USS Missouri 16" Guns Firing (inside)

In this video you will see the USS Missouri fire the 16" guns in 1988 from the inside.
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[@ryanhampson673]

I went on the USS alabama a couple years ago and was blown away at how advanced these ships were even for their time. Gyro stabilized barrels, firing computers and centralized controls that could control all guns from a central area if needed...If you came off the farm and into one of these back in the 40's it would seem straight up space age and out of the future.

[@ariesdane5876]

I've been to the USS Alabama as well. Even sitting in the bay, the creeks and moans of the ship's thick steel hull were unnerving. The USS Alabama was the lead ship that steered into Tokyo Bay during WW2 to negotiate the surrender of the Japanese, which was formally signed on the ship starring in this video... the USS Missouri. They don't build them like this anymore.

[@HANKTHEDANKEST]

From the cornfields of Iowa, occasionally driving your dad's old Model T, to firing the biggest guns in the United States Navy--fully equipped with the most advanced, computer-driven controls of their day. Starship USS Alabama, man. No doubt about it.

[@RATsnak3]

They were advanced because they’ve been modernized over the years.

[@ryanhampson673]

@@RATsnak3 while this is true of the Iowa class this class was not. The firing computer and rest of the ship was 1940's tech.

[@Ponja__]

I've heard it said that a battleship was the single most technologically advanced object in the world when it was finished. Looking at this video, I can definitely believe it.

[@youtert]

This gun has about the same muzzle velocity as a 7.62mm rifle, but with a projectile that is 120,000 times as heavy.

[@eye_am_chris]

youtert Nothing on earth could stop it.

[@Misterbigblock]

Except the train from GTA 5..

[@sneekydsnewchannel9705]

Misterbigblock lol

[@silentsniperrr]

1900 lbs.

[@petert3355]

@ Chris C, ....... Cher!!!!!

[@roberts1677]

I used to work with a Gulf War vet. One time he told me about a time they had a problem with a machinegun nest on a hilltop. He got fire support from USS New Jersey. The hilltop disappeared. Never mind the machinegun nest.

[@Krazmedic]

New Jersey wasn't in the gulf war, only Wisconsin and Missouri, either you meant Vietnam war vet or he was mistaken on which ship.

[@roberts1677]

@@Krazmedic He wasn't much older than me; definitely Gulf War. I'm pretty sure he said New Jersey. He may have been wrong, or I might be misremembering. This was a Waffle House story from 1996.

[@1946nimrod]

Wasn't NJ used off the coast of Lebanon back in the early 80s?

[@5695q]

I thought it was a Syrian post that was causing problems in Beirut so the New Jersey took them and a bunch of hilltop away.

[@mfree80286]

@@5695q Hehehe... standing orders to take the hill, can't because of embedded resistance... get fire support from 16" guns, still can't take the hill. Why? It's no longer a hill, but we'll happily take that cratered plain now.

[@josephastier7421]

When you realize the gun is steady and the ship is rolling with the waves.

[@RichardAmmo1]

Now I get it! I was scratching my head and wondering why it “looked” like the barrel was moving up and down so much? The barrel wasn’t moving; the ship was!

[@MrRemota]

Como alguém pode perder tanto tempo desenvolvendo armas tão sofisticadas, que não servem para outra coisa que nao seja matar, dominar e subjugar?

[@95dodgev10]

Also when you realize that gun barrel weighs about 120 tons

[@pontuswendt2486]

@@MrRemota I agree. Madness

[@ironcito1101]

@@MrRemota Basically, it's game theory. If nobody has weapons, it's an unstable scenario. _Someone_ is going to say "hey, if I get weapons, I'll be the only one to have them and then I can do as I please!". Then someone gets weapons, then the others also have to get weapons, then everybody has weapons, which is a stable scenario (been going on for millennia).

[@ImperatorClass]

Holy shit, that breech didn't look all that large, and then the guy walked up to it. Totally screwy sense of proportion haha

[@alexanderblix6544]

yes you look at it and say "that a pretty mean gun" he then procceds to walk up to it "how fucking huge is that thing??"

[@ObamaTookMyCat]

yea, its crazy to think that the breech block and rear half of the slide alone is the size of a smart car.

[@silentsniperrr]

Toured it again today. The turret is the size of a house and extends 3 decks below. It took a cree of over 70 to operate and each shell weighs 1900 lbs propelled by 700 lbs of powder charge

[@charliekk3377]

@@silentsniperrr 1900 for the mark 13 HC 2700 for the AP round. HC which stands for high capacity is the high explosive round. They could also fire the lighter 2240lb mark 5 AP round. During the cold war the 1900 lbs mark 23 nuclear shell was also brought into service.

[@bellerophonchallen8861]

If you're interested take a look at 'Birth of a Big Gun' on utube. Scenes inside a gun foundry in 1906, making 12" naval guns, huge lathes, presses, white hot barrels being immersed in oil. All that when people used the train or walked to work and lit their homes with candles or gas mantles.

[@markzarraonandia6975]

I used to be the Triggerman (Local Control) for Turret 2 on the USS Iowa BB-61. Yeah, I got to fire the guns.

[@thomasshannon2741]

Mark Zarraonandia were u aboard april 19 , sadly my bday?

[@thekidfromiowa]

Thomas Shannon Everyone in turret 2 perished, so not likely.

[@thomasshannon2741]

Adam Vanderpluym Sorry i meant inboard the ship lol

[@eugeneoliveros5814]

Lucky bastard

[@Jungleland33]

Just wondering how those powder charges are ignited. Are they set off electrically or is there some sort of a firing pin mechanism?

[@mr.2minutes161]

0:56 why is it so small? 1:00 ohh..

