MJones: Been on the U.S.S. Missouri battleship MANY times both in Bremerton and in Hawaii. I was absolutely stunned to learn that some of the "bullets" the U.S.S. Missouri's 16" "guns" could fire weighed 2,700 pounds (two thousand seven hundred pounds!)! Whilst the U.S.S. Missouri was in Bremerton they had some of those "bullets" (shells) on deck - they weighed more than a Volkswagen Beetle and I forget how many miles they could be slung - something like 27 miles. And if needed to fly further the Captain could flood some ballast tanks on the other side of the ship so they could get some more degrees of elevation for the "guns". I was told that technique was used on multiple occasions in the Persian Gulf (IIRC). Will not lie - I shed a tear or two each time I stood under those huge guns on the U.S.S. Missouri. Worth seeing if ever in Hawaii. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
I've read stories of the naval battles of WWII and it always amazes me how many shells were fired and how far away they engaged. Seems like often there were several hundred firings during a naval battle in order to land a killing blow on the enemy. Imagine the magazine hold on the ship that had to hold all the ammo that ship could fire in a tour at sea . Did they have to return to port to restock or did they restock at sea?
My Dad was on the USS Evans (DD552) in the South Pacific during WWII. Supporting the Marines at Iwo Jima, they fired a total of 1889 rounds of 5"/38 shells in 12 hours.
A few years ago, I watched an old black and white training film on YouTube on firing those 16 inch guns. Those turrets consisted of several stories and took around 40 men at that time working together to make those guns fire. Pretty amazing for late 30’s, early 40’s technology.
A few years ago, I watched an old black and white training film on YouTube on firing those 16 inch guns. Those turrets consisted of several stories and took around 40 men at that time working together to make those guns fire. Pretty amazing for late 30’s, early 40’s technology.
Not an onboard witness, but booms heard in DaNang were rumored to be Missouri sourced.
I heard those booms.
The USS New Jersey (BB-62) was the only battleship to see duty in Vietnam.
"USS New Jersey was the only battleship recalled to duty during the Vietnam War. She recommissioned in April 1968 and arrived off Southeast Asia in September. From then until April 1969, she conducted frequent bombardments along the South Vietnamese coast. While preparing for a second Vietnam tour, she was ordered inactivated and decommissioned in December 1969." https://www.history.navy.mil/our-co...-ships/battleships/new-jersey-bb-62.html
"Whose bright idea was it to put every idiot in the world in touch with every other idiot? It's working!" -- P. J. O'Rourke
When I was stationed at Hickam AFB, lived in quarters that were right on the ship channel to Pearl Harbor. Carriers were impressive, but seeing the New Jersey coming down the channel was the best of sightings. Interesting factoid is that when firing all the 16 inch guns at one time in a broadside, the ship was pushed some 15 feet broadside through the water from the recoil.
When I was stationed at Hickam AFB, lived in quarters that were right on the ship channel to Pearl Harbor. Carriers were impressive, but seeing the New Jersey coming down the channel was the best of sightings. Interesting factoid is that when firing all the 16 inch guns at one time in a broadside, the ship was pushed some 15 feet broadside through the water from the recoil.
It doesn’t move an inch in reality……doesn’t even heel.
7.74 inch seconds if the guns were fired horizontally…..which they seldom are….if the ship was on ice….
Considering it is pushing a wall of water 850’ by 38’…….. it is a fraction of a millimeter
When I was stationed at Hickam AFB, lived in quarters that were right on the ship channel to Pearl Harbor. Carriers were impressive, but seeing the New Jersey coming down the channel was the best of sightings. Interesting factoid is that when firing all the 16 inch guns at one time in a broadside, the ship was pushed some 15 feet broadside through the water from the recoil.
If the battleship suddenly moved 15 feet when a broadside is fired, every member of the crew would be knocked off his feet and many of them would be severely injured or killed. Every piece of equipment not solidly attached to a bulkhead would fall to the deck and be smashed. Every piece of china in the wardroom would be broken, and most of the radars and other electronics would be disabled by the shock.
When I was stationed at Hickam AFB, lived in quarters that were right on the ship channel to Pearl Harbor. Carriers were impressive, but seeing the New Jersey coming down the channel was the best of sightings. Interesting factoid is that when firing all the 16 inch guns at one time in a broadside, the ship was pushed some 15 feet broadside through the water from the recoil.
If the battleship suddenly moved 15 feet when a broadside is fired, every member of the crew would be knocked off his feet and many of them would be severely injured or killed. Every piece of equipment not solidly attached to a bulkhead would fall to the deck and be smashed. Every piece of china in the wardroom would be broken, and most of the radars and other electronics would be disabled by the shock.
Most everything on a ship is secured one way or another so it won’t fall in heavy seas. Tables in the galley and/or wardroom are usually made with ~ a 1/4” lip so dishes, etc won’t slide off the table. Most file cabinets have a bar that can be secured to the deck and the top to hold the drawers in rough weather. You won’t find too many rolling office chairs either.
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