This is the photo to go with the GB/CA/1905 Springsharp report

I now have the photo of the GB/CA/1905 armored cruiser that has the recent Springsharp report. The armament is 16-9.2in BLR and 16-4in QF guns. The armor basis is 6in and the speed is 25 knots.

A British armored cruiser design

This is similar to one of the altenative designs being considered in 1904-1905. This is like an armored cruiser version of the Untakeable battleship design. The armament is 9.2 in guns with an anti-torpedo boat armament of 4in QF guns. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CA/1905, Great Britain Armored Cruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1914)

Displacement:
 16,384 t light; 17,349 t standard; 19,602 t normal; 21,405 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 565.00 ft / 565.00 ft x 84.00 ft x 26.00 ft (normal load)
 172.21 m / 172.21 m x 25.60 m  x 7.92 m

Armament:
      16 - 9.20" / 234 mm guns (8x2 guns), 389.34lbs / 176.60kg shells, 1905 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on side ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts - superfiring
      16 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1905 Model
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts 
   on side, all amidships, all raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 6,742 lbs / 3,058 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 150

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 320.00 ft / 97.54 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
 Ends: 4.00" / 102 mm 230.00 ft / 70.10 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
   15.00 ft / 4.57 m Unarmoured ends
   Main Belt covers 87 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  1.50" / 38 mm 320.00 ft / 97.54 m 24.00 ft / 7.32 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  6.00" / 152 mm
 2nd: 2.00" / 51 mm       -         -

   - Armour deck: 2.50" / 64 mm, Conning tower: 6.00" / 152 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 52,378 shp / 39,074 Kw = 25.00 kts
 Range 8,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,056 tons

Complement:
 827 - 1,076

Cost:
 £1.564 million / $6.255 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 843 tons, 4.3 %
 Armour: 5,872 tons, 30.0 %
    - Belts: 2,040 tons, 10.4 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 426 tons, 2.2 %
    - Armament: 1,771 tons, 9.0 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,541 tons, 7.9 %
    - Conning Tower: 94 tons, 0.5 %
 Machinery: 2,018 tons, 10.3 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 7,652 tons, 39.0 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,218 tons, 16.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   31,049 lbs / 14,084 Kg = 79.7 x 9.2 " / 234 mm shells or 5.1 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.03
 Metacentric height 4.1 ft / 1.2 m
 Roll period: 17.5 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 64 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.82
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.28

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.556
 Length to Beam Ratio: 6.73 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 23.77 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 52 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Mid (67 %):  25.00 ft / 7.62 m (17.00 ft / 5.18 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
    - Stern:  17.00 ft / 5.18 m
    - Average freeboard: 22.60 ft / 6.89 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 88.4 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 174.8 %
 Waterplane Area: 33,309 Square feet or 3,094 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 118 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 156 lbs/sq ft or 759 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.94
  - Longitudinal: 1.69
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

A Super Blonde light cruiser

This is a photo of a Super Blonde light cruiser, as described in Vol.I of Winston Churchill's book The World Crisis. The chapter is called The Romance of Design. The Super Blonde was originally to be armed with 10-4in QF guns and probably 4-21in TT. The speed was to be 30 knots and the armor was 3in on the side. The deck armor was 1in.

Updated photo of Colonel Cuniberti's "Ideal Battleship for the British Navy"

I needed to go back and update my first photo of Colonel Cuniberti's Ideal Battleship for the British Navy. I had heard about this design quite a long time ago, and when I obtained my own copy of the 1903 Jane's All the World's Fighting Ships, I did some analysis and realized that Colonel Cuniberti was rather over-optimistic about what could be done. My last Springsharp design for this ship is about as good as you can do, and still stay anywhere near the size that Colonel Cuniberti had specified. I have a better understanding of how the ship was laid out, than when I first did this photo.

Our "Alt Naval" friend has some of his work on a WesWorld forum

We will see how Blogger does with a WesWorld URL (they seem to be problemmatic). Roger, the Alt Naval guy has some drawings and photos at the WesWorld ship design forum. This is his Greek heavy cruiser:

A WesWorld-style drawing of the Super Lion

This is my first attempt at scaling a Super Lion drawing from the photo. I have supplied the scale as part of the picture:

My WesWorld-style drawing of Colonel Cuniberti's Ideal Battleship

This is my drawing of Colonel Cuniberti's "Ideal Battleship for the British Navy". The drawing is done in the WesWorld style.

My WesWorld-style drawing of Colonel Cuniberti's Ideal Battleship

This is my drawing of Colonel Cuniberti's "Ideal Battleship for the British Navy". The drawing is done in the WesWorld style.

A Super Blonde design

This is my first attempt at a Super Blonde design. The original concept was to have 10-4in QF guns and a speed of 30 knots. The side armor would be 3in with a 1in deck. I decided that a cruising speed of 15 knots and a range of 6500 nm would be reasonable. This is the resulting Springsharp report:

Super Blonde, Great Britain Light Cruiser laid down 1912 (Engine 1937)

Displacement:
 3,922 t light; 4,058 t standard; 4,550 t normal; 4,945 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 435.84 ft / 435.00 ft x 41.00 ft x 19.00 ft (normal load)
 132.84 m / 132.59 m x 12.50 m  x 5.79 m

Armament:
      10 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1912 Model
   Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on centreline ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 320 lbs / 145 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 250
 4 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 3.00" / 76 mm 285.00 ft / 86.87 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: 2.00" / 51 mm 150.00 ft / 45.72 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
   Main Belt covers 101 % of normal length

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 2.00" / 51 mm       -         -

   - Armour deck: 1.00" / 25 mm, Conning tower: 3.00" / 76 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 44,641 shp / 33,302 Kw = 30.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 887 tons

Complement:
 276 - 360

Cost:
 £0.344 million / $1.376 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 40 tons, 0.9 %
 Armour: 1,017 tons, 22.4 %
    - Belts: 743 tons, 16.3 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
    - Armament: 43 tons, 0.9 %
    - Armour Deck: 214 tons, 4.7 %
    - Conning Tower: 18 tons, 0.4 %
 Machinery: 1,237 tons, 27.2 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,627 tons, 35.8 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 628 tons, 13.8 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   5,493 lbs / 2,492 Kg = 171.7 x 4.0 " / 102 mm shells or 1.1 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.14
 Metacentric height 1.7 ft / 0.5 m
 Roll period: 13.3 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 61 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.35
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.22

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.470
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.61 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 20.86 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 59 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Mid (37 %):  22.00 ft / 6.71 m (14.00 ft / 4.27 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 14.00 ft / 4.27 m
    - Stern:  14.00 ft / 4.27 m
    - Average freeboard: 17.12 ft / 5.22 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 95.9 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 108.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 11,570 Square feet or 1,075 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 119 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 69 lbs/sq ft or 338 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.92
  - Longitudinal: 2.24
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is adequate
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

A 1914 version of a fast British scout cruiser

I thought that 5in guns might be appropriate for a fast scout laid down in 1914. The design goals were a high speed (37 knots), a good cruising speed (15 knots), a decent range (5600 nm), 6-5in guns and 4-21in TT. There is some modest protection to the bridge (CT) and guns. This is my concept of how the Super Swift could have been developed. The design really shouldn't require this much draft and this much power to reach 37 knots:

GB/CS/1914 SS 1, Great Britain Enter ship type laid down 1914 (Engine 1945)

Displacement:
 3,029 t light; 3,151 t standard; 3,502 t normal; 3,782 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 415.84 ft / 415.00 ft x 41.00 ft x 21.00 ft (normal load)
 126.75 m / 126.49 m x 12.50 m  x 6.40 m

Armament:
      6 - 5.00" / 127 mm guns in single mounts, 62.50lbs / 28.35kg shells, 1914 Model
   Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on centreline ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 375 lbs / 170 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 250
 8 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 2.00" / 51 mm       -         -

   - Conning tower: 2.00" / 51 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 87,839 shp / 65,528 Kw = 37.00 kts
 Range 5,600nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 630 tons

Complement:
 226 - 295

Cost:
 £0.543 million / $2.174 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 47 tons, 1.3 %
 Armour: 44 tons, 1.2 %
    - Belts: 0 tons, 0.0 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
    - Armament: 34 tons, 1.0 %
    - Armour Deck: 0 tons, 0.0 %
    - Conning Tower: 10 tons, 0.3 %
 Machinery: 2,011 tons, 57.4 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 927 tons, 26.5 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 472 tons, 13.5 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   686 lbs / 311 Kg = 11.0 x 5.0 " / 127 mm shells or 0.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.40
 Metacentric height 2.4 ft / 0.7 m
 Roll period: 11.2 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 57 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.37
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.14

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.343
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.12 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 20.37 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 65 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Mid (38 %):  22.00 ft / 6.71 m (15.00 ft / 4.57 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
    - Stern:  15.00 ft / 4.57 m
    - Average freeboard: 17.82 ft / 5.43 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 196.1 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 99.8 %
 Waterplane Area: 10,346 Square feet or 961 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 72 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 41 lbs/sq ft or 202 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.45
  - Longitudinal: 2.23
  - Overall: 0.52
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is adequate

The Super Lion photo with Tiger-like funnels

My most serious attempt at a Super Lion type battlecruiser that I had designed in the 1970's had three funnels evenly spaced, like the Tiger. This is an alternative photo with that revision. So what we have is an 812-ft, 30-knot ship with 10-15in/42 guns. The secondary armament is 14-6in/45 guns in casemate mountings.

