Help Needed from South Carolina

[johnv]

Hello SOS members,
I am planning to build a 1:10 scale model of one of the Dahlgren guns at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, Mount Pleasant, Charleston County, South Carolina. see pic attached. Unfortunately I have plans only of the Dahlgren barrel and none of the iron carriage and slide. Requests to the museum for information have not been productive.
This plea for assistance is addressed to fellow SOS members who might live near the museum, or be visiting the museum.
Some photographs of details which do not appear in the usual tourist shots would be immensely helpful. Details will be provided to anyone who might be able to assist.
I would travel to the museum myself with tape measure and camera, but it is a long way from southern Australia where I live, and hard to justify.
So, if you can help, please respond.

 

[Corsair]

Unfortunately, it is about a 7 hour drive for me.
But I love your project !

 

[johnv]

Unfortunately, it is about a 7 hour drive for me.
But I love your project !

Only 7 hours!

 

[Corsair]

Only 7 hours!

Yeah. Nothing compared to the trip you would require.

 

[polydoc]

Did you check Google? A quick look showed lots of images of the barrel on a carriage. Heere is one example:

 

[Quina]

Maybe this site will help:

3D Naval Guns 1850s ~ 1870s

When 3D printing became available to me, I went to work on creating 3D models of the parts I'd need for my models (all linked in my signature below). Even before 3D printing was "a thing" I started a model in Anim8or* of Constellation's pivot guns. Just a basic model at first, but when I actually...

modelshipworld.com

 

[johnv]

Maybe this site will help:

3D Naval Guns 1850s ~ 1870s

When 3D printing became available to me, I went to work on creating 3D models of the parts I'd need for my models (all linked in my signature below). Even before 3D printing was "a thing" I started a model in Anim8or* of Constellation's pivot guns. Just a basic model at first, but when I actually...

modelshipworld.com

Thankyou. That is an excellent, very interesting site. And it even showcases one of my models (#10 . I am Johnoz on MSW). But unfortunately nothing relating to the carriage and slides of the guns at Patriot Point Naval and Maritime museum SC.

 

[johnv]

Did you check Google? A quick look showed lots of images of the barrel on a carriage. Heere is one example:

View attachment 510525

Thankyou, yes I have combed Google, Pinterest, many books and artillery sites, more times than I can count. All to no avail regarding the carriage and slide of the Patriot Point Dahlgren 13-8 inch guns. I have detailed copies of the original plans of the wooden naval carriage and slide shown above, and if all else fails, that is what I will model, but it is not my preference.

 

[Bryian]

Hello John,
just curious how you would construct this cannon. Are you turning it on a lathe ? Excellent and interesting project to build.

 

[johnv]

Hello John,
just curious how you would construct this cannon. Are you turning it on a lathe ? Excellent and interesting project to build.

Hi Bryian
Already started on barrel. Photos posted on SOS. Pop over to Geelong and I will show you Tools include lathe, milling machine, casting equipment, 3d printer, and depending on carriage selected, CNC tools. (ps. and various previously constructed cannon, ship and historic steam engine models. Mostly documented at johnsmachines.com)

 

[JSGerson]

I live in Aiken SC about 140 miles (2 1/2 hours) west of Charleston SC. It seems that I am the closest person (who's read this posting) that is willing to obtain the images you seek. So, I plan on visiting the museum this Thursday (April 3) and will take as many photos as I can. Please provide any specifics you are interested in.

Jon

 

[RussF]

Hi Bryian
Already started on barrel. Photos posted on SOS. Pop over to Geelong and I will show you Tools include lathe, milling machine, casting equipment, 3d printer, and depending on carriage selected, CNC tools. (ps. and various previously constructed cannon, ship and historic steam engine models. Mostly documented at johnsmachines.com)

You have waaaay too many toys.

I'm jealous.

 

[johnv]

I live in Aiken SC about 140 miles (2 1/2 hours) west of Charleston SC. It seems that I am the closest person (who's read this posting) that is willing to obtain the images you seek. So, I plan on visiting the museum this Thursday (April 3) and will take as many photos as I can. Please provide any specifics you are interested in.

Jon

Jon, that would be wonderful!
Mainly I need photos of the underneath components which are not visible in most tourist photos. Like the underneath shafts and gears, brake drum (I assume there is one or two there), the cross members, and the pivot box structure . A selfie stick might make those shots a bit easier. (See photo of me below)
And if possible, a few measurements.
M1: the length, width, height and web thickness of the long side girders.
M2: the dimensions of the trunnion housing.
M3. the height above the concrete base of both ends of the long side girders
If you PM me with your Paypal I would like to make a contribution to your trip expenses, in appreciation.
Thankyou, in anticipation.
John.
jclviggers@gmail.com

 

[johnv]

You have waaaay too many toys.

I'm jealous.

Russ, you are correct, and I know that I should be starting to pass them on before I become too decrepit, but just can't bear to do so yet.

 

[JSGerson]

Just to give you an update. Yesterday (April 3) I made the trip to Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum. I left my house at about 7:15a and arrived at the museum around 10:30a or so. I knew where to go because based on your picture, I used the background to locate three cannons on the grass between the parking area and the water, on Google street maps. The day was warm and sunny, just a perfect day. Before going to the actual cannons, I talked to a few employees as to who I might talk to that would know where any information (ideally plans) might be located or have access to them. I was able to get a name: Miranda Helton, Miranda.Helton@patriotspoint.org. I don't know if this was your contact in your unsuccessful efforts to obtain information.

So I headed off to the parking area to start taking pictures and measurements. There was only one teeny, tiny, minor problem. The cannons were not there. The concrete pads were there, but not the guns. Luckily, I ran into an employee working the parking lot taking care of buses. She told me the cannons were moved to another location still on museum property, just a few minutes by car up the access road. And there they were, two of them, sitting just off the road protecting a soccer field, pointing outward towards the street, daring any one who dares enter the playing field. I didn't search for the third. So, I parked my car right next to them, and had them all to myself. All the tourists were back at the museum. I did see some young military types: men in their running shorts & T-tops and women in their running shorts & tank tops, Talk about the beautiful people! I didn't pay much attention to the guys, but those ladies were fit, trim, and delightful to look at as they passed by! Hey, I'm an old fart, so I can look.

I took about 45 images and even tried getting under the truck as you asked. I did the best I could, but couldn't get measurements from under there. I am now in the process of annotating the images This might take a couple or few days. You might want to send me your personal email address so I won't have the SOS image size restrictions.

Jon

 

[Smithy]

…those ladies were fit, trim, and delightful to look at as they passed by! Hey, I'm an old fart, so I can look.

I took about 45 images and even tried getting under…

You could get in trouble for that.

 

[johnv]

An update.

An SOS member, Jonathan Gerson, came to my rescue. See his report #15.
He travelled the 140 miles to the Patriot's Point museum from his home. BUT THE CANNONS WERE NOT THERE!! He queried the staff, and discovered that the guns had been moved to the nearby soccer stadium. (Why?!!).
So, Jon found the stadium, found the guns guarding the entrance, and spent some time taking the photos and measurements, and enjoying the passing scenery.
I have received the photos etc, and they are just exactly what I needed.

This was an act of generosity and kindness to a stranger which still makes me feel quite awed.

Jon characterised it as "a model shipbuilder helping out another model shipbuilder".

I think that it is more than that. And I am very grateful.

I will start up a new thread soon about the cannon build and close this one. I have started machining the barrel, (photo 1) but will not get seriously into the build until I complete my model Constitution (photo 2), in another month or two.