Blast from the Past fires at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground

By Mr. Chuck Wullenjohn (ATEC)March 11, 2014

Model 1841 howitzer being loaded at Yuma Proving Ground
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Model 1841 howitzer firing at Yuma Proving Ground
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Blast from the past fires at YPG

Many remember one of the more unusual artillery test programs conducted at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., in the mid-1990's. The History Channel television program "Battlefield Detectives" was studying the first battle of the Mexican-American War, the battle of Palo Alto, which occured in May 1846. Producers needed to test a cannon commonly used by United States artillery formations in that era -- a 1000 lb. Model 1841 bronze six pound howitzer.

As the summer afternoon temperature soared to well over 110 degrees, the cannon fired numerous rounds under the watchful eyes of Yuma Proving Ground artillery test experts who had set up an array of sophisticated test equipment to record ballistic and high speed video data.

A total of twelve rounds were fired, consisting of three projectile types: solid copper, solid lead and canister rounds. Between one and 1.25 pounds of black powder was used as propellant. The first projectiles were fired at 24-foot wide silhouette targets set up at 1200 meters -- near the maximum range of the piece. Lead projectiles were fired first, then copper. Despite careful aiming, all the shots flew wide of the target. The targets were later moved up to 200 meters and two canister rounds and another solid copper shot were fired. All three hit their

marks.

"Some historians in the past have stated that the Mexican copper cannon ball was not capable of the range and accuracy of iron shot," said Dr. Douglas Scott, battlefield archeologist with the National Park Service. "We have proven that statement to be untrue. American artillery proved superior at Palo Alto, but for reasons other than copper projectiles."

Scott explained that the M1841 six-pounder was a recently designed weapon that incorporated a single trail behind the barrel, making it easily maneuverable. Mexican artillery, consisting primarily of four and eight pound cannons, was of a half-century-old design making use of double trails that rendered each piece virtually stationary. The gunpowder used by the Mexican army may also have been of variable quality, guaranteeing inaccuracy between rounds.

Scott used this data in other archeological work at the Civil War battlefield sites at Pea Ridge, Ark., and Wilson?'s Creek, Mo. "These are little known, early war battles, but hard fought and very important in the western theater of the war." The use of artillery was significant in each of these battles and the data gathered in Yuma helped reconstruct where firing positions were located.

Yuma Proving Ground is known throughout the world as the premier location for testing current U.S. artillery as well as that of many other nations. The proving ground's state-of-the-art test facilities, extended firing ranges, restricted air space and lack of encroachment or noise issues make Yuma Proving Ground the ideal artillery test location. Hundreds of thousands of rounds of many types were fired at the proving ground last year, making it home of one of the busiest firing ranges in the nation.