Actually, the Super Lion was Admiral Fisher's idea

Winston Churchill published correspondence with Admiral Fisher about ship design in Vol.I of The World Crisis, in The Romance of Design chapter, as I have previously written. It was in a letter to Churchill that Admiral Fisher advocated the "Super Lion", with a 30 knot speed and 10-"Improved Guns" (codeword for the 15in gun that Churchill wanted to develop). The idea for the Super Lion was not pursued, despite Admiral Fisher's advocacy, but I have long been interested. That is what has prompted various attempts at designing such a ship. The last Springsharp design and the accompanying photo is my latest work. I may make an alternative photo with Tiger-like funnels, as well.

The Super Lion photo

I finally have my first cut at an acceptable photo of one of Winston Churchill's Super Lion battlecruisers. Admiral Fisher was really excited by the idea of a 30-knot battlecruiser with 10 15in guns.

My new "Super Lion" design (1912)

I rethought the Super Lion design, as I have a photo in work that I will eventually post. The basic specs are 30 knots, 10-15in guns and I added 9in side armor. This is the Springsharp report. The displacement is greater than I had hoped.

Super Lion , Great Britain Enter ship type laid down 1912 (Engine 1931)

Displacement:
 36,964 t light; 38,744 t standard; 42,406 t normal; 45,335 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 812.00 ft / 812.00 ft x 102.00 ft x 32.00 ft (normal load)
 247.50 m / 247.50 m x 31.09 m  x 9.75 m

Armament:
      10 - 15.00" / 381 mm guns (5x2 guns), 1,687.50lbs / 765.44kg shells, 1912 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, majority aft, all raised mounts - superfiring
      14 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns in single mounts, 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1912 Model
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts 
   on side, all amidships
   14 guns in hull casemates - Limited use in heavy seas
 Weight of broadside 18,387 lbs / 8,340 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 9.00" / 229 mm 550.00 ft / 167.64 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
 Ends: 5.00" / 127 mm 262.00 ft / 79.86 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
   Main Belt covers 104 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 550.00 ft / 167.64 m 27.00 ft / 8.23 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 10.0" / 254 mm 7.00" / 178 mm  9.00" / 229 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm       -         -

   - Armour deck: 3.00" / 76 mm, Conning tower: 7.00" / 178 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 149,111 shp / 111,237 Kw = 30.00 kts
 Range 12,000nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 6,591 tons

Complement:
 1,476 - 1,920

Cost:
 £3.849 million / $15.395 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 2,298 tons, 5.4 %
 Armour: 12,364 tons, 29.2 %
    - Belts: 4,386 tons, 10.3 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,099 tons, 2.6 %
    - Armament: 3,458 tons, 8.2 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,238 tons, 7.6 %
    - Conning Tower: 183 tons, 0.4 %
 Machinery: 4,459 tons, 10.5 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 17,842 tons, 42.1 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,442 tons, 12.8 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   56,854 lbs / 25,788 Kg = 33.7 x 15.0 " / 381 mm shells or 8.1 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.04
 Metacentric height 5.5 ft / 1.7 m
 Roll period: 18.2 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 57 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.97
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.14

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.560
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.96 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 28.50 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 50 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Mid (67 %):  27.00 ft / 8.23 m (19.00 ft / 5.79 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Stern:  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Average freeboard: 24.60 ft / 7.50 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 93.2 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 186.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 58,347 Square feet or 5,421 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 107 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 212 lbs/sq ft or 1,033 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.98
  - Longitudinal: 1.21
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Another photo of one of Churchill's "Super Swift" scout cruisers

I have long been interested in the Super Swift scout cruiser design. The design was posited in 1912 for potential production. In the end, the "cruiser admirals" opted for the "Super Blonde", which evolved into the Arethusa class light cruiser.

A photo of a "Super Swift" at speed

In 1912, one of the alternative designs considered for a new British light cruiser as the "Super Swift". The Super Swift was an enlarged and faster version of the original Swift design. My estimate of the length is 370 ft. The armament included 6-4in QF guns. I estimate that the torpedo armament might have been 4-21in TT. The original idea was to have a speed of 37 knots, but they realized that they could add 2in side armor over the machinery spaces for a slight reduction in speed, so they did. The idea was to be able to "flash off" 12pdr hits.

(Firefox is being balky, again, so I had a hard time copying and pasting the link. I had to paste it to Notepad and then copy and do CTRL-v)

Yet another Ger/CS/1905 photo update

I recently updated the Ger/CS/1905 photo to better reflect the correct perspective.

New version of photo of a Ger/CS/1905 running at high speed

I finally updated the photo of a Ger/CS/1905 scout cruiser running at high speed in a seaway. The ship is 370ft long and carries 5-4in QF guns and 2-18in TT (actually all 18in torpedoes were 17.7in, since they were 45cm in diameter.

A photo of one of the Ger/CB/1906 battlecruisers (Updated)

This is rather raw, in that it was done quickly, but it does capture the essence of the big, fast Ger/CB/1906 battlecruisers. The were 800 ft long, had 8-12in/45 BLR and 12-4in QF guns, 4in side armor, and a speed of 33 knots. They were early adopters of inclined side armor, in an attempt to increase the protection from such thin side armor.

I've started an "Ideal Battleship" paper model

I have a plan and the start of the hull for an "Ideal Battleship for the British Navy" like my last Springsharp design. The scale may be too small, as it is 50ft to the inch. I suspect that at least 25ft to the inch or smaller might be required to make assembly go smoothly. The smaller the model, the less accuracy, and the harder it is to build. I scaled the drawing and model from the photo that is closest to being a broadside. It also happens to almost be an aerial view.

My very latest attempt at designing Colonel Cuniberti's Ideal Battleship

The main deviations for my Springsharp design for Colonel Cuniberti's Ideal Battleship for the British navy are excessive beam and displacement. The armor is also lighter than he had envisioned. The main obstacle to doing what he wanted is stability, due to the armament on a relatively small ship, as well as the machinery required to make 24 knots. I hope to make a paper model of the ship to aid my perspective efforts. My first attempts will be for the Ideal Battleship and for the Ger/CS/1905. This is the latest Springsharp report for the Ideal Battleship. I suspect that part of the problem is specifying the gun mounts and heights. The defaults in Springsharp seem to be wrong.

Colonel Cunibert's Ideal Battleship, Great Britain Battleship laid down 1903 (Engine 1912)

Displacement:
 19,187 t light; 20,122 t standard; 23,186 t normal; 25,637 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 521.50 ft / 521.50 ft x 91.00 ft x 30.00 ft (normal load)
 158.95 m / 158.95 m x 27.74 m  x 9.14 m

Armament:
      12 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (8 mounts), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1903 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on side ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts - superfiring
   Main guns limited to end-on fire
      12 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm guns in single mounts, 13.50lbs / 6.12kg shells, 1903 Model
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts 
   on side, all amidships
   12 guns in hull casemates - Limited use in heavy seas
      6 - 1.85" / 47.0 mm guns in single mounts, 3.17lbs / 1.44kg shells, 1903 Model
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts 
   on side, all amidships, all raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 10,549 lbs / 4,785 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 80

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 8.00" / 203 mm 380.00 ft / 115.82 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: 4.00" / 102 mm 141.50 ft / 43.13 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Upper: 6.00" / 152 mm 380.00 ft / 115.82 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 112 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 380.00 ft / 115.82 m 27.00 ft / 8.23 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 7.00" / 178 mm 5.00" / 127 mm  7.00" / 178 mm
 2nd: 2.00" / 51 mm       -         -

   - Armour deck: 2.00" / 51 mm, Conning tower: 7.00" / 178 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 52,127 shp / 38,887 Kw = 24.00 kts
 Range 9,600nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 5,515 tons

Complement:
 939 - 1,221

Cost:
 £2.070 million / $8.281 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,319 tons, 5.7 %
 Armour: 6,792 tons, 29.3 %
    - Belts: 2,163 tons, 9.3 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 759 tons, 3.3 %
    - Armament: 2,498 tons, 10.8 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,249 tons, 5.4 %
    - Conning Tower: 123 tons, 0.5 %
 Machinery: 2,078 tons, 9.0 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 8,997 tons, 38.8 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,999 tons, 17.2 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   25,730 lbs / 11,671 Kg = 29.8 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 4.0 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 0.95
 Metacentric height 3.9 ft / 1.2 m
 Roll period: 19.4 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 60 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 1.06
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.19

