Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:51:43-1:53:46

HMS Hood's 13.5-inch guns were breech-loaders

A live check confirms that Hood carried breech-loading 13.5-inch Mark I-IV guns despite uncertainty prompted by her different turret mounting.

13.5-inch GunsBreech-Loading GunsHMS Hood 1891Royal Sovereign Class Pre-Dreadnought Battleships
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Question

What loading system did HMS Hood use for her 13.5-inch guns?

Short answer

A check identifies Hood's 13.5-inch Mark I-IV guns as breech-loading weapons.

Notes

An audience question asks how HMS Hood's main guns were loaded compared with the barbette Royal Sovereigns. The initial answer is cautious because the turret mounting does not settle the gun mechanism by itself. A check of the ship's armament identifies her 13.5-inch Mark I-IV naval guns as breech-loaders. The exchange gives viewers a verified technical detail about the class and shows why mount type and loading system should be checked separately.