Grapefruit Cannons

[Matelot]

I got to think about something the other night that some of you from the 60's and 70's might remember. You of course remember heading south every year for "Maplespring" and associatied exercises in the Carib with the USN and RN and other navies. Winter vacation!

Do any of you remember the grapefruit cannons they used to make out of spent 3" shells on a number of our ships. Throw a thunderflash down, stuff a grapefruit or big orange in the end and boom, projectile. They started off crude but sailors being sailors they were improved. We had two onboard that looked just like old naval cannon , wheels and all.

They use to fire them at other ships when they came alongside for light jackstays etc. Never in the work area or when doing real fueling etc. that might be dangerous. Both ships exchanging broadsides. All in fun.

We did it to "Bonnie" one time and it was not appreciated.

[seaJane]

I was never afloat, but other half was once involved in an incident with a fire-hose and some beetroot juice...

[Scatari]

Matelot:

Remember them well ... great fun! It always amazed me how inventive the Hull Techs and WS guys could be in "refining" the basic design

When I was in PRESERVER we also had ones made of beer cans (for "indoor use!").

We cut the tops and bottoms off 8-10 cans, duct taped them together and used lighter fluid as a propellant.

Suspect neither form of weapon would be permitted these days!

SeaJane ... a firehose and beetroot juice ... why is my imagination running wild???

Tim

[Brian Wentzell]

Sea Jane and Scatari: Somebody has built a very large trailer mounted pumpkin cannon that is now at or near Sackville Landing on the Halifax harbourfront according to a CBC TV news story. It could be a truly effective harbour defence weapon

Brian

[Scatari]

Brian:

Perhaps they could mount it at York Redoubt!

Tim

[Pusser509]

In addition to the seagoing artillery, I recall one sports weekend at HMCS Discovery in Toronto in 1973 or 74 where some of the local guys had constructed an armoured vehicle on an old car chassis complete with a turret mounting a grapefruit gun. It had an amazing range: from in front of the Discovery building it almost hit the Tip Top Tailor factory nearby. Nust have been 200 yards.

The grapefruit guns saw their demise after a few nasty accidents in the mid or late seventies. Too many burns and lost fingers. This did not stop thunder flashes being thrown into junior officers' cabin gash buckets. The noise wasn't bad but the smell was horrible.

[seaJane]

Originally Posted by Scatari

SeaJane ... a firehose and beetroot juice ... why is my imagination running wild???

Tim

Don't think it'd have to run that far to get to the truth - I'll get him to write it down for me

[Scatari]

seaJane:

Please do ... can't wait to hear that story!

Tim

[Scatari]

Hi Don:

Suspect you mean HMCS York vice Discovery?

Unfortunately as so often happens, some people/ships got carried away and tried to build "bigger and better" versions and what had originally been "fun" became just too dangerous

Had such an incident a couple of years ago at a camp where I volunteer ... despite the fact that any such activities are forbidden, a lady brought a version of a grapefruit gun with her to show off to the kids ... result was an explosion and several rounds of cosmetic facial surgery for her ... luckily no damage to any of the kids!

Tim

[Pusser509]

Yes of course it was HMCS York. Just another senior moment.....

[Brian Wentzell]

Update: I found the modern pumpkin cannon today parked near the berth of HMCS Sackville in Halifax. Attached is the picture with the cannon pointed towards the harbour. This weapon is probably more accurate and dangerous than the old muzzle loaders in the York Redoubt and Point Pleasant Batteries from 19th and 20th centuries! A plaque attached to the carriage dedicated the cannon to the memories of the soldiers, police and firefighters that protect our society.

Brian

[John Odom]

I used to make potato guns with my high school science classes. About 2002 I was unofficially notified by the US BATF that I should not do that any longer, as such things were now officially classified as "Destructive Devices" and could result in a very harsh prison term.

[WGVSr]

Originally Posted by John Odom

I used to make potato guns with my high school science classes. About 2002 I was unofficially notified by the US BATF that I should not do that any longer, as such things were now officially classified as "Destructive Devices" and could result in a very harsh prison term.

John:
I remember those fondly as well but then I majored in pyrotechnics in grade and high school. There was this metal pipe and powder from salvaged shotgun shells. We were going to make a rocket. Sure got the attention of the constabulary when it went off. Didn't react like a rocket though....

Bill

[Scatari]

Originally Posted by Brian Wentzell

Update: I found the modern pumpkin cannon today parked near the berth of HMCS Sackville in Halifax. Attached is the picture with the cannon pointed towards the harbour. This weapon is probably more accurate and dangerous than the old muzzle loaders in the York Redoubt and Point Pleasant Batteries from 19th and 20th centuries! A plaque attached to the carriage dedicated the cannon to the memories of the soldiers, police and firefighters that protect our society.

Brian

Brian:

I have looked at your photo right side up, upside down and sideways since you posted it ... and must confess to abysmal stupidity ... what exactly is it???

Tim

[Brian Wentzell]

Tim:

I have looked at it "in the flesh" and it seems to be a mock up but who knows. I don't think it has ever been fired and I have no idea how the firing mechanism works. The barrel appears to be of welded construction and the fact it sits on a large wheeled trailer suggests that it is easily towed. I could not see an aiming device or an elevation capability. Despite all that, it is an interesting device that someone spent a lot of money on. Even if it never fired or does fire a shot, it provokes lots of gazing.

It sort of reminds me of the US Army "Long Tom" artillery cannon that was used in the Cold War to fire nuclear shells.

Brian

[Shanghaied]

That reminds me of a large catapult we made on a sail training vessel ( I think out of an old bungee cord). Fixed between main and fore shrouds it could throw balloons filled with 5 ltrs of water to defend us from pesky little sailboats.
Quite effective when you hit their main sails: boat heels, crew get wet, all without noise. Most not even know what hit them.

[Scatari]

Originally Posted by Brian Wentzell

Tim:

I have looked at it "in the flesh" and it seems to be a mock up but who knows. I don't think it has ever been fired and I have no idea how the firing mechanism works. The barrel appears to be of welded construction and the fact it sits on a large wheeled trailer suggests that it is easily towed. I could not see an aiming device or an elevation capability. Despite all that, it is an interesting device that someone spent a lot of money on. Even if it never fired or does fire a shot, it provokes lots of gazing.

It sort of reminds me of the US Army "Long Tom" artillery cannon that was used in the Cold War to fire nuclear shells.

Brian

Thanks Brian - I guess it will remain one of life's little (actually not so little!) mysteries!

Cheers!

Tim