On World War I and World War II warships, gun turrets were secured to their mountings by a combination of factors, including weight, mechanical locking mechanisms, and hydraulic or electric systems designed to keep them firmly in place during combat and movement.
Here’s how the gun turrets were typically secured:
1. Weight of the Turret:
The sheer weight of the gun turret was a major factor in keeping it in place. Turrets, particularly those on battleships and cruisers, could weigh hundreds of tons. This weight helped ensure that the turret remained fixed in its mounting, even during heavy seas or combat maneuvers.
The heavy turret’s weight alone could prevent it from being easily moved or dislodged, especially during routine operations. However, this wasn't the only factor; additional systems were necessary to secure the turret during combat or stressful conditions.
2. Turret Trunnions:
Trunnions are cylindrical supports that protrude from the turret and rest on bearings or pivots within the mounting. These trunnions allow the turret to elevate and train (rotate) but also act as part of the system that secures the turret in its mounting. The trunnions were part of the design to ensure that the turret could rotate smoothly while maintaining stability.
3. Hydraulic and Electric Systems:
Hydraulic and electric systems were critical in maintaining the turret’s positioning, both in terms of movement and security. During normal operations, hydraulic systems (often coupled with powerful motors) were used to rotate the turret, elevate the guns, and sometimes even lock the turret in place when it wasn't in use.
Some battleships employed electro-hydraulic locks that could engage when the turret was not actively rotating, providing an extra level of security. These locks would be released for combat when the turret was required to move or fire.
4. Mechanical Locks:
Mechanical locks or pin systems were often used to ensure the turret remained fixed during transportation or in extreme conditions, such as heavy seas. These locks would prevent the turret from moving unintentionally, especially if the ship was undergoing rough conditions or was in a non-combat mode.
These locks would be disengaged when the turret needed to rotate for target engagement.
5. Turret Barbettes:
The barbette, which is the structure or sleeve that houses the turret, also played a critical role in keeping the turret secured. Barbette designs varied, but they typically allowed the turret to rotate within a solid and secure structure. The barbettes provided both support for the weight of the turret and a place for the various mechanical and hydraulic components necessary for turret operation.
6. Firing Stability:
To prevent movement during firing, gimbals, counterweights, and additional supporting braces were sometimes used to absorb the recoil forces. The goal was to keep the turret firmly in place so that it wouldn't shift during the massive recoil from firing large-caliber guns.
On battleships, the turrets were typically equipped with strong counterweights to help absorb recoil and prevent any damage to the turret’s mounting during discharge.