This is the "D K Brown" version of the GB/CB/1905 battlecruiser (Updated)

When I exchanged communications with D. K. Brown in 2001, he suggested that the GB/CB/1905 should have 8-12in guns and 6in side armour. He advocated the 8-12in guns so that the ship could fire alternating four gun salvos. That was the gold standard for director controlled, long-range gunfire. He said that you needed 6in side armour to keep out lighter shells and splinters. That would provide an adequate waterline protection. That would make the ship very viable. In any case, he said that Philip Watts would have approved, as he liked fast ships with big guns. This is my attempt at such a ship with coal-fired boilers. It does rely upon very lightweight machinery to work: 26.4 SHP/ton machinery weight. This is my photo of this version:

This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CB/1905 Alt version-coal fired boilers, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1921)

Displacement:
 25,141 t light; 26,134 t standard; 28,600 t normal; 30,573 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 770.00 ft / 770.00 ft x 85.00 ft x 26.00 ft (normal load)
 234.70 m / 234.70 m x 25.91 m  x 7.92 m

Armament:
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (4x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1905 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
      12 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns in single mounts, 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1905 Model
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on side, all amidships
 Weight of broadside 8,208 lbs / 3,723 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 490.00 ft / 149.35 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 4.00" / 102 mm 490.00 ft / 149.35 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 98 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 490.00 ft / 149.35 m 26.00 ft / 7.92 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: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

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

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 173,827 shp / 129,675 Kw = 33.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,439 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 1,099 - 1,429

Cost:
 £2.664 million / $10.654 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,026 tons, 3.6 %
 Armour: 6,102 tons, 21.3 %
    - Belts: 1,658 tons, 5.8 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 943 tons, 3.3 %
    - Armament: 1,608 tons, 5.6 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,752 tons, 6.1 %
    - Conning Tower: 141 tons, 0.5 %
 Machinery: 6,584 tons, 23.0 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 11,428 tons, 40.0 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,459 tons, 12.1 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   33,068 lbs / 14,999 Kg = 38.3 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 3.9 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.16
 Metacentric height 5.1 ft / 1.6 m
 Roll period: 15.7 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 55 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.72
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.10

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.588
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.06 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 27.75 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:  32.00 ft / 9.75 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Mid (67 %):  28.00 ft / 8.53 m (20.00 ft / 6.10 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Stern:  20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Average freeboard: 25.68 ft / 7.83 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 132.9 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 211.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 47,345 Square feet or 4,398 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 104 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 161 lbs/sq ft or 784 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.98
  - Longitudinal: 1.17
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

The Ger/CB/1906 design comes out heavy

The Ger/CB/1906 design is very agressive. The design does a lot to shorten the armoured citadel, and to achieve a very high speed for a large ship laid down in 1906. The side armour is thin, 4in, but the deck is a rather thick 3in. The turret faces and barbettes are 6in. The ship is trying to carry 8-12in guns at 33 knots. The ship is an all-around better ship than its opponent, the GB/CB/1905 design. Optimistically, I had hoped for an overload speed of 36 knots, in 1971. This is the Springsharp report, for the version with coal-fired boilers:

Ger/CB/1906 Coal-fired boilers, Germany Battlecruiser laid down 1906 (Engine 1919)

Displacement:
    24,890 t light; 25,828 t standard; 28,400 t normal; 30,458 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
    800.00 ft / 800.00 ft x 85.00 ft x 25.60 ft (normal load)
    243.84 m / 243.84 m x 25.91 m  x 7.80 m

Armament:
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (4x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1906 Model
      Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
      on centreline ends, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
      12 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1906 Model
      Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
      on side, evenly spread
    Weight of broadside 7,296 lbs / 3,309 kg
    Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:        Width (max)    Length (avg)        Height (avg)
    Main:    4.00" / 102 mm    425.00 ft / 129.54 m    16.00 ft / 4.88 m
    Ends:    Unarmoured
      Main Belt covers 82 % of normal length
      Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
        1.50" / 38 mm    425.00 ft / 129.54 m    25.00 ft / 7.62 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:    4.00" / 102 mm    4.00" / 102 mm        4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armour deck: 3.00" / 76 mm, Conning tower: 6.00" / 152 mm

Machinery:
    Coal fired boilers, steam turbines,
    Direct drive, 4 shafts, 168,506 shp / 125,706 Kw = 33.00 kts
    Range 6,500nm at 15.00 kts
    Bunker at max displacement = 4,630 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
    1,093 - 1,422

Cost:
    £2.559 million / $10.235 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
    Armament: 912 tons, 3.2 %
    Armour: 5,914 tons, 20.8 %
       - Belts: 1,181 tons, 4.2 %
       - Torpedo bulkhead: 590 tons, 2.1 %
       - Armament: 1,337 tons, 4.7 %
       - Armour Deck: 2,686 tons, 9.5 %
       - Conning Tower: 120 tons, 0.4 %
    Machinery: 6,582 tons, 23.2 %
    Hull, fittings & equipment: 11,481 tons, 40.4 %
    Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,510 tons, 12.4 %
    Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
    Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
      35,355 lbs / 16,037 Kg = 40.9 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 3.9 torpedoes
    Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.19
    Metacentric height 5.4 ft / 1.6 m
    Roll period: 15.4 seconds
    Steadiness    - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 60 %
            - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.66
    Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.21

Hull form characteristics:
    Hull has rise forward of midbreak
    Block coefficient: 0.571
    Length to Beam Ratio: 9.41 : 1
    'Natural speed' for length: 28.28 kts
    Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
    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:        32.00 ft / 9.75 m
       - Forecastle (20 %):    28.00 ft / 8.53 m
       - Mid (69 %):        28.00 ft / 8.53 m (20.00 ft / 6.10 m aft of break)
       - Quarterdeck (15 %):    20.00 ft / 6.10 m
       - Stern:        20.00 ft / 6.10 m
       - Average freeboard:    25.84 ft / 7.88 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
    Space    - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 129.9 %
        - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 219.6 %
    Waterplane Area: 48,401 Square feet or 4,497 Square metres
    Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 108 %
    Structure weight / hull surface area: 157 lbs/sq ft or 769 Kg/sq metre
    Hull strength (Relative):
        - Cross-sectional: 0.99
        - Longitudinal: 1.13
        - Overall: 1.00
    Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
    Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
    Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

The Ger/BB/1907 is really battleship-cruiser design, in the style advocated by William Hovgaard, early in the 20th Century

William Hovgaard advocated the fast battleship, as the ultimate armoured cruiser type. The ships would be larger and faster than regular battleships, but would be as well-armored. They might sacrifice one turret, though, in exchange for the armour and speed combination. You need never build inferior ships, as they automatically happen over time, as your older ships are inferior to your latest designs. The ships would carry the biggest guns, at a high speed, and have good armour. Colonel Cuniberti's Ideal Battleship for the British Navy (1903) qualifies, with a 12in armour basis, 24 knots, and 12-12in guns.

