As a brief background, the rocket and launcher were invented by British civil engineer William Hale in 1844 as a replacement for the Congreve rocket, which had been in British service since 1804. The Congreve, in appearance much like a modern fireworks rocket, was an intimidating weapon when fired in volley. However, the largest were eight inches in diameter, with a body 5-1/2 Ft long and a 21 foot wooden stabilizer tail. It was launched by use of a large iron firing framework that could hold several rockets simultaneously. All of this made it extremely unwieldy to transport and set up, plus it was wildly inaccurate. Hale determined to improve upon this by designing a rocket that was spin stabilized.
Hale's rocket was 2-1/4 inches in diameter and approximately 18 inches long. In addition to the exhaust aperture at the rear, there were 3 angled exhaust ports drilled equidistant around the upper circumference. When launched, these ports would impart spin to the missile, like a bullet leaving a gun barrel, resulting in a flatter trajectory, greater velocity, and increased range. The launcher was a simple iron tube, approximately 6 feet long, with a bipod for setting the elevation and a movable restrictor plate for adjusting the range. The British military tested Hale's invention and adopted it into their inventory.
In 1846, then Capt.John A. Dahlgren of the Washington Navy Yard purchased one of Hale's launchers and rockets for testing. After a series of successful trials, Dahlgren purchased Hale's patent rights for $20,000, and began manufacture in the U.S. In 1847, Dahlgren sent six launchers and some 2000 rockets, plus trained crews, to join Gen. Winfield Scott's U.S. army in Mexico. The Hale was used at the battles of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, and Chapultepec, among others, during the Mexican War. By 1861, Hale rocket batteries were fielded by both North and South. Never considered a replacement for conventional artillery, it did prove useful in a fire support role in areas that were unsuitable for wheeled artillery. This was demonstrated by the 74th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in the siege of Charleston, SC. Infantry units transported and used Hale rockets against Confederate picket boats where the ground was too swampy to support wheeled guns.
Our replica of the Hale launcher is made completely of welded steel, and uses
fireworks to simulate the firing of missiles. We can fire rockets, plus artillery rounds and reload-able cannisters by use of an adapter. Our first outing with the operational launcher was the weekend of May 16-18 in Sacramento, KY.
As a brief background, the rocket and launcher were invented by British civil engineer William Hale in 1844 as a replacement for the Congreve rocket, which had been in British service since 1804. The Congreve, in appearance much like a modern fireworks rocket, was an intimidating weapon when fired in volley. However, the largest were eight inches in diameter, with a body 5-1/2 Ft long and a 21 foot wooden stabilizer tail. It was launched by use of a large iron firing framework that could hold several rockets simultaneously. All of this made it extremely unwieldy to transport and set up, plus it was wildly inaccurate. Hale determined to improve upon this by designing a rocket that was spin stabilized.
In addition to the exhaust aperture at the rear, there were 3 angled exhaust ports drilled equidistant around the upper circumference. When launched, these ports would impart spin to the missile, like a bullet leaving a gun barrel, resulting in a flatter trajectory, greater velocity, and increased range. The launcher was a simple iron tube, approximately 6 feet long, with a bipod for setting the elevation and a movable restrictor plate for adjusting the range. The British military tested Hale's invention and adopted it into their inventory.
In 1846, then Capt.John A. Dahlgren of the Washington Navy Yard purchased one of Hale's launchers and rockets for testing. After a series of successful trials, Dahlgren purchased Hale's patent rights for $20,000, and began manufacture in the U.S. In 1847, Dahlgren sent six launchers and some 2000 rockets, plus trained crews, to join Gen. Winfield Scott's U.S. army in Mexico. The Hale was used at the battles of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, and Chapultepec, among others, during the Mexican War. By 1861, Hale rocket batteries were fielded by both North and South. Never considered a replacement for conventional artillery, it did prove useful in a fire support role in areas that were unsuitable for wheeled artillery. This was demonstrated by the 74th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in the siege of Charleston, SC. Infantry units transported and used Hale rockets against Confederate picket boats where the ground was too swampy to support wheeled guns.