Fall River in Bristol County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
5-Inch Gun
38 caliber, mark 12
Range: 10 miles
Rounds per minute: 15 (average)
Gun crew: 26 men
Lining the sides of Massachusetts are her 20 5-inch guns. Firing a 55-pound projectile, they could destroy marine surface targets and bombard enemy shores. Most often though, they were used to blast aircraft out of the air, since they could fire quickly at high angles.
These guns could fire several types of projectiles, such as radar jamming, illuminating, and armor piercing. They could also fire a projectile with a proximity fuse, which would detonate automatically within lethal range of an aircraft.
"The noise from these guns [was] just terrible…They made more noise than a 16-inch…This 5-inch had a terrible crack to it. Oh, it was awful. It would knock the lights off, dust would fly. I've had a hissing in my ears since day one."
- Robert Doran, Electrician's Mate 2nd class
[Sidebar:]
Several of Massachusetts' 5-inch guns are still operational. One is regularly fired for ceremonies.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 41° 42.4′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the South Coast. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 5-Inch Gun System (here, next to this marker); Gunner's Mate (here, next to this marker); Shrapnel Damage (a few steps from this marker); Boats + Rescue Craft (a few steps from this marker); Crew (a few steps from this marker); Topside (a few steps from this marker); Below Deck (a few steps from this marker); World War II (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map
Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 6, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
