Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:03:16-2:03:29

What guns did wartime trawlers carry?

Armed trawlers used modest single guns, including a cited six-pounder and the three- or four-inch weapons common on many World War II vessels, for limited surface defence.

3-inch Guns4-inch Guns6-Pounder GunsAnti-Submarine WarfareArmed TrawlersSurfaced SubmarinesWorld War II
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Question

What kind of gun armament did wartime trawlers carry for surface threats such as surfaced submarines?

Short answer

One cited vessel had a six-pounder, while many World War II trawlers carried single three- or four-inch guns.

Notes

One wartime trawler is cited as carrying a six-pounder, while many World War II trawlers received single three- or four-inch guns. These weapons gave an auxiliary a way to engage a surfaced submarine or another limited surface threat. A trawler still lacked the firepower to fight destroyers. Its modest armament provided proportionate self-protection, far below major-combatant capability.