12.5 inch RML on Special Small-Port Mounting, Fort Delimara, 1885

Some British coastal forts were built in critical positions - and as a result would be primary targets for an attacking force. In addition to thick walls, it was necessary to minimise size of the gun-port openings to reduce the risk of shell or small arms fire entering the gun bay. However, a small gun port would restrict the elevation and depression possible from a conventional gun carriage. A special gun carriage was designed that allowed the gun itself to be lifted in its carriage up to 14 inches. This movement allowed the gun to be elevated to 7 degrees and depressed by 4 degrees.

Forts that were equipped with small-port carriages and platforms were Plymouth Breakwater Fort, Fort Cunningham, Bermuda and Fort Delimara, Malta.

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The 12.5 inch 38 ton RML gun was a mainstay of British coastal artillery in the 1880- 1904 period - powerful enough to combat the major armoured warships of that period. Coastal forts had to depend on Muzzle Loaded guns - they were cheap, reliable, effective, and packed a big punch. While large breech loaded guns entered service in the Royal Navy in 1882, these guns required steam powered hydraulic systems to open the breech, ram the heavy shells, training and elevating. Coastal forts rarely had any powered systems so instead relied on human muscle power.

This video illustrates the 12.5 inch, 38 ton Rifled Muzzle Loaded gun on a small-port carriage at Fort Delimara. The fort is dug into a high cliff at the entrance to the harbour of Marsaxlokk, an important sheltered deep-water port on the south east end of the main island of Malta.

The gun drill is similar to my earlier video for the 38 ton gun at Fort Nothe, Weymouth, but shows the operation in a more confined space, the mechanism needed to raise and lower the gun trunnions in its carriage, and also how extra protection was provided by adjustable rope mantlets.

For further details on the Platform mechanisms, training and running back please look at
   • 12.5 inch RML Technical Details  

The video was made using Cinema 4D, Quicktime and iMovie.
Music: Light Expanse by Unicorn Heads

Reference: Handbook for the R.M.L 12.5-inch 38-Ton Gun, Marks 1 and 2, Casemate, Dwarf and Small Port Mountings, 1885
The mantlets shown here are based on contemporary drawings.

My thanks for support by M Balzan, Heritage Malta,