This is one of the big monsters upon which America will have to rely for protection against any foreign power that may get the notion to seize the Panama Canal. This sixteen inch disappearing gun is the biggest gun of its class in the world and is capable of throwing a projectile twenty-one miles. The gun proper weighs 200 tons and was made some months ago at Watervliet, N. Y., from where it was shipped to Watertown, Mass., to have the carriage fitted. Several times along the way its extraordinary weight spread the rails. Dec. 10th it was shipped to Sandy Hook proving grounds on a train of fourteen specially constructed cars. The gun will, ultimately used in the fortifications at the Panama Canal. The picture shows the gun on the carriage and the specially constructed cars which were used to transport it.
(The Day Book (Chicago, IL), December 15, 1915)