[@__DeezNuts__]

Same dude

[@davecrupel2817]

Lol it's a big gun!

[@bindig1]

20 miles away......................

[@lazlo09]

Thats what she said, from soft to hard...

[@FBIagent4041]

@@lazlo09 YOOOOOO

[@tidypog3272]

Everybody gangsta until propellant bags 4, 5 and 6 roll down

[@raymondo162]

sure nuff

[@miamijules2149]

Hahaha for sure

[@spjmrlahey4008]

110lbs. each. Take the gangsta right outta ya.

[@onemoremisfit]

Nobody: Will it fit in my Honda? Hold my beer Am I a joke to you? Asking for a friend Everybody gangsta End this man’s whole career He protecc, he attacc … Sexual/genitalia innuendo/big balls Scatological/potty joke Question of quantity answered yes Plot twist Left/entered the chat Gaming reference Dislikes are from I’m a simple man Not gonna lie No one gonna talk about Last time I was this early First Legend has it That’ll buff right out Fun fact (X) be like (X) intensifies (X) wants to know your location Haha (X) go brrrrr POV: (X) (X): Also (X): Her: I'm home alone It’s complicated YT algorithm counting down years Who’s watching in current year? You Tube recommendations So you've chosen death? Understandable, have a great day Punch line below read more

[@idontcare9797]

And the bags are smoking..

[@mikethomas9623]

My Father was one of the first officers assigned to the USS New Jersey (BB-62) when she was recommissioned. He swore me into active duty onboard turret #2 in Long Beach California and retired me in front of turret #2 at the USS New Jersey memorial in Camden New Jersey.

[@ISU-KV-]

That is awesome, would give almost anything to work on an Iowa class battleship or see one fire

[@davecrupel2817]

Your own father swore you into duty. My god. 👌

[@jamesrcox8735]

Thank you for your service, Mike. Those had to be proud moments for dad. Glad you two were on our side.

[@neilreid2298]

Salute! Respect.

[@cliffords2315]

I was TAD on the USS New Jersey during WestPac 86, when they shoot the guns, you know it LOL

[@OMGL8RHOME]

wow 400K Glad everyone likes it. I see allot of questions/comment's about ear protection, During most of the operation I'm communicating with my cradle operator who is in communications with the booth where the chief and officer are. The loud air noise where I put them on, is extremely loud, Very High pressure air to blow out the barrel . It's The reason I posted this was for ringing and hearing issues, the civilian doctor didn't understand what I meant when I fired 16" guns. Believe it or not I got denied, can't connect it to my service, go figure.

[@davidb6576]

That's crazy to get denied! I hope you're able to appeal or apply again. Perhaps you need to contact your State Representative or some other political ally, a serviceman with medical needs should not be denied help.

[@gamerunners1619]

I'm not in your navy, I'm one of your northern navy brothers (Canada). I agree with the not wearing ear-pro when you're busy like that. I'm an engineer and one of our major tools is our hearing, because if something isn't right, you can hear it in the space. Only problem is, spaces are loud and ear-pro blocks a lot of the noises I listen for while doing my rounds in the spaces. I only really put them on if I'm sticking my head inside an engine enclosure to look for leaks and dip the oil. It's nuts how you even have video proof of what happens and the decibel level that you deal with, and still get denied a VA claim.

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

This was great, thanks for posting it!!!! Ihad orders to her in '90 that got changed when she went to the 'gulf... 😞 Hope your claim gets revisited and fixed!!!

[@nigelsailing]

Same here, (Brit tho) Mortarman plus firing from concrete sangars - but no connection to Tinnitus of course. Class video BTW.

[@Borked_Bits]

My ears are still ring after 30 years. IC working on a gyro repeater on the bridge when my ears fell off, still had in my yellows.

[@razorfett147]

Im extremely impressed at how quiet it actually is in the breach load area when firing. I always imagined the sound from that much powder going off just a few feet from the crew would be deafening Kind of ironic that you're operating a 16" naval gun firing the equivalent of a small car at above rifle velocities...and the hearing protection is more for the high air pressure barrel scrubber than for the gun actually firing.

[@eniszita7353]

most of the sound pressure is coming out of the barrel, and the end of the barrel is a good distance from the breech.

[@dundonrl]

Kinda like firing a 5" gun on a modern Navy destroyer. The quietest place on the forward part of the ship is in the turret mount!

[@TheJTMcDaniel]

@@eniszita7353 About 67 feet.

[@tomservo5347]

A buddy at work who was on a mine clearing ship clearing a way for for the 'Missouri' said it was impressive from a mile away-but it got old fast when he and everyone else tried sleeping with those 16 inch guns going off throughout the night. These Iowa-class battle wagons carry so much fuel that they can actually fuel up destroyers and frigates if needed.

[@glennmclintock9066]

@@tomservo5347 2.5 million gallons. That's just a bit.

[@BuddWolf]

My uncle was on the Missouri and told me you cannot imagine how loud a 16” gun actually is. The walls vibrate, loose items rattle around and you can feel it in your feet.

[@Nightdare]

The short recoil for such a powerful gun is amazing

[@2manycatsforadime]

a lot of energy being absorbed in mechanisms to keep the recoil down.

[@88mike42]

Four feet.

[@raybin6873]

@David Haun Isn't there springs (4) to also dampen recoil?

[@eefneleman9564]

@@raybin6873 I bet that hydraulic cylinder top left has something to do with it.

[@alexolife]

I mean, it's fixed to a 50,000-tonne ship...

[@StraightupRussia]

I can’t imagine working there with all the moving parts. That loader thing just swings up with every one still around, I wonder how common injuries were. Mad respect for who ever sailed on those battleships.

