Topic: Six-inch Guns (Read 11708 times)

RickF · « **on:** January 23, 2007, 12:53:42 pm »

Does anyone have, or know a source for, dimensioned or large scale drawings of 6 inch/45 calibre Mk VII gun barrels. Don't need the turrets/mountings (although that would be a bonus), just enough info to turn the barrels.

These guns were introduced around 1900, and were fitted to a huge number of ships, used in coastal defence and modified for use as field guns. Over 1000 naval guns were built and many remained in service right through WW2.

Thanks in advance,

Rick

Daryl · « **Reply #1 on:** January 23, 2007, 01:27:42 pm »

Hi Rick,
Have you tried John Lambert plans, he does very good plans of weopons as well as ships.
his web site is www.lambert-plans.com

Daryl

RickF · « **Reply #2 on:** January 23, 2007, 08:43:26 pm »

Thanks Daryl, but I don't think he goes above 4.7-inch weapons - he concentrates on destroyers and small craft.

Rick

Daryl · « **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2007, 10:37:10 am »

Hi Rick
I have another thought, have you tried the museum at HMS Nelson in Portsmouth its called Explosion, I have found them very helpful in the past.

Daryl

RickF · « **Reply #4 on:** January 24, 2007, 04:38:27 pm »

They have helped me in the past, but I have a couple of queries with them now for which I am still awaiting a reply, so I thought I'd give them a rest. However, the weather is getting better, so a long weekend at Portsmouth is a possibility - if the DSM agrees! I'd still like to get hold of the drawings, though.

Rick

Daryl · « **Reply #5 on:** January 24, 2007, 04:51:15 pm »

Hi Rick,
I have another idea an e-mail to these might bring something.

www.dockmuseum.org.uk if you look in thier archive section there are pictures but no dimentions but they might have drawings.

Good Luck
Daryl

tobyker · « **Reply #6 on:** January 24, 2007, 08:14:06 pm »

HMS Belfast?

Shipmate60 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 24, 2007, 10:32:41 pm »

"EXPLOSION" Museum has now gone.
the staff are just waiting to be laid off.
Another piece of our Maritime History gone.

Bob

tonyH · « **Reply #8 on:** January 24, 2007, 11:19:10 pm »

Theoretically, the main guns on the M33 in Portsmouth should be Mk7 since the originals came from the Cressy/Drake cruisers BUT you may find that the replacements during the current re-fit are not 'as built' - may be worth a call.
Also, you could try the RA museum (Firepower) at Woolwich 'cos they're quite friendly.
Also, as you mentioned, some of the 6" Battery forts have their own web sites e.g Landgard at Harwich

Tony

RickF · « **Reply #9 on:** January 24, 2007, 11:21:00 pm »

Oh s***, when did that happen, Bob? All the stuff is still on the internet, but if they're all about to be redundant, no wonder they haven't replied to my queries.

Is there a reason? Not enough punters? Not PC enough? As you say, more maritime history in the skip, or off to some dusty storeroom never to be seen again.

Rick

RickF · « **Reply #10 on:** January 24, 2007, 11:23:54 pm »

Tony,

Thanks, some good leads there. I was busy answering Bob when your post went up.

Rick

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2007, 09:25:27 am »

Quote

"EXPLOSION" Museum has now gone.
the staff are just waiting to be laid off.
Another piece of our Maritime History gone.

I'm a bit confused here. The Explosion Museum is at Priddy's Hard, Gosport. Website still up and running and no reports of closure that I can find. Fort Nelson is the Armouries Museum up on Portsdown Hill. No reports on that either. What have I missed?

Daryl · « **Reply #12 on:** January 25, 2007, 09:44:55 am »

Explosion ??? I read in Navy News that they have some new exhibits commemmorating the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War opening in Feb.

Its a good museum and well worth a visit, hope its not gone.

Daryl

Shipmate60 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 25, 2007, 10:44:51 am »

"Explosions" Museum was supposed to be self funding, but relies heavily on subsidies from Gosport Council.
The Council are making cuts so the "soft" targets the first to go, that includes the museum.
I dont know what the future plans are, weather it will be kept on a "care and maintenance" basis or closed altogerther.

Bob

RickF · « **Reply #14 on:** January 25, 2007, 12:52:03 pm »

Bob,

This is from the Gosport Council Website:

"Maritime and marina related opportunities could benefit from the superb sailing opportunities in the nearby Solent. Further growth in tourism will build upon existing attractions including the Council's successful Explosion!"