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.570
 Length to Beam Ratio: 5.73 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 22.84 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 55 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Mid (68 %):  26.00 ft / 7.92 m (17.00 ft / 5.18 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
    - Stern:  17.00 ft / 5.18 m
    - Average freeboard: 23.28 ft / 7.10 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 91.8 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 161.9 %
 Waterplane Area: 33,747 Square feet or 3,135 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 108 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 180 lbs/sq ft or 881 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.91
  - Longitudinal: 2.27
  - Overall: 1.00
 Caution: Poor stability - excessive risk of capsizing
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Springsharp just can't handle certain ships well

I tried to see if I could get a good Springsharp design for a 1914 updated version of the Ger/CS/1905. I wanted pretty much the same dimensions and 37 knots. I also wanted a larger patch of 2in armor. As usual, there is an abnormal draft, as that is what is needed to get adequate strength in Springsharp, even for a small vessel. I would be interested to see what I could do with my program. I have done calculations for British destroyer-type vessels of about 1914, and if you do the hull weight calculation, the numbers are typically something like 3.0 or 3.1 x 10^-3. The equation for this is:

Hull weight = Factor x 10-^3 x length x beam x hull depth

This is my Springsharp report for what I would consider a failed design, although it sort of "works":

Ger/CS/1914, Germany Scout Cruiser laid down 1914 (Engine 1945)

Displacement:
 2,761 t light; 2,855 t standard; 2,952 t normal; 3,029 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 372.84 ft / 372.00 ft x 38.00 ft x 21.00 ft (normal load)
 113.64 m / 113.39 m x 11.58 m  x 6.40 m

Armament:
     5 - 5.00" / 127 mm guns in single mounts, 62.50lbs / 28.35kg shells, 1914 Model
   Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on centreline ends, majority forward, all raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 313 lbs / 142 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 200
 4 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
  - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 2.00" / 51 mm 220.00 ft / 67.06 m 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 91 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

  - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 1.00" / 25 mm       -         -

  - Conning tower: 1.00" / 25 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 84,984 shp / 63,398 Kw = 37.00 kts
 Range 2,500nm at 12.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 174 tons

Complement:
 199 - 260

Cost:
 £0.478 million / $1.912 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 39 tons, 1.3 %
 Armour: 203 tons, 6.9 %
    - Belts: 184 tons, 6.2 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
    - Armament: 14 tons, 0.5 %
    - Armour Deck: 0 tons, 0.0 %
    - Conning Tower: 4 tons, 0.2 %
 Machinery: 1,757 tons, 59.5 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 762 tons, 25.8 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 190 tons, 6.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   503 lbs / 228 Kg = 8.0 x 5.0 " / 127 mm shells or 0.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.34
 Metacentric height 2.0 ft / 0.6 m
 Roll period: 11.4 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 52 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.40
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.04

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.348
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.79 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 19.29 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 68 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Mid (30 %):  22.00 ft / 6.71 m (15.00 ft / 4.57 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
    - Stern:  15.00 ft / 4.57 m
    - Average freeboard: 17.26 ft / 5.26 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 202.4 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 106.3 %
 Waterplane Area: 8,584 Square feet or 798 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 61 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 39 lbs/sq ft or 188 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.43
  - Longitudinal: 2.81
  - Overall: 0.52
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is extremely poor
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is adequate

A nice photo of a Ger/CS/1905 scout cruiser

This photo gives a good view of a Ger/CS/1905 scout cruiser that emphasizes the relatively high freeboard of the type. This is a 370ft vessel capable of 36 knots. The armament is 5-4in QF guns and 2-18in TT. They were to be built in quantity, in the 1905 to 1908 estimates.

I'm considering making models to aid the photoart development

To do a really accurate photoart piece, you must deal with perspective issues. To a degree, the whole thing can be done by judgment. To increase the accuracy means either doing drawing, building a 3-D model, or building a physical model and photographing it for reference. The last alternative is what is looking like the most feasible way to proceed, in the short term. 3-D models look like the best, long-term approach. The main issue is the learning curve, plus the cost of higher-end tools that support measured models. Tools like Anim8or seem to just be another "eye-ball" approach, similar to doig a photoart piece or drawing without resorting to measuring. In fact, measuring seems to be impractical.

Cruisers for the British navy

At different points after WWI, British estimated that they needed 60 0r 70 cruisers to meet their operational needs and for commerce protection. One shortcoming of my friend Cliff's building program is that there were only small numbers of cruisers, and those that were in the plan were oddities, in many ways. The most normal cruisers were those that were 405ft long, with 4-6in guns. They were unarmored and could make 32 knots. The other ships formally classified as cruisers were the big, fast, and lightly armed and armored battlecruisers that he had planned. They had the drawback of having only 4-heavy caliber guns, along with a modest secondary armament. They did generally have a high speed, as 33 knots was the usual goal. The armor of the initial pair was only 4inches, on the vertical, and perhaps 2in deck. Later versions would have been better protected, especially the four with 13.5in guns. The only other possible ships for cruiser duties were the large gun-armed destroyer-like fast gunboats. The largest had 4-5in guns, and were on the order of 2000 tons normal displacement. They were fast, 35 or 36 knots. None of these really filled the need for normal cruisers for independent squadrons and for commerce protection.

Gun layouts for the Untakeable and Unapproachable designs

It was only by reading about the Untakeable design with 16-10in guns that I realized what the layout was. The idea was to have 10 guns able to shoot on the broadside, forward, and aft. To achieve that, there was one turret forward, one aft, and three on each broadside. The middle turret on the side was superfiring. That allowed five twin turrets to shoot forward (if you ignored the nasty blast effects). The Unapproachable design was somewhat different. It relied upon wing turrets superfiring as well, but there were two twin turrets each on the forecastle and quarter deck. They were mounted to each side, to try and reduce blast interference. These were originally to be 7.5in/50 twin turrets. In latter versions, there was a uniform 9.2in/50 gun armament. The design used superfiring 9.2in twin turrets firing over the two turrets each on the forecastle and quarterdeck. The wing turrets were mounted at that level, and could fire over the turrets on the foredcastle and quarterdeck. As my photo showed, the hull was flush-decked. That was based on the drawing in Dr. Oscar Parks' British Battleships book. These layouts were actually impractical, as was the Dreadnought layout, as they all ignored blast effects, which were considerable.

Updated Ger/CS/1905 scout cruiser photo

I updated this photo to use more photographic elements and less drawn images. It seems like an improvement to have sharper details and more accurate lighting. The design is essentially a large, fast destroyer-type, modelled after HMS Swift, the super destroyer. Ships of this class were 370ft long, carried 5-4in QF guns and 2-18in TT, and were designed to make 36 knots. The outboard profile makes them look very cruiser-like.

Improved version of the Ger/BB/1905 photo

This is a slightly tweaked version of the Ger/BB/1905 photo showing one of the battleships at sea.

New version of one of the Ger/CS/1905 photos

This is my latest version of the Ger/CS/1905 photo that is from the port bow. The ship is almost washed out to white.

A nasty feature of the battlecruiser Tiger

I usually imagine that the British battlecruiser Tiger was well-protected, but that is not really true. There was a patch of 9in armor, but only the machinery spaces were covered. Over substantial areas of the side, supposedly protected the 13.5in gun magazines, there was only 5in armor. Deck armor was generally just 1in, although there were two 1in decks. Given that the Tiger survived quite nicely, that says that you don't need that thick of armor to adequately protect against 11in and 12in gunfire. You may have penetrations, but unless they flashed Cordite, they would not be serious. The violent explosions were not caused by magazine hits, but by turret hits that ignited Cordite dust from incautious handling practices. The careless practices only were a problem because of the volatile nature of Cordite. As late as 1942, the Mutsu was lost due to a Cordite explosion, while at anchor.

Winston Churchill's influence in 1911-1914

Winston Churchill assumed the position of First Lord of the Admiralty in late 1911. He immediately consulted with Admiral Fisher, who was in retirement. Admiral Fisher vigorously promoted the use of all-oil fuel. Churchill asked if the battlecruiser Tiger might be modified to use oil fuel only, but the DNC, Sir Philip Watts was somewhat resistant, since the Tiger design assumed that coal would be available to provide additional protection. Still, the Tiger was improved by providing more power (108,000 SHP) and a higher speed (30 knots). In the end, she also proved to be greatly overweight. The 1912 ship were equipped with oil fuel only, but that might well have been extended to include the Tiger and the Iron Duke class ships, if the DNC had been more receptive. The other major innovations under Churchill were the Queen Elizabeth class fast battleships with oil fuel, nominally 25 knot speed, and 15inch guns.

The role envisioned for the GB/CB/1905 battlecruisers and those like them

I am sure that when my friend Cliff conceived the GB/CB/1905 battlecruisers, he was influenced by knowing about the Glorious, Courageous, and Furious. We also knew about the later German "pocket battleships". Without that background, I suspect that we would not have designed ships that had only two turrets with heavy caliber guns. The first were the GB/CB/1905 ships. Having been involved in their design, I designed a smaller, less capable cruiser for the Germans, the Ger/CB/1905 that was built in parallel to the British ships. The British ships were definitely intended as fast scouts, able to run down lesser ships. They also could be used to "turn" an enemy battleline, and to hammer them, briefly.

