RAAHC - Artillery Register - Manly, NSW, BL 9.2 inch Mark VI Barrel of 22 Ton, Serial Number 7318

ARTILLERY REGISTER

Type of Gun:	BL 9.2 inch Mark VI Barrel of 22 ton
Location:	National Artillery Museum, North Fort, Manly, NSW
GPS Location:
Serial Number:	7318
Date of Manufacture:	1891
Manufacturer:	EOC
Calibre:	9.2 inch
Weight of Projectile:	172 kg
Range:	8,200 metres

Historical Specifics:

The Colonies of Australia were one of the most enthusiastic users of guns mounted on hydro-pneumatic mountings. Several calibres were used in NSW, the largest being the 9.2 inch, 6 inch and 8 inch were also installed. The guns are generally called disappearing guns.

The concept is attractive, the guns are mounted in emplacements that provided over head cover and were loaded when the gun was below the ground level. These provided maximum protection to the soldiers operating the gun. As the gun was below ground level a ship approaching the site would become aware of the gun only as it was raised and fired. The concept is good but the loading of the gun was slow. In NSW:

the 6 inch guns were installed at Newcastle (3), Wollongong (1), Middle Head (2), Georges Heights (3), South Head (2), Botany Bay (3) and Victoria Barracks (1)
8 inch at Newcastle (2)
9.2 inch at Coogee(7317), Bondi (7319) and Signal Hill (7318), a fourth barrel (7320) was held in store.

The 6 inch at Victoria Barracks was held at the School of Artillery for instruction. The spare 9.2 inch barrel was sent to the UK at the start of World War I and used by the British as a railway gun.

The barrel from Signal Hill is the one now at the National Artillery Museum and rumour suggests the gun at Bondi was brought down to loading position and the complete site covered.

General Information on Gun Type:

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