Q&A · 2:33:11-2:33:21

Could Latorre use British 14-inch ammunition?

Chilean and British 14-inch ammunition was similar enough for emergency interchange, though not as a trouble-free routine practice.

Question

Could Almirante Latorre and British 14-inch-gunned ships fire each other's ammunition?

Short answer

They were similar enough for possible use, but interchange would have been difficult and undesirable.

Notes

The Chilean and British 14-inch rounds appear similar enough for emergency interchange. Using another service's ammunition would still have been difficult and undesirable. A shared nominal caliber did not make this a sound routine supply practice. Emergency compatibility is different from safe and efficient standardization.