BL 12-inch Mk I – VII naval gun facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ordnance BL 12 inch gun Mk I - VII |
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On HMS Conqueror
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| Type | Naval gun Coastal gun |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1882–1920 |
| Used by | Royal Navy |
| Production history | |
| Variants | Mks I - VII |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Mk I : 47 tons barrel & breech Mk II - V 45 tons Mk VI, VII : 46 tons |
| Barrel length | Mk I & II : 301.7 inches (7.663 m) bore (25.14 calibres) Mk III - VII 303 inches (7.696 m) bore (25.25 calibres) |
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| Shell | 714 pounds (324 kg) |
| Calibre | 12-inch (304.8 mm) |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,910 feet per second (582 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | 8,000 yards (7,300 m) at 9° 57' |
The BL 12 inch naval gun Mk I was a very powerful British gun from the 1880s. It was designed for the biggest ships, like battleships, and also to protect the coast. Britain built these guns to keep up with other countries in Europe, especially France, who were also making large, modern guns. These guns were 'breech-loading', meaning they were loaded from the back. This was a new and better way than older guns.
All the different versions, from Mk I to Mk VII, had a barrel about 303 inches long. This is about 25 times the size of the bullet it fired. They all performed in a similar way.
Contents
The Mk II version of this gun was put on battleships starting in 1882. These ships included Colossus (1882), Collingwood (1882), and the coastal defence ship Conqueror (1881).
However, the Mk II guns had some problems. They were quickly replaced with improved versions, the Mk III, Mk IV, and Mk V. These newer guns were also used on Hero (1885), which was a sister ship to Conqueror. They were also mounted on Edinburgh (1882), a sister ship to Colossus.
Protecting the Coast: Defence Guns
Some versions of the gun, the Mk I, Mk VI, and Mk VII, were made for defending the coast. These guns had special mounts called 'trunnions' that allowed them to slide back when fired. This helped to absorb the powerful recoil.
They were placed in strong forts along the coast of England. You could find them at Spitbank Fort, No Man's Land Fort, and Horse Sand Fort. They started being used in these forts from 1884 onwards. These powerful guns were even still in active service during World War I.
Ammunition Used
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This is a diagram of the Mk II Palliser shot, a type of shell used by these guns.
See also
- List of naval guns
