British Rocket Sections in the War of 1812

Rockets being used in the War of 1812 were made famous by the American National Anthem. Rockets were very inaccurate but made a loud noise as they fired. They were also very visible as they came towards you and had a high rate of fire. This made them have a powerful psychological effect on enemy troops. 

There were several types of launchers; There seems to have been three types. Presumably a rocket section may have had all three types. 

1. The Ladder Stand; This was for the heaviest type of rockets. 24 pounders and up. 

2. The enclosed tube type; The diagram below says they are 12 pounders. 

3. The open trough type; this is possibly the lightest version of rocket launcher. Maybe 6 and 9 pound rockets.  

Diagrams show the lightest rockets being much more mobile. Each artillery man was mounted and had rockets with him, while others carried the launchers. 

There were two Marine Rocket Sections in Canada in Montreal in late 1813. They were attached to the two Marine battalions. One section was in the Niagara in 1814, and one or two sections participated in the invasion of the US. They were present at Bladensburg and New Orkeans. In the Niagara they were at Lundy's Lane and Fort Erie. Another section fought at Lacolle Mills, South of Montreal. 

A section of Royal Horse Artillery Rockets also fought at New Orleans. All of the above figures and plates are the RHA. 

The Marine Rockets fought in a blue tailess jacket with red facings. They had blue wedge hats trimmed with red, though I have one plate showing them with a Belgic shako as well. Officers fought in Marine Uniforms. 

Royal Marine Uniforms. The rocket uniforms are bottom left. 

Marine Rocket Battery in 20 mm (Blue Moon Miniatures).

A reenactor in portraying Royal Marine artillery.