New Hanover >>The May meeting of the New Hanover Historical Society will feature an illustrated talk by Jim McClelland about how cannon were made in Pennsylvania for the American Revolution. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, at the restored Swamp Creek School House, Reifsnyder Road, by the township’s Swamp Creek Park. At the war’s start in 1776, the technique of casting cannon was undeveloped in the colonies. Johann Heinrich Antes and Philip Frederick Antes of the locally prominent Antes Family both worked at Warwick Furnace to cast much needed cannon for the army.
McClelland, a retired software engineer, will explain the details of making 18th century cannon including making the cannon model, making the molds, casting, boring and proving the cannon. Also, a scale model of a cannon that he assembled will be used as part of the presentation.
A veteran of the United States Air Force, McClelland holds a degree from the University of Virginia in Aerospace Engineering and a master’s degree in systems Management from the University of Southern California. His career includes work for General Electric Space Division and working at a satellite ground station operating defense satellites. He also worked for Lockheed Martin, King of Prussia, developing ground software associated with celestial mechanics, astrophysics and dynamics in support of defense satellites.
Light refreshments and conversation to follow the meeting.
