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Spelunk A Turret 14inch/45caliber |
| Follow shells and power bags from the 1st Platform
magazines up and into the 14" gun Texas could fire the 14" guns fire every 45 seconds (but not continuously) with a turret needing 2 shells and 8 powder bags. 30 shells can be supplied from those stored in the Upper Handling Room directly to the Gun House.. Powder bag supply is more difficult having to move through 6 areas that are physically separated from each other. In addition there are two slowdown points at the Powder Scuttle and the couterweight hoist in the Powder Flat. Once in the Gun House there were two manual rammings of two bags into the gun with a wooden pole. Keep in mind too the sailors were lifting and carrying a 105 pound object which had to be tiring. Yet the guns were fired up to every 45 seconds As you spelunk a Texas turret below keep in mind the above 45 second rate, maze of locations munitions had to move through and the intensive labor activity . |
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display photos,
drawings and text After viewing "Alt + left arrow" to return here |
Profile view courtesy of Tom Scott |
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Started 11 May 1999 Chuck Moore, FTV (1st Texas Volunteers) BB35 volunteer group