Frank Fox didn't think much of these ships, as he would prefer thicker armor, more guns, and a slower speed. David K. Brown remarked that they could have used at least 6in side armor and the ability to fire at least four gun broadsides. I have thought that if you would accept a slower rate of fire, you could fire all four guns together. I suspect that is how the pre-dreadnoughts operated. I can't imagine that at the Battle of the Yellow Sea, at something like 14,000 yards, they were firing two gun broadsides. Who knows, but it seems unlikely at long range.

Frank Fox suggested that if these were "cruiser killers", they might have well had 9.2in guns instead of 12in guns. For the cruiser-killer role, that might be adequate, except against the largest ships.

I tend to be protective of these ships, as I had a hand in their development, back in 1971 and during refinement in 1973. They need to be placed in the context that they were conceived: a building program wargame that started from scratch in 1905 and continued to at least 1916, for planning purposes. An odd collection of ships were to be produced, in that they often followed Admiral Fisher's ideas closely. Fast battlecruisers for the large ships and nothing in between them and the large, fast destroyer-types. I particularly liked the "Super Swift" type considered for production in Britain in 1912. They ultimately went with the "Super Blonde" type, instead. That ultimately produced the modern light cruiser, so I guess that it was a good choice. The first ships in the series were the British Arethusa class, designed by Stanley Goodall, as a young, rising star.

A new photo of one of the GB/CB/1905 battlecruisers

This is a new photoart piece of one of the two GB/CB/1905 battlecruisers. They carried 4-12in/45 and 9-6in/50 guns. The armor belt was only 4inches. The speed was 33 knots, which was the tradeoff.

Improved photo of a Ger/CB/1911 battlecruiser

This is my newly improved photo of one of the Ger/CB/1911 battlecruisers with 6-12in and 8-6in guns. The speed was 30 knots with a 6in armor basis.

My new Ger/BB/1905 photo

This is my latest attempt at a photoart piece showing one of the Ger/BB/1905 battleships.

I am working on a better photo of the Ger/BB/1905 ships

The present dark profile of a Ger/BB/1905 ship is not very satisfying, although the water is good and the photo is rather dramatic. I have started a new photoart piece that I hope will be a better view of what the ships were intended to be. They were to have 8-12in/45 and 12-4in QF guns and a speed of 23 knots. The armor basis was 10inches. They were 580 ft long, which allowed them to make 23 knots easily.

The Ger/CB/1911 and Ger/CB/1912 ships were part of a pattern

When I designed the Ger/CB/1911 and Ger/CB/1912 battlecruisers in 1971, I was heavily influenced by the combination of the Richelieu, the Nelson and Rodney, and the Hood. The Hood influence was manifested by inclined side armor. The Richelieu influence was manifested in having all the main battery guns forward. The Nelson and Rodney influence was more subtle, and was more a matter of taking radical steps to reduce the length of the armor belt. I was also very into the idea of having tapered armor belts. The average thickness might be 6 inches, but the thickness would start at 4 inches at the top of the belt and increase to 8 inches below the waterline. My design standards used 8ft heights between decks, so the waterline would often split a deck. There was also an emphasis on deck armor over horizontal armor, as the ships were intended to fight a long range, generally. They also had an extension to the armor belt for the anti-torpedo bulkhead. I did not uniformly use inclined armor, as the distance from the side to the anti-torpedo bulkhead was generally insufficient. A more conventional sandwich of compartments with a anti-torpedo bulkhead set in over 20ft from the side was a better solution to underwater protection.

A Ger/CB/1912 battlecruiser photo

This is a photoart piece showing one of the Ger/CB/1912 battlecruisers. The ship has 6-15in/45 BLR and 8-6in/50 QF guns.

Photo of a Ger/CB/1911 battlecruiser

This is a photoart piece of one of the Ger/CB/1911 battlecruisers. They were to be 750ft long and would have 6-12in/50 BLR and 8-6in/50 QF guns. The armor basis was just 6inches. The speed was 30 knots.

Another view of one of Admiral Fisher's "Untakeable" battleships

This is a sideview of one of Admiral Fisher's "Untakeable" battleships with 16-1oin BLR and 16-4in QF guns. This ship has the clipper bow that some of the "all big gun" ships had. Admiral Fisher decided that he preferred a "ram" look, even though he thought the ram obsolete. Instead the new bow design was an early bulbous bow without a flare. This is my photo:

This is a lighter "exposure":

The "Untakeable" design in Springsharp

I just tried the "Untakeable" design with 16-10in BLR and 16-4in QF guns in Springsharp. I was not satisfied with the result, as the displacement is too high for what it should be. I went with coal-fired boilers with turbines. I refuse to accept any design that is not stable, a good seaboat, and structurally sound. The only way to achieve the balance was to have a larger displacment and to adjust the slider in Springsharp to achieve adequate stability and reduced effects from firing the guns. This is the Springsharp report:

Untakeable, Great Britain Battleship laid down 1905

Displacement:
 19,835 t light; 20,781 t standard; 23,330 t normal; 25,369 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 530.84 ft / 530.00 ft x 83.00 ft x 29.00 ft (normal load)
 161.80 m / 161.54 m x 25.30 m  x 8.84 m

Armament:
      16 - 10.00" / 254 mm guns (8x2 guns), 500.00lbs / 226.80kg shells, 1905 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on side ends, evenly spread, 5 raised mounts - superfiring
      16 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1905 Model
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts 
   on side ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 8,512 lbs / 3,861 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 100

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 11.0" / 279 mm 380.00 ft / 115.82 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: 6.00" / 152 mm 150.00 ft / 45.72 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
   Main Belt covers 110 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  1.50" / 38 mm 380.00 ft / 115.82 m 26.00 ft / 7.92 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 10.0" / 254 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  10.0" / 254 mm

   - Armour deck: 2.00" / 51 mm, Conning tower: 10.00" / 254 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 31,118 shp / 23,214 Kw = 21.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 12.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,588 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 943 - 1,227

Cost:
 £1.951 million / $7.804 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,064 tons, 4.6 %
 Armour: 8,347 tons, 35.8 %
    - Belts: 3,404 tons, 14.6 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 548 tons, 2.4 %
    - Armament: 2,983 tons, 12.8 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,236 tons, 5.3 %
    - Conning Tower: 176 tons, 0.8 %
 Machinery: 2,593 tons, 11.1 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 7,830 tons, 33.6 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,495 tons, 15.0 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   31,565 lbs / 14,318 Kg = 63.1 x 10.0 " / 254 mm shells or 4.9 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.03
 Metacentric height 4.0 ft / 1.2 m
 Roll period: 17.5 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 58 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.88
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.50

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
 Block coefficient: 0.640
 Length to Beam Ratio: 6.39 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 23.02 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 48 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 39
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Mid (50 %):  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Stern:  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Average freeboard: 22.16 ft / 6.75 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 93.3 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 148.4 %
 Waterplane Area: 33,393 Square feet or 3,102 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 106 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 158 lbs/sq ft or 770 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.93
  - Longitudinal: 1.76
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

the "Untakeable" photo

This is my first attempt at a photo of the "Untakeable" design. This is the version with 16-10in guns and 16-4in QF guns. I had second thoughts about the clipper bow.

I figured out the "Untakeable" design's layout

I have a picture of Admiral Fisher's "Untakeable" design that had 16-10in guns and 16-4in QF guns. The 10in guns were to be arranged similarly to the "Unapproachable", except that all the guns were 10in, probably 50 caliber. The 4in guns would have been arranged in the superstructure. I gave the "Untakeable" a clipper bow, as at least some of the preliminary designs had that feature. I will be posting the "Untakeable" design soon. I had planned to do it already, but decided to change the mast design to be more in line with the usual practice for tripods.

Admiral Fisher's "Unapproachable" armored cruiser

In 1904, Admiral Fisher and Mr. Gard had a sketch design for a fast armored cruiser. This was originally not a uniform armament ship, but had 4-9.2in and 12-7.5in guns. The anti-torpedo boat armament would probably have been 16-4in QF guns. The speed originally would have been 24 knots. John Roberts has the specification for a later version of this ship with 16-9.2in with a speed of 25.5 knots. This is my photo of the earlier version of the ship, as I believe that they would have ended up with tripd masts.

A different view of Colonel Cuniberti's Ideal Battleship

I have a new photo one of Colonel Cuniberti's "Ideal Battleship for the British Navy" from 1903. This is from a different angle, but still shows the general layout, despite the awnings.

Another view of Colonel Cuniberti's "Ideal Battleship for the British Navy"

This is a sideview of one of Colonel Cuniberti's "Ideal Battleships for the British Navy". The picture will probably take more work, but I thought it was good, because it shows the turret layout well.

My photo the 1903 British semi-Dreadnought design

This is my photo of the never-built 1903 British semi-Dreadnought design with 4-12in and 12-9.2in guns.

