Last updated: June 21, 2021
Place
Artillery Ballet
Quick Facts
Location:
Fort Pickens Area
Amenities
1 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Gun crews performed a carefully choreographed ballet every time they loaded and fired an artillery piece. One slip-up in the teamwork could cause serious injuries or death. Crews practiced aiming at a target, opening the breech, loading and ramming the projectile into the barrel, inserting the primer charge, and firing-all in 30 seconds. After drilling again and again, the soldiers were given a little time to relax, occasionally even to go crabbing or fishing along the beach.