RARE “MANBY MORTAR” LIFE SAVING CANNON.

SN 13. This is a rare example of a small life saving cannon invented and developed by Capt. George W. Manby, an English Army officer. His device, known as “The Manby Mortar”, was first used in December 15, 1809. In a published affidavit detailing this first use of the mortar “We, the crew of the brig NANCY, of Sunderland, do hereby certify that we were on board of the said vessel when she was stranded on the beach of Yarmouth, on Friday morning, the 15th of December 1809, and compelled to secure ourselves in the rigging to prevent being swept away, the sea running so high on the vessel. And we do further declare and certify that Captain Manby, firing a rope with a hooked shot, securely holding on the wreck, enabled a boat to be hauled from the shore over the surf to our relief, otherwise we must inevitably have perished.” The Manby Mortar was so successful during that rescue that both the British and Americans added these to their equipment at many stations. These mortars were used well into the 19th century being replaced by Lyle Guns. On January 12, 1850, a Manby Mortar was used in the first rescue with line throwing ordnance in the United States, saving 201 lives from the ship ARYSHIRE at Squan Beach, New Jersey. This rescue succeeded by the use of the Manby Mortar, allowing a secure line to be attached to the ship and the stranded passengers were ferried via a patented, sealed life boat for four persons at a time. Of the published accounts, due to extremely rough seas, only 4 or 5 trips could be made an hour. The rescue started about 11:00 am and not finished for a full 24 hours. Only one fatality occurred; it being unnecessary. The Captain and Mate supervised the rescue by sending the women and children first. During one of the last trips, a panicked father grabbed onto a boltring on the outside of the sealed metal lifeboat containing his children, contrary to the wishes of the Captain and Mate, though they could do nothing. The father was swept away mid-trip in the heavy, cold seas to his death. Of the 202 passengers, this was the only fatality and there should have been none due to the life saving mechanism and brave steadfast Yankee crew. The particulars of this event were written up in all the popular press pushing for greater usage of life saving cannon in America. The image shown of the rescue is from an 1850 edition of HARPER’S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE, clearly showing the Manby Mortar on the beach. This particular mortar is in fine condition with a SN “13” engraved on top of the bbl, and is painted black with a red painted bore. PROVENANCE: Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Cannon is about 12-1/2″ long overall and just over 12″ height including its cast iron 6-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ rectangular base. A solid wood base can be easily constructed to secure mortar if desired. Bore measures 5-3/4″ and has a Howitzer style gun powder compartment in breech. Tube is very good to fine as painted, mostly smooth with pitting at base of bore. 4-54116 (3,000-4,000) – Lot 2110

Auction: Firearms - March 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2110	$1,725.00	RARE “MANBY MORTAR” LIFE SAVING CANNON. SN 13. This is a rare example of a small life saving cannon invented and developed by Capt. George W. Manby, an English Army officer. His device, known as “The Manby Mortar”, was first used in December 15, 1809. In a published affidavit detailing this first use of the mortar “We, the crew of the brig NANCY, of Sunderland, do hereby certify that we were on board of the said vessel when she was stranded on the beach of Yarmouth, on Friday morning, the 15th of December 1809, and compelled to secure ourselves in the rigging to prevent being swept away, the sea running so high on the vessel. And we do further declare and certify that Captain Manby, firing a rope with a hooked shot, securely holding on the wreck, enabled a boat to be hauled from the shore over the surf to our relief, otherwise we must inevitably have perished.” The Manby Mortar was so successful during that rescue that both the British and Americans added these to their equipment at many stations. These mortars were used well into the 19th century being replaced by Lyle Guns. On January 12, 1850, a Manby Mortar was used in the first rescue with line throwing ordnance in the United States, saving 201 lives from the ship ARYSHIRE at Squan Beach, New Jersey. This rescue succeeded by the use of the Manby Mortar, allowing a secure line to be attached to the ship and the stranded passengers were ferried via a patented, sealed life boat for four persons at a time. Of the published accounts, due to extremely rough seas, only 4 or 5 trips could be made an hour. The rescue started about 11:00 am and not finished for a full 24 hours. Only one fatality occurred; it being unnecessary. The Captain and Mate supervised the rescue by sending the women and children first. During one of the last trips, a panicked father grabbed onto a boltring on the outside of the sealed metal lifeboat containing his children, contrary to the wishes of the Captain and Mate, though they could do nothing. The father was swept away mid-trip in the heavy, cold seas to his death. Of the 202 passengers, this was the only fatality and there should have been none due to the life saving mechanism and brave steadfast Yankee crew. The particulars of this event were written up in all the popular press pushing for greater usage of life saving cannon in America. The image shown of the rescue is from an 1850 edition of HARPER’S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE, clearly showing the Manby Mortar on the beach. This particular mortar is in fine condition with a SN “13” engraved on top of the bbl, and is painted black with a red painted bore. PROVENANCE: Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Cannon is about 12-1/2″ long overall and just over 12″ height including its cast iron 6-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ rectangular base. A solid wood base can be easily constructed to secure mortar if desired. Bore measures 5-3/4″ and has a Howitzer style gun powder compartment in breech. Tube is very good to fine as painted, mostly smooth with pitting at base of bore. 4-54116 (3,000-4,000) – Lot 2110 Auction: Firearms - March 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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RARE “MANBY MORTAR” LIFE SAVING CANNON.