Page 270 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

268

ARMAMENTS AND QUARTERS
AND IMPERIALISM 1815–1914
SMALLER GUNS
To supplement its main armament, the
Mikasa mounted a variety of smaller-caliber
guns, from 6in ones for use against cruisers
and destroyers to 12-, 3-, and 1-pounders.
There were also rifle-caliber machine-guns.
Living conditions were almost unchanged
from the days of sail, with the men sleeping
in hammocks and eating at fold-up tables.

12in shell room

12in gun turret 12in gun turret
Provision
Officer’s stores
quarters

Y 12in shell room Steam engine
Boiler room
INDUSTR CROSS SECTION ▲ 3IN GUN CASEMATE

Above the central 6in box
battery were eight 3in quick-
firing guns on pedestal mounts,
with only light splinter-shields
for protection.

◀ PORT TO 3IN BATTERY
It was through this port
that the Russian second-in-
command, Rear-Admiral
Nikolai Nebogatov, boarded
the Mikasa to surrender
at Tsushima.

▶ 6IN GUNS
Protected by 2in (5cm)
of armor, a central box
battery on the main
deck housed six 6in
guns. A further eight
6in guns in casemates,
fore and aft of this ▲ HOTCHKISS 3-POUNDER GUN
battery, and repeated These lightweight guns were mounted on simple
on the deck above, pedestals, allowing the gunners to follow fast-
gave a total of 14. moving targets such as torpedo-boats.
◀ 6IN GUN
BREECH
The 6in guns were
“quick-firers,”
▶ RANGEFINDER their ammunition
The Mikasa’s Barr & comprising both
Stroud rangefinders projectile and
were far superior to charge in a brass
the types used by cartridge. They
the Russian ships at could fire up to six
Tsushima. They were rounds per minute.
decisive in the battle,
giving the Japanese
fleet long-range
firepower superiority.