I was asked in an email how accurate the 3 inch Naval gun was in Monday’s post…
According to Capt Kouta (JMSDF Retired), they are this accurate…
This snow lantern top is made out of the center of a military target from the time period (early 1900s) that was shot by the 3 inch guns from an average range of 4000 yards on the gunnery range. The legs are made from the pieces removed from the Mikasa to repair battle damage after the defeat of the Russian Baltic Fleet.
This is the ‘standard’ bridge, used in normal times on the Mikasa, which was actually built in Britain and in March 1902 MIKASA was commissioned at Vickers Shipbuilding, so many of the instruments are in English…
This is the topgallant forecastle, where Admiral Togo (corrected thanks Joe) ‘directed’ the Mikasa and the battle against the Russian Fleet. According to drawings, it was ‘shielded’ by sandbags around the sides and the compass was also wrapped in sandbags. The speaking trumpets on each side of the compass go to the bridge above, and to the armored bridge two decks down (below).
This is looking through one of the ports to the armored bridge. Roughly 12 inches of battle steel.
And then there’s keeping a gun in the office, taken to the next level…
Two of these two inch guns are in the Admiral’s workroom/mess at the stern of the Mikasa…
If anybody is curious, the Mikasa’s website is HERE.
Average range of 4000 yards, repeat hits on a small target plate. That’s some good shootin’. Talk about sub MOA.
Good shootin’ indeed – and without fire control computers to correct for pitch & roll at sea.
Love the historical views. Thanks for that! And some great shooting there!
This is the topgallant forecastle…
The WHUT? Screech Engrish, Gee-Eye! 🙂
A minor bitch.
Admiral Tojo never commanded Mikasa. Hideko Tojo was an Army General (and later war criminal worm food). The commander of Mikasa was Admiral Togo Heihachiro.
Ray- He didn’t tell me how many rounds it took to get those, but yes still impressive…
Rev- That it is!
Fargo- You’re welcome!
Buck- OLD school sailor talk! 🙂
Joseph- Thanks, that is my dyslexic typing… fixed now!
Do you know if Vickers supplied the armament?
WSF- I don’t believe so, I didn’t see any proof marks that looked British on any of the armament I could get close to.
Thank-you for sharing this bit of historical information
Rick- You’re welcome!
Neat trip and nice pics! How are you going to work that into tyour next book? On the Hornet in Alameda the 3-inch (I think) gun is pointed towards the Berkeley Campanile, heh.
Also, there’s an inscription in the wall in one of the Big Island’s Kohala flume tunnels, carved by a Japanese worker commemorating the 1902 (?) naval victory over the Russians.