COAST DEFENCE GUNS

The British coast defence batteries were largely dependent on the guns developed for the Royal Navy which was the primary service, and we therefore see a relationship between ships armour, increasing gun power for the Royal Navy and then an upgrading of the coastal defence batteries.

The coast defence guns of 1840 were primarily the 24-pdr and 32-pdr smooth bore gun which had changed little from the Napoleonic Wars.  The 8-inch and 10-inch shell guns were a more recent development and proved effective against wooden ships, particularly with their rigging.  However, it was not until we see the introduction if iron clad warships in 1859 that things really start to change.  The old smooth bore guns were unable to penetrate the armour of new vessels, requiring the introduction of rifled guns.

24-pdr Smooth Bore Gun

The 24-pdr Muzzle Loading Smooth Bore was used extensively in the Napoleonic wars.  Operational until about 1865.  It was used extensively in coast fortifications around the world. It was superseded by the 32-pdr.  The effective range of this gun was about 1,200 yards.

32-pdr Smooth Bore Gun

The 32-pdr (58cwt) Muzzle Loading Smooth Bore was used extensively in fortifications between 1830 and about 1880.  It was largely redundant by 1865 but still remained in fortifications.    The effective range of this gun was about 2,600 yards.

68-pdr Smooth Bore Gun

The 68-pdr (95cwt) Muzzle Loading Smooth Bore was used extensively in fortifications between 1846 and the 1870s. Often regarded as one of the most effective British smooth bore guns.    The effective range of this gun was about 2,600 yards.

64-pdr RML gun (converted)

64-pdr RML or RML 32-pdr of 58 cwt, Palliser system.  Also a 71 cwt version converted from 8-inch SB shell gun. Operational in coastal batteries from 1873 until about 1900.  The effective range of this gun was about 2,700 yards.

64-pdr RML gun

64-pdr RML of 64 cwt.  Marks I – III.  Operational from 1865 until about 1900. The effective range of this gun was about 5,000 yards.

68-pdr RML gun

68-pdr RML of 88 cwt, 95 cwt or 112 cwt Dundas Gun. Operational from 1872 until about 1900. The effective range of this gun was about 2,700 yards.

7-inch RBL gun

7-inch RBL of 110-lbs.  The first British  breech loading gun that was widely deployed.  In use by 1859 but largely withdrawn by 1864.  Still on armament returns for coastal defence fortifications twenty years later.

7-inch RML gun

7-inch of 7 ton with Marks I-IV and 6.5 ton with Marks I-III.  Also used on Moncrieff mountings. Operational from 1864 until about 1905.  Maximum effective range of 5,500 yards.

9-inch RML gun

9-inch of 12 ton with Marks I-IV.  Operational from 1865 until about 1922.  Maximum effective range of 4,500 yards.

10-inch RML gun

10-inch of 18 tons with Marks I-II.  Operational from 1864 until about 1904.  Maximum effective range of 4,380 yards. Often used in casemated batteries behind iron shields.

11-inch RML gun

11-inch RML of 25 tons, with Marks I-II. Operational from 1867 until about 1903.  Maximum effective range of 4,420 yards. Often used in casemated batteries behind iron shields.

12-inch RML gun

12-inch RML of 25 tons, with Marks I-II. Used both on turreted ships and for coast defence.  Operational from 1864 until about 1870s.  The 12-inch RML of 35 tons had only one Mark and came into service in 1871.  Only used on naval vessels. Only limited numbers of 12-inch RML were manufactured. Maximum effective range of 4,530 yards.

12.5-inch RML gun

12.5-inch RML of 38  tons, with Marks I & II. Used both on turreted ships and for coast defence.  Operational from 1873 until 1905.  Often deployed behind iron shields supported by 10-inch RML guns. Maximum effective range of 4,520 yards.

17.72-inch RML gun

The 17.72-inch RML weighed over 100 tons and is now referred to as the 100 Ton Gun. Initially mounted on Italian Warships, two batteries were later established in both Malta and Gibraltar.   Operational from 1875 until 1906.  Maximum effective range of 6,000 yards.

10-inch BL gun

The 10-inch gun was produced in Marks I-IV to replaced the old heavy RML guns. The Mark 1 had a 32ton barrel and breech, while the Mark II to IV was 39 tons.  Operational from 11885 until at least 1906, 10-inch BL guns were used in many overseas locations such as Hong Kong and Aden.  Maximum effective range of 6,000 yards.  The 9.2-inch BL gun superseded the 10-inch BL in about 1889.

6-inch BL gun (Early)

The 6-inch gun of 5 tons came in Mark II-IV.  Operational from 1880 until 1905.  Maximum effective range of 10,000 yards.

6-inch QF BL gun

The 6-inch Quick Fire (QF) gun.  This 6-inch gun had both the shell and charge in one complete unit for quicker loading. Operational from 1892 until 1945.  Maximum effective range of 10,000 yards.

6-inch  BL gun (Later)

The 6-inch Quick Fire (QF) gun.  This gun came in Marks V-VII and became one of the most widely deplyed guns of this calibre. Operational from 1899 until 1957.  Maximum effective range of 11,600 yards.

9.2-inch  BL gun (Early)

The early 9.2-inch of 22 tons came with Marks I– VII. Operational from 1881 until 1918.  Maximum effective range of 10,000 yards.

9.2-inch  BL gun (Later)

The later 9.2-inch of 22 tons came with Marks IX and X. Operational from 1899 until 1957.  Maximum effective range of 29,200 yards.

4.7-inch  QF gun

The 4.7-inch Quick Fire (QF)  with Marks I-IV.  Operational from 1887 until 1920.  Maximum effective range of 10.000 yards.

3-pdr QF gun

The 3-pdr Q.F. Vickers. Marks I – II.  Also a similar Hotchkiss QF gun used prior to this. Vickers operational from 1905 until 1950. Hotchkiss 1886 to 1950.  Maximum effective range of about 5,000 yards.

6-pdr QF gun

The 6-pdr Hotchkiss Q.F. of 8cwt with Marks I-II. Operational from 1885 until 1950. Hotchkiss 1886 to 1990.  Maximum effective range of about 5,000 yards.

12-pdr QF gun

The 12-pdr 12-cwt Quick Fire gun was introduced in 1894 and manufactured by Armstrong Whitworth, Elswick.  Over 8,000 of the guns were built and remained in service until well after 1945.  With a maximum effective range of 11,750 yards, they were used extensively in coastal batteries to combat fast moving vessels such as Motor Torpedo Boats.