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Navies of the world

Chapter 75: Guns.
By Edward W. Very
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History - Modern (1750+)History - Warfare

About This Book

A systematic technical survey of the world's principal naval forces, presenting concise descriptions and specifications for ships of about twenty maritime nations, comparing design, armor, armament, propulsion, and torpedo and ordnance developments. It reviews recent innovations in engines, armor, and naval architecture, catalogs tabled measurements and weapon data, and outlines torpedo vessels and boats. The work also summarizes major naval engagements and bombardments from the preceding decades to illustrate tactics and ship performance, enabling readers to assess contemporary strengths and the evolving character of naval warfare.


 

PART II.
NAVAL ORDNANCE.

Austria.

  • A = Calibre.
  • B = Over all.
  • C = Rifled Bore.
  • D = Powder Chamber.
  • E = Number of Grooves.
  • F = Twist of Rifling.
  • G = Gun, including Breech-block.
  • H = Breech-block.
  • I = Preponderance.
Name, Nature, and A Length. E F Weight. I
Classification. B C D G H
  In. In. In. In.   Calib. Lbs. Lbs.   Lbs.
Krupp Pattern Steel Breech-loaders.
28 cm 11  240  170.7  36.41    64   45  60,500    2,266    
26  ” 10.24  225 148.4 46.06 32 70 48,400 1,947  
24  ”  9.27 206 136 41.7 32 70 34,100 1,408  
24  ”  9.27 185 115.3 41.7 32 64.7  32,450 1,419  
21  ”  8.24 165 105 37 30 59 19,400 1,078  
Wahrendorff Breech-loader.
15  ”  5.87 152 112.4 22.6 36 45  8,800    321 248
Armstrong Muzzle-loaders.
23  ”  9 156 104 20.9  6 45 27,900   255
18  ”  7 130  85.5 18.7  3 35 14,500   394
Cast-Iron Breech-loaders.
15  ”  5.87 121  89.8 16.9 30 63  6,300    178 299
12  ”  4.74 109  84.4 12.4 24 52  3,300    106 273
Bronze Breech-loaders.
9  ”  3.43  81  57.5 16.5 24 45  1,070    55 103
7  ”  2.6  39  23.8 11 18 30    196    49   48.4

Austrian Ordnance—(continued)

  • A = Carriage.
  • B = Slide.
  • C = Height of Axis of Bore above Deck.
  • D = Steel.
  • E = Chilled.
  • F = Common.
Name, Nature, and
  Classification.		 Carriages. Projectiles.
A B  C  Full Weight. Bursting Charge.
D E F D E F
  Lbs. Lbs. In. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs.   Lbs.
Krupp Pattern Steel Breech-loaders.
28 cm  29,260  29,260 53  559   574    473 14.3 7.7 25.3
26  ” 6,140 12,617 46 395   354 8.8   20.2
24  ” 4,900 9,845 46 292   263 6.6 3.7 14.9
24  ” 5,814 7,528 45 292 308 263 6.6 3.7 14.9
21  ” 6,194 10,412 45 206 196 172 4.4 3.1 14.9
Wahrendorff Breech-loader.
15  ” 1,878 3,740 39  84.7   69 2.1   5.1
Armstrong Muzzle-loaders.
23  ” 4,188 6,917 44   249 257   5.9 18.5
18  ” 2,956 3,757 45   114 118   1.1 7.9
Cast-iron Breech-loaders.
15  ” 1,047 1,207 39     61     1.9
12  ” 715   32     32     1.1
Bronze Breech-loaders.
 9  ” 836   38     14     .4
 7  ” 294   21       6.4       .16
  • G = For Steel and Chilled Shot.
  • H = For Common Shell.
Name, Nature, and 
  Classification.		   Powder Charge.  
G H
  Lbs. Lbs.
Krupp Pattern Steel Breech-loaders.
28 cm 121   121  
26  ” 70.4 59.4
24  ” 52.8 44  
24  ” 52.8 44  
21  ” 37.4 30.8
Wahrendorff Breech-loader.
15  ” 17.6 14.3
Armstrong Muzzle-loaders.
23  ” 50.6 30.8
18  ” 28.6 13.2
Cast-iron Breech-loaders.
15  ”   4.7
12  ”   2.4
Bronze Breech-loaders.
 9  ”   .9
 7  ”     .35

