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Irish
Coast Guard Historic |
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Setting the Scene |
THE 3” BREECHES
BUOY ROCKET LAUNCHER (RACK). This Rocket launcher
or Rack was constructed of aluminium and steel tubing. The actual
rack was in the form of a triangle of three tubes and held in position
with collars, the centre tube on top and the slot underneath. The
rocket and steel bridle was slid down the rack with a wire trace attached
to the bridle, the rocket line was then attached to the wire trace
eliminating the need to soak the rocket line to prevent it burning
through. This rocket superseded the Boxer rocket in 1950 when the
mixture of the Boxer rocket composition was ‘Lost’,(the
inventor died and didn’t leave the ingredients of the mixture
behind). The 3”rocket was a much more powerful rocket, its accuracy
was 4% compared with 40% of the Boxer. It was electrically fired and
was more reliable in bad conditions. It remained in service until
replaced by a light handheld ‘Line thrower’. ROCKETS
& CARRYING CASES. Due to the explosive nature of
the rockets it was necessary to transport them safely, bad handling
could cause them to explode prematurely or get damaged, rendering
them useless. Boxer rockets were stored under the seat of the cart
or wagon. If it was necessary to move them over a distance from the
cart or wagon they were transported in a special carrying case. The
Boxer rocket case was a permanent part of the equipment and specially
designed for carrying. It was a square shaped box about 30”
x 6” x
6” (750mm x 150mm x 150mm) with a hinged sloping lid
and a leather strap for carrying. The Schermuly however was a ‘use
once and dispose’. The rocket came in a hard circular tube,
metal covers on the ends, with circular rubber cushions inside the
lids protecting the rocket ends. The containers came with the rocket
information stamped on them, with the reference numbers and date. |