Diagrams showing how the left RML 12 inch 38 ton gun in the forward turret on British battleship HMS Thunderer (1872) probably burst in January 1879. The gun was double-loaded by mistake, and the bursting of the barrel was replicated later using the right gun from the same turret, hence probably verifying what had occurred.
Top diagram shows gun loaded with both the first 110-pound gunpowder charge and live shell, innermost in the barrel; and the second 85-pound charge and dummy shell outermost. The reason for the different charges and shells is that this was part of a training exercise.

Bottom diagram shows how the gun burst in the recreation of the event. Date circa 1882 Source

Sir Thomas Brassey, "The British Navy, Volume II". London: Longmans, Green and Co. 1882. page 84.

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