Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:30:29-2:31:27

Why Lion kept a 45-calibre sixteen-inch gun

British barrel length is tied to liner life and distant imperial operations rather than a failure to pursue range.

Gun BarrelsLion Class BattleshipsNaval GunneryNaval LogisticsRoyal Navy
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Question

Why did Britain choose a 45-calibre sixteen-inch gun for Lion while the United States and Germany pursued longer weapons?

Short answer

The shorter gun traded some range for longer liner life and easier support far from Britain's heavy industrial base.

Notes

A 50-calibre gun could reach farther, but higher pressures would wear its liner more quickly. Britain expected battleships to operate from Singapore and other bases unable to reline heavy guns easily, so the 45-calibre choice reduced how often barrels had to be exchanged and shipped home.