Yasuda Cannon Series

Yasuda Cannon (Series)

The Yasuda were a series of rifled high caliber field artillery and naval guns developed by Japan by Shigeru Yasuda and his team in 1589. Its performance as a long range field artillery allowed it to fill a niche which had not existed prior as it could outrange its contemporaries. This would also have the advantage of being homegrown, and so there was no need to buy them from others.

Characteristics

  The Yasuda does not refer to any single cannon, but was instead a series of different types of cannons with some traits in common. Consistent throughout all of the Yasuda series was a rifled bore, breechloading mechanism, constructoin, and unique Screw on barrel. The Cannon would be cast out of either Brass or Cast Iron in one homogenous shape, the bore then would be drilled out via a Lathe and be tested. All of the Yūkawa series could fire Ball, Shell, Canister, and Grapeshot. The variants 7.5 Kin (10 pound) Yasuda and 2.2 Kan (18 pound) Yasuda Naval.

History and Development

  After Yasuda constructed the Yūkawa Takeshi gave him 2 orders, make a bigger one, and make a rifled cannon. Takeshi was an experienced archer and knew that while a smoothbore cannon had many advantages a projectile would fly faster, farther, and straighter when spinning. Yasuda got to work on the rifled cannon. Using a brass cannon he found that the rifling wore out far too fast as brass was far too soft. He then went to cast iron cannons, however those were too brittle and often bursted open with the powder loads put on it. To compensate he made the breech and back out of Brass with screw threads, which would have a screw on cast iron barrel. this was mostly successful only exploding out the back one recorded time. The Yasuda Rifle (10 lbs rifled cannon) and The Yūkawa (12 pound smoothbore cannon) were more than ready by 1592 and were shipped off with crews who had thoroughly trained with them. Takeshi was thoroughly impressed with the cannon and gave it his go ahead. He also ordered that a new version made, a bigger gun for Naval usage, and with this he made the 2.2 Kan Yasuda Naval.

Usage

Much like the rest of it's muzzleloading contempararies, the Powder and rounds were inserted through the muzzle and packed in, customarily the powder was contained in a cloth or paper bag. A small hole in the breech would have a piece of cloth or rope and when the cannon was fired the piece was lit, the cloth would start a fire in the powder packed into the breech and the projectile would fire. After the round was fired the worm was used to clear out any embers made by the powder, another member would then use a slightly damp sponge to both cool the barrel and clear out any embers, another member would shove a dry sponge through the barrel to clear out any excess water, and finally the reload would be performed. Ideally a cannon crew would usually consist of 8 members, 2 loaders, 1 with the damp sponge, 1 with the dry sponge, 1 with the worm, 2 men manned the breech, and one officer who's job would be spotting. A crew would usually have 4 more member who's job was to handle horses and equipment. Each member was cross-trained, and could perform each other's duties in the case others are incapacitated. The rifling made it only capable of firing shell and roundshot, however its rifling made it fire longer and faster than any of its contemporaries, this cannon was usually used in long range artillery, or anti fortress role. Most of the time it was used to severely outrange enemy artillery, and shell then from afar.