| Gun
Weight 5.05
tons (5.13 mt) 261.25
in (6.636 m)
Bore Length 255
in (6.477 m)
Length Of Rifling 212.1
in (5.387 m)
Chamber Volume 1,202
in3 (19.7 dm3)
Rate Of Fire 8
- 9 rounds per minute.
Type propellant— Bag / Silk lined, 24.5 lbs. Each.
Projectile Types and Weights AP - 50 lbs. (22.7 kg)
Bursting Charge 1.7 lbs. (0.77 kg)
Projectile Length N/A
Propellant Charge 24.5 lbs. (11.1 kg)
Muzzle Velocity AP - 3,150 fps mps)
Working Pressure 17 tons/in2 (2,680 kg/cm2)
Approximate Barrel Life 900 rounds
Range:
Range @ 15 degrees (max elevation)
14,050 yards (12,850 m)
These figures are taken from armor penetration curves published in
1942.
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The USS Texas BB35 was
commissioned with 21 of these 1909 vintage guns to thwart attacks by
Torpedo boats as well as Destroyers. During the World War I era five
guns were removed and placed on merchant ships and because the casement
or hull openings through which they fired along the ship’s sides
admitted to much water in heavy seas. In 1918 a 5”/51 engaged a German
Submarine which had fired a torpedo at the ship. Texas began World War
II with 16 5”/51’s. But lost two from the 01 level deck outboard the
Conning tower and eight from the aft casements in 1942 leaving the
current six in the air castle on the main deck.
5”/51 guns were manned
by a crew of about 11, supported by ammunition passers and hoist
operators. When the interrupted screw type breech block was swung open
by the gun captain, one of several shell man checked to be sure there
were no embers from the preceding round then inserted a 50 lb.
Projectile while he pushed in and seated in the gun’s chamber by a
rammer man. One of several powder men then inserted a 25 lb. Silk
wrapped propellant charge which was likewise pushed home by a rammer
man. The gun captain, sometimes assisted a plug man, then closed the
breech . A pointer in the left seat controlled the gun elevation angle
and the firing key. A trainer in the right seat controlled the gun’s
bearing. A sight setter adjusted the telescopic sights for
super-elevation and deflection.
The 5” shells
were painted to assist the gun crews. The yellow denoted “Explosive D”
the Black indicated “Armor Piercing”.
The 5”/51 cal
had no AA ability due to the limiting elevation of the barrel (20 deg.)
But it could penetrate 1” to 2” of warship armor depending on the
range to target.
The 5”/51 gun’s
were assigned to the 6th Division which provided key men to the gun crew
which were augmented by men from other divisions.
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