History of the U.S.S. Leviathan, cruiser and transport forces, United States Atlantic fleet / Compiled from the ship's log and data gathered by the history committee on board the ship

by U.S.S. Leviathan History Committee

Armament and Equipment

The armament and equipment of the Leviathan consisted of the following:

• 8—6-inch 50-Cal. guns Mk. VIII.
• 2—1-Pdr. guns, Mk. VIII.
• 2—“Y”-Guns for throwing depth charges.
• 2—Colt Machine Guns.
• 1—Lewis Machine Gun.
• 150—.30-Cal. Springfield Rifles.
• 75—.45-Cal. Colt Automatic Pistols.
• 1—Large Bausch and Lomb 12-Ft. Range Finder.
• 2—Small Barr and Stroud 1-meter Range Finders.
• 1—Ford Range Keeper.

The six-inch guns were installed on October 5, 1917—four aft and four forward. The distance between the forward and after guns was about seven hundred feet, which is a greater distance than the entire length of any battleship we have in commission.

The work of installation was carried on by ordnance men from the New York Navy Yard, assisted by the ship’s gunnery department.

Splendid co-ordination existed at all times between the Navy Yard people and the ship’s force which helped materially to expedite the work. Considerable effort and labor were required to get the ship in readiness to receive the guns, mounts, etc. Gun foundations and gun platforms had to be built; blast bulkheads erected in proper places so as to protect one gun from the fire of the other; certain portions of the deck were extended in order to give the after guns a greater arc of train. Lines of communication, voice tubes and telephones, had to be run from all guns to fire control and spotting stations; and salvo bells and buzzers installed. All of this work was completed in record time and gave excellent results throughout the war.

Foundation and mount tests were held on November 20, 1917, on our trial trip to Guantanamo, when three shots were fired from each six-inch gun. These tests proved satisfactory in every respect.

The 1-pdr. guns were not installed until September 28, 1918. These guns were mounted on the port and starboard sides of C-deck amidships. They also proved satisfactory when fired for tests on September 30, 1918. Lieutenant Boucher originally made a request for four 1-pdr. guns and also two anti-aircraft guns, but only the two 1-pdr. guns were allowed this ship.