We had assumed that we would not be able to make our designs work with coal-fired boilers, but the Ger/BB/1907 works great

Back in 1971, my friend Cliff wanted to go ahead and use oil-fired boilers for ships as far back as 1905, because we both assumed that we would not be able to make our designs work with coal. The coal-fired boiler version of the Ger/BB/1907 design disproves that idea. Without using lightweight machinery, the Ger/BB/1907 actually came light, with normal machinery for the date. The planned Standard displacement was 25,847 tons with 8-12in/50 and 12-4in QF guns. The speed was 24 knots with a 13in lower belt. The result seems like a "super ship". This is the Springsharp report:

Ger/BB/1907 Coal-fired boilers, Germany Battleship laid down 1907

Displacement:
 23,526 t light; 24,472 t standard; 28,800 t normal; 32,263 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 620.00 ft / 620.00 ft x 105.00 ft x 26.00 ft (normal load)
 188.98 m / 188.98 m x 32.00 m  x 7.92 m

Armament:
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (4x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1907 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
      12 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1907 Model
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on side, all amidships
 Weight of broadside 7,296 lbs / 3,309 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 13.0" / 330 mm 335.00 ft / 102.11 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 8.00" / 203 mm 335.00 ft / 102.11 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 83 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  3.00" / 76 mm 335.00 ft / 102.11 m 26.00 ft / 7.92 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 13.0" / 330 mm 8.00" / 203 mm  10.0" / 254 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armour deck: 3.00" / 76 mm, Conning tower: 10.00" / 254 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 57,135 shp / 42,623 Kw = 24.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 7,791 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 1,105 - 1,437

Cost:
 £2.089 million / $8.358 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 912 tons, 3.2 %
 Armour: 8,558 tons, 29.7 %
    - Belts: 2,604 tons, 9.0 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 967 tons, 3.4 %
    - Armament: 2,154 tons, 7.5 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,632 tons, 9.1 %
    - Conning Tower: 202 tons, 0.7 %
 Machinery: 3,571 tons, 12.4 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 10,485 tons, 36.4 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,274 tons, 18.3 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   52,787 lbs / 23,944 Kg = 61.1 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 9.4 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.25
 Metacentric height 8.1 ft / 2.5 m
 Roll period: 15.5 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 75 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.34
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.50

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.596
 Length to Beam Ratio: 5.90 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 24.90 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 49 %
 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:  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Mid (67 %):  26.00 ft / 7.92 m (18.00 ft / 5.49 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Stern:  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Average freeboard: 23.60 ft / 7.19 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 79.8 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 194.4 %
 Waterplane Area: 47,415 Square feet or 4,405 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 125 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 164 lbs/sq ft or 803 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.95
  - Longitudinal: 1.63
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

The version of the Ger/BB/1905 with coal-fired boilers works extremely well

I guess that I had overspecified the Ger/BB/1905 design, back in 1971, as the version with coal-fired boilers actually is light, compared to the originally specified 22,000 tons, Standard. This is a recent photo of one of the ships:

One of these ships had 8-12in/45 BLR and 12-4in QF guns. The armour basis is 10in with a 3in deck. The speed is 23 knots. This is the Springsharp report:

Ger/BB/1905 Coal-fired boilers, Germany Battleship laid down 1905

Displacement:
 20,521 t light; 21,410 t standard; 26,000 t normal; 29,672 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 580.00 ft / 580.00 ft x 90.00 ft x 26.60 ft (normal load)
 176.78 m / 176.78 m x 27.43 m  x 8.11 m

Armament:
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (4x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1905 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
      12 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1905 Model
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts 
   on side, evenly spread
 Weight of broadside 7,296 lbs / 3,309 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 10.0" / 254 mm 380.00 ft / 115.82 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: 4.00" / 102 mm 160.00 ft / 48.77 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   40.00 ft / 12.19 m Unarmoured ends
 Upper: 7.00" / 178 mm   0.00 ft / 0.00 m 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
   Main Belt covers 101 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 380.00 ft / 115.82 m 26.00 ft / 7.92 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: 4.00" / 102 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armour deck: 3.00" / 76 mm, Conning tower: 11.00" / 279 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 46,620 shp / 34,778 Kw = 23.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 8,261 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 1,023 - 1,330

Cost:
 £2.028 million / $8.113 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 912 tons, 3.5 %
 Armour: 6,822 tons, 26.2 %
    - Belts: 1,521 tons, 5.9 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 731 tons, 2.8 %
    - Armament: 2,132 tons, 8.2 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,230 tons, 8.6 %
    - Conning Tower: 208 tons, 0.8 %
 Machinery: 3,885 tons, 14.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 8,902 tons, 34.2 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,479 tons, 21.1 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   38,561 lbs / 17,491 Kg = 44.6 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 5.7 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.18
 Metacentric height 5.8 ft / 1.8 m
 Roll period: 15.7 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 79 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.60
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.59

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.655
 Length to Beam Ratio: 6.44 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 24.08 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:  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Mid (68 %):  26.00 ft / 7.92 m (18.00 ft / 5.49 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Stern:  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Average freeboard: 23.68 ft / 7.22 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 96.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 178.9 %
 Waterplane Area: 40,186 Square feet or 3,733 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 119 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 156 lbs/sq ft or 760 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.94
  - Longitudinal: 1.68
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

The coal-fired boiler version of the GB/BB/1905 design

My friend Cliff had conceived of the GB/BB/1905 design as an oil-fueled ship that sacrificed gunpower to achieve a good speed. I have been finding that having coal-fired boilers is more feasible than we had thought, back in 1971. The design has 6-12in/45 BLR and 8-6in QF guns. The latter are in twin turrets, as are the 12in guns. The speed is 24 knots and the armour basis is 13.4in. The deck is a very thick 4.5in. The machinery is 16 SHP/ton, which is not excessively light. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/BB/1905 Coal-fired boilers, Enter country Enter ship type laid down 1905 (Engine 1907)

Displacement:
 23,835 t light; 24,725 t standard; 29,000 t normal; 32,420 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 680.00 ft / 680.00 ft x 87.70 ft x 28.00 ft (normal load)
 207.26 m / 207.26 m x 26.73 m  x 8.53 m

Armament:
      6 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (3x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1905 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, majority forward, 1 raised mount - superfiring
      8 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns (4x2 guns), 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1905 Model
   Quick firing guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on side, evenly spread
 Weight of broadside 6,048 lbs / 2,743 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 13.4" / 340 mm 355.00 ft / 108.20 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 80 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 355.00 ft / 108.20 m 28.00 ft / 8.53 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 13.4" / 340 mm 9.00" / 229 mm  13.4" / 340 mm
 2nd: 3.38" / 86 mm 3.38" / 86 mm  3.38" / 86 mm

   - Armour deck: 4.50" / 114 mm, Conning tower: 6.75" / 171 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 53,836 shp / 40,162 Kw = 24.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 7,695 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 1,110 - 1,444

Cost:
 £1.940 million / $7.761 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 756 tons, 2.6 %
 Armour: 10,109 tons, 34.9 %
    - Belts: 3,411 tons, 11.8 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 736 tons, 2.5 %
    - Armament: 2,167 tons, 7.5 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,658 tons, 12.6 %
    - Conning Tower: 137 tons, 0.5 %
 Machinery: 3,365 tons, 11.6 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 9,606 tons, 33.1 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,165 tons, 17.8 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   54,096 lbs / 24,538 Kg = 62.6 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 8.6 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.16
 Metacentric height 5.5 ft / 1.7 m
 Roll period: 15.8 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 88 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.54
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.76

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.608
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.75 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 26.08 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 44 %
 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 %): 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Mid (63 %):  26.00 ft / 7.92 m (18.00 ft / 5.49 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Stern:  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Average freeboard: 23.36 ft / 7.12 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 75.2 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 175.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 43,938 Square feet or 4,082 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 127 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 149 lbs/sq ft or 728 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.97
  - Longitudinal: 1.36
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

How about a coal-fired boiler version of the 33-knot GB/CB/1905 design

I find it amazing that even with light-weight machinery, I was able to have a 33-knot GB/CB/1905 battlecruiser with coal-fired boilers. The Standard displacement is almost exactly the original 25,000 tons. Obviously, the secret is having lightweight machinery. The plant is designed to a 20 SHP/ton basis, which is not out of line for a fast ship. You may or may not know that this was my friend Cliff's fast battlecruiser that sacrificed armament and armour to achieve a high speed for 1905. The armament is 4-12in/45 and 9-6in QF guns and the armour basis is 4in, with a 2in deck. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CB/1905 Coal-fired boilers, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1909)

Displacement:
 24,101 t light; 24,919 t standard; 29,400 t normal; 32,985 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 770.00 ft / 770.00 ft x 85.00 ft x 27.00 ft (normal load)
 234.70 m / 234.70 m x 25.91 m  x 8.23 m

