EOC 14-inch 45-calibre naval gun

The BL 14 inch 45 calibre gun were various similar naval guns designed and manufactured by Elswick Ordnance Company to equip ships that Armstrong-Whitworth built and/or armed for several countries before World War I.

Elswick 14 inch 45-calibre naval gun
Forward guns of Almirante Latorre
TypeNaval gun
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
In service1915–1958
Used byUnited Kingdom
Chile
WarsWorld War I
Production history
DesignerElswick Ordnance Company
Specifications
Barrel lengthBore 52 ft 6 in (16.002 m) (45 cal)

ShellHE 1,586 lb (719.40 kg) 4 c.r.h. (later 1,400 lb (635.03 kg) 8 c.r.h.)
Calibre14-inch (355.6 mm)
ElevationNaval: 0° - 20°
Railway: 0 - 40°
Muzzle velocity2,450 ft/s (747 m/s) (1,586 lb shell);
2,600 ft/s (792 m/s) (1,400 lb shell)

History

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When World War I began, Armstrong-Whitworth were building the battleship Almirante Latorre for Chile, armed with 10 of its 14-inch guns. The battleship was acquired by the British government and completed as HMS Canada and served in the Royal Navy in World War I, with its guns designated BL 14 inch Mk I.

After World War I the battleship was sold to Chile as Almirante Latorre as originally intended.

Railway guns

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Elswick built several guns for Japan which went into British service as railway guns in World War I under the designation BL 14 inch Mk III. They were similar to but lighter than Mk I, and were modified to give similar performance as Mk I.

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

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Notes

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References

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