[@bachelorchownowwithflavor3712]

As someone who works around machines with large moving parts, I can say that you learn very quickly how to work around them so they can't grab you. The keys are to remain aware of your surroundings and don't try anything clever.

[@Rudeljaeger]

@@bachelorchownowwithflavor3712 Well they did try something clever by pushing more powder in. Killed 47 people.

[@jtejkowski]

@@Rudeljaeger Exactly. Then they tried to blame it all on a sailor who was killed in the "accident".

[@endokrin7897]

Whatever the injury rate was, I guarantee you it was MUCH higher downrange! 👌👍

[@charliekk3377]

Battleship New Jersey BB-62 has its own KZbin channel and the curator made a video on the 16in gun turrets and their machinery

[@Darryl_Frost]

OH MY, I just realized it was 1988 doing a RIMPAC that I got a chance to watch Missouri do a gunnery display including a full broadside firing. I was on HMAS Hobart at the time and we were very close to the Missouri (the closest ship) doing the full broadside. We were engaged in a simulated war as part of the Missouri battle group against the Nimitz carrier battle group. After that we went to Perl for 18 days along side (2 hour work days as well). we were parked directly behind the Missouri at Perl and we arrived on the 4th July. So it would have been the same firing that is this video!

[@dwaynekoblitz6032]

Dude! I was there! U.S.S. Schofield! FFG-3!

[@Darryl_Frost]

@@dwaynekoblitz6032 Excellent, it's a small world, it was a really good trip as well, one I will never forget.. Bravo Zulu buddy.

[@ISU-KV-]

That’s badass, it would be an honor to be able to witness that and you are one of the lucky few that have

[@AGTtactical]

Come on man...you were there and dont know its Pearl, not Perl, Harbor?

[@patrickmclaughlin61]

Too cool for school.

[@quadg5296]

In the first gulf war the Iraqis had the temerity to fire a silkworm anti ship missile at Missouri. HMS Gloucester shot it down with a sea dart missile. And then Missouri dropped 30 of these beauties on the silkworm site. Needless to say it didn't fire another silkworm...

[@Ghostrider-xq1el]

@Arijit Dey what do you mean by that

[@valhalanguardsman2588]

@@Ghostrider-xq1el oversaturation of AA perimeter will lead to one or more missiles hitting their target

[@Ghostrider-xq1el]

@@valhalanguardsman2588 yeah but he's trying to say Iraq should have sank the USS Missouri.

[@Starjumper2821]

@Arijit Dey They actually did.

[@Starjumper2821]

Ahem, a few points to correct. 1) They fired 2 confirmed missiles and a third launch was reported by a presumed Iraqi soldier present at the launch site. 1 missile immediately dove into the sea (defective) 2) The missiles were Seersuckers, an upgrade of the silkworm. More to add but not correct: 3) The missile was shot down after passing Missouri, it is believed the seeker malfunctioned and missed the ship by a good margin or was disrupted by jamming, but little variation in the flight path seems to indicate the former. 4) Depending on where the missile hit, there would be little to moderate damage. Any sort of penetration of the main turrets is essentially unthinkable, even doing meaningful damage through the armor belt is doubtful.

[@Miftahul_786]

Awww he said “This ones for you ma!”

[@davecrupel2817]

"Aaand *send it!"*

[@Claymireko]

@@davecrupel2817 I wonder if it "reached " her XD

[@02suraditpengsaeng41]

0:48 He said to IJN navy / Red fleet.

[@mynamejeff4656]

I'm really worried about her house !!! LOL !! That bullet weighed 1 ton

[@Miftahul_786]

@@kingy002 idk if you’re being serious or not 😂

[@craigpennington1251]

16" of high explosive projectile. Fire it out to 26 miles. Bam, right on target. The gun moves up&down because of the automatic stabilization firing system. That keeps the gun on target when the ships is rolling and pitching in the water. Yessir, Mr. Bad Ass needs to come out of retirement.

[@a-hvlogs2046]

you can do the same from farther with a missile

[@craigpennington1251]

@@a-hvlogs2046 You are right but they just don't look cool. Somehoe when a battleship is parked off shore, it scares the shit out of your enemy.

[@craigpennington1251]

correctio: somehow not somehoe(maybe prosties do scare people).

[@basementkidd6818]

I still have hope that when we learn how touse the railgun correctly, battleships will come back. Because one thing is as sure as hell, Battleships are badass, a lot more than just shooting missiles at each other from hundreds of miles or kilometers away like now a days, sure, its more effective, but not as cool.

[@craigpennington1251]

@@basementkidd6818 I'll go along with that.

[@dwaynekoblitz6032]

Was fortunate enough to actually witness her firing all nine at the same time. To this day the loudest sound I've ever heard. And we were about a mile away or so. It was truly incredible. You could see the shock wave coming across the ocean.The Navy was good for a few special gems. Still have my U.S.S. Missouri hat given to by one of her crew. I've proudly stood in the spot were the the Japanese surrendered WWII! 🇺🇸

[@jamieteal2107]

👍🇦🇺

[@jeffsumeracki7263]

I have a partial hearing loss in one ear from being on deck when Turret #3 shot on the USS Iowa. And yes, I had hearing protection on, just not doubled...

[@jeffsumeracki7263]

​@Klemheist During a 16" gun shoot (while onboard and topside), double hearing protection is highly recommended. I know this because I was 50' away from Turret #3 one day and was not ready when the call for fire came and now have a permanent (partial) hearing loss in my right ear from one round being fired.

[@Spurdospaerde692]

As a former field howitzer commander I was all "aren't they done aiming soon?" Then I remembered; "oh yeah, constant compensation for waves..." Impressive!