Armament:
      4 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (2x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1905 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, evenly spread
      8 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns in single mounts, 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1905 Model
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on side, evenly spread
      1 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns in single mounts, 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1905 Model
   Quick firing gun in a deck mount with hoist
   on centreline aft, 1 raised gun
 Weight of broadside 4,428 lbs / 2,009 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 460.00 ft / 140.21 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 4.00" / 102 mm 340.00 ft / 103.63 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 92 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 460.00 ft / 140.21 m 27.00 ft / 8.23 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 8.00" / 203 mm 5.00" / 127 mm  8.00" / 203 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  4.00" / 102 mm
 3rd: 4.00" / 102 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armour deck: 2.00" / 51 mm, Conning tower: 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 176,101 shp / 131,371 Kw = 33.00 kts
 Range 7,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 8,067 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 1,122 - 1,459

Cost:
 £2.541 million / $10.165 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 554 tons, 1.9 %
 Armour: 4,883 tons, 16.6 %
    - Belts: 1,200 tons, 4.1 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 919 tons, 3.1 %
    - Armament: 858 tons, 2.9 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,742 tons, 5.9 %
    - Conning Tower: 164 tons, 0.6 %
 Machinery: 8,805 tons, 29.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 9,859 tons, 33.5 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,299 tons, 18.0 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   27,971 lbs / 12,687 Kg = 32.4 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 3.2 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.28
 Metacentric height 6.1 ft / 1.9 m
 Roll period: 14.5 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 75 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.33
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.15

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.582
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.06 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 27.75 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 55 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 65
 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:  31.00 ft / 9.45 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Mid (67 %):  26.00 ft / 7.92 m (18.00 ft / 5.49 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Stern:  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Average freeboard: 23.76 ft / 7.24 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 145.6 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 190.1 %
 Waterplane Area: 47,082 Square feet or 4,374 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 109 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 141 lbs/sq ft or 686 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.99
  - Longitudinal: 1.08
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform

How about a coal-fired version of the Ger/CB/1905?

I am getting into using coal-fired boilers for ships. I tried a version of the 2002 sketch design for the Ger/CB/1905, and could make the design work with coal-fired boilers by increasing the displacement by a good bit. I also lowered the freeboard by a foot and tweaked the steadiness to get a roll period greater than 14 seconds. I also increased topweight by giving 7in turret faces, barbettes, and conning tower. For a ship with a 4in armour basis and 2in deck armour, the result is pretty good. This is the Springsharp report:

Ger/CB/1905 2002 version, Germany Battlecruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1907)

Displacement:
    20,460 t light; 21,145 t standard; 24,400 t normal; 27,004 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
    700.00 ft / 700.00 ft x 80.00 ft x 24.40 ft (normal load)
    213.36 m / 213.36 m x 24.38 m  x 7.44 m

Armament:
      4 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (2x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1905 Model
      Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
      on centreline ends, evenly spread
      12 - 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
    Weight of broadside 3,840 lbs / 1,742 kg
    Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:        Width (max)    Length (avg)        Height (avg)
    Main:    4.00" / 102 mm    350.00 ft / 106.68 m    16.00 ft / 4.88 m
    Ends:    Unarmoured
      Main Belt covers 77 % of normal length
      Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
        1.50" / 38 mm    350.00 ft / 106.68 m    24.00 ft / 7.32 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:    4.00" / 102 mm    4.00" / 102 mm        4.00" / 102 mm

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

Machinery:
    Coal fired boilers, steam turbines,
    Direct drive, 4 shafts, 130,023 shp / 96,997 Kw = 31.00 kts
    Range 5,400nm at 15.00 kts
    Bunker at max displacement = 5,860 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
    975 - 1,268

Cost:
    £2.257 million / $9.028 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
    Armament: 480 tons, 2.0 %
    Armour: 3,870 tons, 15.9 %
       - Belts: 996 tons, 4.1 %
       - Torpedo bulkhead: 466 tons, 1.9 %
       - Armament: 730 tons, 3.0 %
       - Armour Deck: 1,551 tons, 6.4 %
       - Conning Tower: 127 tons, 0.5 %
    Machinery: 8,126 tons, 33.3 %
    Hull, fittings & equipment: 7,984 tons, 32.7 %
    Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,940 tons, 16.1 %
    Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
    Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
      19,407 lbs / 8,803 Kg = 22.5 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 2.3 torpedoes
    Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.29
    Metacentric height 5.7 ft / 1.7 m
    Roll period: 14.1 seconds
    Steadiness    - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 80 %
            - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.34
    Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.20

Hull form characteristics:
    Hull has rise forward of midbreak
    Block coefficient: 0.625
    Length to Beam Ratio: 8.75 : 1
    'Natural speed' for length: 26.46 kts
    Power going to wave formation at top speed: 56 %
    Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 67
    Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -1.00 degrees
    Stern overhang: -1.00 ft / -0.30 m
    Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
       - Stem:        32.00 ft / 9.75 m
       - Forecastle (20 %):    27.00 ft / 8.23 m
       - Mid (50 %):        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:    23.40 ft / 7.13 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
    Space    - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 163.6 %
        - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 185.8 %
    Waterplane Area: 41,922 Square feet or 3,895 Square metres
    Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 102 %
    Structure weight / hull surface area: 129 lbs/sq ft or 629 Kg/sq metre
    Hull strength (Relative):
        - Cross-sectional: 0.98
        - Longitudinal: 1.14
        - Overall: 1.00
    Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
    Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
    Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
    Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

The 2002 version of the Ger/CB/1905 design

I did a series of drawings in the summer of 2002 for the British and German ships in our 1971 building program game. One was the Ger/CB/1905 battlecruiser. I tried to see what could be done in Springsharp, and the design worked pretty well with 17.6 SHP/ton of machinery weight. I followed the original concept and used oil fuel. To achieve that, the machinery date is 1907. This is the Springsharp report:

Ger/CB/1905 2002 version, Germany Battlecruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1907)

Displacement:
 18,478 t light; 19,100 t standard; 21,250 t normal; 22,970 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 700.00 ft / 700.00 ft x 80.00 ft x 24.40 ft (normal load)
 213.36 m / 213.36 m x 24.38 m  x 7.44 m

Armament:
      4 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (2x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1905 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, evenly spread
      12 - 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
 Weight of broadside 3,840 lbs / 1,742 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 350.00 ft / 106.68 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 77 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  1.50" / 38 mm 350.00 ft / 106.68 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: 4.00" / 102 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armour deck: 2.00" / 51 mm, Conning tower: 6.00" / 152 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 115,187 shp / 85,929 Kw = 31.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 3,871 tons

Complement:
 879 - 1,144

Cost:
 £1.966 million / $7.865 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 480 tons, 2.3 %
 Armour: 3,645 tons, 17.2 %
    - Belts: 993 tons, 4.7 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 466 tons, 2.2 %
    - Armament: 649 tons, 3.1 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,438 tons, 6.8 %
    - Conning Tower: 99 tons, 0.5 %
 Machinery: 6,545 tons, 30.8 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 7,808 tons, 36.7 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,772 tons, 13.0 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   20,423 lbs / 9,264 Kg = 23.6 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 2.4 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.37
 Metacentric height 6.2 ft / 1.9 m
 Roll period: 13.5 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 68 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.31
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.36

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.544
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.75 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 26.46 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -1.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -1.00 ft / -0.30 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  33.00 ft / 10.06 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Mid (50 %):  28.00 ft / 8.53 m (20.00 ft / 6.10 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Stern:  20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Average freeboard: 24.40 ft / 7.44 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 155.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 199.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 38,874 Square feet or 3,612 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 103 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 132 lbs/sq ft or 644 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.97
  - Longitudinal: 1.33
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

