Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:17:36-2:18:15

Eight automatic six-inch guns versus twelve conventional barrels

Automatic loading preserves volume of fire and adds air-defence value, but fewer barrels make each individual weapon more important.

6-inch Guns6-inch Mark 26 Twin MountingDual Purpose GunsNaval Air DefenceNaval GunneryRoyal NavyTiger Class Cruisers
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Question

Were eight quick-firing Mark 26 six-inch guns a good replacement for twelve Mark 23 six-inch guns?

Short answer

Yes for dual-purpose fire and shell volume, with the drawback that losing one of only eight barrels has a greater effect.

Notes

The automatic Mark 26 mounting could match the shell output of twelve older Mark 23 barrels while adding a useful dual-purpose air-defence role. Reducing the battery to eight barrels nevertheless makes the ship more dependent on every gun remaining available. The comparison shows how rate of fire can replace barrel count without removing the vulnerability created by fewer weapons.