My concept of the proposed British semi-Dreadnoughts

This is my concept of what the proposed ships that had 4-12in and 12-9.2in guns would have been like. Of course, this is affected by Springsharp. I am using reciprocating engines and coal-fired boilers, as this is what I would expect for them. This is the Springsharp report. To work, they come out too large:

GB/BB/1903, Great Britain Battleship laid down 1903 (Engine 1907)

Displacement:
 19,175 t light; 20,074 t standard; 22,630 t normal; 24,675 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 482.00 ft / 482.00 ft x 82.00 ft x 30.00 ft (normal load)
 146.91 m / 146.91 m x 24.99 m  x 9.14 m

Armament:
      4 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (2x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1903 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts
      12 - 9.20" / 234 mm guns (1x12 guns), 389.34lbs / 176.60kg shells, 1903 Model
   Breech loading guns in a turret (on a barbette)
   on side amidships, all raised guns
      16 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm guns (1x16 guns), 13.50lbs / 6.12kg shells, 1903 Model
   Quick firing guns in a deck mount with hoist
   on side, all raised guns
 Weight of broadside 8,344 lbs / 3,785 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 11.0" / 279 mm 330.00 ft / 100.58 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: 7.00" / 178 mm   95.00 ft / 28.96 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
   57.00 ft / 17.37 m Unarmoured ends
   Main Belt covers 105 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 330.00 ft / 100.58 m 25.00 ft / 7.62 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 11.0" / 279 mm 7.00" / 178 mm  11.0" / 279 mm
 2nd: 8.00" / 203 mm 5.00" / 127 mm  8.00" / 203 mm

   - Armour deck: 2.00" / 51 mm, Conning tower: 12.00" / 305 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 26,474 ihp / 19,750 Kw = 20.00 kts
 Range 8,500nm at 12.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,601 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 922 - 1,199

Cost:
 £1.959 million / $7.836 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,043 tons, 4.6 %
 Armour: 6,937 tons, 30.7 %
    - Belts: 2,941 tons, 13.0 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 611 tons, 2.7 %
    - Armament: 2,040 tons, 9.0 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,139 tons, 5.0 %
    - Conning Tower: 207 tons, 0.9 %
 Machinery: 2,942 tons, 13.0 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 8,254 tons, 36.5 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,455 tons, 15.3 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   26,045 lbs / 11,814 Kg = 30.1 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 4.1 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.04
 Metacentric height 4.0 ft / 1.2 m
 Roll period: 17.2 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 51 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.80
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.30

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
 Block coefficient: 0.668
 Length to Beam Ratio: 5.88 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 21.95 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 50 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 39
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Mid (50 %):  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Stern:  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Average freeboard: 19.32 ft / 5.89 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 102.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 120.8 %
 Waterplane Area: 30,779 Square feet or 2,859 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 107 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 184 lbs/sq ft or 899 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.92
  - Longitudinal: 2.17
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

This is my photo of Colonel Cuniberti's Ideal Battleship with a tripod foremast, the way that I have drawn it in the past.

Another unsatisfactory attempt to make the Ideal Battleship work in Springsharp

I have been experimenting with Colonel Cuniberti's Ideal Battleship for the British Navy from the 1903 Jane's All the World's Fighting Ships. I had known since I got the detailed article that the design could not be implemented as originally specified. This is my current attempt in Springsharp. I couldn't see any way around having to increase the beam and decrease armor:

Ideal Battleship, Great Britain Battleship laid down 1903 (Engine 1909)

Displacement:
 18,872 t light; 19,767 t standard; 21,180 t normal; 22,310 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 521.50 ft / 521.50 ft x 87.00 ft x 26.00 ft (normal load)
 158.95 m / 158.95 m x 26.52 m  x 7.92 m

Armament:
      12 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (8 mounts), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1903 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
      12 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm guns in single mounts, 13.50lbs / 6.12kg shells, 1903 Model
   Breech loading guns in deck mount 
   on side amidships
   12 guns in hull casemates - Limited use in heavy seas
      6 - 1.85" / 47.0 mm guns in single mounts, 3.17lbs / 1.44kg shells, 1903 Model
   Breech loading guns in deck mounts 
   on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
 Weight of broadside 10,549 lbs / 4,785 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 80

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 8.00" / 203 mm 350.00 ft / 106.68 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: 6.00" / 152 mm 141.50 ft / 43.13 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
   30.00 ft / 9.14 m Unarmoured ends
   Main Belt covers 103 % of normal length

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 8.00" / 203 mm 5.00" / 127 mm  7.00" / 178 mm
 2nd: 2.00" / 51 mm       -         -

   - Armour deck: 2.50" / 64 mm, Conning tower: 5.00" / 127 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 50,465 shp / 37,647 Kw = 24.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 12.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 2,543 tons

Complement:
 877 - 1,141

Cost:
 £2.089 million / $8.357 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,319 tons, 6.2 %
 Armour: 6,639 tons, 31.3 %
    - Belts: 2,467 tons, 11.6 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
    - Armament: 2,514 tons, 11.9 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,576 tons, 7.4 %
    - Conning Tower: 82 tons, 0.4 %
 Machinery: 2,294 tons, 10.8 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 8,620 tons, 40.7 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,308 tons, 10.9 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   25,634 lbs / 11,628 Kg = 29.7 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 2.8 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.00
 Metacentric height 4.0 ft / 1.2 m
 Roll period: 18.2 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 47 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.99
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.08

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.628
 Length to Beam Ratio: 5.99 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 22.84 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 55 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 40
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Forecastle (37 %): 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Mid (50 %):  28.00 ft / 8.53 m (19.00 ft / 5.79 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Stern:  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Average freeboard: 23.65 ft / 7.21 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 81.5 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 158.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 34,072 Square feet or 3,165 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 97 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 175 lbs/sq ft or 855 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.93
  - Longitudinal: 2.04
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Photo of Colonel Cuniberti's Ideal Battleship for the British Navy (1903)

This is my photoart for Colonel Cuniberti's "Ideal Battleship for the British Navy". In fact, he was overoptimistic about what might be done on a limited displacement.

Craig Burke's "Admiral Furashita's Fleet"

At the Combined Fleet website, they have Craig Burke's set of imaginery ship designs, along with some drawings and photoart pieces. I had not previously seen these, but they are in the same spirit as the Queen Victoria and Alt Naval pictures (as well as my photos). Thanks to Ed Rotondaro for pointing these out, on our NWS forum.

New version of the Ger/CS/1905 photo

I have been contemplating improving the Ger/CS/1905 photo that is very light and high-contrast. I started to do the work earlier today, but started fresh, tonight. This is the result:

Updated GB/CB/1921 48000 tons photo

This is an update to the GB/CB/1921 48,000 tons photo. The lights and shadows are more accurate than previously. This is my version of what the British 1921 battlecruisers should have been.

Think of all the "very large" aircraft carriers that have been built in the last 15 years

If you scoff at the concept of building battleships and battlecruisers of over 100,000 tons displacement, think about both the number and size of large nuclear powered aircraft carriers that have been built for the US Navy. They are nominally 1,092 feet long and about 97,000 tons full load. They can make 30 knots or so, as well. The largest warships completed in 1945-1946 were the Midway class aircraft carriers, which were approaching 1,000 feet in length. Their displacement was fairly low, but not as low as the nominal 45,000 tons. CV-42, the Franklin D. Roosevelt was about 67,000 tons. If the decision had been made to go very large, the capability existed to do so. Also consider that the destroyers were on the verge of going very large in 1945, as well. The Mitscher class are an example.

A very large US AA Light Cruiser: US/CL/1941 AA Large

I realized this morning that I would like to include a very large AA light cruiser in my suite of ship designs. This is the US/CL/1941 AA Large design. Unlike my other large cruisers, this one includes torpedo tubes, as that seems appropriate. The design may be underarmed, but it should easily handle the combination of armament, protection, speed, and range, and still have adequate strength, stability, and seakeeping ability. This is the Springsharp report:

US/CL/1941 AA Large, United States AA Light Cruiser laid down 1941 (Engine 1945)

Displacement:
 11,276 t light; 11,660 t standard; 12,650 t normal; 13,442 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 642.89 ft / 640.00 ft x 65.00 ft x 25.00 ft (normal load)
 195.95 m / 195.07 m x 19.81 m  x 7.62 m

Armament:
      16 - 5.10" / 130 mm guns (8x2 guns), 66.33lbs / 30.08kg shells, 1941 Model
   Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on side ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts - superfiring
      36 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm guns (9x4 guns), 1.95lbs / 0.89kg shells, 1941 Model
   Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on side ends, majority forward, all raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 1,132 lbs / 513 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 200
 8 - 24.0" / 609.6 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 445.00 ft / 135.64 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 107 % of normal length

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 2.00" / 51 mm       -         -

   - Armour deck: 3.00" / 76 mm, Conning tower: 4.00" / 102 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 147,329 shp / 109,907 Kw = 36.00 kts
 Range 7,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 1,782 tons

Complement:
 596 - 775

Cost:
 £6.394 million / $25.576 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 141 tons, 1.1 %
 Armour: 2,741 tons, 21.7 %
    - Belts: 1,170 tons, 9.2 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
    - Armament: 79 tons, 0.6 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,445 tons, 11.4 %
    - Conning Tower: 47 tons, 0.4 %
 Machinery: 3,720 tons, 29.4 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 4,674 tons, 36.9 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,374 tons, 10.9 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   14,140 lbs / 6,414 Kg = 213.2 x 5.1 " / 130 mm shells or 1.6 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.27
 Metacentric height 4.0 ft / 1.2 m
 Roll period: 13.6 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 53 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.23
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.06

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
 Block coefficient: 0.426
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.85 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 25.30 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 58 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 3.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 1.00 ft / 0.30 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  36.00 ft / 10.97 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Mid (50 %):  20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Stern:  20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Average freeboard: 21.28 ft / 6.49 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 104.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 137.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 26,041 Square feet or 2,419 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 112 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 107 lbs/sq ft or 521 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.96
  - Longitudinal: 1.55
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

My US/BB/1941 Large photo

It turns out that these aerial views from the bow are hard to make work. This is my first attempt, having beat on it all afternoon, for the US/BB/1941 Large design. I had wanted to have a photo for this design, to complete the series.