It is big, but it works: the coal-fired, reciprocating-engined Ideal Battleship

To make the coal-fired boiler, reciprocating engine version of the alternate Ideal Battleship (of Colonel Cuniberti) work, the displacement and freeboard had to be increased considerably. I am still pleased that a ship with a complete 12in belt and 24 knot speed is viable under any circumstances. This version "cheats", in that the main armament is in six twin 12in turrets, with one at each end, and two on each beam. This is the Springsharp report:

Colonel Cuniberti's ideal battleship-Modified, Great Britain Battleship laid down 1905 (Engine 1917)

Displacement:
 21,763 t light; 22,761 t standard; 25,100 t normal; 26,971 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 523.00 ft / 520.00 ft x 82.00 ft x 29.00 ft (normal load)
 159.41 m / 158.50 m x 24.99 m  x 8.84 m

Armament:
      4 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (2x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1905 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, evenly spread
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (4x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1905 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on side, all amidships
      12 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm guns in single mounts, 13.50lbs / 6.12kg shells, 1905 Model
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts 
   on side, all amidships
 Weight of broadside 10,530 lbs / 4,776 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 80

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 315.00 ft / 96.01 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: 12.0" / 305 mm 205.00 ft / 62.48 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Upper: 12.0" / 305 mm 175.00 ft / 53.34 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 93 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 315.00 ft / 96.01 m 29.00 ft / 8.84 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 7.00" / 178 mm  12.0" / 305 mm
 2nd: 12.0" / 305 mm 7.00" / 178 mm  12.0" / 305 mm
 3rd: 4.00" / 102 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  4.00" / 102 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, 57,175 ihp / 42,652 Kw = 24.00 kts
 Range 4,800nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,211 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 996 - 1,296

Cost:
 £2.389 million / $9.555 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,316 tons, 5.2 %
 Armour: 8,303 tons, 33.1 %
    - Belts: 2,967 tons, 11.8 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 676 tons, 2.7 %
    - Armament: 3,162 tons, 12.6 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,276 tons, 5.1 %
    - Conning Tower: 222 tons, 0.9 %
 Machinery: 3,725 tons, 14.8 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 8,419 tons, 33.5 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,337 tons, 13.3 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   26,587 lbs / 12,060 Kg = 30.8 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 3.8 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.03
 Metacentric height 3.9 ft / 1.2 m
 Roll period: 17.4 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 52 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.84
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.04

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.710
 Length to Beam Ratio: 6.34 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 22.80 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 57 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Mid (20 %):  29.00 ft / 8.84 m (21.00 ft / 6.40 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Stern:  21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Average freeboard: 22.68 ft / 6.91 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 115.5 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 138.5 %
 Waterplane Area: 34,496 Square feet or 3,205 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 96 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 165 lbs/sq ft or 808 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.93
  - Longitudinal: 1.89
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

An obvious thing to do is to make a coal-fired version of Colonel Cuniberti's ideal battleship

After my experiment, yesterday, with a coal-fired, reciprocating engine version of the Unapproachable armoured cruiser, I am interested in trying Colonel Cuniberti's Ideal Battleship for the British Navy in that style in Springsharp. this is one of my photos of one of those ships at anchor.

A more typical GB/CA/1905 "Unapproachable" design

I decided that I should try an "Unapproachable" design with coal-fired boilers and reciprocating engines. I made the concession that the engines are lighter weight. It actuall did not work too badly. I don't like what I have, in the sense that it is too much like a belted cruiser. The armament and protection is still unchanged: 16-9.2in BLR, 12-4in QF, and a 6in armour basis with a 2 in deck. I did reduce the range, slightly, to keep the size of the ship down. I see an error in what I did yesterday, that I need to correct, and will. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CA/1905 Coal Fired, Reciprocating Engines, Great Britain Armoured Cruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1911)

Displacement:
    16,323 t light; 17,108 t standard; 19,200 t normal; 20,874 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
    556.00 ft / 556.00 ft x 75.00 ft x 26.50 ft (normal load)
    169.47 m / 169.47 m x 22.86 m  x 8.08 m

Armament:
      4 - 9.20" / 234 mm guns (2x2 guns), 389.34lbs / 176.60kg shells, 1905 Model
      Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
      on centreline ends, evenly spread
      12 - 9.20" / 234 mm guns (4x3 guns), 389.34lbs / 176.60kg shells, 1905 Model
      Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
      on side, all amidships
      12 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1905 Model
      Quick firing guns in casemate mounts
      on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
    Weight of broadside 6,614 lbs / 3,000 kg
    Shells per gun, main battery: 100

Armour:
   - Belts:        Width (max)    Length (avg)        Height (avg)
    Main:    6.00" / 152 mm    380.00 ft / 115.82 m    12.00 ft / 3.66 m
    Ends:    4.00" / 102 mm    176.00 ft / 53.64 m    12.00 ft / 3.66 m
      Main Belt covers 105 % of normal length
      Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
        1.00" / 25 mm    380.00 ft / 115.82 m    26.00 ft / 7.92 m

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

   - Armour deck: 2.00" / 51 mm, Conning tower: 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
    Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines,
    Direct drive, 4 shafts, 56,604 ihp / 42,227 Kw = 25.50 kts
    Range 4,800nm at 15.00 kts
    Bunker at max displacement = 3,766 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
    815 - 1,060

Cost:
    £1.792 million / $7.169 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
    Armament: 827 tons, 4.3 %
    Armour: 4,801 tons, 25.0 %
       - Belts: 1,480 tons, 7.7 %
       - Torpedo bulkhead: 366 tons, 1.9 %
       - Armament: 1,695 tons, 8.8 %
       - Armour Deck: 1,137 tons, 5.9 %
       - Conning Tower: 124 tons, 0.6 %
    Machinery: 3,761 tons, 19.6 %
    Hull, fittings & equipment: 6,934 tons, 36.1 %
    Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,877 tons, 15.0 %
    Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
    Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
      21,471 lbs / 9,739 Kg = 55.1 x 9.2 " / 234 mm shells or 2.8 torpedoes
    Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.11
    Metacentric height 4.0 ft / 1.2 m
    Roll period: 15.8 seconds
    Steadiness    - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 62 %
            - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.82
    Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.24

Hull form characteristics:
    Hull has rise forward of midbreak
    Block coefficient: 0.608
    Length to Beam Ratio: 7.41 : 1
    'Natural speed' for length: 23.58 kts
    Power going to wave formation at top speed: 54 %
    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): 131.2 %
        - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 163.6 %
    Waterplane Area: 30,731 Square feet or 2,855 Square metres
    Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 101 %
    Structure weight / hull surface area: 146 lbs/sq ft or 714 Kg/sq metre
    Hull strength (Relative):
        - Cross-sectional: 0.94
        - Longitudinal: 1.72
        - Overall: 1.00
    Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
    Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
    Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

HMS Unapproachable armoured cruiser-variant (Corrected)

This is my variant version of the HMS Unapproachable fast armoured cruiser. I based my variant design on the specification on page 18 of John Roberts' book, Battlecruisers. If I was to build the ship, I would use turbines and oil fuel, and somewhat lightweight machinery. The armour is quite limited, in that the belt height is just 12ft. It is rather like a more modern heavy cruiser in that respect, except that I felt obligated to make the belt be basically complete. This is the correcte3d version. This is my Springsharp report:

GB/CA/1904, Great Britain Armoured Cruiser laid down 1904 (Engine 1907)

Displacement:
 15,467 t light; 16,263 t standard; 18,200 t normal; 19,750 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 556.00 ft / 556.00 ft x 75.00 ft x 26.50 ft (normal load)
 169.47 m / 169.47 m x 22.86 m  x 8.08 m

Armament:
      4 - 9.20" / 234 mm guns (2x2 guns), 380.00lbs / 172.37kg shells, 1904 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, evenly spread
      12 - 9.20" / 234 mm guns (4x3 guns), 380.00lbs / 172.37kg shells, 1904 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on side, all amidships
      12 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1904 Model
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts 
   on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
 Weight of broadside 6,464 lbs / 2,932 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 110

