Fort Siloso: Mount Siloso 7-Inch RML Gun
The 7 Inch RML guns at Fort Siloso were manufactured in England in 1886. This type of gun was originally used as a naval gun from 1875, and some time later was modified for service on land. They acquired their nickname "bottle gun" from their distinctive shape which resembled soda pop bottles of the period.
This replica gun is mounted on a Garrison Carriage. This swivelled on a spigot fixed in the emplacement floor, and there are two wheels sitting on metal rails, at each end of the Carriage to support it and to allow traversing. The Carriage sloped upwards towards the rear, and when the gun fired, it recoiled up the slope and was retained at the rear of the carriage. The barrel was then depressed to enable the gun-crew to reload it without exposing themselves over the top of the emplacement. Once reloaded the gun would be run back to the front of the carriage and the barrel elevated to the correct firing angle.
In 1891, it was reported that at this emplacement, the Cartridge Store had a capacity of 80 propellant cartridges, and the Shell Store had a capacity of 42 shells. The report continued to say that taking the side arm store into the shell store and removing the party wall would increase shell storage by an additional 49 shells. The additional later 7-Inch Gun Emplacement built on Mount Siloso had storage for 220 propellant cartridges and 156 shells. About this was written, “This is 24 short of the complement but may be considered sufficient as in wartime a proportion should be permanently retained in recesses or the terreplein”. A terreplein is a flat platform situated behind a parapet on which guns are mounted.
A charge of 20lbs of gunpowder gave the gun a range of 5,500 yards. It could penetrate 6.7 inches of wrought iron at 500 yards. The shells were shaped and has brass studs set in to the body. These studs engaged in the rifling of the barrel and imparted a stabilising spin to the shell when the gun was fired. This increased accuracy and ensured that the pointed end struck the target first. This allowed contact fusing to be used. A crew of ten men served the gun. They transversed the gun with a block and tackle and levers which were called handspikes. The gun was elevated by a gear mechanism.
Ammunition storage and an Ammunition Recess to the left of the Gun Emplacement. It is
possible that this was the Cartridge Store.
The replica 7-Inch RML Gun run out for firing. The replica is equipped with sound effects and a commentary which describes the loading and firing the gun. The gun emplacement would have been vulnerable to incoming fire from the west.
Replica Shells are to the left of the gun, and gun powder cartridges in protective cases are against the right hand side of the emplacement. Also seen are some handspikes on the right and a rammer on the left. This was used to ensure that the propellant charge and shell were pushed all the way down the barrel. A friction primer fired the gun. A gunner tugged on a lanyard which operated the primer. It took several minutes to load, train and fire the gun.
Storage and an Ammunition Recess, possibly for shells to the right of the gun.
The storage facility before the emplacement was restored. Bomb damage from February 1942 can be seen in the foreground.
The Emplacement before restoration.
The view from the emplacement before land reclamation and the building of the hotel.
The view from the top of the 7 Inch Emplacement in 2010. The small islands on the right of the photograph are man made, and were build as part of the development of the island for the tourism and leisure industry. The building at the bottom is the Shangri-La Rasa Hotel. This is built on reclaimed land.
The 7-Inch RML Guns emplaced at Fort Siloso, were not highly regarded as they lacked the penetrating power and range required to engage enemy ships. Many complaints were made about them. On 9th June 1886, for example, Minutes on Departmental Papers of the Colonial Defence Committee noted: “With respect to the other points raised, it is to be observed that the W.O. authorities are quite well aware of the want of power of the 7-inch 6½ ton gun....”.