Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 26:35-32:41

Why the 5.25-inch gun was a temporary compromise

The 5.25-inch weapon filled a dual-purpose gap, but the later high-angle six-inch gun offered more range and impact at a similar rate of fire.

5.25-inch Guns6-inch GunsDual Purpose GunsNaval Gunnery
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

Was the 5.25-inch gun a mistake, and should a 1944 cruiser have used it instead of six-inch guns?

Short answer

It was a reasonable earlier compromise, but the high-angle six-inch gun available by 1944 offered better range, impact, and wider utility at a comparable firing rate.

Notes

The 5.25-inch gun was developed when a general-purpose six-inch weapon was not yet available and 4.5-inch fire was considered too light. By 1944, a six-inch mounting capable of high-angle fire made the compromise less attractive. The six-inch shell also had greater utility for shore support and presence missions.