What do you know that they're not telling?

Rick

sweeper · « **Reply #15 on:** January 25, 2007, 01:05:09 pm »

Ref: your search for info.

"Following further advances in weapon technology in 1893, Heugh was downgraded to a volunteer practice site. In 1899, however, the site was reactivated and two new 6-inch Mk VII coastal defence guns were installed. In 1911, a camouflage screen, which resembled a broken urban skyline, was erected along the rear of the Heugh Battery wall."

Have a look under Hartlepool.
You can access the site from Google, there is a restoration trust in action and there is still a gun mount in place.

RickF · « **Reply #16 on:** January 25, 2007, 01:35:45 pm »

Thanks Sweeper, I've sent them an email.

Rick

Shipmate60 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 25, 2007, 03:46:37 pm »

It was in the local rag earlier this year and also the local Surface Warship Association (SWA) Rep who has a close working relationship with the museum has confirmed.

Bob

Shipmate60 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 25, 2007, 10:48:15 pm »

News broke today.
"Explosion" Museum to be mothballed.

Bob

RickF · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2007, 12:21:24 pm »

Further to the "Explosion!" closure story, this from the "Gosport News" (20th January):

Staff told they are 99.9 per cent likely to lose job

SHOCKED staff at a struggling museum have been told they are 99.9 per cent likely to lose their jobs.
Staff at Gosport's Explosion! Museum of Naval Firepower were given the news they had been dreading at a meeting behind closed doors with Gosport council chief executive Ian Lycett.
It comes after The News reported the town's Lib Dem and Labour parties looked set to end the public subsidy to the museum because of plummeting visitor numbers.
The museum employs two full time and four part-time staff. It is thought staff have been forced to cancel a number of planned events at the facility, including a wedding booked for May.
Yesterday one staff member, who did not want to be named, said: 'Basically the museum doors are going to close and we will all be out of work.
'Ian Lycett told us there was a 99.9 per cent chance we would lose our jobs and he told us what was happening was purely political.'
And he talked about what it had been like for staff at the struggling museum watching politicians debate their futures over the past months.
He said: 'I don't think these politicians really think about what they are saying and how it affects us.
'If the councillors who want Explosion! closed spent as much time boosting Gosport and the museum as they did slagging it off we would be in a far better place.'
Explosion! opened in 2001 but, while its collection has won awards, it has been unable to attract visitors to its hard-to-find location.
Staff have been told that the decision on the museum's closure will be formally made at the next meeting of the full council on February 7.

So, looks like we'll have to look elsewhere for gun info in the future.

Rick

Stavros · « **Reply #20 on:** February 01, 2007, 11:54:18 pm »

Try Chatam Maritne Museum in Chatham thye shoul dbe able to help you Stavros

RickF · « **Reply #21 on:** February 02, 2007, 12:53:55 am »

Cheers Stavros - I've sent them an email.

PSSHIPS · « **Reply #22 on:** February 03, 2007, 09:48:31 pm »

I can't get my head around why they are destroying our country's naval heritage and history just because of cash, I know first hand from experience with the Plymouth, Onyx and Bronnington, plus the Uboat at Birkenhead.
They just sweep you aside and brush you under the carpet, almost litterally with the Uboat, wich is now lying rusting even more further down the dock side, I also hear that the possible new home for Plymouth in Plymouth has just fallen through, this year is the 25th anniversary of the Falklands war and they still do this, UNREAL!
Paul...

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #23 on:** February 03, 2007, 10:02:35 pm »

Quite agree with you Paul. The people responsible are complete Philistines - don't they understand "once it's gone it's gone"? I think what we are seeing is the effect of devaluing the teaching of history over the past 20 or more years. People live in the present with only the haziest notion that there has been a past. Any protests are met with the attitude that it's all irrelevant really. One day the nation will come to appreciate what it has allowed to be lost but then it will be too late. Arghhhh!

Shipmate60 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 04, 2007, 11:15:05 am »

It is a shame that no-one seems to be using joined up thinking anymore.
Why not have the Historic Ships in one venue.
I would suggest Portsmouth Dockyard as it might be a tad awkward to move HMS Victory.
Then at least there is one authoutiy for the maintenance and upkeep of these vessels.
As the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth expands there is the room, but not the will.
Seems such a shame to me.
And yes if necessary move "Explosions" into the Dockyard too!!

Bob

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Author Topic: Six-inch Guns (Read 11708 times)

Daryl

Daryl

Daryl

Daryl

Stavros

PSSHIPS