Converting ship pictures from perspective to side and deck views

I have long thought that there should be a mechanical way to transform perspective pictures, such as photographs, into orthogonal drawings, such that you have front, side, and top views. There will necessarily be missing information, which I would be able to fill in, if only by guesswork. That would still be superior to not having anything. I am interested in making drawings of the very large US ships that I have been designing with Springsharp and producing photoart. I like the GIF drawings that I have done, as they are small, yet detailed. They have the issue that they don't scale, as GIFs. They have to be converted to JPEG format to scale while maintaining lines.

The US/CA/1941 Large heavy cruiser photo

I'm afraid that I have been beating on this so much, it looks more like a drawing than a photo. The look is more like that which I wanted. I have done pencil and ballpoint ink drawings that look rather like this. This is 27,135 tons, Standard, heavy cruiser with 9-10in BLR, 16-5.1in (13cm) DP, and 56-40mm AA guns. With an 8in belt, the design is more like a modern armored cruiser than the lighter Washington Treaty heavy cruiser, which was more like a large light cruiser with 8in guns. The dimensions of a cruiser of this type are: 765ft x 85ft x 29ft.

Photo of the US/CL/1941 Large light cruiser

I just finished my initial cut at the US/CL/1941 Large light cruiser photo.

Preview of the new US/CB/1941 Large photo

This is a preliminary version of the US/CB/1941 Large photo. It needs more work, but I think it is ready for a preview.

An early view of the US/DL/1941 Large

I have a first cut at a US/DL/1941 Large photo. I have cleaned it up so that the armament matches the Springsharp report. I realized last night that I could do something reasonable for the large destroyer, so this is the result.

Super destroyer: US/DL/1941 Large

This is the corresponding destroyer design to work with the family of large, fast warships. I call it the US/DL/1941 Large. It probably is undergunned, but I hesitate to go to a larger caliber than 5.1in. I do have 24in torpedo tubes, a high speed, and a decent range for such a small ship. This is the Springsharp report:

US/DL/1941 Large, United States Large Destroyer laid down 1941 (Engine 1945)

Displacement:
 5,412 t light; 5,622 t standard; 6,177 t normal; 6,621 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 479.45 ft / 475.00 ft x 48.00 ft x 22.00 ft (normal load)
 146.14 m / 144.78 m x 14.63 m  x 6.71 m

Armament:
      8 - 5.10" / 130 mm guns (4x2 guns), 66.33lbs / 30.08kg shells, 1941 Model
   Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on centreline ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts - superfiring
      28 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm guns (7x4 guns), 1.95lbs / 0.89kg shells, 1941 Model
   Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts 
   on side ends, majority forward, all raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 585 lbs / 265 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 250
 10 - 24.0" / 609.6 mm above water torpedoes

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 109,732 shp / 81,860 Kw = 36.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 1,000 tons

Complement:
 347 - 452

Cost:
 £3.949 million / $15.796 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 73 tons, 1.2 %
 Machinery: 2,771 tons, 44.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 2,568 tons, 41.6 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 765 tons, 12.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   3,401 lbs / 1,543 Kg = 51.3 x 5.1 " / 130 mm shells or 0.6 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.29
 Metacentric height 2.6 ft / 0.8 m
 Roll period: 12.4 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 56 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.36
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.11

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
 Block coefficient: 0.431
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.90 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 21.79 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 65 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 5.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Mid (50 %):  20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Stern:  20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Average freeboard: 20.64 ft / 6.29 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 154.8 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 95.2 %
 Waterplane Area: 14,328 Square feet or 1,331 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 101 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 86 lbs/sq ft or 418 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.87
  - Longitudinal: 3.51
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is adequate

An abnormally large light cruiser: US/CL/1941 Large

I have what I consider to be an abnormally large, fast light cruiser design: US/CL/1941 Large. The design is intended to complement the very large battleships, battlecruisers, and heavy cruisers. I have gone to a larger caliber gun (the 17cm 6.7in gun). Otherwise, the armament is similar to that on the heavy cruisers. This ship design carries 15-6.7in guns and has a top speed of 36 knots. It takes a large ship to do all of this, and to carry good armor. Its normal displacement is about 25,000 tons. This is the Springsharp report:

US/CL/1941 Large, United States Light Cruiser laid down 1941 (Engine 1945)

Displacement:
 21,829 t light; 22,699 t standard; 25,027 t normal; 26,890 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 718.89 ft / 715.00 ft x 78.00 ft (Bulges 80.00 ft) x 31.00 ft (normal load)
 219.12 m / 217.93 m x 23.77 m (Bulges 24.38 m)  x 9.45 m

Armament:
      15 - 6.69" / 170 mm guns (5x3 guns), 149.90lbs / 68.00kg shells, 1941 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, majority forward, all raised mounts - superfiring
      16 - 5.10" / 130 mm guns (8x2 guns), 66.33lbs / 30.08kg shells, 1941 Model
   Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on side, all amidships, all raised mounts - superfiring
      56 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm guns (14x4 guns), 1.95lbs / 0.89kg shells, 1941 Model
   Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts 
   on side ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 3,419 lbs / 1,551 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 180

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 520.00 ft / 158.50 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 112 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead and Bulges:
  1.50" / 38 mm 520.00 ft / 158.50 m 24.00 ft / 7.32 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 7.00" / 178 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  6.00" / 152 mm
 2nd: 2.00" / 51 mm       -         -

   - Armour deck: 4.00" / 102 mm, Conning tower: 6.00" / 152 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 224,960 shp / 167,820 Kw = 36.00 kts
 Range 12,000nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,190 tons

Complement:
 994 - 1,293

Cost:
 £11.859 million / $47.435 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 427 tons, 1.7 %
 Armour: 6,747 tons, 27.0 %
    - Belts: 2,055 tons, 8.2 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 693 tons, 2.8 %
    - Armament: 1,154 tons, 4.6 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,735 tons, 10.9 %
    - Conning Tower: 111 tons, 0.4 %
 Machinery: 5,681 tons, 22.7 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 8,974 tons, 35.9 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,198 tons, 12.8 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   31,166 lbs / 14,136 Kg = 207.9 x 6.7 " / 170 mm shells or 3.9 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.09
 Metacentric height 4.1 ft / 1.2 m
 Roll period: 16.6 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 52 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.45
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.03

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
 Block coefficient: 0.494
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.94 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 26.74 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 60 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 3.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  36.00 ft / 10.97 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Mid (50 %):  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Stern:  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Average freeboard: 26.80 ft / 8.17 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 118.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 184.1 %
 Waterplane Area: 36,957 Square feet or 3,433 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 116 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 141 lbs/sq ft or 689 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.94
  - Longitudinal: 1.66
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

A very large heavy cruiser design: US/CA/1941

This is a very large heavy cruiser design meant to accompany the very large battleships and battlecruisers. The armament is 9-10in and 16-5.1in DP guns, with 56-4omm AA guns. The belt is 8in with a 4in deck. This design is large enough to include a 1.5in A/T bulkhead. The speed is aggresive at 35 knots maximum with 15 knots cruising speed. To make the design work, I reduced the range to 10,000 miles from my originally intended 12,000 miles. My designation is "US/CA/1941 Large". This is the Springsharp report:

US/CA/1941 large, United States Heavy Cruiser laid down 1941 (Engine 1945)

Displacement:
 26,053 t light; 27,135 t standard; 29,310 t normal; 31,049 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 768.78 ft / 765.00 ft x 85.00 ft x 29.00 ft (normal load)
 234.32 m / 233.17 m x 25.91 m  x 8.84 m

Armament:
      9 - 10.00" / 254 mm guns (3x3 guns), 500.00lbs / 226.80kg shells, 1941 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, majority forward, all raised mounts - superfiring
      16 - 5.10" / 130 mm guns (8x2 guns), 66.33lbs / 30.08kg shells, 1941 Model
   Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on side, all amidships, all raised mounts - superfiring
      56 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm guns (14x4 guns), 1.95lbs / 0.89kg shells, 1941 Model
   Breech loading guns in deck mounts 
   on side ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 5,671 lbs / 2,572 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 150

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 8.00" / 203 mm 530.00 ft / 161.54 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 107 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  1.50" / 38 mm 530.00 ft / 161.54 m 24.00 ft / 7.32 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 10.0" / 254 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  8.00" / 203 mm
 2nd: 2.00" / 51 mm       -         -