Austrian Ordnance—(continued)

  • A = Ordinary.
  • B = Saluting.
  • C = Steel.
  • D = Chilled.
  • E = Common.
Name, Nature, and  
  Classification.		 Powder
Charge.		 Initial Velocity.
A B C D E
  Lbs. Lbs. Ft. Ft. Ft.
Krupp Pattern Steel Breech-loaders.
28 cm        1,542   1,673  
26  ” 59.4  19.8   1,404     1,378
24  ” 44 15.4 1,420   1,378
24  ” 44 15.4 1,378 1,345 1,329
21  ” 30.8 8.8 1,394 1,253 1,345
Wahrendorff Breech-loader.
15  ” 14.3 4.7 1,608   1,509
Armstrong Muzzle-loaders.
23  ” 30.8 15.4   1,411 1,000
18  ” 13.2 8.8   1,493 1,066
Cast-iron Breech-loaders.
15  ”  4.7 4.7     1,017
12  ”  2.4 2.4     1,000
Bronze Breech-loaders.
 9  ”   .9 .9     1,469
 7  ”   .35  .35       977
  • C = Steel.
  • D = Chilled.
  • E = Common.
  • F = Penetrating Power.
Name, Nature, and  
  Classification.		   Working Effect.   F
C D E
  Foot
Tons.		 Foot
Tons.		 Foot
Tons.		 In.
Krupp Pattern Steel Breech-loaders.
28 cm   9,473   14.8
26  ” 5,404   4,666 11.6
24  ” 4,087   3,464 10.6
24  ” 3,838 3,223 3,867 10.25
21  ” 2,781 2,198 2,153  9.3
Wahrendorff Breech-loader.
15  ” 1,379   1,060  7.8
Armstrong Muzzle-loaders.
23  ”   3,429 1,788  9.9
18  ”   1,766   928  8.1
Cast-iron Breech-loaders.
15  ”       438  
12  ”       222  
Bronze Breech-loaders.
 9  ”       209  
 7  ”        42  

The first type of rifled ordnance regularly introduced into the Austrian naval service was the old-type Armstrong muzzle-loader. In addition there are still found a few guns of present obsolete types which never passed the experimental stage. Within the past five years (1876) the Krupp breech-loader has been adopted as the standard pattern, and all guns of a higher calibre than 15-cm. are now of this type, although many complete Armstrong batteries are now found on board ship in the wooden fleet. The boat-guns are of the Krupp type breech-loaders, but are all manufactured of bronze, or what is generally known as Uchatius metal from its method of manufacture.

The Uchatius Construction.

The peculiarity of the Uchatius construction is the method of manipulating the bronze of which the gun is made, by which the metal is given all the advantageous qualities of steel. The body of the gun is cast in a chill mould, by which the cooling is so rapid that the mechanical mixture of tin and copper has no opportunity of separating and forming tin spots as is the case with ordinary bronze castings. After boring the gun, a succession of steel mandrels is driven through the bore, putting the whole casing in a condition of extreme tension on the exterior and compression on the interior, so that the different strata of metal are in proper condition for resisting tangential strains.

Argentine Ordnance.

In the Argentine navy the heavy calibres (used on gun-boats of the Andes class) are Armstrong muzzle-loaders of the modified pattern (see page 195), the medium calibres are divided between old-type Armstrong muzzle-loaders and Krupp breech-loaders. The machine-guns used are Gatlings (see page 308). There is no regular gun factory in the country, the armament being entirely purchased abroad.

Brazilian Ordnance.

The standard ordnance adopted in the Brazilian navy is the Whitworth (see page 218), both muzzle and breech-loaders. Machine-guns are of the Gatling type (see page 308).

Chilian Ordnance.

