The SPRA

What, pray tell, is a SPRA? Well, it's none other than Schermuly's Pistol Rocket Apparatus. OK, I know it's not a weapon per se, but it's a ROCKET LAUNCHER! This device was used in various capacities to launch line (that's rope to you lubbers) between two ships, between ships and shore, from shore to wrecked ships, etc. The model pictured here includes the brass launcher and an inert Smith and Wesson rescue rocket with wooden float attachment. Also pictured is an unopened box of the original line that came with the launcher. To use, one would simply open the box, clip on the line (making damned sure that the OTHER end was attached to something!), and fire the rocket.

The many uses of this versatile life-saving device are well documented on this interesting site.





Evidently, this device (or similar) was also used to fire flares and grapnel hooks used for clearing beach defenses before landing (e.g. concertina wire).

Of course, I will always remember the day I brought this thing home, burst through the door brandishing the SPRA, and said to the missus, "Ha ha ha, now I have a ROCKET LAUNCHER!".

She was not as impressed as I was...