Gun Sponger, 9-Pounder
Description
9-pounder gun sponger. Brown wooden cylinder attached to brown hawser rope. Significant damage below second ribbon.
A gun sponger for a 9-pounder. After firing a gun’s barrel would be sponged to extinguish any embers which could cause the next charge to prematurely fire. The sponge would be dipped into a bucket of water, then shaken so that the barrel wouldn’t be left wet. The sponge head was made of wood with sheepskin fleece tacked on using non-sparking copper tacks. Spare skins and tacks would be kept on the ship for repairs.
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Object Detail
Width: 73mm
Depth: 68mm (2 11/16")
Weight: (0.39kg)