Mortier de 12 Gribeauval facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mortier de 12 pouces Gribeauval |
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12-inch mortar (Mortier de 12 pouces Gribeauval) with cylindrical chamber, 1789, Les Invalides.
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| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| Used by |  France |
| Wars | French Revolutionary Wars Napoleonic Wars American War of Independence |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Jean Baptiste Vaquette de Gribeauval |
| Manufacturer | Berenger |
| Produced | April 1789 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1,540 kg |
| Barrel length | 81 cm |
| Crew | 15 crews, 6 horses |
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| Caliber | 12 pouce (French inches) = 324.8 mm |
| Barrels | 1, cylindrical chamber, brass |
The Mortier de 12 pouces Gribeauval was a powerful French mortar. It was a type of artillery used to fire shells high into the air. This weapon was named after Jean Baptiste Vaquette de Gribeauval. He created a new way to make cannons and mortars. This new system made them much better.
This mortar was a key part of the French army's siege equipment. Siege weapons are used to attack strong forts or cities. The "12 pouces" in its name tells you about its size. A "pouce" was an old French unit of measurement. One pouce was about 2.707 centimeters, so 12 pouces was about 32.5 centimeters. This was the size of the cannonball or shell it could fire.
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The Gribeauval System
The Gribeauval system changed how artillery was made. Before this system, each cannon was often unique. This made it hard to fix them or share parts. Gribeauval's idea was to make all parts standard. This meant that parts from one mortar could fit another.
This new method also made mortars lighter. They were also more accurate than older designs. This was a big step forward for armies. It made it easier to move and use these large weapons.
Where Was This Mortar Used?
The Mortier de 12 pouces Gribeauval was first used in the American Revolutionary War. This was a war where America fought for its freedom from Britain. The French helped the Americans. This mortar was used during the Siege of Yorktown in 1781. This was a very important battle that helped America win the war.
Later, this mortar was used by the French army in other major conflicts. It played a role in the French Revolutionary Wars. These wars happened after the French Revolution. It was also used during the Napoleonic Wars. These were a series of big wars led by Napoleon Bonaparte.
Mortar Designs and Improvements
The first Mortier de 12 pouces used a cylindrical chamber. This is the part inside the mortar where the gunpowder goes. While this design worked well, it could wear out quickly.
Over time, new designs were created to improve mortars. One of these was the Gomer system. This system used a different shape for the chamber. It was more like a cone instead of a cylinder. This new shape helped the mortar fire shells with more power and over longer distances.
Some of these 12-inch mortars were also used for defending coastlines. When used this way, they were often fixed onto strong metal platforms. This made them very stable for firing at ships or enemy landings.
Images for kids
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A 12-inch Gomer mortar with conical chamber, cast by Bouquero, An 2 de la République (1793-1794).
