Naval Coast Defence Gun

Naval Coast Defence Gun. . , 4.7 inch Naval / Coast Defence Gun , Calibre 120mm (4.7 inch) , Range 9km (9,900 yards) , Rate of Fire 5 to 6 rounds per minute , Shell weight 20.4 kg (45lb) , , The 4.7 inch gun was the first 'modern' breech loader and was accepted into naval service in 1887 as a secondary gun for battleships. It was also used in many coast defence batteries. , , A pair of these guns was mounted at South Gare Battery in 1892, but did not fire during the Bombardment of Hartlepool in 1914. Following the attack, another two guns were unofficially placed at Spion Kop at the instigation of the Fortress Commander, Lt. Colonel Robson. Another was located on the Old Pier and served to challenge any suspicious vessels trying to enter the port. The gun eventually fell out of favour and by the 1930s all the 4.7 inch guns set up in Hartlepool had been removed. , , Although these guns were originally manufactured in Newcastle, a number were made in ltaly, America and Japan. This particular gun is one of 37 sent from Japan to Britain during the First World War. Examination of the weapon show that prior to renovation it had lain on the sea bed for quite some time. , , On loan from English Heritage.