There is no standard ordnance in the Chilian navy, although the iron-clads are provided with Krupp guns, whilst the wooden fleet is armed with Armstrong muzzle-loaders. It is probable that the Krupp breech-loader will gradually supersede other types. The machine-guns are of the Gatling type.

Chinese Ordnance.

The greater part of the rifled ordnance used in China is of the Armstrong muzzle-loading pattern. Some of their wooden vessels carry batteries of Krupp guns, and others Vavasseurs (see page 219). The Gatling machine-gun has been introduced into this service.

Danish Ordnance.

There are three separate patterns of rifled ordnance found in the Danish navy. The favorite appears to be the Krupp breech-loader, whilst there are many guns of the Finspong pattern (see page 276, “Swedish Ordnance”). The Armstrong muzzle-loader has apparently the numerical superiority.

English Ordnance.

  • A = Over all.
  • B = Rifled Bore.
  • C = Powder Chamber.
  • D = Number of Grooves.
Name, Nature, and  
  Classification.		   Length.   D
A B C
  In. In. In.  
17-inch, 100-ton 392 308 55 27
Muzzle-loading, built-up Guns. Woolwich pattern.
Armor-piercing.
16-inch, 80-ton 321 231.5 56.5   
12.5-in., 38-ton 230 170.5 27.5  9
12-inch, 35-ton 195 135 27.5  9
12-inch, 25-ton 182.5 127 18  9
11-inch, 25-ton 180 119 26  9
10-inch, 18-ton 180 119 26.5  7
  9-inch, 12-ton 156 104 21  6
  8-inch, 9-ton 144 99.5 18.5  4
  7-inch, 90-cwt 131 95.5 15.5  3
  7-inch,  6½-ton 133 95.5 15.5  3
64-pdr., 64-cwt., shell 118 90  7.5  3
Boat.
 9-pdr., 8-cwt  72 59.8  3.7  3
 9-pdr., 6-cwt  61 49.3  3.7  3
 7 pdr., 200-lb., steel  41 34  2  3
64-pdr., 71-cwt., converted 122.7  96.27   7  3
Breech-loaders. Armstrong pattern.
Shell.
 7-inch, 82 cwt. 126 83.5 16 76
40-pdr., 32-cwt. 126 92.87 13.5 56
40-pdr., 35-cwt. 127 92.87 13.5 56
20-pdr., 15-cwt 72 43.12 11 44
20-pdr., 18-cwt 72 43.12 11 44
Boat.
 9-pdr., 6-cwt. 68 45.5  7 38
 6-pdr., 8-cwt. 66 46  7 32
12-pdr., 8-cwt. 78 52.87  8.5 38
  • E = Twist of Rifling.
  • F = Weight of Guns.
  • G = Preponderance.
Name, Nature, and  
  Classification.		 E F G
  Calib. Lbs. Lbs.
17-inch, 100-ton 0/40   229,000 8,960
Muzzle-loading, built-up Guns. Woolwich pattern.
Armor-piercing.
16-inch, 80-ton   179,200  
12.5-in., 38-ton 0/35 85,120  
12-inch, 35-ton 0/35 78,400 120
12-inch, 25-ton  100/50  56,000 616
11-inch, 25-ton 0/35 56,000 168
10-inch, 18-ton 100/40 40,300 952
 9-inch, 12-ton 0/45 26,900 560
 8-inch, 9-ton 0/40 20,100 448
 7-inch, 90-cwt 35 10,100 560
 7-inch,  6½-ton 35 14,500 336
64-pdr., 64-cwt., shell 40 7,160 336
Boat.
 9-pdr., 8-cwt 30 896   7
 9-pdr., 6-cwt 30 672  29.5
 7 pdr., 200-lb., steel 20 200   5
64-pdr., 71-cwt., converted   40 7,950 714
Breech-loaders. Armstrong pattern.
Shell.
 7-inch, 82 cwt. 37 9,184 776
40-pdr., 32-cwt. 36.5 3,584 607
40-pdr., 35-cwt. 36.5 3,920 532
20-pdr., 15-cwt. 38 1,680 108
20-pdr., 18-cwt. 38 1,456 164
Boat.
 9-pdr., 6-cwt. 38   672  82
 6-pdr., 8-cwt. 30   886  55
12-pdr., 8-cwt. 38   896 199