   - Armour deck: 4.00" / 102 mm, Conning tower: 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 219,630 shp / 163,844 Kw = 35.00 kts
 Range 10,000nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 3,914 tons

Complement:
 1,119 - 1,456

Cost:
 £14.118 million / $56.471 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 709 tons, 2.4 %
 Armour: 8,547 tons, 29.2 %
    - Belts: 2,826 tons, 9.6 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 706 tons, 2.4 %
    - Armament: 1,511 tons, 5.2 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,339 tons, 11.4 %
    - Conning Tower: 164 tons, 0.6 %
 Machinery: 5,546 tons, 18.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 11,251 tons, 38.4 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,256 tons, 11.1 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   40,469 lbs / 18,356 Kg = 80.9 x 10.0 " / 254 mm shells or 5.1 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.08
 Metacentric height 4.6 ft / 1.4 m
 Roll period: 16.7 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 51 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.59
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.03

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
 Block coefficient: 0.544
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.00 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 27.66 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 58 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 3.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  34.00 ft / 10.36 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Mid (50 %):  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Stern:  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Average freeboard: 26.64 ft / 8.12 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 105.6 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 199.7 %
 Waterplane Area: 45,126 Square feet or 4,192 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 116 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 159 lbs/sq ft or 774 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.97
  - Longitudinal: 1.38
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

I'm working on more of an aerial view of the US/CB/1941 large

I have an aerial view of the US/CB/1941 large battlecruiser. It almost at the point where I could preview what I have done. It is slower going than I had expected, as the starting point was a larger, higher-resolution photo.

Warship design

There are really two ways to go (at least) when designing your own warships. One is to follow established historical practice, and not push the envelope. The other is to extrapolate what might have been possible, if the limits were pushed. Sir Philip Watts actually spent much of his career "pushing the limits". His first design, the Italian Piemonte was very agressive for the time. His ships tended to be fast and better armed than the competition. Sir William White was the other sort. His most radical ship design was probably the Royal Sovereign class. He became increasingly conservative, so that his later designs appeared to underperform, especially his cruisers. Worse yet, despite being over-designed and underperforming, his ships did not fare well in the war. Philip Watts was brought in to replace White, and great things were expected of him, given his reputation. His first act on the job was, ironically, signing the design for the King Edward VII class battleships, which an incremental improvement over the ships that had been built for the previous 15 years. Philip Watt's last design was for the Queen Elizabeth class battleship built for the 1912 program. They well-embodied his design philosophy. They were faster than normal, with heavier guns.

Another "Maximum" Battleship Design: US/BB/1943

I was testing the upper limits on what could be done with large battleships. Springsharp doesn't like 24in guns, but it does the calculations despite that. I tried a 1,350ft long ship with 9-24in guns. I wanted only a modest speed: 30 knots. It makes for a very nice design. It about the size of a modest supertanker, except faster:

US/BB/1943, United States Battleship laid down 1943 (Engine 1945)

Displacement:
 162,468 t light; 169,242 t standard; 177,915 t normal; 184,853 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 1,353.40 ft / 1,350.00 ft x 168.00 ft x 39.00 ft (normal load)
 412.52 m / 411.48 m x 51.21 m  x 11.89 m

Armament:
      9 - 24.00" / 610 mm guns (3x3 guns), 6,912.00lbs / 3,135.23kg shells, 1943 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, majority forward, all raised mounts - superfiring
      24 - 5.10" / 130 mm guns (12x2 guns), 66.33lbs / 30.08kg shells, 1943 Model
   Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on side, all amidships, all raised mounts - superfiring
      64 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm guns (16x4 guns), 1.95lbs / 0.89kg shells, 1943 Model
   Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
 Weight of broadside 63,925 lbs / 28,996 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 18.0" / 457 mm 875.00 ft / 266.70 m 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 100 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  5.00" / 127 mm 875.00 ft / 266.70 m 35.00 ft / 10.67 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 20.0" / 508 mm 9.00" / 229 mm  18.0" / 457 mm
 2nd: 2.00" / 51 mm       -         -

   - Armour deck: 10.00" / 254 mm, Conning tower: 18.00" / 457 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 8 shafts, 335,444 shp / 250,241 Kw = 30.00 kts
 Range 12,000nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 15,612 tons

Complement:
 4,330 - 5,630

Cost:
 £88.916 million / $355.664 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 7,991 tons, 4.5 %
 Armour: 63,893 tons, 35.9 %
    - Belts: 12,840 tons, 7.2 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 5,666 tons, 3.2 %
    - Armament: 10,410 tons, 5.9 %
    - Armour Deck: 33,750 tons, 19.0 %
    - Conning Tower: 1,227 tons, 0.7 %
 Machinery: 8,471 tons, 4.8 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 82,114 tons, 46.2 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 15,447 tons, 8.7 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   381,015 lbs / 172,826 Kg = 55.1 x 24.0 " / 610 mm shells or 100.4 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.18
 Metacentric height 14.7 ft / 4.5 m
 Roll period: 18.4 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 63 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.60
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.26

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
 Block coefficient: 0.704
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.04 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 36.74 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 39 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  40.00 ft / 12.19 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 33.00 ft / 10.06 m
    - Mid (50 %):  33.00 ft / 10.06 m
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 33.00 ft / 10.06 m
    - Stern:  33.00 ft / 10.06 m
    - Average freeboard: 33.56 ft / 10.23 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 56.6 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 264.8 %
 Waterplane Area: 182,434 Square feet or 16,949 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 123 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 352 lbs/sq ft or 1,720 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 1.15
  - Longitudinal: 0.95
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Warning: Calibre too large - Main battery

The battleship analog to the very large battlecruiser

I have always thought in terms of having a battleship corresponding to a battlecruiser design. I just tried out a very large battleship that is similar in concept, except having more battleship properties, to the very large battlecruiser. This is the Springsharp report:

US/BB/1941 large, United States Battleship laid down 1941 (Engine 1945)

Displacement:
 102,922 t light; 107,375 t standard; 113,714 t normal; 118,785 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 1,153.33 ft / 1,150.00 ft x 145.00 ft x 36.00 ft (normal load)
 351.53 m / 350.52 m x 44.20 m  x 10.97 m

Armament:
      9 - 21.00" / 533 mm guns (3x3 guns), 4,630.50lbs / 2,100.36kg shells, 1941 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, majority forward, all raised mounts - superfiring
      24 - 5.10" / 130 mm guns (12x2 guns), 66.33lbs / 30.08kg shells, 1941 Model
   Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on side, all amidships, all raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 43,266 lbs / 19,625 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 18.0" / 457 mm 565.00 ft / 172.21 m 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 76 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  4.00" / 102 mm 565.00 ft / 172.21 m 36.00 ft / 10.97 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 20.0" / 508 mm 9.00" / 229 mm  18.0" / 457 mm
 2nd: 2.00" / 51 mm       -         -

   - Armour deck: 9.00" / 229 mm, Conning tower: 18.00" / 457 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 8 shafts, 259,618 shp / 193,675 Kw = 30.00 kts
 Range 12,000nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 11,410 tons

Complement:
 3,096 - 4,025

Cost:
 £56.026 million / $224.105 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 5,408 tons, 4.8 %
 Armour: 41,997 tons, 36.9 %
    - Belts: 8,302 tons, 7.3 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 3,010 tons, 2.6 %
    - Armament: 8,251 tons, 7.3 %
    - Armour Deck: 21,523 tons, 18.9 %
    - Conning Tower: 910 tons, 0.8 %
 Machinery: 6,556 tons, 5.8 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 48,961 tons, 43.1 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 10,792 tons, 9.5 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   214,870 lbs / 97,463 Kg = 46.4 x 21.0 " / 533 mm shells or 43.6 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.11
 Metacentric height 10.7 ft / 3.3 m
 Roll period: 18.6 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 66 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.72
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.32

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
 Block coefficient: 0.663
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.93 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 33.91 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 43 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  38.00 ft / 11.58 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Mid (50 %):  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Stern:  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Average freeboard: 30.64 ft / 9.34 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 63.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 238.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 129,267 Square feet or 12,009 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 116 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 288 lbs/sq ft or 1,407 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 1.02
  - Longitudinal: 0.99
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Photo of the very large battlecruiser: US/CB/1941 large

This is my photoart piece of the 1,250ft long battlecruiser:

My concept of the "ultimate gun", the 24in/45 BLR

My concept of the biggest gun suitable for shipboard use (on super-large ships) is the 24in/45 BLR. By my calculations, a single gun would weight 400 tons. It is possible that it could be lighter, but that is a workable figure, based on one example gun. The 21in/45 would weight 268 tons. A 20in/45 gun would weigh 231.5 tons. A 16.5in/45 would weigh 130 tons.

