Superguns Helped Defeat the Spanish Armada 501
Hugh Pickens writes "With the discovery last year of the first wreck of an Elizabethan fighting ship off Alderney in the Channel Islands, thought to date from around 1592, marine archaeologists are revising their ideas on how the English defeated the Spanish Armada. Replicas of two cannon recovered from the Alderney wreck were recreated in a modern foundry, and tests carried out showed that the Elizabethans were throwing shot at almost the speed of sound. Elizabeth's 'supergun,' although relatively small, could hit a target a mile away. At a ship-to-ship fighting distance of about 100 yards, the ball would have sufficient punch to penetrate the oak planks of a galleon, travel across the deck, and emerge out the other side. Tests on cannon recovered from the Alderney wreck also suggest that the ship carried guns of uniform size, firing standard ammunition. 'Elizabeth's navy created the first ever set of uniform cannon, capable of firing the same size shot in a deadly barrage,' says marine archaeologist Mensun Bound from Oxford University, adding that that navy had worked out that a lot of small guns, all the same, all firing at once, were more effective than a few big guns. '[Elizabeth's] navy made a giant leap forward in the way men fought at sea, years ahead of England's enemies, and which was still being used to devastating effect by Nelson 200 years later.'"
Expert naval tactics (Score:5, Funny)
Speaking of a Brit I am always humbled at my nations level of mastery of naval tactics, from the early 'near supersonic' artillery mentioned in this article, to the modern... "Just ram the fuckers with a submarine" approach that we employ today... *wipes tear*
Re:Expert naval tactics (Score:4, Funny)
I blame the French for driving on the wrong side.
Re:Expert naval tactics (Score:1, Funny)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driving_on_the_left_or_right#Countries_with_left-hand_traffic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driving_on_the_left_or_right#Countries_with_right-hand_trafffic
If anyone was driving on the wrong side in international waters it would be the British sub.
Re:Expert naval tactics (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I don't see anything special (Score:4, Funny)
the guns were not very special. It's the way they were used that was special.
That's what she said.
Re:Expert naval tactics (Score:5, Funny)
Dont forget about "Windows for Warships"
Females and the Art of Seducing (Score:2, Funny)
Dude, I don't know about you but Slashdot didn't stop me doing that...
*blushing furiously at being caught typing nonsense in Slashdot*
Then again judging from your UID you might be a little younger than I am? ;)
Yeah. Any tips, dude? How do I charm and seduce the mysterious species known as "females"?
---
"Why do they have to travel in packs? And how are you supposed to get one alone long enough to ask them?"
Re:Expert naval tactics (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Expert naval tactics (Score:5, Funny)
to the modern... "Just ram the fuckers with a submarine" approach that we employ today... *wipes tear*
That approach was first invented by the US Navy, though. However, applying it to another submarine instead of some random fishing vessel is quite a refinement.
Re:Expert naval tactics (Score:5, Funny)
Apparently neither of you have been to Massachusetts ...
Re:Expert naval tactics (Score:5, Funny)
I am currently living and working in India..... and I approve this message.
Re:Expert naval tactics (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Not surprising... (Score:5, Funny)
Bottom line is, if you mess with the British, they are going to shoot you a lot.
Speaking as an Irish man, you don't even have to mess with them. Just being in their general vicinity can be enough.
Oblig (Score:1, Funny)
Some historians believe that this notable discrepancy may well have been behind the famous rant from King Philip II, where he threw his throne at a courtier while screaming "I'll kill those fucking Dutch!"...
With the recent EU rulings I'm guessing something very similar's happening in Seattle right now...
Re:Expert naval tactics (Score:2, Funny)
-.-
Re:Not surprising... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Expert naval tactics (Score:5, Funny)
You know that "decimated" means that a tenth was taken... so it was more than decimated...
More specifically [askoxford.com],
Yeah, yeah, I know. But apart from the aqueduct, the sanitation, the roads and the word 'decimate', what else have the Romans ever done for us?
Re:Expert naval tactics (Score:5, Funny)
'Protestant Wind'? Errr...so their other secret weapon was beans for dinner? Those bastards!
Gerry
Dramatic recreation of the event.. (Score:5, Funny)
Japanese Examples (Score:5, Funny)
Then we just put the battleships in space, you dolt! Strap a star drive to the Missouri to counter some other ship of the era, and launch the puppy.
The USAF and USN are currently working on a technology to allow space-bourne Battleships and Carriers to transform into giant man shaped fighting machines as well.
Now, if you want to decry a weaponized space, how do you think we are going to deal with extra-terrestial enemies? Oh, I know, you'll want to sing them to death with your love songs.
Now, get off my lawn you damned dirty ape.
Comment removed (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Not surprising... (Score:3, Funny)
Okay, bottom line, the British are going to shoot things now and then.
Re:Japanese Examples (Score:4, Funny)
Oh, I know, you'll want to sing them to death with your love songs.
The strategy was considered, but deemed too hazardous to our own troops. When I heard that shit it almost killed me and it was only a recording.
Cue Universal (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Expert naval tactics (Score:5, Funny)
"Here are some places, peopled therein. The State of New York. To the south The City of New York, bounded by sea , whose influence comes ashore. To the North the land of Adirondacks, with Saratoga therin. Between, in the center, the Upstate of New York."
"Those of the Center motivate vehicles with precision unheard of in other parts."
"Wherin two roads, i90 and i87, meet in the land of Upstate. The dwellers there, bounded by parkland and plenty, consider their blessings."
"Not expensive wagons driven Southwards from Saratoga to labour for the Rulers, nor the dwellers of The City, proceeding away from home, consider those they find about."
Re:Expert naval tactics (Score:3, Funny)
I was the ugly American driving the wrong way up a one way street in Rome, in '93. After circling the area the car rental place was in, several times, I came to the conclusion that all roads led away from it. Took a chance and managed not to hit anyone or get stopped by the Police.
Now, the guy on the Vespa, that was hit by the old guy gawking at the topless beach, that was my dad.
Re:Expert naval tactics (Score:3, Funny)
Don't forget the trees in the middle of the highways, and cows walking down the fast lane.
Re:I don't see anything special (Score:3, Funny)
Some historians believe that this notable discrepancy may well have been behind the famous rant from King Philip II, where he threw his throne at a courtier while screaming "I'll kill those fucking Dutch!"...
Steve Ballmer in a past life...