  • A = Carriages.
  • B = Slide.
  • C = Height of Axis of Bore above Deck.
Name, Nature, and  
  Classification.		 Carriages.
Weight. C
A B
  Lbs. Lbs. In.
17-inch, 100-ton   Turret  
Muzzle-loading, built-up Guns. Woolwich pattern.
Armor-piercing.
16-inch, 80-ton   Turret  
12.5-in., 38-ton   Turret  
12-inch,  35-ton   25,000     Turret   45
  12-inch, 25-ton 11,800 19,712   60
23,100 Turret
  11-inch, 25-ton 21,120 Turret   49
10,700 18,500
  10-inch, 18-ton 21,000 Turret   49
 8,940  8,680
 9-inch, 12-ton  4,800  7,400 44
 8-inch, 9-ton  4,780  6,710 44
 7-inch, 90-cwt  2,700  3,900 41
 7-inch,  6½-ton  3,500  4,700 41
64-pdr., 64-cwt., shell  1,430  2,600 41.5
Boat.
9-pdr., 8-cwt.    532    356 41.5
9-pdr., 6-cwt.    532    336  
7-pdr., 200-lb., steel    112    252  
64-pdr., 71-cwt., converted  1,600  2,700  
Breech-loaders. Armstrong pattern.
Shell.
 7-inch, 82-cwt.  1,760  2,796 42.5
40-pdr., 32-cwt.  1,595  1,425 42
40-pdr., 35-cwt.  1,595  1,425 42
20-pdr., 15-cwt.    616    977 29
20-pdr., 13-cwt.    616    977 29
Boat.
 9-pdr., 6-cwt.    298    504  
 6-pdr., 3-cwt.    560    
12-pdr., 8-cwt.    364    336  
  • D = Chilled.
  • E = Common.
  • F = Shrapnel.
  • G = Burster for Chilled.
  • H = Burster for Common.
Name, Nature, and  
  Classification.		 Projectiles.
Entire Weight. Weight.
D E F G H
  Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. Lbs.
17-inch, 100-ton 2,000       11.25   
Muzzle-loading, built-up Guns. Woolwich pattern.
Armor-piercing.
16-inch, 80-ton 1,700       9.9  
12.5-in., 38-ton 800  843    14 43
12-inch,  35-ton 700 615 612 6.5 40
12-inch, 25-ton 600 497 497 6.9 37.7
11-inch, 25-ton 535 536   5.5 29.7
10-inch, 18-ton 400 398 404 4.5 20.25
 9-inch, 12-ton 250 250 255 2.5 19
 8-inch, 9-ton 180 182 180 2.5 14.5
 7-inch, 90-cwt. 115 117 116   8.75
 7-inch,  6½-ton 115 117 116   8.75
64-pdr., 64-cwt., shell   64 66   7.2
Boat.
 9-pdr., 8-cwt.   9 9.75     .5
 9-pdr., 6-cwt.   9 9.75     .5
 7-pdr., 200-lb., steel   7 7.5      .4
  64-pdr., 71-cwt., converted     64 66
 Segment 
shell.		     7.2
Breech-loaders. Armstrong pattern.
Shell.
 7-inch, 82-cwt.   90 102   7.6
40-pdr., 32-cwt.   38  40     .25
40-pdr., 35-cwt.   38  40     .25
20-pdr., 15-cwt.   20.5  20   1.2
20-pdr., 13-cwt.   20.5  20   1.2
Boat.
 9-pdr., 6-cwt.   9.5 8.5     .4
 6-pdr., 3-cwt.   6 5.5    
12-pdr., 8-cwt.    11.25  11     .5