     Caliber = 24.0 inch (61.0 cm) 
     Shell weight = 7472 lbs (3390 kg) 
     Muzzle velocity = 2574 fps (785 m/s) 

     Relative ballistic performance: 1.00 

     Muzzle energy = 1043.7 megajoules = 384592.8 foot-tons 

     Relative muzzle energy: 0.87 

     Barrel length: 45 calibers 


     Elevation          Range        Time      Velocity   Fall Angle 

       2.5 deg        5600 yards     6.9 sec   2358 fps     2.7 deg 
       5.0 deg       10700 yards    13.6 sec   2185 fps     5.6 deg 
       7.5 deg       15200 yards    20.1 sec   2049 fps     8.8 deg 
      10.0 deg       19200 yards    26.4 sec   1944 fps    12.1 deg 
      12.5 deg       22900 yards    32.5 sec   1864 fps    15.5 deg 
      15.0 deg       26300 yards    38.5 sec   1804 fps    18.9 deg 
      20.0 deg       32200 yards    50.0 sec   1734 fps    25.7 deg 
      25.0 deg       37100 yards    61.0 sec   1712 fps    32.0 deg 
      30.0 deg       41100 yards    71.5 sec   1721 fps    37.8 deg 
      35.0 deg       44200 yards    81.5 sec   1749 fps    43.0 deg 
      40.0 deg       46300 yards    91.0 sec   1787 fps    47.8 deg 
      45.0 deg       47300 yards    99.9 sec   1830 fps    52.2 deg 
      50.0 deg       47000 yards   108.2 sec   1873 fps    56.4 deg 


          Armor Penetration - Vertical Belt Armor 

               (Relative armor quality, 1.00) 

               Maximum penetration: 44.56 inches 


     Elevation          Range            Belt       Deck 

       1.2 deg        2800 yards         42 in
       2.3 deg        5100 yards         40 in
       2.5 deg        5600 yards          ...        1 in 
       3.4 deg        7600 yards         38 in
       4.4 deg        9500 yards          ...        2 in 
       4.7 deg       10100 yards         36 in
       6.2 deg       12800 yards         34 in
       6.3 deg       13000 yards          ...        3 in 
       7.8 deg       15700 yards         32 in
       8.2 deg       16400 yards          ...        4 in 
       9.7 deg       18800 yards         30 in
      10.3 deg       19700 yards          ...        5 in 
      12.0 deg       22200 yards         28 in
      12.6 deg       23100 yards          ...        6 in 
      14.7 deg       25800 yards         26 in
      15.4 deg       26700 yards          ...        7 in 
      17.9 deg       29800 yards         24 in
      18.7 deg       30700 yards          ...        8 in 
      20.8 deg       33000 yards          ...        9 in 
      22.0 deg       34200 yards         22 in
      22.8 deg       35000 yards          ...       10 in 
      24.8 deg       36900 yards          ...       11 in 
      26.9 deg       38700 yards          ...       12 in 
      27.1 deg       38900 yards         20 in
      28.9 deg       40300 yards          ...       13 in 
      31.0 deg       41800 yards          ...       14 in 
      33.0 deg       43100 yards          ...       15 in 
      33.4 deg       43300 yards         18 in
      35.1 deg       44300 yards          ...       16 in 
      37.2 deg       45300 yards          ...       17 in 
      39.3 deg       46100 yards          ...       18 in 
      40.5 deg       46500 yards         16 in
      41.4 deg       46700 yards          ...       19 in 
      43.6 deg       47200 yards          ...       20 in 
      45.8 deg       47300 yards          ...       21 in 
      47.5 deg       47300 yards         14 in
      48.1 deg       47300 yards          ...       22 in 


     Maximum range = 47300 yards at 46.4 deg elevation 

The 21in/45 gun from Rick Robertson's Big Gun DOS program

Just for fun, I reran Rick Robertson's Big Gun DOS program for the 21in/45 gun. This is the report:

     Caliber = 21.0 inch (53.3 cm) 
     Shell weight = 5006 lbs (2271 kg) 
     Muzzle velocity = 2574 fps (785 m/s) 

     Relative ballistic performance: 1.00 

     Muzzle energy = 699.2 megajoules = 257647.2 foot-tons 

     Relative muzzle energy: 0.87 

     Barrel length: 45 calibers 


     Elevation          Range        Time      Velocity   Fall Angle 

       2.5 deg        5600 yards     6.9 sec   2330 fps     2.7 deg 
       5.0 deg       10500 yards    13.6 sec   2139 fps     5.7 deg 
       7.5 deg       14900 yards    20.0 sec   1993 fps     8.9 deg 
      10.0 deg       18800 yards    26.2 sec   1882 fps    12.3 deg 
      12.5 deg       22300 yards    32.2 sec   1798 fps    15.8 deg 
      15.0 deg       25400 yards    38.1 sec   1736 fps    19.4 deg 
      20.0 deg       31000 yards    49.4 sec   1664 fps    26.3 deg 
      25.0 deg       35600 yards    60.2 sec   1642 fps    32.8 deg 
      30.0 deg       39400 yards    70.5 sec   1652 fps    38.7 deg 
      35.0 deg       42300 yards    80.3 sec   1680 fps    43.9 deg 
      40.0 deg       44300 yards    89.6 sec   1720 fps    48.7 deg 
      45.0 deg       45200 yards    98.4 sec   1764 fps    53.1 deg 
      50.0 deg       44900 yards   106.5 sec   1807 fps    57.2 deg 


          Armor Penetration - Vertical Belt Armor 

               (Relative armor quality, 1.00) 

               Maximum penetration: 38.99 inches 


     Elevation          Range            Belt       Deck 

       1.4 deg        3300 yards         36 in
       2.6 deg        5700 yards         34 in
       2.8 deg        6200 yards          ...        1 in 
       3.8 deg        8200 yards         32 in
       5.0 deg       10500 yards          ...        2 in 
       5.2 deg       10900 yards         30 in
       6.9 deg       13800 yards         28 in
       7.2 deg       14400 yards          ...        3 in 
       8.8 deg       17000 yards         26 in
       9.6 deg       18100 yards          ...        4 in 
      11.1 deg       20300 yards         24 in
      12.3 deg       21900 yards          ...        5 in 
      13.9 deg       24100 yards         22 in
      15.5 deg       26100 yards          ...        6 in 
      17.5 deg       28300 yards         20 in
      19.1 deg       30100 yards          ...        7 in 
      21.6 deg       32500 yards          ...        8 in 
      22.2 deg       33100 yards         18 in
      23.9 deg       34700 yards          ...        9 in 
      26.3 deg       36700 yards          ...       10 in 
      28.2 deg       38200 yards         16 in
      28.7 deg       38500 yards          ...       11 in 
      31.1 deg       40200 yards          ...       12 in 
      33.6 deg       41600 yards          ...       13 in 
      36.1 deg       42800 yards         14 in      14 in 
      38.6 deg       43900 yards          ...       15 in 
      41.2 deg       44600 yards          ...       16 in 
      43.8 deg       45100 yards          ...       17 in 
      44.8 deg       45200 yards         12 in
      46.4 deg       45300 yards          ...       18 in 
      49.3 deg       45100 yards          ...       19 in 


     Maximum range = 45300 yards at 46.4 deg elevation 

A British "super-destroyer" design

I tried a British super-destroyer design with 5.1in guns, as they considered at one point in the 1930's. This design was inspired by the largest Japanese destroyers of similar size, although greater displacement. The length is 440ft and the displacement on the order of 3,000 tons. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/DL/1941, Great Britain Large Destroyer laid down 1941 (Engine 1950)

Displacement:
 2,538 t light; 2,662 t standard; 3,004 t normal; 3,277 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 440.84 ft / 440.00 ft x 44.00 ft x 15.00 ft (normal load)
 134.37 m / 134.11 m x 13.41 m  x 4.57 m

Armament:
      8 - 5.10" / 130 mm guns (4x2 guns), 66.33lbs / 30.08kg shells, 1941 Model
   Dual purpose guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on centreline ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts - superfiring
      12 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm guns in single mounts, 1.95lbs / 0.89kg shells, 1941 Model
   Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts 
   on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
      16 - 0.79" / 20.0 mm guns in single mounts, 0.24lbs / 0.11kg shells, 1941 Model
   Breech loading guns in deck mounts 
   on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
 Weight of broadside 558 lbs / 253 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 200
 10 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 68,837 shp / 51,353 Kw = 36.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 614 tons

Complement:
 202 - 263

Cost:
 £2.202 million / $8.807 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 70 tons, 2.3 %
 Machinery: 1,491 tons, 49.6 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 977 tons, 32.5 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 466 tons, 15.5 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   887 lbs / 402 Kg = 13.4 x 5.1 " / 130 mm shells or 0.4 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.45
 Metacentric height 2.8 ft / 0.8 m
 Roll period: 11.1 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 53 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.41
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.05

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.362
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.00 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 20.98 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 64 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Mid (37 %):  22.00 ft / 6.71 m (14.00 ft / 4.27 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 14.00 ft / 4.27 m
    - Stern:  14.00 ft / 4.27 m
    - Average freeboard: 17.12 ft / 5.22 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 178.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 114.9 %
 Waterplane Area: 11,751 Square feet or 1,092 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 78 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 46 lbs/sq ft or 225 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.50
  - Longitudinal: 1.55
  - Overall: 0.56
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is adequate