BL 6 inch Mark XI Naval Gun: HMAS Sydney I

6 inch calibre naval gun on pedestal mount with cast steel armoured shield. This gun is missing its breech block. Markings - BL 6 inch wire Mark XI* EOC 1912, no 2289. Technical specifications - barrel 50 calibres long; weight 7 1/2 tons.

This gun formed part of the armament of HMAS Sydney during the action with the German light cruiser SMS Emden in November 1914. It was the number two gun on Sydney's starboard side.

During the action, the gun was hit by the blast of a 10.5 cm shell that fell between the third and fourth funnels and exploded on deck. Almost at the same time, a shrapnel shell burst above the gun after hitting a funnel guy wire. Two of the gun crew were mortally wounded: Robert Bell, and Thomas Lynch, RN, and most of the other seven members of the crew were wounded. Four of the six Distinguished Service Medals that were awarded to the members of the Sydney crew were given to members of this gun's crew: Bertie Green, Joseph Kinniburgh, Harold Collins, and William Taylor.

The gun could fire an armour piercing projectile of 100 lbs at a velocity of 2800 fit seconds and at a rate of 7 rounds per minute. Its maximum penetration was 5 1/2 inches at 3000 yards.

During the Second World War the gun was used as part of Australia's shore defence system located on Goode Island in the Torres Strait. The gun was recovered as a tri-service exercise in 1987 and restored by the RAN under the supervison of Chief Petty Officer Warren Heywood. The Navy presented the gun to the Memorial in November 1988 as a bicentennial gift.