Naval Gaming Introduction

In September of 2000 a question was raised in the NavWarGames mailing list regarding the purpose of some rectangular hatches which are present on the roofs of early United States Navy dreadnoughts. Pictures of similar hatches on the roofs of pre-dreadnought turrets were found. Unfortunately these pictures brought on confusion, as no one was able to explain the purpose of the hatches. The following pictures show similar hatches on USN pre-dreadnoughts. Anyone knowing the purpose of these hatches is asked to contact the author.

From all the pictures of these hatches it is clear that they are somehow related to the guns or the breeches of the guns in the turrets. The hatches are located just behind and above the breeches, and the number of hatches is always the same as the number of guns in the turret.

The first photograph is the top of the forward turret of the USS Mississippi (BB-23). It clearly shows;

• three cylindrical sighting hoods at the front of the turret,
• one armored access hatch with a powered opening arm at the back of the turret,
• two rectangular hatches toward the center of the turret,
• a series of rods which are part of gunnery training equipment.

Clearly visible inside the rectangular hatches is what looks like a series of parallel vertical plates running lengthwise within the hatches. But, what is the purpose of the hatches? And what is the purpose of the plates within the hatches? [Click on the picture for an enlargement of the area around the hatches.]

The photographs of the USS Mississippi are from American Steel Navy by Commander John D. Alden, USN(R), Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland, 1972.

• The USS Mississippi (BB-23) picture is on page 193.
• A picture on page 79 shows the USS Massachusetts (BB-2). Its aft main battery turret has these hatches, as do the after secondary battery turrets. All are closed.
• A picture on pages 86-87 shows the USS Iowa (BB-4). Open hatches are shown on the top of the aft port secondary turret. There appear to be plates in these hatches.
• A picture on page 134 shows the USS Illinois (BB-7). Two large hatches are visible on the top of her forward turret.
• A picture on page 246 shows the USS Texas. A large hatch is present on the top of the starboard main battery turret.
• A picture on page 341 shows the USS New Jersey (BB-16). Two hatches are visible on her starboard secondary battery turret. One is open, one is closed and secured.

The following picture was found in the Naval Historical Center Online Library of Selected Images. This shows an 8 inch turret interior on the USS New York (CA-2) in 1898. It is possible that the lines at the top of this picture are the plates seen in the turret hatches. [Click on the picture for a full size picture.]