Mechanical Aid-to-Spotter
The Mechanical Aid-to-Spotter was designed by Lieutenant W. D. Kilroy to ensure that the spotting officer was watching the same target as was being fired upon by his own ship.
This page is not complete until I absorb the extensive data found in Manual of Gunnery for H.M. Fleet, Volume III, 1920.
Mark I
The need for this was envisioned in early 1916. It seems likely that supply commenced in late 1916 at the earliest.[1]
By 1920, it was fitted in the following 22 ships:[2] Dreadnought, the three Bellerophons, Agincourt, Erin, the two surviving ships of the St. Vincent class, Neptune, the two Colossus class, the two surviving Invincible class, the two surviving Indefatigables, the four Orions, and the three surviving King George Vs.
Mark II
Supply of these to the latest capital ships commenced in the early months of 1919.[3]
By 1920, it was fitted in the following 22 ships:[4] the four Iron Dukes, the five Queen Elizabeths, the five Revenges, Canada, Tiger, the two surviving Lions, the two Renowns, and the two Courageous class battlecruisers.
Mark II*
This model was designed for use in light cruisers, and supply commenced in June, 1918.[5]
By 1919, it was supplied to the Hawkins, Capetown, Caledon, Danae, Centaur and Birmingham classes, with plans to eventually fit it in Chatham, Weymouth, Cambrian, Caroline, Arethusa, Furious, Eagle and Hermes.
By 1920, it was fitted in 68 ships, 16 with an Elliott Bearing Transmitter and Deflection Box, and 52 with an Evershed Bearing Transmitter (details as to which are recorded on their class pages):[6] the eight Danaes, five Hawkins class cruisers (including Vindictive), the five Capetowns, the two Emeralds, the five Ceres class light cruisers, three surviving Caledons, two Centaurs, four Cambrians, two Birkenheads, two Calliopes, six Carolines, the seven surviving Arethusas, the two surviving Birminghams, six '"Chathams, three surviving Weymouths, Glatton, Furious, Hermes, and Eagle.
See Also
Footnotes
- ↑ The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in HM Ships, 1919, pp. 25.
- ↑ Manual of Gunnery for HM Fleet, Volume III, 1920, p. 34.
- ↑ The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in HM Ships, 1919, pp. 26.
- ↑ Manual of Gunnery for HM Fleet, Volume III, 1920, p. 35.
- ↑ The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in HM Ships, 1919, pp. 26.
- ↑ Manual of Gunnery for HM Fleet, Volume III, 1920, p. 35. I have screwed up the count somehow, but I think 68/16/52 is correct
Bibliography
- Template:BibUKFireControlInHMShips1919
- Handbook for this device (not read by me) C.B. 1285
