Each 10-in. gun is placed in an armoured revolving gun-house, or
turret. The ammunition is sent up in a lifting cage from the magazine
and shell-room direct to the gun platform, each cage containing a
projectile and cordite charge in two parts. On reaching the gun
platform the projectile is quickly transferred to a hinged loading
tray fixed on the gun-cradle by means of an intermediate resting
tray, the cordite being transferred by hand to the loading tray. By
this arrangement three projectiles are always in waiting for loading,
ensuring rapidity of fire. The projectile and charges can then be
rammed into the gun by a telescopic hydraulic rammer. This rammer is
arranged to follow the gun in elevation or depression, so that it
always remains in line with the gun axis, enabling the operation of
loading to take place at any angle within the usual fighting limits.
The training of the gun-house is performed as in the case of the
12-in., primarily by hydraulic power; then by electric, and finally,
if necessity occasions it, by hand, and, like the larger mounting, it
is balanced so that the operation of training by hand can be readily
performed although the ship may have a heel. The breech-block of
the gun is arranged to be operated either by hydraulic power or by
hand. The gun can be elevated by hydraulic power as in the 12-in.
The operations of training and elevating are performed by the single
motion of a lever. These guns also have the large range in elevation of
18 deg., with 3 deg. depression. The sighting of the gun is provided
for by two positions, placed on the right and the left of the gun
respectively. A complete set of electric firing circuits is fitted to
enable the gun to be fired from either of these positions. Percussion
firing gear is also provided. The guns are protected in front by 9 ins.
of hard armour, and on the sides and back 6 ins. The training angle is
from right ahead to 30 deg. before or abaft the beam, or a total angle
of 120 deg.