13.5 inch Barbette

[RANGER8894]

i was wondering if anyone could provide information on that this plate was use for. I am intrigued that it has Arabic script on one side. Many thanks.

[Nearchus]

Perhaps from HMS ERIN (ex RESHADIEH built for Turkey). The Turks were still using Arabic script in 1914.

[Byron Angel]

I think ERIN is a likely candidate, but the matter remains a bit puzzling.

ERIN was constructed by Vickers, as were her 13.5 guns, but I was unable to determine who constructed the main battery mountings. However, a corporate relationship did exist between Vickers and Armstrong around the time of ERIN's construction, so Armstrong could possibly have supplied the mountings. The British 13.5-inch mounting Mk II (according to "The Big Gun", by Peter Hodges) was fitted in HMS ORION, MONARCH, THUNDERER, LION and PRINCESS ROYAL. The Mk II* was fitted to KING GEORGE V, CENTURION, AUDACIOUS, and QUEEN MARY. The Mk II** was fitted to IRON DUKE, MARLBOROUGH, EMPEROR OF INDIA, and TIGER. It is likely that ERIN received Mk II mountings as well, but she was not explicitly named by Hodges.

In any case, judging from the cited component weights, my suspicion is that the the plates illustrated probably refer to components of the ammunition handling system, i.e. - slide and loading arm. The 13.5-inch gun mounted to ERIN weighed 77 tons.


Byron

[dunmunro]

I'm guessing that this plate was made up to allow Turkish sailors to train on RN pre-dreadnought BBs, or to allow them to inspect them for possible purchase.

[Nearchus]

The only RN pre-Dreadnought armed with 13.5" guns still around in 1914 was the REVENGE of 1894 and the Turks would hardly be interested in purchasing her!

[dunmunro]

The only RN pre-Dreadnought armed with 13.5" guns still around in 1914 was the REVENGE of 1894 and the Turks would hardly be interested in purchasing her!

according to Navweaps the MkII 13.5" mount was a pre-dreadnought gun mounting:

http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNBR_135-30_mk1.htm

[Nearchus]

Are not Navweaps talking about the Mk II gun rather than the Mk II mounting?

[Byron Angel]

Are not Navweaps talking about the Mk II gun rather than the Mk II mounting?

..... The main battery mountings were in all likelihood some version of the Mk II - but I'm still seeking verification. The 13.5-inch guns mounted to ERIN were Mk VI "Vickers Special" according to R A Burt's "British Battleships of World War One".


Byron