August 02, 2012
The Lord Clive and General Wolfe looked like they were pretty heavily armed, what with that big honkin' turret up front, carrying two 12" rifles. That's pretty impressive on a 6000 ton hull, but that's not why they always said to stay to the port side of these ships, no no. No, there was a very good reason for that!
What appears to be a turret on the stern is really just a big blast shield with an open back. It couldn't rotate at all, though the gun could swivel within a 20° arc. It really wasn't intended for use against enemy shipping, but for shore bombardment. To be fair, the two ships weren't particularly good at their job, as their guns could outrange any sighting equipment on hand, save aircraft of course... which didn't carry any radio to speak of at the time. Still, there must be an incredible horror when you realize that someone is throwing 3000+ pound shells at you from well over the horizon.
After WWI ground to a halt, the General Wolfe was paid off and broken up in 1921, while the Lord Clive lasted until 1927 as a gunnery trials ship.
Posted by: Wonderduck at
10:13 PM
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Posted by: Steven Den Beste at August 02, 2012 11:48 PM (+rSRq)
The Yamato's guns were actually 18.1" guns, larger bore than these, but the Furious guns fired a heavier shell. Of course, the Yamato-guns could fire twice a minute, had a longer range and better armor penetration. But the Furious did it first.
Posted by: Wonderduck at August 03, 2012 12:02 AM (bqvkh)
Posted by: Mauser at August 03, 2012 04:15 AM (cZPoz)
It's like someone stuck a Railroad Gun on a Barge.
It is not like the original source of the 18" guns was much better (In concept, design, or appearance.). HMS Furious was one of Fisher's Follies, the three 'light' battlecruisers Jackie Fisher had designed and built for operations in the Baltic Sea, among other missions.
Her two half sisters, Courageous and Glorious, also had their main batteries reused to arm a new ship - HMS Vanguard got her 15" with their archaic-looking turrets from them.
C.T.
Posted by: cxt217 at August 03, 2012 08:24 AM (Loovc)
You BASTARD! I sure as hell did not need another time sink with great photos of armament or armored ships or naval history - but I do thank you muchly.
Have a good'un....
Posted by: The Old Man at August 03, 2012 01:12 PM (dBz2M)
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