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A quiet day in the Mortar Battery, Crimea, 1855 (b / w photo)
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A quiet day in the Mortar Battery, Crimea, 1855 (b / w photo)
5923525 A A quiet day in the Mortar Battery, Crimea, 1855A (b/w photo) by Fenton, Roger (1819-69); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: A A quiet day in the Mortar Battery, Crimea, 1855A.
Photograph by Roger Fenton (1819-1869), Crimean War (1854-1856), 1855.
In the spring of 1855 the British brought up to the batteries before Sevastopol a number of large mortars. With their high trajectory they seemed ideal for lobbing bombs at buildings within the town. Major-General William Codrington, who commanded a Brigade of the Light Division throughout the Crimean War, in a letter written home on 19 April, seems to be unconvinced about the usefulness of these mortars:
These big mortars have not been of half the power which was anticipated - the weight and recoil is so heavy that the platforms are very much shaken, and thus destroy the correctness of fire; and the buildings are so large that even a hole made by a shell is like a pin in appearance. It is better to send them at the Works. ); eNational Army Museum; English, out of copyright
Media ID 23261654
© National Army Museum / Bridgeman Images
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A Quiet Day in the Mortar Battery, Crimea, 1855
EDITORS COMMENTS
captures a moment of tranquility amidst the chaos of war. This photograph by Roger Fenton takes us back to the Crimean War in 1855, showcasing a scene within the mortar battery. The image is held at the National Army Museum in London. In this snapshot, we see British soldiers gathered around large mortars that were brought to Sevastopol for bombarding buildings within the town. Major-General William Codrington, who commanded a Brigade of the Light Division during this time, expressed doubts about their effectiveness due to their weight and recoil causing instability on platforms. The stillness portrayed in this photo contrasts with what one would expect from such a tumultuous period. It offers an intimate glimpse into a rare moment when soldiers could catch their breath and find solace amidst their duties. Fenton's composition skillfully captures both the serenity and tension present on that quiet day. The soldiers' expressions reveal weariness but also determination as they prepare for future battles. The dilapidated buildings surrounding them serve as stark reminders of destruction caused by warfare. This print serves as a historical document reminding us of past conflicts while highlighting moments where humanity perseveres even under challenging circumstances. It invites viewers to reflect upon not only the horrors of war but also those fleeting instances when peace can be found amid turmoil.
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