ML 8-inch shell gun facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ordnance ML 8 inch gun |
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54 cwt gun
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| Type | Naval gun |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1825–1860s |
| Used by | Royal Navy |
| Production history | |
| Designer | General William Millar, R.A. |
| Unit cost | £172 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 7,280 pounds (3,300 kg) (65 cwt version) 6,048 pounds (2,743 kg) (54 cwt version) |
| Barrel length | 9 feet (2.7 m) (65 cwt version) 8 feet (2.4 m) (54 cwt version) |
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| Shell | 49 pounds 14 ounces (22.6 kg) (Common shell); 51 pounds 8 ounces (23.4 kg) (Martin's shell) |
| Calibre | 8.05-inch (204.5 mm) |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,464 feet per second (446 m/s) (49 lb 14 oz Common shell); 1,506 feet per second (459 m/s) (51 lb 8 oz Martin's shell) |
| Maximum firing range | 3,300 yards (3,000 m) |
The ML 8 inch shell guns were powerful cannons used by the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. They were used from 1825 to the 1860s. These guns were special because they were made to fire new exploding shells, not just solid cannonballs. They came in different sizes, known as 50 cwt, 54 cwt, and 65 cwt. These numbers refer to their weight.
Contents
Why These Guns Were Special
The main idea behind these guns was to fire large exploding shells. These shells could carry a lot of explosive material. This meant that even lighter guns could cause a lot of damage. For example, an 8-inch shell gun weighed about 3,302 kg (65 cwt). A different 8-inch gun, made to fire solid cannonballs, weighed much more, about 4,826 kg (95 cwt).
How the Gun Was Designed
These guns had a special design called a "chambered" gun. This means the part where the gunpowder burned was shaped differently from the rest of the gun's barrel. It was shaped like a cone, getting narrower towards the back. This design helped make the gun lighter. It also made sure the thickest metal was around the area of highest pressure when the gun fired.
However, this design had a small problem. When the gun fired straight ahead, the gunpowder could shift. This meant extra care was needed to make sure the powder stayed in the right place. If it moved, the gun might not fire correctly.
Where the Guns Were Used
The first version of this gun, the 50 cwt, was thought to be too small for big warships. So, a larger version, the 9-foot 65 cwt gun, was made in 1838. This became the standard gun used on almost all British warships.
These guns were eventually replaced in the 1860s. Newer, more advanced guns called rifled muzzle-loading guns took their place. Some of the older 65 cwt guns were even changed into new types of guns using a method developed by William Palliser.
See Also
- List of naval guns
Where You Can See Them Today
You can still find some of these historic guns in different places around the world:
- A 65 cwt gun is at Fort Denison in Sydney, Australia.
- Another 65 cwt gun is at Pendennis Castle in Cornwall, UK.
- Two 65 cwt guns from 1843 are at the Fort Rouillé Monument in Toronto, Canada.
- Two 65 cwt guns are at the British Residency in Lucknow, India.
