Bridge and main guns of HMS Implacable

Bridge and main guns of HMS Implacable

Here we see the main gun and bridge area of the Formidable class battleship HMS Implacable. Here we can see three of the four types of guns she carried. The biggest guns on view are the two 12in guns in the big turret. Next are two of the casemate mounted 6in guns - here showing the two forward guns, carried on two levels. Finally we can clearly make out three of the smallest guns - the 3-pounder anti-torpedo boat guns. One can be seen on the far end of the level below the bridge (just above the 12in guns). There is a similar gun on the opposite end of that level, but it is hard to make out. Two more 3-pounders can be seen on the circular platform on the mast just behind the bridge. We also get a clear view of the bridge area, with an enclosed lower bridge and open upper bridge (protected here by what appear to be fairly flimsy screens. It is quite remarkable how small the bridge structure is for a powerful battleship, but the Implacable was designed before any of the electronic systems that later required bridge space had even been imagined.

Many thanks to Chris Marshall for sending us this picture, which belonged to his mother.

How to cite this article: Rickard, J (17 December 2019), Bridge and main guns of HMS Implacable , http://www.historyofwar.org/Pictures/pictures_HMS_Implacable_bridge_guns.html

Help - F.A.Q. - Contact Us - Search - Recent - About Us - Privacy