The **main guns** of World War II-era battleships were incredibly powerful, with **caliber sizes ranging from 12 inches to 16 inches** in diameter, depending on the ship. When fired, these massive guns produced a **tremendous amount of noise** and vibration, reaching levels that could be damaging to the crew’s hearing and overall well-being.
### **Sound Levels:**
The **muzzle blast** from a battleship’s main guns could exceed **200 decibels**, which is more than **200 times louder** than the threshold of pain for human ears (around 120 dB). For comparison, this is roughly the equivalent of standing directly next to an exploding rocket or a jet engine at takeoff. The sheer volume of noise generated by these guns, especially when fired in rapid succession, was intense and potentially hazardous to the crew operating the ship.
### **Effects on the Crew:**
The impact on the crew was significant. **Hearing damage** was a serious concern, especially for those who worked in the **gun turrets**, which were in close proximity to the guns when fired. Sailors operating the main batteries were subjected to continuous exposure to high-decibel sounds during battle, increasing the risk of **temporary or permanent hearing loss**. Many sailors would have experienced **ringing in their ears (tinnitus)** and even partial deafness after prolonged exposure.
The **vibration** caused by the recoil from the guns also affected the ship, with the force of each shot reverberating throughout the structure of the vessel. This not only contributed to crew fatigue but also made it difficult to maintain **concentration** and **coordination** during battle. Protective gear such as **earplugs** and **headsets** was sometimes used, but the sheer volume often made it challenging to fully mitigate the risks.
In summary, the loudness of battleship guns in WWII was immense and had significant physical and psychological effects on the crew, especially in terms of hearing damage, fatigue, and concentration during combat. The intensity of the sound and its impact were a lesser-known but real aspect of naval warfare.