10
10
0
I was on the Abrams series of tanks and serviced the 105mm and 120mm cannons. My son at 14 is self studying Naval Warships WWII to currently active ships. So sparked the question of maintaining such big armorment on a big platform like the ones on battleships.
Armor
Firearms and Guns
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 5
9
9
0
8
8
0
Besides needing all sorts of mechanical assist, the 16"/50's MK-7 barrel life was 290 rounds. That meant the Iowa Class had to go to a shipyard for barrel replacement. The replacement might be new or relined. Since each barrel had about 100-120 rounds of ammo in the magazines, you'd only get shy of three full magazines of ammo to expend. Barrel replacement was common on all ships with smaller caliber ones lasting longer. 12 inch was good to 366 rounds. A full charge of powder of six bags weighed 760 pounds.
The 16 inch system had two long term problems. First was the shells did not have a gilding metal driving band to engage the rifling. The base was wrapped in lead. That meant when the shell was shot, lead particles were sucked into the ship's ventilation system. Lead poisoning of crew members was common. Second was the powder bag itself. They were made of silk. When the Iowa was being returned to service, the powder was repackaged in Dacron as the silk had rotted. Shoots off San Clemente Island were wildly inaccurate. The scientists determined that the Dacron didn't pass the charge from bag to bag evenly as silk did. The solution was to put an accelerator pad charge on the back of the bag to even it out. What they didn't know was the bags now became highly sensitive to over ramming pressure. That resulted in the turret being blown off the Iowa.
The 16 inch system had two long term problems. First was the shells did not have a gilding metal driving band to engage the rifling. The base was wrapped in lead. That meant when the shell was shot, lead particles were sucked into the ship's ventilation system. Lead poisoning of crew members was common. Second was the powder bag itself. They were made of silk. When the Iowa was being returned to service, the powder was repackaged in Dacron as the silk had rotted. Shoots off San Clemente Island were wildly inaccurate. The scientists determined that the Dacron didn't pass the charge from bag to bag evenly as silk did. The solution was to put an accelerator pad charge on the back of the bag to even it out. What they didn't know was the bags now became highly sensitive to over ramming pressure. That resulted in the turret being blown off the Iowa.
(8)
(0)
CW3 Kevin Storm
Finally hearing the truth of the Iowa. I strongly suspected the report of sailor being at fault was a crock. Thanks for the updated info!
(4)
(0)
CAPT Kevin B.
When the Iowa went back into service, they couldn't use lead wrapped shells. Since work was tapering off on decommissioning subs and sending their reactors to Hanford, a shop was set up on Indian Island. Burly shipyard workers were taught to sew. The braintrust basically came up with a closed cell foam and canvas girdle. Quite a sight seing about 20 WGs using old belt driven Singers. Wish I had my camera with me. After about 4 months, they completed one for every round left at NWS Crane. Back in the day when powder was to be offloaded at what's now known as Jackson Park, the rotten silk bags were simply dropped overboard in the inlet. To this day there is a substantial quantity of well preserved extruded granules that measure about 2 inches long by an inch or so in diameter. We'd fish some out, wash them, and use them for charcoal grill lighter. The Kingsford took hold pretty quick.
(0)
(0)
5
5
0
Looks like an enormous Bore Snake in the photo. Maybe there's a capstan on either end.
(5)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google