H.M.S CAVALIER

Firing the 4.5” Mk IV “B” gun on HMS Cavalier. This sequence shows a salvo of three rounds being fired loading cartridge and shell, swinging loading tray to breech and ramming home the charge. Firing and ejecting the cartridge. This is all completed in the  time of 12 rounds per minute.  ( Average speed for manual loading and firing of this type of gun)

Fire control is directed by bells and lights ( light when loaded  - bell  order to shoot) This method enables both “A” and “B” mounts to fire simultaneously. The number of rounds fired is limited to the number of 4.5” cartridges that we have that are modified to accept steel inserts which hold the explosive charge.

At present we hold 10 rounds. Our aim is to restore “Y” mount to firing condition in 2012 thus enabling HMS Cavalier to be able to fire the first full broadside in the Royal Navy since HMS London fired the last in 1982.