A diving organization in Britain is investigating the wrecks of several Liberty ships that are in relatively shallow water off the southern coast of England. They have recovered a number of artifacts, including a copper disk about 11 in. in diameter, having twelve evenly spaced holes about 7/8 in. in diameter, plus two smaller holes near the center having rubber grommets. See a photograph of the object in question: http://www.promare.co.uk/ships/Finds/Fd_11A08Unknown.html
This object was found near a 20 mm. Oerlikon gun position on the Liberty ship JOHN R PARK, so the diving group thinks it may be part of the gun.
I originally thought it might be part of a 20 mm. magazine; see a good picture of such a magazine aboard JOHN W BROWN at http://www.flickr.com/photos/8529568@N08/5034435859. However the part of the magazine on the BROWN, clearly visible in the photograph, has eight holes, not twelve. Additionally it has a large central hole for a spindle or axle rather than the two smaller offset holes seen in the object from the PARK. Other diagrams and photographs of 20 mm. Oerlikon guns I have been able to find on the Internet seem to have the same appearance that one sees in the magazine aboard the BROWN.
Assuming the object the British divers found is actually a part of a 20 mm. Oerlikon, can any of you former gunners identify it? Or might it be something unrelated to an Oerlikon and if so, does anyone know what it would be?
Ron Carlson, Webmaster
Armed Guard / Merchant Marine website
www.armed-guard.com
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