68pounder

The 68-pounder, also known as the No. 7 or Mrs. Adams' gun, was a type of rifled cannon used during the mid-19th century. Developed in the early 1850s, the 68-pounder was designed by Sir George Airy, the Astronomer Royal, in collaboration with the Royal Laboratory at Woolwich.

Weighing around 13-14 tons, the cannon was made of wrought iron and held 68 pounds of gunpowder per shot. It had a rifled barrel, which improved the cannon's accuracy and enabled it to fire explosive shells. The 68-pounder was primarily used on British warships, particularly on the larger ships of the line, due to its size and firepower.

The 68-pounder saw action in various British naval engagements during the Crimean War, including the Battle of Kinburn and the Siege of Sevastopol. It was also used in the American Civil War, with the Confederacy purchasing several 68-pounders from Europe. However, the cannon's reliability and accuracy issues limited its effectiveness in combat.

The 68-pounder's use declined in the late 19th century, as larger and more advanced artillery systems became available. The last recorded use of the 68-pounder was during the Anglo-Zanzibar War in 1896. Today, remnants of the 68-pounder can be found in museums and historical sites, serving as a testament to the development and evolution of warship technology during the mid-19th century.