Congreve rockets

E78709

Congreve rockets were early 19th-century British military rockets used for bombardment, notable for their psychological impact and role in the development of modern rocketry.


Statements (47)
Predicate Object
instanceOf artillery rocket
early 19th-century weapon
military rocket
basedOn Mysorean rockets
countryOfOrigin United Kingdom
describedAs “rockets’ red glare” in The Star-Spangled Banner
developer Sir William Congreve
effect significant psychological impact on enemy troops
guidanceSystem unguided
historicalSignificance among the first widely used European military rockets
early step in transition from gunpowder artillery to rocket artillery
influenced development of modern rocketry
later military rocket artillery
influencedBy Mysorean rockets of Tipu Sultan
inspiredWork The Star-Spangled Banner
introduced circa 1804
launchedFrom frames or racks
land batteries
ships
limitation poor accuracy
unreliable flight path
material iron-cased body
maximumRange approximately 2,000 to 3,000 yards
namedAfter Sir William Congreve
notableEvent bombardment of Fort McHenry
periodOfUse early 19th century
primaryUse bombardment of fortifications
naval bombardment
psychological warfare
propellant black powder
replacedBy Hale rockets
stabilizationMethod long wooden guide stick
typicalCaliber up to 32-pound warhead
usedBy British Army
British colonial forces
Royal Navy
usedInConflict Anglo-American War of 1812
Battle of Baltimore
Battle of Leipzig
Bombardment of Copenhagen
Napoleonic Wars
Peninsular War
War of 1812
various British colonial campaigns
warheadType explosive warhead
illuminating warhead
incendiary warhead

Referenced by (1)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Battle of Bladensburg
involved

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