![Anti-Submarine Weapons: K-Gun, also known as "ash cans".](/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/wwii/wwii-atlantic/battle-of-the-atlantic/anti-submarine-warfare/k-gun/_jcr_content/textheader.img.jpg/1693482123381.jpg "Anti-Submarine Weapons: K-Gun, also known as "ash cans".")
K-Gun
K-Gun
Replacing the Y-Gun in 1941 for launching of depth charges (also known as "ash cans"), the K-Gun (Mark 6, 7, and 9) laid better patterns in that the guns could be installed along a ship's topside when warranted. U.S. Navy destroyers usually had four to six while destroyer escorts carried eight. The range was 60 to 175 yards with flight time of 3.4 or 5.1 seconds. In the beginning of the war, depth charge attacks were slightly successful starting around 3 percent rising to around 30 percent damaged and 30 percent sunk at the end of the war.
Image: 80-G-14954: K-Gun onboard USS PC-566, October 8, 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
A K-Gun was displayed within "In Harm's Way: Atlantic" exhibit area at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy.
