This is a rocket grapnel, Mark 1 Model 0, and adapters, for use with World War II vintage U.S. Navy rockets. It uses a 3.25-inch rocket motor. The grapnel was developed by the American 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 rockets.
Successful tests of these rockets were conducted from 1944 to 1946. However, they were not adopted by the Coast Guard or other services, although they were allegedly adapted for testing soil samples during post-war Atomic bomb tests. The grapnel was donated to the Smithsonian by Mount in 1976.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets
Manufacturer
Intertype Corporation
Dimensions
3-D (Main body): 86 × 17.8 × 17.8cm, 15.9kg (2 ft. 9 7/8 in. × 7 in. × 7 in., 35lb.)
Storage (Rehoused on an aluminum pallet): 152.4 × 121.9 × 55.9cm, 124.7kg (5 ft. × 4 ft. × 1 ft. 10 in., 275lb.)
Materials
HAZMAT: Cadmium Plating
Steel
Unknown Metal
Copper Alloy
Coating
Synthetic
Inventory Number
A19770987000
Credit Line
Gift of Wadsworth W. Mount
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.