BL 5.5 inch Mark I naval gun
| BL 5.5 inch Mark I | |
|---|---|
|
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| Type | Naval gun, Coastal defence |
| Place of origin | UK |
| Service history | |
| Wars |
World War One World War Two |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Coventry Ordnance Works |
| Designed | 1913 |
| Manufacturer | Coventry Ordnance Works |
| No. built | 81 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 13,955 lbs (6,330 kg) |
| Length | 6.985 metres (275.0 in) bore (50 cal) |
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| Shell | 82 pounds (37.19 kg) |
| Calibre | 5.5-inch (140 mm) |
| Breech | Welin breech block with Holmstrom mechanism |
| Elevation | -7 degrees to +30 degrees depending on mount |
| Rate of fire | 12 rounds per minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 2,790 f/s (850 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | 16,250 m at 30-degree elevation |
The Breech Loading 5.5 inch Mk I was a naval gun used by the British Royal Navy during both World Wars.
This weapon was developed by Coventry Ordnance Works in 1913 and offered to the Greek Navy as main armament for two new cruisers building at Cammell Laird. On the outbreak Of World War I the two ships were purchased by Britain as HMS Chester and HMS Birkenhead. The RN was happy with the performance of the gun as it was significantly lighter than the standard 6 inch gun and fired an 82 lb shell rather than the 100 lb shell of the 6 inch weapon. It therefore had a higher rate of fire with little loss in hitting power. The British ordered more guns as secondary armament for HMS Furious and HMS Hood. A total of 81 guns were made and were used on the following ships: HMS Chester, HMS Birkenhead, HMS Furious, HMS Hood, and HMS Hermes.
Guns removed from Chester, Birkenhead and Furious were used to arm Armed Merchant Cruisers: HMS Laurentic - Armed Merchant cruiser and HMS Montclare - Armed Merchant cruiser.
In 1940, the 5.5 inch guns were removed from HMS Hood in a refit. Two were installed in Hood Battery on Ascension Island and remain there today. A pair were installed in specially built casemates on the roof of Coalhouse Fort in Essex, overlooking the Thames. Guns from the Hood also went to Bognor Regis, Pevensey, North Foreland, Dover and Folkestone.
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