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 380.00 ft / 115.82 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
 Ends: 4.00" / 102 mm 176.00 ft / 53.64 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
   Main Belt covers 105 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  1.00" / 25 mm 380.00 ft / 115.82 m 26.00 ft / 7.92 m

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

   - Armour deck: 2.00" / 51 mm, Conning tower: 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 54,077 shp / 40,342 Kw = 25.50 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 3,487 tons

Complement:
 783 - 1,018

Cost:
 £1.666 million / $6.664 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 827 tons, 4.5 %
 Armour: 4,761 tons, 26.2 %
    - Belts: 1,478 tons, 8.1 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 366 tons, 2.0 %
    - Armament: 1,695 tons, 9.3 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,104 tons, 6.1 %
    - Conning Tower: 119 tons, 0.7 %
 Machinery: 3,073 tons, 16.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 6,807 tons, 37.4 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,733 tons, 15.0 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   21,876 lbs / 9,923 Kg = 56.2 x 9.2 " / 234 mm shells or 3.0 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.09
 Metacentric height 3.8 ft / 1.2 m
 Roll period: 16.1 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 64 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.85
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.29

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.576
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.41 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 23.58 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
 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): 122.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 165.4 %
 Waterplane Area: 29,833 Square feet or 2,772 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 104 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 147 lbs/sq ft or 715 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.94
  - Longitudinal: 1.79
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Some of the ideas about turret arrangements, circa 1905 don't work well

Some of the turret arrangements that were being advocated in 1905 or 1906 were not very workable. There was an obsession with trying to achieve end-on-fire with as many guns a possible. There was an obliviousness to the problems associated with blast, so that if these arrangements were actually implemented, there would have been a great deal of blast damage from the first guns fired ahead or astern. My attempt at a photo of a British 1906 armoured cruiser with 16-9.2in guns illustrates the problem:

There is the additional problem, in Springsharp, especially, with issues surrounding stability and hull strength. I would rather have three wing turrets on a side with only the remote possibility of 6 guns firing forward and 10 on the broadside. A more realistic scenario is that guns would be fired slightly to the port or starboard, in a generally forward direction, and the pre-Dreadnought arrangement would still allow for 8 guns firing to the port bow (say). I would be tempted to rework this photo to show the sort of arrangement that I am proposing.

The 2001 version of the GB/CS/1914 plays the design as a very large destroyer

My 2001 version of the GB/CS/1914 seemed to me to be more plausible than my friend Cliff's original concept, which seemed pretty impractical. My version is essentially a very large destroyer with 4-6in guns. The speed is 32 knots and the cruising speed is 15 knots for a range of 4,500nm. The length on the waterline is 405ft. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CS/1914 2001 version, Great Britain Scout Cruiser laid down 1914 (Engine 1931)

Displacement:
 3,173 t light; 3,281 t standard; 3,600 t normal; 3,855 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 406.31 ft / 405.00 ft x 41.00 ft x 14.00 ft (normal load)
 123.84 m / 123.44 m x 12.50 m  x 4.27 m

Armament:
      4 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns in single mounts, 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1914 Model
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on centreline, evenly spread
   Aft Main mounts separated by engine room
 Weight of broadside 432 lbs / 196 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 150

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 54,945 shp / 40,989 Kw = 32.00 kts
 Range 4,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 575 tons

Complement:
 232 - 302

Cost:
 £0.489 million / $1.957 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 54 tons, 1.5 %
 Machinery: 1,628 tons, 45.2 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,490 tons, 41.4 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 427 tons, 11.9 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   2,098 lbs / 951 Kg = 19.4 x 6.0 " / 152 mm shells or 0.5 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.31
 Metacentric height 2.1 ft / 0.6 m
 Roll period: 11.8 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 53 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.34
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.06

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.542
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.88 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 20.12 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 67 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 3.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Mid (35 %):  23.00 ft / 7.01 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: 17.96 ft / 5.47 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 157.8 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 159.1 %
 Waterplane Area: 11,502 Square feet or 1,069 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 97 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 68 lbs/sq ft or 331 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.89
  - Longitudinal: 2.90
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

The 2001 version of the GB/FG/1913 gunboat

My friend Cliff had conceived of an intermediate type that he called an FG (Frigate Gunboat). The ships would be laid down in 1913 and would have 5-4in QF guns and 2-21in TT. The speed would be a moderate 32 knots. They would be 1,200 tons Standard displacement. He wanted to have superfiring guns, but in 2001, I thought that the more appropriate design would just distribute the five guns on the centerline. The ship in my 2001 pencil sketch resembles a Talisman-class boat, having three funnels with a wider space between the first and second funnels. The first funnel is raised. I was able to make this work in Springsharp with lightweight machinery. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/FG/1913 2001 version, Great Britain Frigate Gunboat laid down 1913 (Engine 1937)

Displacement:
 1,154 t light; 1,199 t standard; 1,450 t normal; 1,651 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 316.15 ft / 315.00 ft x 30.00 ft x 10.00 ft (normal load)
 96.36 m / 96.01 m x 9.14 m  x 3.05 m

Armament:
      5 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1913 Model
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on centreline, evenly spread
 Weight of broadside 160 lbs / 73 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 180
 2 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 2 shafts, 35,291 shp / 26,327 Kw = 32.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 452 tons

Complement:
 116 - 152

Cost:
 £0.177 million / $0.706 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 20 tons, 1.4 %
 Machinery: 748 tons, 51.6 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 386 tons, 26.6 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 296 tons, 20.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   425 lbs / 193 Kg = 13.3 x 4.0 " / 102 mm shells or 0.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.51
 Metacentric height 1.7 ft / 0.5 m
 Roll period: 9.8 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 51 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.31
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.02

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.537
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.50 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 17.75 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 71 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 3.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Mid (36 %):  20.00 ft / 6.10 m (12.00 ft / 3.66 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
    - Stern:  12.00 ft / 3.66 m
    - Average freeboard: 15.04 ft / 4.58 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 177.3 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 127.7 %
 Waterplane Area: 6,516 Square feet or 605 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 69 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 28 lbs/sq ft or 135 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.46
  - Longitudinal: 2.31
  - Overall: 0.54
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

One obvious modification to the "Ideal Battleship"

I realized that an obvious modification to the "Ideal Battleship" would be to change the main armament layout to the lozenge, with 6 twin turrets. One is on the forecastle, one is on the maindeck, aft, and there are two on each beam, where the single turrets were on Colonel Cuniberti's version. This is the revised Springsharp report:

Colonel Cuniberti's ideal battleship-Modified, Great Britain Battleship laid down 1905 (Engine 1917)

Displacement:
 19,034 t light; 19,954 t standard; 21,200 t normal; 22,197 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 523.00 ft / 520.00 ft x 82.00 ft x 29.00 ft (normal load)
 159.41 m / 158.50 m x 24.99 m  x 8.84 m

Armament:
      4 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (2x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1905 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, evenly spread
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (4x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1905 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on side, all amidships
      12 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm guns in single mounts, 13.50lbs / 6.12kg shells, 1905 Model
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts 
   on side, all amidships
 Weight of broadside 10,530 lbs / 4,776 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 80

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 315.00 ft / 96.01 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: 12.0" / 305 mm 205.00 ft / 62.48 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Upper: 12.0" / 305 mm 175.00 ft / 53.34 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 93 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 315.00 ft / 96.01 m 29.00 ft / 8.84 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 7.00" / 178 mm  12.0" / 305 mm
 2nd: 12.0" / 305 mm 7.00" / 178 mm  12.0" / 305 mm
 3rd: 4.00" / 102 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

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

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 49,266 shp / 36,752 Kw = 24.00 kts
 Range 4,800nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 2,243 tons