  • A = For Steel and Chilled Shot.
  • B = For Common Shell.
  • C = Ordinary Firing.
  • D = Saluting.
  • E = Chilled Shot.
  • F = Common Shell.
Name, Nature, and  
  Classification.		 Powder Charge.   Initial Velocity.
A B C D E F
   Lbs.   Lbs.   Lbs.   Lbs.  Ft. Ft.
17-inch, 100-ton 440       1,590  
Muzzle-loading, built-up Guns. Woolwich pattern.
Armor-piercing.
16-inch, 80-ton 370       1,520  
12.5-in., 83-ton 130       1,451  
12-inch, 35-ton 110       1,300  
12-inch, 25-ton  85 67 55   1,180  
11-inch, 25-ton  85 70 60   1,315  
10-inch, 18-ton  70 60 44   1,364  
 9-inch, 12-ton  50 43 30 15 1,420  
 8-inch, 9-ton  35 30 20 12 1,413  
 7-inch, 90-cwt  30 22 14 10 1,525  
 7-inch, 6½-ton  30 22 14 10   1,250
64-pdr., 64-cwt   10 10  6   1,383
Boat.
 9-pdr., 8-cwt.   1.75  1.75  1.5   1,380
 9-pdr., 6-cwt.   1.5 1.5 1   1,390
 7-pdr., 200-lb., steel    .75  .75  .25      968
64-pdr., 71-cwt., converted     8 8 6   1,230
Breech-loaders. Armstrong pattern.
Shell.
 7-inch, 82 cwt.   11 11 7   1,165
40-pdr., 32-cwt.   5 5 3   1,180
40-pdr., 35-cwt.   5 5 3   1,180
20-pdr., 15-cwt.   2.5 2.5 1.5   1,000
20-pdr., 13-cwt.   2.5 2.5 1.5   1,000
Boat.
 9-pdr., 6-cwt.   1.1 1.1 1   1,035
 6-pdr., 3-cwt.    .75  .75  .7   1,046
12-pdr., 8-cwt.   1.5 1.5 1   1,239

Name, Nature, and  
  Classification.		 Muzzle Energy. Penetration.
(Iron.)		   Remarks.
 Chilled 
Shot.		  Common 
Shell.		  At 500 
Yards.		  At 1000 
Yards.
  Foot
Tons.		 Foot
Tons.		 In. In.  
17-inch, 100-ton 37,700        
Muzzle-loading, built-up Guns. Woolwich pattern.
Armor-piercing.
16-inch, 80-ton 27,213    27.5 26.4  
12.5-in., 38-ton 11,676    18.7 17.7   Woolwich groove.
 Increasing twist.
12-inch, 35-ton 8,200   15.4 14.6
12-inch, 25-ton 7,030   13.9 13.1
11 inch, 25-ton 6,415   13.8 13.1
10-inch, 18-ton 5,160   12.7 12 
 9-inch, 12-ton 3,496   10.4  9.6
 8-inch,   9-ton 2,492    9.8  9.5
 7-inch, 90-cwt. 1,855    8.8  8.6 Woolwich  groove.
 7-inch,  6½-ton   1,246  7.7  7.1 Uniform twist
  64-pdr., 64-cwt shell     848     Shunt  groove.
 Uniform twist.
Boat.
 9-pdr., 8-cwt.     528     Modern  French  groove.
 9-pdr., 6-cwt.    120      Uniform  twist.
   7-pdr., 200-lb., steel      45.5     French  groove.
 Uniform twist.
  64-pdr., 71-cwt., converted      670     Plain  groove.
 Uniform twist.
Breech-loaders.  Armstrong pattern.
Steel.
 7-inch, 82-cwt.    847    
40-pdr., 32-cwt.    378       Armstrong
 multigroove.
  Uniform
 twist.
40-pdr., 35-cwt.    378    
20-pdr., 15-cwt.    142    
20-pdr., 13-cwt.    142    
Steel.
 9-pdr., 6-cwt.     64    
 6-pdr., 3-cwt.     45.6    
12-pdr., 8-cwt.    117    

Guns.

The old cast and wrought iron smooth-bore guns are now obsolete, and only found in service at dock-yards for saluting and experiment, and forming the broadside batteries of some of the training ships.

The rifled ordnance consists of the Woolwich muzzle-loader, the Palliser converted muzzle-loader, the Armstrong breech-loader, and the Gatling machine-gun.