3in Cartridge Case (13A02)
This cartridge case was recovered in 1973 from next to the wreck of the Liberty ship S.S. James Eagan Layne. The markings on the base show that it is a Quick Firing (QF) 3 inch for a 20 cwt gun made in 1940 by ICI, lot number 400. The broad arrow shows that it has been accepted for service and 'N' indicates naval service. The primer was made in 1942 and the 'RF' indicates a rim firing primer. The cartridge and projectile were made as one single unit.
This is the only 3in cartridge case known to have been recovered from the James Eagan Layne and would have been part of the ammunition for the forward gun mounted on the bows. Many 5 inch cartridge cases and shells from the stern gun have been recovered from the wreck, such as 11A06. When the ship was beached in Whitsand Bay the bows were clear of the water for some time so it is thought that the 3in ammunition for the forward gun was recovered at that time.
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Images
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Base of the shell case showing markings |