Complement:
 877 - 1,141

Cost:
 £2.025 million / $8.099 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,316 tons, 6.2 %
 Armour: 7,972 tons, 37.6 %
    - Belts: 2,960 tons, 14.0 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 676 tons, 3.2 %
    - Armament: 2,984 tons, 14.1 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,154 tons, 5.4 %
    - Conning Tower: 198 tons, 0.9 %
 Machinery: 1,806 tons, 8.5 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 7,940 tons, 37.5 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,166 tons, 10.2 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   25,582 lbs / 11,604 Kg = 29.6 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 4.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.00
 Metacentric height 3.7 ft / 1.1 m
 Roll period: 17.9 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 50 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.82
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.06

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.600
 Length to Beam Ratio: 6.34 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 22.80 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 55 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 47
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Mid (20 %):  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: 20.60 ft / 6.28 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 98.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 128.7 %
 Waterplane Area: 31,188 Square feet or 2,897 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 96 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 171 lbs/sq ft or 836 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.93
  - Longitudinal: 1.94
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Another failed attempt at Colonel Cuniberti's Ideal Battleship for the British navy

I consider that this attempt at getting Colonel Cuniberti's ideal battleship for the British navy to work in Springsharp failed, in the sense that I had to change some basic parameters to get the design to be viable. This is a good attempt, in the sense that the ship has the complete 12in belt. The speed is close, 23 knots instead of 24 knots. The changes, however, are major. I used oil fuel and turbines, and very lightweight machinery. The armament layout presented the greatest challenge, as I was struggling with stability and steadiness issues, along with hull strength and seakeeping. What I have ended up with is the best compromise that I could reach, by the time I ran out of patience. I would welcome suggestions about how to do better by experts, such as Gavin. This is the photo of the ship:

This is the outboard profile drawing:

This is the Springsharp report for my latest attempt:

Colonel Cuniberti's ideal battleship, Great Britain Battleship laid down 1905 (Engine 1921)

Displacement:
 20,781 t light; 21,691 t standard; 23,800 t normal; 25,487 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 523.00 ft / 520.00 ft x 88.00 ft x 29.00 ft (normal load)
 159.41 m / 158.50 m x 26.82 m  x 8.84 m

Armament:
      4 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (2x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1905 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, evenly spread
      4 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (2x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1905 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on side, all amidships, all raised mounts - superfiring
      4 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns in single mounts, 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1905 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on side, evenly spread
      12 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm guns in single mounts, 13.50lbs / 6.12kg shells, 1905 Model
   Breech loading guns in casemate mounts 
   on side, all amidships
   12 guns in hull casemates - Limited use in heavy seas
 Weight of broadside 10,530 lbs / 4,776 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 70

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 315.00 ft / 96.01 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: 12.0" / 305 mm 205.00 ft / 62.48 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Upper: 12.0" / 305 mm 175.00 ft / 53.34 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 93 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 315.00 ft / 96.01 m 29.00 ft / 8.84 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 8.00" / 203 mm  12.0" / 305 mm
 2nd: 12.0" / 305 mm 8.00" / 203 mm  12.0" / 305 mm
 3rd: 12.0" / 305 mm 8.00" / 203 mm  12.0" / 305 mm

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

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 45,638 shp / 34,046 Kw = 23.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 18.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 3,795 tons

Complement:
 957 - 1,245

Cost:
 £2.053 million / $8.212 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,316 tons, 5.5 %
 Armour: 8,634 tons, 36.3 %
    - Belts: 2,990 tons, 12.6 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 676 tons, 2.8 %
    - Armament: 3,483 tons, 14.6 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,271 tons, 5.3 %
    - Conning Tower: 214 tons, 0.9 %
 Machinery: 1,572 tons, 6.6 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 9,260 tons, 38.9 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,019 tons, 12.7 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   35,185 lbs / 15,960 Kg = 40.7 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 6.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.00
 Metacentric height 4.1 ft / 1.3 m
 Roll period: 18.2 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 50 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.79
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.20

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.628
 Length to Beam Ratio: 5.91 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 22.80 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 54 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 42
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Mid (20 %):  29.00 ft / 8.84 m (21.00 ft / 6.40 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Stern:  21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Average freeboard: 22.60 ft / 6.89 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 81.3 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 143.5 %
 Waterplane Area: 34,342 Square feet or 3,190 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 107 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 185 lbs/sq ft or 903 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.92
  - Longitudinal: 2.19
  - 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

The 2001 version of the Ger/CB/1906 design

I was amazed at how well the Ger/CB/1906 design worked. Admittedly, the machinery is lightweight, being 1910 technology. That means that the ship has 24.2 ton/SHP machinery. The ship has 8-12in/45 and 12-4in QF guns. The nominal Standard displacement of the original concept was 25,000 tons, which is achieved in this version. The speed is an aggressive 33 knots. I accepted a 15 knot cruising speed, which may be the reason why the design is workable. The ship is a very long 800ft, just a bit longer than the Renown and Repulse, in "real life". My 2001 drawing somewhat resembles the original version of those ships. This is the Springsharp report:

GGer/CB/1906 2001 version, Germany Battlecruiser laid down 1906 (Engine 1910)

Displacement:
 23,976 t light; 24,896 t standard; 27,500 t normal; 29,583 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 800.00 ft / 800.00 ft x 85.00 ft x 25.60 ft (normal load)
 243.84 m / 243.84 m x 25.91 m  x 7.80 m

Armament:
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (4x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1906 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
      12 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1906 Model
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on side, all amidships
 Weight of broadside 7,296 lbs / 3,309 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 420.00 ft / 128.02 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 81 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  1.50" / 38 mm 420.00 ft / 128.02 m 25.00 ft / 7.62 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: 4.00" / 102 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armour deck: 2.00" / 51 mm, Conning tower: 6.00" / 152 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 163,892 shp / 122,263 Kw = 33.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,688 tons

Complement:
 1,067 - 1,388

Cost:
 £2.553 million / $10.214 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 912 tons, 3.3 %
 Armour: 5,006 tons, 18.2 %
    - Belts: 1,242 tons, 4.5 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 583 tons, 2.1 %
    - Armament: 1,302 tons, 4.7 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,761 tons, 6.4 %
    - Conning Tower: 118 tons, 0.4 %
 Machinery: 6,772 tons, 24.6 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 11,286 tons, 41.0 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,524 tons, 12.8 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   30,801 lbs / 13,971 Kg = 35.6 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 3.4 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.21
 Metacentric height 5.5 ft / 1.7 m
 Roll period: 15.2 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 60 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.62
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.19

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.553
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.41 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 28.28 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:  33.00 ft / 10.06 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Mid (69 %):  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: 25.00 ft / 7.62 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 137.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 212.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 47,586 Square feet or 4,421 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 106 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 158 lbs/sq ft or 771 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 1.00
  - Longitudinal: 1.09
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

The GB/BB/1912 was meant to have 15in guns

I have the drawing of the 2001 version of the GB/BB/1912 battleship design. I am certain that my friend Cliff had intended that the ships would carry 9-15in guns, not 9-12in guns. He also intended to build a class of 12 ships, as he had neglected building battleships for some time. The secondary battery consisted of 12-6in QF guns in this version. I think that the original concept had the skimpy secondary armament of 8-6in QF guns. I am also certain that the speed was intended to be 25 knots. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/BB/1912, Great Britain Battleship laid down 1912

Displacement:
 28,632 t light; 30,096 t standard; 32,700 t normal; 34,783 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 650.00 ft / 650.00 ft x 100.00 ft x 30.00 ft (normal load)
 198.12 m / 198.12 m x 30.48 m  x 9.14 m

Armament:
      9 - 15.00" / 381 mm guns (3x3 guns), 1,687.50lbs / 765.44kg shells, 1912 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, majority forward, 1 raised mount - superfiring
      8 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns in single mounts, 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1912 Model
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on side, all amidships
 Weight of broadside 16,052 lbs / 7,281 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 13.0" / 330 mm 390.00 ft / 118.87 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 8.00" / 203 mm 190.00 ft / 57.91 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 92 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 390.00 ft / 118.87 m 30.00 ft / 9.14 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 13.0" / 330 mm 8.00" / 203 mm  13.0" / 330 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armour deck: 4.00" / 102 mm, Conning tower: 13.00" / 330 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 69,516 shp / 51,859 Kw = 25.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,688 tons

