| Elswick 14 inch 45-calibre naval gun | |
| Origin: | United Kingdom |
| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Is Artillery: | yes |
| Is Uk: | yes |
| Service: | 1915–1958 |
| Used By: | United Kingdom Chile |
| Part Length: | Bore 52feet (45 cal) |
| Caliber: | 14sigfig=4NaNsigfig=4 |
| Cartridge: | HE 1586abbr=onNaNabbr=on 4 c.r.h. (later 1400abbr=onNaNabbr=on 8 c.r.h.) |
| Velocity: | 2450abbr=onNaNabbr=on (1,586 lb shell); 2600abbr=onNaNabbr=on (1,400 lb shell) |
| Elevation: | Naval: 0° - 20° Railway: 0 - 40° |
The BL 14 inch 45 calibre gun were various similar naval guns designed and manufactured by Elswick Ordnance Company to equip ships that Armstrong-Whitworth built and/or armed for several countries before World War I.
When World War I began, Armstrong-Whitworth were building the battleship Almirante Latorre for Chile, armed with 10 of its 14-inch guns. The battleship was acquired by the British government and completed as HMS Canada and served in the Royal Navy in World War I, with its guns designated BL 14 inch Mk I.
After World War I the battleship was sold to Chile as Almirante Latorre as originally intended.
See main article: BL 14 inch Railway Gun. Elswick built several guns for Japan which went into British service as railway guns in World War I under the designation BL 14 inch Mk III. They were similar to but lighter than Mk I, and were modified to give similar performance as Mk I.