LB2000.52.1039

LB2000.52.1039

This view is of the Hiram Dale Gun Club on Mill Lane in Belfast on the occasion of a trap shooting competition. The name of the Club probably refers to the Hiram Dale Falls on the nearby Goose River. The name of the falls originates with its owner, Hiram Pierce. In this view, the club is in the center with a refreshment stand to the left and a covered set of stands for spectators to the right. Between the club and the stands there is a raised platform occupied by three men who are likely officials for the shoot. This appears to be a popular well-attended event as evidenced by the numbers of ladies and children as well as the participants. Trapshooting is one of the three major disciplines of competitive clay pigeon shooting (shooting shotguns at clay targets). Trapshooting is typically shot with a 12 gauge shotgun. The other disciplines are skeet shooting and sporting clays. They are distinguished roughly as follows: In trap shooting, the targets are launched from a single "house" or machine, generally away from the shooter. In skeet shooting, targets are launched from two "houses" in somewhat "sideways" paths that intersect in front of the shooter. Sporting clays includes a more complex course, with many launch points. Since the clay pigeon launcher is directly in front of the shooters, this would be trapshooting Trap shooting requires the use of a target throwing device which is typically enclosed within a trap house, downrange from the shooters' shooting positions. The house provides protection of the machine (e.g. from weather and errant shots) and also acts to obscure the machine's oscillating throwing position. In this photo a manual thrower utilizes a spring-loaded mechanism which is cocked and subsequently released by hand. As evidenced by the wooden boxes next to the thrower, the clay pigeons were supplied by William Read & Sons of Boston. Numerous targets can be seen on the ground as well as in the open boxes.