Complement:
 1,215 - 1,580

Cost:
 £3.076 million / $12.302 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 2,006 tons, 6.1 %
 Armour: 10,199 tons, 31.2 %
    - Belts: 2,468 tons, 7.5 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 866 tons, 2.6 %
    - Armament: 3,104 tons, 9.5 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,475 tons, 10.6 %
    - Conning Tower: 286 tons, 0.9 %
 Machinery: 2,772 tons, 8.5 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 13,654 tons, 41.8 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,068 tons, 12.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   45,196 lbs / 20,501 Kg = 26.8 x 15.0 " / 381 mm shells or 7.0 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.06
 Metacentric height 5.6 ft / 1.7 m
 Roll period: 17.8 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.90
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.41

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.587
 Length to Beam Ratio: 6.50 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 25.50 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 %): 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Mid (67 %):  26.00 ft / 7.92 m (18.00 ft / 5.49 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Stern:  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Average freeboard: 23.68 ft / 7.22 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 92.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 175.1 %
 Waterplane Area: 46,962 Square feet or 4,363 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 103 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 205 lbs/sq ft or 1,002 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.94
  - Longitudinal: 1.80
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

The GB/BB/1914 2001 version

Unlike the original 1971 concept for the GB/BB/1914 design looked very anachronistic, with a flush deck and tower mast. The 2001 version tried very hard to look like something laid down in 1914 and completed in 1917. There is still the minor detail that the original concept greatly underestimated the necessary displacement for a ship with a 25-knot speed, an 18in armour basis, and 9-18in guns. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/BB/1914, Great Britain Battleship laid down 1914 (Engine 1917)

Displacement:
 55,223 t light; 57,842 t standard; 61,600 t normal; 64,606 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 801.19 ft / 800.00 ft x 120.00 ft x 32.00 ft (normal load)
 244.20 m / 243.84 m x 36.58 m  x 9.75 m

Armament:
      9 - 18.00" / 457 mm guns (3x3 guns), 2,916.00lbs / 1,322.68kg shells, 1914 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, majority forward, 1 raised mount - superfiring
      20 - 5.00" / 127 mm guns (10x2 guns), 62.50lbs / 28.35kg shells, 1914 Model
   Quick firing guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on side, all amidships, 6 raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 27,494 lbs / 12,471 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 18.0" / 457 mm 425.00 ft / 129.54 m 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 82 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  4.00" / 102 mm 425.00 ft / 129.54 m 33.00 ft / 10.06 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 18.0" / 457 mm 10.0" / 254 mm  18.0" / 457 mm
 2nd: 5.00" / 127 mm 5.00" / 127 mm  5.00" / 127 mm

   - Armour deck: 7.00" / 178 mm, Conning tower: 18.00" / 457 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 100,819 shp / 75,211 Kw = 25.00 kts
 Range 7,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 6,764 tons

Complement:
 1,954 - 2,541

Cost:
 £6.793 million / $27.171 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 3,437 tons, 5.6 %
 Armour: 24,883 tons, 40.4 %
    - Belts: 6,318 tons, 10.3 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 2,076 tons, 3.4 %
    - Armament: 5,904 tons, 9.6 %
    - Armour Deck: 9,981 tons, 16.2 %
    - Conning Tower: 605 tons, 1.0 %
 Machinery: 3,696 tons, 6.0 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 23,207 tons, 37.7 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 6,377 tons, 10.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   97,578 lbs / 44,261 Kg = 33.5 x 18.0 " / 457 mm shells or 17.9 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.13
 Metacentric height 8.2 ft / 2.5 m
 Roll period: 17.6 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 68 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.67
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.36

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.702
 Length to Beam Ratio: 6.67 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 28.28 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 46 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -1.00 ft / -0.30 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 (66 %):  26.00 ft / 7.92 m (18.00 ft / 5.49 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Stern:  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Average freeboard: 23.92 ft / 7.29 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 74.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 177.8 %
 Waterplane Area: 77,071 Square feet or 7,160 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 103 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 230 lbs/sq ft or 1,122 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.97
  - Longitudinal: 1.23
  - 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

My 1973 20in gunned battleship works well

Amazingly enough (to me), my 20in-gunned battleship from about 1973 works well in Springsharp. My designation is GB/BB/1927. At first, I did not read the specification closely enough. I just reduced the armour to match the original specification:

GB/BB/1927   935ft x 125ft     8-20in/45
             16in Belt        16-6in/50
              6in Deck         6-4in AA
             27 knots

The hull is flush-decked with a raked bow and overhanging stern (cruiser spoon). The main armament is in two quadruple turrets forward with wide spacing between the barbettes. The 6in guns are in twin turrets aft of the main turrets. The AA armament is just the 6-4in guns in shields on the first level above the forecastle. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/BB/1927 1973 version, Great Britain Battleship laid down 1927

Displacement:
 70,182 t light; 73,479 t standard; 79,200 t normal; 83,777 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 941.66 ft / 935.00 ft x 125.00 ft x 35.50 ft (normal load)
 287.02 m / 284.99 m x 38.10 m  x 10.82 m

Armament:
      8 - 20.00" / 508 mm guns (2x4 guns), 4,000.00lbs / 1,814.37kg shells, 1927 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline, all forward, 1 raised mount - superfiring
      16 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns (8x2 guns), 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1927 Model
   Quick firing guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on side, evenly spread
      6 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1927 Model
   Anti-aircraft guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
 Weight of broadside 33,920 lbs / 15,386 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 16.0" / 406 mm 530.00 ft / 161.54 m 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
 Ends: 16.0" / 406 mm   16.00 ft / 4.88 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
   389.00 ft / 118.57 m Unarmoured ends
   Main Belt covers 87 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  8.00" / 203 mm 530.00 ft / 161.54 m 35.00 ft / 10.67 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 16.0" / 406 mm 10.0" / 254 mm  16.0" / 406 mm
 2nd: 6.00" / 152 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  6.00" / 152 mm

   - Armour deck: 6.00" / 152 mm, Conning tower: 16.00" / 406 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 146,834 shp / 109,538 Kw = 27.00 kts
 Range 12,000nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 10,298 tons

Complement:
 2,359 - 3,068

Cost:
 £24.243 million / $96.973 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 4,240 tons, 5.4 %
 Armour: 29,452 tons, 37.2 %
    - Belts: 7,679 tons, 9.7 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 5,491 tons, 6.9 %
    - Armament: 5,543 tons, 7.0 %
    - Armour Deck: 10,104 tons, 12.8 %
    - Conning Tower: 636 tons, 0.8 %
 Machinery: 4,635 tons, 5.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 31,856 tons, 40.2 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 9,018 tons, 11.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   137,674 lbs / 62,448 Kg = 34.4 x 20.0 " / 508 mm shells or 29.6 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.12
 Metacentric height 8.7 ft / 2.7 m
 Roll period: 17.8 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 83 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.95
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.66

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
 Block coefficient: 0.668
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.48 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 30.58 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 44 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 4.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 4.00 ft / 1.22 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  38.00 ft / 11.58 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Mid (50 %):  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Stern:  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Average freeboard: 29.72 ft / 9.06 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 70.9 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 213.1 %
 Waterplane Area: 91,025 Square feet or 8,456 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 109 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 254 lbs/sq ft or 1,239 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.96
  - Longitudinal: 1.43
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

