Re: 18 inch Gun Tubes

[Donald McElfresh <a0019874@airmail.net>]

Wasn't the Shinano sunk outside Yokosuka on her trial run as a carrier?  There was
a large platform memorial at Fleet Landing in Yokosuka in 1951 which represented
the superstructure of a carrier.  I was told (between eating tuna fish sandwiches
they would sell around midnight at the landing) that it was commemorating the
Shinano.  There was a lot of ship parts piled up on the beach also, but I don't
think they came from the carrier.

Don McElfresh

geminiad@whidbey.com wrote:

> ChosinMead@aol.com wrote:
> >
> > The name escapes me at the moment-but the Japanese had two Battle wagons with
> > 18 inch guns.
>
> The names were YAMATO and MUSHAHI.
>
> They were in fact 18.1 inch/45cal. guns.
>
> A third ship, SHINANO and fourth hull (No. 111) had been laid down
> at Yokosuka and Kure dockyards before Pearl Harbor ('40), but SHINANO
> career changed to a fleet support carrier (CV) and work on Hull No. 111
> ceased after the war began due to other priorities.
>
> Will send over later some source material for the American
> 18-inch gun developments, why we chose to stick with 16 inch
> rifled naval guns,
>
> which may enlighten the Marines who "thought" they carried
> 18-inch gun side arms, that in fact , none did.....stand by.
>
> Keith