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Saluting
Saluting
Posted 6 y ago
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RallyPoint Shared Content awesome read/share of the most informative!
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Maj Marty Hogan SGT (Join to see) SPC Margaret Higgins SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth CW5 Jack CardwellCOL Mikel J. Burroughs CPL Dave HooverLTC Stephen F. SSG William Jones Lt Col Charlie Brown PO1 Tony Holland PO3 Bob McCord PO1 H Gene Lawrence Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen SGT Mark Estes LTC (Join to see) SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Elizabeth Scheck
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Maj Marty Hogan SGT (Join to see) SPC Margaret Higgins SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth CW5 Jack CardwellCOL Mikel J. Burroughs CPL Dave HooverLTC Stephen F. SSG William Jones Lt Col Charlie Brown PO1 Tony Holland PO3 Bob McCord PO1 H Gene Lawrence Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen SGT Mark Estes LTC (Join to see) SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Elizabeth Scheck
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MAJ Ron Peery
Here is a link to the real reason. https://history.army.mil/html/faq/salute.html
The author of the article got a few things wrong. Ships were never built with precisely seven guns. The general principle for arming a ship seems to have been "more is better." But the size of the ship determined how many guns it could safely mount. This took a bit of trial and error, and at least twice resulted in tragedy (Vasa and Mary Rose). Guns were not "turned toward the sky". That's pretty much impossible with guns mounted on a sailing ship, partly because of the limited elevation which the mounts and gun ports allowed, and also for safety. Firing guns on the weather deck skyward tends to set the rigging alight. The salute was fired by selected guns on the side of the ship away from the ship or port being saluted. Usually, before entering a port, ships would send an officer ashore to coordinate with the local authorities to ensure that they would, indeed, return the salute, to avoid any unintended or intended insult. On land, an honor guard would fire the salute. In all cases, the number of guns fired was dependent upon the rank of the recipient of the salute. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, at least in Europe, the standard was head of state, 21 guns; Admiral (or general) 19 guns; Commodore, 13 guns.
The author of the article got a few things wrong. Ships were never built with precisely seven guns. The general principle for arming a ship seems to have been "more is better." But the size of the ship determined how many guns it could safely mount. This took a bit of trial and error, and at least twice resulted in tragedy (Vasa and Mary Rose). Guns were not "turned toward the sky". That's pretty much impossible with guns mounted on a sailing ship, partly because of the limited elevation which the mounts and gun ports allowed, and also for safety. Firing guns on the weather deck skyward tends to set the rigging alight. The salute was fired by selected guns on the side of the ship away from the ship or port being saluted. Usually, before entering a port, ships would send an officer ashore to coordinate with the local authorities to ensure that they would, indeed, return the salute, to avoid any unintended or intended insult. On land, an honor guard would fire the salute. In all cases, the number of guns fired was dependent upon the rank of the recipient of the salute. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, at least in Europe, the standard was head of state, 21 guns; Admiral (or general) 19 guns; Commodore, 13 guns.
Origin of the 21-Gun Salute | U.S. Army Center of Military History
The use of gun salutes for military occasions is traced to early warriors who demonstrated their peaceful intentions by placing their weapons in a position that rendered them ineffective. Apparently this custom was universal, with the specific act varying with time and place, depending on the weapons being used. A North African tribe, for example, trailed the points of their spears on the ground to indicate that they did not mean to be...
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The article does talk about a 21 gun salute for heads of state. But the photos and other parts of the article lead one to believe that the rifle salute is also a 21 gun salute. It is not. It is three volleys and in most cases there are not seven people firing.
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