Gentlemen,
I seem to remember my father telling me that when he was on the Queen Elizabeth between the wars that if they had a misfire on one of the 15" guns that gun would remain unopened for a considerable period of time in case the sudden exposure to air when the breech was opened set off the cordite, I wonder if this was the cause of the turret explosion on Iowa some years ago?
Also, what would happen if the ship was in the middle of a battle, would the gun still remain inoperable for the same length of time as in a practice shoot?
Flashbacks
Re: Flashbacks
According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Iowa_turret_explosion
Sandia thinks it was an overram.
The Navy isn't sure.
This page http://www.ussiowa.org/turret2/personal ... story1.htm however states that turret one had just had a hang fire and was awaiting orders. That does add some weight to your speculation IMO.
Sandia thinks it was an overram.
The Navy isn't sure.
This page http://www.ussiowa.org/turret2/personal ... story1.htm however states that turret one had just had a hang fire and was awaiting orders. That does add some weight to your speculation IMO.