Tony Williams
Well-Known Member
Just back from a short break, which took me to the Faroe Islands. I walked up to an old fort guarding the entrance to Torshavn harbour which was adorned with the usual group of bronze muzzle-loaders, only to see a couple of big 20th century guns still in place. It turns out that the fort was the base for the British forces which occupied the Faroes in WW2 in order to prevent Germany from establishing a base there.
Anyway, I naturally went down and inspected the guns, and was interested to discover from the breech markings that they are 5.5 inch 50-calibre Mk 1 guns made by Coverntry Ordnance Works in 1916 (gun numbers 35 and 42). Offhand, the only ship I knew which carried such guns was HMS Hood (they were removed in 1940). On checking Friedman's new book Naval Weapons of World War One (highly recommended, btw) I note that the 5.5 inch guns were initially designed for a pair of Greek cruisers which were taken over by the RN at the start of WW1 and named Birkenhead and Chester, and were also fitted to Furious, Hermes, and the sub K17.
Some web searches brought up more info, here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BL_5.5_inch_Mark_I_naval_gun and here: http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNBR_55-50_mk1.htm which reveal that only 81 guns were built altogether, and the Faroes guns came from the Furious.
The guns are rusty and neglected, but otherwise not in bad shape. The breech markings also contained the name HOLMSTROM, describing the type of Welin breech mechanism. I'll try to sort out some photos later, if anyone's interested.
Anyway, I naturally went down and inspected the guns, and was interested to discover from the breech markings that they are 5.5 inch 50-calibre Mk 1 guns made by Coverntry Ordnance Works in 1916 (gun numbers 35 and 42). Offhand, the only ship I knew which carried such guns was HMS Hood (they were removed in 1940). On checking Friedman's new book Naval Weapons of World War One (highly recommended, btw) I note that the 5.5 inch guns were initially designed for a pair of Greek cruisers which were taken over by the RN at the start of WW1 and named Birkenhead and Chester, and were also fitted to Furious, Hermes, and the sub K17.
Some web searches brought up more info, here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BL_5.5_inch_Mark_I_naval_gun and here: http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNBR_55-50_mk1.htm which reveal that only 81 guns were built altogether, and the Faroes guns came from the Furious.
The guns are rusty and neglected, but otherwise not in bad shape. The breech markings also contained the name HOLMSTROM, describing the type of Welin breech mechanism. I'll try to sort out some photos later, if anyone's interested.
