IncPen]

Plink

[Rummyfan]

[Rebelbase]

No muzzle flash at night either.

[PapaBear3625]

On the plus side, using compressed air means no muzzle flash to give away your position during a night bombardment.

[Professional Engineer]

Bttt

[Steely Tom]

On the plus side, using compressed air means no muzzle flash to give away your position during a night bombardment.

In the days before radar, a pretty big advantage. Stealth artillery.

[Kartographer]

Haze Gray Photo Feature
USS Vesuvius
The Dynamite Cruiser

https://www.hazegray.org/features/vesuvius/

[minnesota_bound]

FTA: converted her into a vessel for testing torpedoes — but one of those torpedoes turned around and struck her during a 1915 experiment.

Our subs were being sunk by our subs during WW2 because of screwy torpedoes.
Also the torpedoes would not travel at the depth they wanted but would wander and go under the enemy ships. The Navy bureaucrats would not listen to the skippers for years during WW2 until one day tests were done that proved the charges. Years and lives lost. Gotta wonder what else is screwed up.

[fuente]

Read Operation Drumbeat and you will find out how incompetent the East Coast Navy really was.