Mortars as weapons of war are old weapons, well known to armies engaged in sieges. The advantage of the mortar is that high walls and deep trenches pose little in the way of obstruction to a shell descending vertically. This was very different from the cannon of those days i which the shot went out essentially horizontal. One thing, however, is certain if he does know, he keeps his information hermetically bottled up from all access tp inquisitive outsiders.The article goes on to explain how the mortar boats operate and how mortars differ from the then conventional cannon: Their use is to throw hollow shells, filled with explosive material, which, when falling on a building or into the works of a fortification, burst, and, with the fragments, destroy everything within reach."The idea is somewhat akin to a slow pitch softball pitch- the projectile is launched nearly vertical - and descends nearly straight down. Whether, indeed, Captain Porter himself is precisely aware of the point where is expedition is to make itself offensively felt, is exceedingly doubtful. Concerning what particular rebel stronghold they are intended to beleaguer and bombard, official reticence, as yet as made no sign. In the New York Times February 10,1862, appeared something of a mystery: The powerful flotilla of Mortar-Boats which has been, for some weeks past, fitting out at the Brooklyn Navy -yard, under the superintendence of Commodore Porter, is now nearly ready for sea, and may be expected to start for somewhere during the coming week.
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