"smokeless propellant in naval guns" Topic

Does anyone have a source that gives dates when various countries began using smokeless propellants in their naval guns ?

I know that the introduction was probably done over a period of time but something that gives me SOME dates would be much appreciated.

I'm x-posting this to the main discussion board simply because I can't find a general naval board, the introduction may have come before 1898 in some navies.

Bill, if there is/are more appropriate borad(s) please shift it there.

There was an article in Warship No 6 of April 1978 regarding cordite.

"Manufacture of Cordite Mk 1 began in 1889, three years after Vielle in France and Duttenhoffer in Germany had produced the first usable propellant from gelatinised nitrocellulose."

"..the first issues to the Royal Navy in 1893 were for 6 inch, 4.7 inch, 6 pdr and 3 pdr QF guns, while the first size 50 for 12 inch guns was supplied in May 1895."

Hope this helps.

TC

I wish I had access to Warship like I did when I lived in Liverpool.

Thanks TC, that helps – now all I need is data for other nations.

The US Navy started in 1889 with the introduction of Indurite. Although, I think it wasn't until 1894 before they settled on a formula and after 1900 before they fully switched over.

Hi EJ

Thanks for that.

I have one source that implies that the US didn't introduce SP until 1900 and another that says 1903, at least for battleship main armament.

That is my problem, I'm getting the data in little bits – that's why I'm trying to find a source that includes as much as I can get in one place.