1972 I was a powderman in a 5" X 38 gun mount. DD-762. We went to gun school at Dam Neck Virginia. Those old mounts were literally a blast to work in and participate in live fire exercises. We also had two 3" 50 twin open mounts and also trained at Dam Neck. To see the balls of fire come out of those open mounts was unbelievable for a 19 year old. Lol Thanks again for another great video.
There's lots of factors. We have done July 4 shoots, this year we didn't. Economics, management staff/Fire Dept/Pyro oversight availability, etc. We try to do it on major holidays, and sometimes an event using the ship for a venue will pay for a shoot. I want every shoot we can pull off, but that's beyond my control.
Of course. I'm sure there's loads of factors that come into it (especially being in Cali). But I'm sure the efforts pay off, especially when the younger generations get to observe and appreciate a sample of the firepower, history. and pure shock effect of naval guns. I hope to make it back to the States and see one of the Iowa class vessels one day. The family and I have visited the Alabama in Mobile and it was a brilliant experience.
What you are hearing is 2 pounds of black powder out of each barrel. Real 5-inch shots have a different note, louder and much sharper. I've been told the 5's were much worse than the 16's, they really cracked and hurt. However, this is not to say that the 16's were anything to scoff at. Yes, they are louder and yes they will cause hearing damage too, but their note is lower, more boomy than the bark of the 5's.
either way it,s still cool that you get to do that. you guys are getting all of the really cool stuff in California AFTER i have moved away. how ever where i live in Arkansas we have the U.S.S. Hoga a tug boat that was in Pearl Harbor on Dec.7 1941. we also have the U.S.S. Razorback ( not named after the college) that was in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese gave up. the Hoga is almost ready to be opened up to the public. i can not wait.
If you're asking how many did she sink, the answer is one, the light cruiser 'Katori'. She shot down 5 planes, assisted on 3 more, blew up 2 factories, participated in several shore bombardments, and received 9 battle stars.
Raising steam....while possible is not going to happen. Drydock time is outrageously expensive (as are tows, the nearest drydock is San Diego, and is booked for years to come. Hawaii and Bremerton are too far. The entire process, time , materials, and labor would be virtually astronomical. Then you need the fuel and crew to run her...no, she has steamed her last mile. Now, on top pf ll that, there are no spare parts. While there is some modern equipment from 80's refit, there's also lots of legacy equipment, with no spare parts. So you'd be either making the needed parts (expensive) or replacing legacy with appropriate modern, expensive as well as a major pain in the ass. Much has the potential to be round peg in square hole. Sorry to disappoint, but it ain't gonna happen...
Good question. We do not fire them in a normal naval procedure. We use a cut down powder case modified to use a special blank cartridge as a primer under two pounds of black powder. They are loaded by hand into the gun and on command, the trigger (foot pedal) is pressed.
Listen very carefully at 00:16, you can hear a click as the first breech-block comes up. That is the instant the shell was loaded into the gun...
1972 I was a powderman in a 5" X 38 gun mount. DD-762.
We went to gun school at Dam Neck Virginia. Those old mounts were literally a blast to work in and participate in live fire exercises. We also had two 3" 50 twin open mounts and also trained at Dam Neck. To see the balls of fire come out of those open mounts was unbelievable for a 19 year old. Lol Thanks again for another great video.
It is indeed "a blast". We have another shoot coming up 4/28 at 2200.
Way cool. I take it these are not normal loads? Would love to have been there for that. Is there a 4th of July shoot?
There's lots of factors. We have done July 4 shoots, this year we didn't. Economics, management staff/Fire Dept/Pyro oversight availability, etc. We try to do it on major holidays, and sometimes an event using the ship for a venue will pay for a shoot.
I want every shoot we can pull off, but that's beyond my control.
Of course. I'm sure there's loads of factors that come into it (especially being in Cali). But I'm sure the efforts pay off, especially when the younger generations get to observe and appreciate a sample of the firepower, history. and pure shock effect of naval guns. I hope to make it back to the States and see one of the Iowa class vessels one day. The family and I have visited the Alabama in Mobile and it was a brilliant experience.
Love to see you here...
if that,s what the 5 inch guns sound like. just think how loud the 16 inch guns are .
What you are hearing is 2 pounds of black powder out of each barrel. Real 5-inch shots have a different note, louder and much sharper. I've been told the 5's were much worse than the 16's, they really cracked and hurt. However, this is not to say that the 16's were anything to scoff at. Yes, they are louder and yes they will cause hearing damage too, but their note is lower, more boomy than the bark of the 5's.
either way it,s still cool that you get to do that. you guys are getting all of the really cool stuff in California AFTER i have moved away. how ever where i live in Arkansas we have the U.S.S. Hoga a tug boat that was in Pearl Harbor on Dec.7 1941. we also have the U.S.S. Razorback ( not named after the college) that was in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese gave up. the Hoga is almost ready to be opened up to the public. i can not wait.
Very cool. Enjoy those boats.
How warships did the Iowa officially sink?
If you're asking how many did she sink, the answer is one, the light cruiser 'Katori'. She shot down 5 planes, assisted on 3 more, blew up 2 factories, participated in several shore bombardments, and received 9 battle stars.
james pobog Awesome, thanks for replying aswell!
My pleasure. The Wiki page is pretty good.
is there a possible engine fireup? or a sea run?
Raising steam....while possible is not going to happen. Drydock time is outrageously expensive (as are tows, the nearest drydock is San Diego, and is booked for years to come. Hawaii and Bremerton are too far. The entire process, time , materials, and labor would be virtually astronomical. Then you need the fuel and crew to run her...no, she has steamed her last mile. Now, on top pf ll that, there are no spare parts. While there is some modern equipment from 80's refit, there's also lots of legacy equipment, with no spare parts. So you'd be either making the needed parts (expensive) or replacing legacy with appropriate modern, expensive as well as a major pain in the ass. Much has the potential to be round peg in square hole.
Sorry to disappoint, but it ain't gonna happen...
How were they able to make the guns shoot?
Good question. We do not fire them in a normal naval procedure. We use a cut down powder case modified to use a special blank cartridge as a primer under two pounds of black powder. They are loaded by hand into the gun and on command, the trigger (foot pedal) is pressed.
james pobog thank you, I have found the Iowa and ww2 history in general very interesting all my life
Any chance of firing the 15' main battery? That would be crazy awesome
We've done one pyro shot, FX, for a private group. Very expensive. Won't happen again soon...
james pobog did yall use 3 powder bags, or some other load
It was totally pyro. The SFX guy put a 16" mortar in the muzzle and loaded that up. The gun Crew had nothing to do with it...
james pobog awww man, that doesn't count at all lol
There's youtube vid of it. Set off car alarms for blocks.