6-inch/50-caliber gun

6"/50 caliber Mark 6 and Mark 8
On a battleship of the Maine class (Battleship #s 10-12), circa 1907-1908, possibly during the "Great White Fleet" World Cruise. This ship may be USS Ohio (Battleship # 12), as it comes from a series of views that include several directly identified as having been taken on board her.
USS Ohio (BB-12), 6-inch/50 caliber guns.
Type
  • Naval gun
  • Coastal defence
    • Place of originUnited States
    Service history
    In service1903
    Used by United States Navy
    Wars
    Production history
    DesignerBureau of Ordnance
    Designed1898
    Manufacturer
    Produced1900–1917
    No. built
    • Mark 6: 136 (Nos. 197, 210–259, 277–359, 421–422)
    • Mark 8: 215 (Nos. 360–420, 427–510, 525–594)
    VariantsMark 6 and Mark 8
    Specifications
    Mass
    • 18,112 lb (8,215 kg) (without breech)
    • 18,628 lb (8,450 kg) (with breech)
    Length300.2 in (7,630 mm)
    Barrel length294 in (7,500 mm) bore (49 calibers)
    Shell105 lb (48 kg) naval armor-piercing
    Caliber6 in (152 mm)
    Elevation−10° to +15°
    Traverse−100° to +100°
    Rate of fire6 rounds per minute
    Muzzle velocity2,800 ft/s (850 m/s)
    Effective firing range
    • 15,000 yd (14,000 m) at 14.9° elevation WWI charge
    • 16,000 yd (15,000 m) at 15° elevation WWII charge

    The 6"/50 caliber gun Mark 6 and Mark 8 (spoken "six-inch-fifty-caliber") were used for the secondary batteries of the United States Navy's Maine-class and Virginia-class battleships, as well as the Pennsylvania-class and Tennessee-class armored cruisers. They were also used as the main battery on the St. Louis-class protected cruisers.[1][2]

    1. ^ Navweaps 2015.
    2. ^ Friedman 2011, p. 180.