The 8-Inch BL Gun
LEFT: The 8-Inch Gun mounted between two 9.2 Inch Guns outside the Casemates.
Only four Mark VII 8-Inch BL Guns were made. They were made in England in 1885 by the famous armaments maker, Sir William Armstrong at his Elswick Works in Newcastle upon Tyne. All four were sent to Singapore. Two were emplaced on the top of Mount Serapong and two at Fort Tanjong Katong. One of the guns at Tanjong Katong blew off its muzzle during a firing practice. As a result of this all four guns were returned to England for strengthening.
The gun may be a survivor from the two guns which were once emplaced at Fort Serapong. The Royal Artillery Museum in Woolwich has a similar gun taken back to England from Blakang Mati.
RIGHT: The Trunnion of the 8-Inch Gun showing the manufacturers name, the Mark of the gun and its Serial Number. Not very clear in the photograph is the date of manufacture.
LEFT: A commemorative plate is fixed to the top of the barrel.
The wording on the plate is:- “In Memory of all Royal Artillerymen Who Served on Blakang Mati 1885 - 1958 “.
Also inscribed on the plate is:- “H Norbury, Captain, District Officer ” and “A.T. White, Master Gunner”
RIGHT: The Royal Artillery Museum’s 8-Inch Mk7 BL Gun from Blakang Mati.
The 8-Inch BL gun had a range of 29,200 yards (26950 metres) and fired a shell of 180 lbs (82Kg).