[@oliverheaviside2539]

I was looking for this. Why is the gun constantly adjusting? It took me a few minutes to realize - waves!

[@jimmbbo]

And the entire battleship was designed by engineers with SLIDE RULES and made by men and machines from PAPER BLUEPRINTS... not a silcon chip in sight...

[@nstew49702]

Hell, the mechanical fire control was so accurate that when the BBs were modernized in the 80s, they decided not to replace it..

[@alliancedie]

@Shannon Burns learn how to spell

[@bernardakoito]

And they're still working today

[@Grimmwoldds]

@@nstew49702 The main gun FCS didn't need to be modernized. Honestly, I can't think of anything my mk160(which I heard was actually designed with BB secondaries in mind) did that was particularly relevant to 16 inch guns.

[@robertthomas5906]

@suiterd62 LOL, Here I would do just about anything to man a 16" than to to operate a rifle in the USMC. Imagine pulling the trigger on that... Ok, pulling the trigger and something happening! I've pulled the trigger on the North Carolina. Nothing happened. It's a museum.

[@johngroberts952]

A missile may be more efficient than the 16” gun but never as impressive.

[@knightlife98]

No doubt about that!!!

[@borkborkfoxxo279]

I dunno man, there’s something magical about a battery size HIMARS fire mission

[@dreamcrusher112]

@@bobdown8043 Cheaper but less efficient

[@aaronb2779]

@@TheJimyyy no theyre not. modern day guided missiles have an accuracy of within meters, those shells were accurate within a hundred meters. they had less explosive than a 500lb bomb as well.

[@nissan300ztt]

Yes but Missiles can be shot out of the air. 16" Shell, not so much.

[@andyballard5311]

This ship stopped an alien invasion. Truly awesome.

[@capt.mcdevil706]

It is the final boss though

[@metaknight115]

Yamato will destroy an entire alien empire in the year 2199

[@johneasler9967]

Too bad she can't get parked at the Southern border and stop the alien invasion

[@85rockhound]

Yes, she did.

[@dannyh8288]

@@johneasler9967 If it was parked there the democrats would sell it as scrap steel to china.

[@Gustav-uv3vg]

My dad worked at a factory that made the braking system for the recoil on these big guns. It is amazing the technology, and the brute force these guns have.

[@brianfoster7064]

I had the pleasure of witnessing the Mighty Mo fire her 16 inch guns when I was in the USS Ranger CV-61 back in 1987.

[@trossk]

How loud was it?

[@MrJeep75]

My dad was on the ranger in the early 60's

[@rebelgaming1.5.14]

@@trossk I'd expect it to be "Holy shit cover your damn ears or you will literally go deaf" loud.

[@HollywoodGraham]

I am familiar with 8" on USS Helena and USS Saint Paul, I was a power passer in lower handling room. I observed firing from the bridge and was super impressed with fire, smoke and debris that came out of the guns, especially at night. I can imagine what a 16 " would be like and would have loved to see it but no BB's in service at the time of my service. VERY IMPRESSIVE.

[@martinoamello3017]

Sounds about like the VA actually.. HA! I went to the local VA having a heart attack a few years ago. They actually accused me of faking my own heart attack so my son drove me to the heart hospital across town.. Unbelievable, eh? To top it off they had the gull to call me a few days later to ask how my visit was.. It was GREAT!

[@Zizumia]

I remember hearing a story from a WWII vet about him being shot in the legs during D Day and he couldn't move. A machine gun nest was targeting him until a battleship turned the nest into a crater, saving his life. He said he eventually met the sailor that targeted the nest and saved his life.

[@kevinbourgeois9310]

Love how they captured the shell leaving the barrel at the end of the video

[@davecrupel2817]

2:46 👌

[@AbsoluteZero6714]

And the result..... 3 overpenetrations.

[@AmericanThunder]

That is why they invented HE and then, of course, the Katie 20 kiloton nuclear shells :D

[@Sunnyboy-ob4xz]

@@AmericanThunder Wait hangon, Nuclear shells?

[@AmericanThunder]

@@Sunnyboy-ob4xz yes. Yet another reason not to fight against an Iowa class. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_artillery

[@mierzhen]

we're using High Explosive, so, 2 penetrating hits, 1 ricochet, 1520 dmg on that destroyer.

[@OslikusPrime]

@@AmericanThunder Well, nuclear detonation can also be considered a "high explosive" .. sort off And by the way, in naval terminology, there was not such thing as HE, it was called HC (high capacity).

[@Myuutsuu85]

Beginning: That gun is a lot smaller than I expected. 1:00 Actually, I take that back. It sure is as huge as I would have imaged.

[@endokrin7897]

I get that a lot. Wait, what?🤔

[@808TheDuck]

Took the "Engineering Tour" of the Missouri several years ago. That gets you into the turret of the big gun among other areas. Not a whole lot of room in there. Gun breech is massive. Crew must be aware, at all times, of the machinery needed to load the shell and propellant. Massively heavy but finely built, it is an engineering masterpiece! These guns are gyro stabilized. The gun is not moving, the ship is!

[@Vile-Flesh]

"These guns are gyro stabilized. The gun is not moving, the ship is!" Oh damn! I never thought of it like that but makes sense.

[@TheMrmmkkpro]

As a reloader of my own ammo, I find that powder charge very impressive. Badass, the engineering of those systems is wicked.

[@garyalexander7674]

I was aboard her in Bremerton Wa. Stood on the spot where Japan surenderd ww2. I was a sailor.USS Samuel Gompers AD 37. 1964 ,1968

[@mannixflinn6227]

Gary Alexander thank you for your service

[@tbob8212]

My older sister was on the Gompers 1990-1992. They deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1991. Me? I was a jarhead 1994-1998. Have to add a visit to one of these Iowa class BBs to my bucket list :)

[@craigpennington1251]

Thanks for your service.

