Country of Origin: United States of America
Dimensions:
Overall (rocket): 1ft 4in. x 2 1/2in., 8lb. (40.64 x 6.35cm, 3.6kg)
Materials:
Rocket, 1.25 inch caliber, overall, steel; electrical wires, probably copper; substance in nozzle, wax; attachments to rocket, steel; separate rectangular assembly, two rods, aluminum; separate reel, steel; rod for reel and extra rods, steel; separate cylinder with disc in center, overall, steel; brass colored chains attached to this cylinder, non-ferrous, possibly brass; two separate rods, aluminum, with black rubber insulated plug, attached to one of rods; flashlight box, steel, with glass in front and glass bulb; fabric carrying straps; two separate rods, steel, with black rubber cord projecting from one.
This is a grapnel rocket launch kit for use with U.S. Navy rockets for throwing lines. The kit was developed by inventor Wadsworth W. Mount for the purpose of throwing life lines for rescue work at sea or from ship to shore as life saving rockets and used standard U.S. Navy 1.25-in.and 3.25-in. rockets. The rockets were also to be used to climb cliffs and for breaching beach defenses.
Successful tests of these rockets were conducted from 1944 to 1946. However, Mount's rockets were not adopted by the military services. The kit was donated to the Smithsonian by Mount in 1976.
Gift of Wadsworth W. Mount