[@joekurtz8303]

There's a middle school I. So.Central L.A. named Samuel Gompers off Imperial hwy & Main St. .,gonna look up the history on this next. Found it, worth the read.

[@JSFMD]

When this plague is over and travel restrictions lifted, come and visit her again in Hawaii!

[@Driver_3404MW]

This kind of behind the scene stuff is always amazing to watch. Fascinating how all of this works.

[@shed66215]

One supposed story behind the sinking of HMS Hood is that because Hood was always seen as a ship to be seen in port they were averse to firing her main guns lest it break the china in the Officers wardroom. My great uncle was aboard Invincible when she was lost at Jutland in May 1916, being assigned to Q turret which was manned by Royal Marines. Q turret was hit by a shell from SMS Derrflinger or Lutzow which resulted in the magazine blowing up. Will be placing another cross to remember him this coming Sunday.

[@welshpete12]

I have read that when the gun recoils . it's like trying to stop an express train in 6 feet !

[@bobbycv64]

THANK YOU SO MUCH, this was an excellent documentary. Many do not understand what is happening outside the turret. I was Carrier Navy CV64 and other ships in the Navy are just as important. Thank You, Bobby

[@bf6159]

LMAO: I know all those dudes! Used to anyway. Lived there 87-91 6th Div. POIC Powder Flats, Angling Space, and Lower power-hoist elevator operator, Special Evolution Helmsman... and a few more things. Firing rate in real time... we put 215 - 5 inch rounds and 48 - 16 inch rounds on target in 5 min. That was optimal performance, not the norm, but obviously doable... the paint blistered on the 16's and peeled/scorched off the 5's. Like everything, cost of operation and politics were the primary reason for decommissioning, as cited at the time. There was a lot of internal stuff going on at that time which focused on the application of Battleships VS Carriers... It was proven at that time, early 1990's, Battleships were still superior. However, the cost of operation on a ship that was still using WWII surplus ammo, was not the future. Hell, Carriers are on the chopping block as a heavily manned vessel, the future is drones, 3D printers, and Emergence Technology.

[@michaelg8593]

Eh I think if push come to shove we can easily make a few more modern Battleships with better loaders, more AA and maybe a few helicopters for support.

[@2manycatsforadime]

nothing wrong with the loaders but making reliable powder charges is the problem. All the powder used was WW2 old stock and was unstable.

[@Inspadave]

" It was proven at that time, early 1990's, Battleships were still superior" GTFO with that bullshit.

[@reymiguelperez6643]

Brian Fidler Thanks for your service sir!

[@reymiguelperez6643]

Goodness Grace True

[@elijaharulandu6597]

thanks for recommending this to me 5 years later.

[@808G8GT]

Wow. I've been in those exact main guns on the uss missouri a few times on tour here in Hawaii, never could visualize how it all works together. Nice vid!!

[@broadcastmyballs]

Wonderful video! My granduncle crewed the Missouri's guns in the Korean War. Excellent to see the process. It probably looked a little different in 1950/51 but still awesome to see it here.

[@giancarlomoscetti215]

totally bad-ass. Love these ships. Study IN DEPTH the design and construction of one of these guns...it is mind-blowing to say the least. God Almighty but there were some brilliant engineers in those days. And as others have noted, no CAD/CAM systems, nothing but talented men with the tools of the trade. To think they're essentially firing a Volkswagen Beetle out 25 miles (but made of H.E.) is...incredible. Been to the Missouri and it is awe inspiring. To see the thickness of the armor plating in the superstructure in critical areas...had to be 15 inches or more...and THEN to think of these ships in wartime conditions, firing the guns, taking shots from the enemy, fire and steam and hell on earth but the ship MUST KEEP FIGHTING...nothing but unending and total respect for the crews of these ships. God bless each and every one of them.

[@killman369547]

One of the craziest facts i've found is the gun barrels were assembled with zero welds. They would take the outer tube of the gun and heat it up in a large pit filled with powerful electric heaters while at the same time cooling what would be the inner rifled liner with cold water. They would then slide the cold liner into the hot steel tube and let them return to room temperature locking them together. The thicker breech end of the gun was made in the same way.

[@bigbaddms]

@@killman369547 just watched a video on that. Awesome.

[@julieenslow5915]

Wow. I am surprised at how little recoil there was given the size of those barrels! But you have to be ready for it, as it is going to push every bit of that dimension - every single time! Thanks for this, so cool!

[@MDsteeler1]

The recoil on that gun is one of the most impressive things I’ve ever seen in video. I can only imagine what it would have been like to be there & see it in person.

[@johnfosteriii5792]

Now that is a recoil you do not want to get in front of. Thank You for the video! ! ! I served aboard frigates (75mm), destroyers & cruisers (5") and thought they were impressive.

[@TheClassyArchitect]

It was like an optical illusion at first, but then he hopped into the pit and showed the real scale of the thing.

[@RW-bt6ex]

Back in the 70s when i was a teen the Missouri was mothballed in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton , Washington where i grew up , we use to go on and walk around that ship . Just standing in front of that 16 inch cannon was something else . The chain link alone that held the anchor was taller than me .

[@thyslop1737]

The size of that breech, then all of that heavy machinery in such tight quarters. Am sure many a man have been injured doing this across all of the battleships over the years.

[@j.o.n3321]

Wow honestly the recoil is nowhere near what I expected,I expected huge rough recoil into the turret but it's actually extremely smooth 😳

[@harryrcarmichael]

Thank you for the usually unseen view.

[@David-sp7gc]

I spent a day on the BB62. What a machine. I think I saw more than my buddy did during his entire tour.

[@Cleatus46]

Was next to 3rd Amtrac in 1968 and observed the New Jersey's fire missions....very impressive.

[@Strothy2]

If the US was still sailing these ships i would emigrate and enlist just to touch those guns once

[@traptownkys1947]

Imagine if yamato was not destroyed

[@notyou1877]

Those ships was pure condensate of American prestige.

[@autiovaa5255]

You can actually still visit them. All 4 Iowa Class battleships are museums now, along with the USS North Carolina, USS Alabama, USS Massachusetts, and USS Texas.

[@paulmoffat9306]

@@autiovaa5255 USS (BB-35) Texas is a WW1 New York Class, NOT an Iowa Class, and yes, you can still visit it - the LAST Dreadnought Battleship in existence.

[@autiovaa5255]

@@paulmoffat9306 I never said Texas was an Iowa. I said you can visit all 4 Iowa class battleships, 2 South Dakota Class, USS North Carolina, and USS Texas. The Iowa class consisting of Iowa (BB-61), USS New Jersey (BB-62), USS Missouri (BB-63), and Wisconsin (BB-64). The South Dakota class consisting of USS Alabama (BB-60) and USS Massachusetts (BB-59). USS North Carolina (BB-55) is a North Carolina class battleship. Is that clear enough for you?

[@kurumi394]

The more I study mechanical engineering, the more I am baffled about how these fast battleships with precise fire control systems were in service since the late 1930s

[@anthonysammartino1654]

SLIDERULES

[@luciusesox1luckysox570]

They were about since Britain launched the Dreadnought in 1906. The Iowa's were mighty fine ships for sure but they were already out of date when they were built as evidenced to the Yamoto and Musashi's demise due to airpower.

[@rick.locke.2946]

Pretty cool. Thank you.

[@lt.petemaverickmitchell7113]

This footage is ABSOLUTELY PRICELESS! THANK YOU!

[@timschutte6924]

Wow, is all I can say. Gives me goose bumps watching this. God bless those men. My grandfather was on the USS ANTHONY, DD507. Tin Can. He made it through the war. He was an Florida State Police officer after the war. Better known now as FDLE.

[@alpacatwoniner2370]

i kinda like that fold up chute for the shell. and how the hatch opens and the powder charges roll out.

[@jfan4reva]

A lot of brass in that room. No steel to make sparks.

[@xmlthegreat]

A lot of mechanical design going on. I saw a video in Japanese about the internals of the Yamato turrets. Didn't understand a word on screen but it was very well animated showing the mechanism in great detail and clearly. You see a lot of similarities here from what's seen in the video.

[@alexanderleach3365]

Nothing screams 'firepower!' than the guns of a battleship!

[@brandoncorwin8812]

The scale of these things finally becomes apparent when he jumps down to reload the breach.

[@kapakola]

“This one’s for u mom” gives a feeling of nostalgia I’m a sailor myself and words like that feel old like what our grandfathers would have said back in the day glad to be in the same navy hooyah

[@byronharano2391]

Love how you can watch the geo-stabilized guns move

[@easygoing2479]

I remember one cold day at the rifle range; it was February, 10 degrees and snowy, and I had the whole range to myself. Beautiful early morning to set up for some 200yd practice. I set my bags up on the concrete bench and took a long walk to staple up a target. Walked back to the bench and uncased my 06. Grabbed a box of my hand-load 168gr Matchkings with 56gr of IMR4350. It was going to be such a relaxing morning... then some guy drives up, plops his range bag down on the bench RIGHT NEXT TO MINE and sets up this SAME 16" GUN as in this video! Just RUINED my morning. With a nice quiet range and all the other benches open, why do they always set up at the bench NEXT TO ME? Man, that thing was loud!

[@goldandsilverminingintheci8942]

They make it look so easy. I'm amazed at the engineering that went into making these weapons.

[@rhysgoodman7628]

Especially considering they designed them with a pencil!

[@PAinVA]

Very cool video; thanks for sharing. It really looks like you have to keep on your toes and pay attention. Besides the gun recoil, a lot of the machinery (shell loading cradle, etc.) looks like it wouldn't care if there is a person in the way or not.

[@Digmen1]

Yeah that crew guy looked pretty casual. I suppose he knew what he was doing!

[@JimMonsanto]

I just love watching this. Such awesomeness!

[@bettyschnauber8238]

SOOOO Cool thanks for video. Biggest thanks for ALL that serve. Plus merry Christmas.

[@connormacleod7010]

My grandfather served aboard the USS Missouri also my dad served aboard the battleship during the Vietnam war yes they did have a battleship in the Vietnam War and my dad served aboard the USS Missouri during the first Gulf War not many people can say that they had two generations served aboard this ship

[@viking5736]

The Missouri never served in Vietnam. The New Jersey did.

[@metaknight115]

That’s so cool

[@johnadams2313]

WOW!! To ALL WHO SERVED!! THANK YOU!!!

[@singleproppilot]

This is the video that got me interested in the Iowa class ships. Now I finally got to go visit Iowa herself in Los Angeles Harbor. What an absolutely incredible machine!

[@Alexi7666]

Amazing footage. Thank you.

[@RomelioSanz]

AMAZING!! That size cannon is INSANE!!!

[@Real_Claudy_Focan]

take a look at british 18" naval guns

[@Prof_Unknown]

even better take a look at the guns on the yamato

[@NyuuMikuru1]

Try the rail guns.

[@metaknight115]

If only the 18.1 inch guns of the IJN Yamato were still around

[@lanunselatable5449]

The total loading time from the last firing to the next "gun ready to fire" is about one and a half minutes. In a World Of Warship, it took only 30 seconds.

[@Maver1ck911]

That was two men in the gun room as opposed to dedicated breach block man/two powder loaders/dedicated rammer/dedicated primer nevermind we don't know how many people are manning the powder and shell carousels below decks... this "skeleton" crew of you will could have been used for training or even in the 80's the iowas were shore bombarding and only using one of 3 guns or a single turret at any time as they were never in immediate danger on the firing line...

[@JimMonsanto]

No, it's about 30 seconds, and even less with a well practiced and fresh crew. Obviously loading and reloading and reloading will tire them out and reloading times will start to falter, but loading time for the guns is no more than about 30 seconds. WoWS is quite accurate (even if it doesn't steadily increase loading time by a second or two with each volley).

[@jth877]

They are not moving as fast as they can. Also after the Iowa explosion they navy reduced the ramming speed of the powder bags. The powder itself was remixed and rebagged earlier in the 80s. You can tell by the blue color on them. The problem is they found the power could have partially crystallized in storage and when rammed fast and/or over rammed it could ignite. Friggin awesome vid!

[@Kpoole35]

With the right crew you could potentially have 27 shells in flight.

[@Racingredcoyote]

hahaha

[@Woody-nc1ru]

Now that's a real Gunners Mate GUNS. A huge chunk of history gone but not forgotten..

[@fingerfeller]

damn that breech plug looks heavy as hell, surely it has hydraulic assistance lifting and lowering leaving a mechanical breech locking system once breech plug is back in place, very strange, but i can see for a fact that stuff is heavy, recoil doesnt seem very long backwards... found this while browsing destroyers, my father was in the navy 25 years on destroyers and swift boat in vietnam, his destroyers of course had 5 inch guns, 4 different classes and names of ships during his sea tours, thanks for posting

[@the10thleper]

Damn, just a little kick. GEZZZZZZ Now that's a gun.

[@davecrupel2817]

A full salvo pushed the whole ship backwards about 3 feet. How's THAT for a little kick? XD

[@Inspadave]

@@davecrupel2817 it absolutely did NOT push the ship sideways. That is a myth.

[@davecrupel2817]

@@Inspadave Are you questioning the laws of physics?

[@GriseBlacolar]

@@davecrupel2817 Then show us a proof that battleship indeed move after firing a salvo.

[@NFSgadzooks]

@@davecrupel2817 the force of a full salvo being fired is miniscule in relation to the 45,000 ton bulk of an Iowa class. It would take a hell of a lot more to move one a measurable amount. That myth came about due to the illusion created by the sea being pushed out from under the overpressure wave from the main guns.

[@indycustommade3568]

Wow, I was in the Field Artillery in the Army and our 155mm Howitzers look like spitballs to this. Our max was a charge 7 red bag. This gives me goosebumps.

[@paulirish972]

When I was on an M-109 in Germany I wondered why we only used a 5 bag charge when there are 7 bags in a canister.

[@rukamon8960]

@@paulirish972 i'm sorry but i don't understand you, i only count 6 bags in that canister

[@rukamon8960]

I'm sorry but i don't understand you, i only count 6 bags in that canister

[@indycustommade3568]

@@rukamon8960 This is a 16 inch gun on a battleship vs a 155mm howitzer. The round they are putting in the battleship weighs almost 3000lbs vs 95-pound Howitzer round. The propellant charge they are putting in it is huge. When we loaded ammo and charges onto our carriers the charges would come in a canister. It normally had 7 bags that you could use. Depending on how far and what type of round you use would dictate how many bags you would put into the breach. That's about the gist of things. I was a 13E and not a gunner. I told the gun bunnies where to fire sitting behind a computer in an M577 carrier. This was also almost 35 years ago. I hope this helps.

[@Howdy76]

@@indycustommade3568 gun bunnies. i'm ex Army and that is a new one to me lol

[@paulmorris6177]

I was on the other side of those shells (calling them in as an F.O.) on San Clemente in the late 80's. Danger close was 2000 meters. I was very envious of the guys that got to call them in during Desert Shield/Storm! After you fire THESE, firing a 5'/54 isn't even CLOSE!

[@chrisambrose8838]

Holy crap!!!!! Now that’s a gun !! Lol I have been through the USS MASSACHUSETTS AND GOING through all 3 decks of this massive gun was amazed at the engineering that went into them! 👍🙋‍♂️🖖🏻

[@knightlife98]

These Main Guns were so accurate, when the Wisconsin and Missouri were brought back into service in the 90's, nothing needed to be done to them.

[@bachelorchownowwithflavor3712]

It's probably true to say nothing was done to the guns themselves, but their fire control systems were upgraded with what would have been state-of-the-art for the time.

[@gnranger]

@@bachelorchownowwithflavor3712 The Navy kept most of the equipment in the plotting room, but they added a better radar and the ship was also able to use a drone for targeting.

[@D8W2P4]

@@bachelorchownowwithflavor3712 The targeting computers (which are entirely mechanical) didn't go anywhere.

[@bachelorchownowwithflavor3712]

@@D8W2P4 I was aware of that. I was mostly referring to the electronic side of things.

[@rennkafer13]

Not true, Missouri was in drydock for months being restored/refitted. I worked at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard when it was being done. Got to touch the bottom of the ship on blocks.

[@ddavidmac6009]

They always impressed me through my life. Those great ships and those who lived on them. Im in my 70z and try to stay informed as to the Tech of the Newer Ships with weaponry i know very little about. It does not scare me, Infact after seeing them demonstrate science fiction abilitys. I take the girlfriend on in BattleShip the adult version, Die Hard.

[@nixxonnor]

Awesome artillery. Best regards from a former Coastal Artillery guy from Norway (Oscarsborg and Bolærne Coastal Artillery Fortresses 1988-90)

[@johnshields6852]

That's impressive, I didn't realize a guy could be right behind the recoil , always thought they moved away and closed a door to shut off the area, imagine being on the receiving end of one of those, the sound must be awesome.

[@MrBruinman86]

Now that's some bone crushing recoil!

[@apieceofdirt4681]

Why does the gun keep moving up and down?? I wonder if that's the stable vertical that was an important part of the accuracy of US Naval guns during WW 2. If that's what it is it gave US battleships the ability to maneuver and shoot whereas the other guys could only do one or the other.

[@JonathanBennettKorea]

It was tracking up and down in relation to the ship rolling on the ocean. They used an analog computer to calculate firing angle, which would compensate for the roll of the ship. The computer would adjust the guns to remain aimed at the correct spot regardless of gun state. So, short answer: yes, you're right.

[@jth877]

Believe it or not, the actual trigger went though the ships mechanical gyroscope computer. The plot computer was a separate analog computer next to the gyroscope. Only when the gyroscope said the guns were on target (that moving up and down you see) did they actually fire.

[@gretabourgeois7648]

apiece ofdirt it is a stability thing, when the boat rocks the cannon is still amed at the target

[@gretabourgeois7648]

Jonathan Bennett yes you are completely right

[@apieceofdirt4681]

Greta Bourgeois That's what I thought. Thanks for the clarification

[@mikeholton9876]

its amazing how short the recoil stroke is

[@a1productionllc]

Sweet, I always liked 'the mighty Mo,' on whose deck WWII was officially ended. 'Twas a real pleasure to see it in action from the inside.

[@tryithere]

There is a training video on here from the 40's or 50's showing how these guns work.

[@nowaynoways584]

I like how he didn't put his hearing protection on until after it fired, lol.

[@raysaunders5914]

I wasn't aware that the gunner(?) 'swabbed' the nose of the breach block immediately after the breech opened until I read about the procedure on another website. You can see the gunners left forearm has a thick (dirty) sleeve on it, this is a cotton sleeve that is kept wet, the idea being that any remmants from the silk charge bags that may be smoldering, and are adhered to the breech block, are extinguished before the fresh charge bags are inserted into the barrel. Equivalent to the older muzzle loaders practice of "swabbing out" Busy skilled operator. (pardon my non military language)

[@tomayrscotland6890]

what a lot of hard work, must be sizling in that turret.. well done lads. you are doing a great Job.

[@radioactive9861]

This is like being on the inside of 'World of Warships'....

[@QuestionEverythingLookDeeper]

Thank you to all the brave folks who fight for us.

[@geofffikar3417]

You know it. Freedom isn't free.

[@seannot-telling9806]

Thank You for sharing this. So COOL!

[@cliffords2315]

I was on the USS New Jersey BB62 back in 1986, when those guns go off you need to hold on to the wall when it does a Broadside blast

[@apieceofdirt4681]

That's one big ass beautiful gun.

[@1946nimrod]

What does that mean in English?

[@highonimmi]

@@1946nimrod large, gorgeous and sexy gun

[@michaelallensworth6245]

Red Dog shooting the 16" Gun. I was Center Gun Rammerman after that ...

[@davedisinger1245]

Amazing how smooth the stabilization is . EDG' BDG'

[@neilreid2298]

Very cool to see this vid!! Wow.

[@richb.4374]

Amazing machines for their time. I can't and don't want to imagine being on the wrong end of those monsters. A 2700 pound shell hurling at you at rifle velocity from 20 miles away that blows giant craters in the ground or anything it hits. I would imagine one of these babies can level an entire small town by itself with ease.

[@smc1942]

In the 15 November 1942 naval battle at Guadalcanal, the USS Washington (BB-56) put 20 16" shells into the Japanese Battleship Kirishima in about 7 minutes. This of 75 shots fired at night. Kirishima was gutted, & foundered even as her crew abandoned ship. Those 2,700 lb A.P. shells were unstoppable. In trials, they pierced 20" of armor plate from over 20,000 yards away! (One mile is 1,760 yards.) And the Iowa class had barrels 6' longer than USS Washington. So they're shooting at a higher velocity. That gives them even better penetration power! That said, Google the Montana class Battleships. These behemoths were never built, but were bigger than the Iowas, had more armor, & another 3 gun turret aft for a total of 12 16" guns. Major wow factor!

[@KRDecade2009]

@@smc1942 basically the Montana’s we’re going to be America’s version of the Yamato. Basically bigger than the last ships and hitting harder than the Iowa’s and Yamato’s with secondaries to balance the fire power and anti-air to make the Musashi and Yamato question their existence. Eventually battleships will be needed again but I doubt any modern navy will build something like the Iowa or Yamato, but one thing is for certain if they do build one the fire power will be on par with them thanks to modern technology and require less men to crew it.

[@smc1942]

@@KRDecade2009 ; The secondarys were 5"/54cal guns, 5 twin turrets per side. A longer barreled, higher-velocity 5" than the 5"/38 Cal. On the other ships. Montana's real power came in a fourth 3-gun 16"/50 cal. turret! Arranged 2 forward, 2 aft. And thicker Armor; both belt & deck. With a 28kt speed (32mph). Google the Montana class, they would've been beautiful!!! And deadly! Throwing 12 x 2,770 lb AP shells per broadside!

[@mattimatkalainen]

16 inch shell makes a fifty feet wide and thirty feet deep hole. This according to the curator of Battleship New Jersey.

[@metaknight115]

Those guns are very scary. I don’t think that they’re very accurate at that range, though.