The 2001 version of the GB/PG/1906 design

In the late summer of 2001, I drew a series of sketches of the British and German designs from the 1971 building program. One of these was the GB/PG/1906 fast gunboat. The pencil drawing was a very nice, British-looking three-stacked destroyer-like vessel drawn at 1in = 40ft. The specification for this design was for a ship with 3-4in QF guns (or maybe even 20pdrs) and a 32-knot speed. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/PG/1906  2001 version, Great Britain Fast Gunboat laid down 1906 (Engine 1937)

Displacement:
 795 t light; 823 t standard; 950 t normal; 1,051 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 275.73 ft / 275.00 ft x 28.00 ft x 11.00 ft (normal load)
 84.04 m / 83.82 m x 8.53 m  x 3.35 m

Armament:
      3 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1906 Model
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on centreline, evenly spread
   Aft Main mounts separated by engine room
 Weight of broadside 96 lbs / 44 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 180

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 2 shafts, 26,941 shp / 20,098 Kw = 32.00 kts
 Range 4,200nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 228 tons

Complement:
 85 - 111

Cost:
 £0.107 million / $0.427 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 12 tons, 1.3 %
 Machinery: 492 tons, 51.8 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 290 tons, 30.6 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 155 tons, 16.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   276 lbs / 125 Kg = 8.6 x 4.0 " / 102 mm shells or 0.2 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.43
 Metacentric height 1.4 ft / 0.4 m
 Roll period: 10.0 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 53 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.25
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.06

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.393
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.82 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 16.58 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 70 %
 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:  21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Mid (32 %):  19.00 ft / 5.79 m (11.00 ft / 3.35 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
    - Stern:  11.00 ft / 3.35 m
    - Average freeboard: 13.72 ft / 4.18 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 177.1 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 132.0 %
 Waterplane Area: 4,721 Square feet or 439 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 60 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 27 lbs/sq ft or 132 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.45
  - Longitudinal: 3.19
  - Overall: 0.55
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

The 2001 version of the GB/CB/1910 specification

I drew a sketch of the GB/CB/1910 specification on August 31, 2001 that was trying to be appropriate for the ship as upgraded circa 1917. I showed the upper and lower belt lengths and put 8-6in QF guns in casemates, rather that the twin 4in mounts of the 1971 sketch design. I realized that I had omitted the torpedo bulkhead, and putting in required changing the machinery to 1913 weight standards. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CB/1910  2001 version, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1910 (Engine 1913)

Displacement:
 27,771 t light; 28,731 t standard; 33,000 t normal; 36,415 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 775.00 ft / 775.00 ft x 90.00 ft x 32.00 ft (normal load)
 236.22 m / 236.22 m x 27.43 m  x 9.75 m

Armament:
      4 - 13.50" / 343 mm guns (2x2 guns), 1,250.00lbs / 566.99kg shells, 1910 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, evenly spread
      8 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns in single mounts, 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1910 Model
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts 
   on side, all amidships, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 5,864 lbs / 2,660 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 9.00" / 229 mm 460.00 ft / 140.21 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 6.00" / 152 mm 300.00 ft / 91.44 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 91 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 460.00 ft / 140.21 m 32.00 ft / 9.75 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 9.00" / 229 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  9.00" / 229 mm
 2nd: 5.00" / 127 mm 5.00" / 127 mm  5.00" / 127 mm

   - Armour deck: 3.00" / 76 mm, Conning tower: 9.00" / 229 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 207,560 shp / 154,840 Kw = 34.00 kts
 Range 7,500nm at 18.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 7,683 tons

Complement:
 1,223 - 1,591

Cost:
 £2.718 million / $10.872 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 723 tons, 2.2 %
 Armour: 7,319 tons, 22.2 %
    - Belts: 2,276 tons, 6.9 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,089 tons, 3.3 %
    - Armament: 1,133 tons, 3.4 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,621 tons, 7.9 %
    - Conning Tower: 199 tons, 0.6 %
 Machinery: 8,133 tons, 24.6 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 11,596 tons, 35.1 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,229 tons, 15.8 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   41,625 lbs / 18,881 Kg = 33.8 x 13.5 " / 343 mm shells or 4.8 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.28
 Metacentric height 6.7 ft / 2.0 m
 Roll period: 14.6 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 64 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.36
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.29

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.517
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.61 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 27.84 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 56 %
 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:  35.00 ft / 10.67 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Mid (71 %):  30.00 ft / 9.14 m (22.00 ft / 6.71 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Stern:  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Average freeboard: 28.08 ft / 8.56 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 124.3 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 208.0 %
 Waterplane Area: 47,224 Square feet or 4,387 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 112 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 154 lbs/sq ft or 750 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.95
  - Longitudinal: 1.60
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

The GB/PG/1915 design

The GB/PG/1915 design does not work as I had hoped, due to the poor performance of the Springsharp empirical equation for small, fast ships. Frankly, for a 900 ton vessel, it should not take 37,962 tons to reach even 34 knots. The 36 knot speed specified should be easily achievable. All we need to do is to look at the S-class to see that 36 knots is very feasible. I had sort of thought that the 3 guns were 5in, but I suspect that the plan was just for 3-4in QF guns for this design. In any case, this is the Springsharp report:

GB/PG/1915, Great Britain  Gunboat laid down 1915 (Engine 1950)

Displacement:
 909 t light; 938 t standard; 1,030 t normal; 1,104 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 276.21 ft / 275.00 ft x 28.00 ft x 11.00 ft (normal load)
 84.19 m / 83.82 m x 8.53 m  x 3.35 m

Armament:
      3 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1915 Model
   Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on centreline ends, majority forward, 1 raised mount
 Weight of broadside 96 lbs / 44 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 150

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 2 shafts, 37,962 shp / 28,320 Kw = 34.00 kts
 Range 3,200nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 166 tons

Complement:
 90 - 118

Cost:
 £0.174 million / $0.696 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 12 tons, 1.2 %
 Machinery: 556 tons, 53.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 341 tons, 33.1 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 121 tons, 11.7 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   271 lbs / 123 Kg = 8.5 x 4.0 " / 102 mm shells or 0.2 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.28
 Metacentric height 1.2 ft / 0.4 m
 Roll period: 10.9 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 51 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.35
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.03

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.426
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.82 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 16.58 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 74 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 3.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Mid (34 %):  21.00 ft / 6.40 m (13.00 ft / 3.96 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 13.00 ft / 3.96 m
    - Stern:  13.00 ft / 3.96 m
    - Average freeboard: 15.88 ft / 4.84 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 183.1 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 150.2 %
 Waterplane Area: 4,820 Square feet or 448 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 54 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 27 lbs/sq ft or 133 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.41
  - Longitudinal: 5.12
  - Overall: 0.52
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

My friend Cliff's GB/FG/1913 design

My friend Cliff, in 1971, had a fondness for destroyer-like vessels armed either totally or primarily with guns. The GB/FG/1913 was a case where there were 5-4in QF guns and 2-21in TT in a twin mount. He generally specified moderate speeds, in this case 32 knots, so the designs work pretty well in Springsharp. The GB/FG/1913 is a 1,200 ton Standard displacement ship. I have shifted the parameters to achieve something close to 1,200 tons Standard and 300 tons of fuel. This is the Springsharp report for what I implemented:

GB/FG/1913, Great Britain "Frigate Gunboat" laid down 1913 (Engine 1941)

Displacement:
    1,170 t light; 1,216 t standard; 1,470 t normal; 1,673 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
    316.15 ft / 315.00 ft x 30.00 ft x 10.00 ft (normal load)
    96.36 m / 96.01 m x 9.14 m  x 3.05 m

Armament:
      4 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1913 Model
      Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
      on centreline ends, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
      1 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1913 Model
      Quick firing gun in a deck mount with hoist
      on centreline amidships
    Weight of broadside 160 lbs / 73 kg
    Shells per gun, main battery: 180
    2 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Machinery:
    Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
    Direct drive, 2 shafts, 35,762 shp / 26,679 Kw = 32.00 kts
    Range 6,750nm at 15.00 kts
    Bunker at max displacement = 457 tons

Complement:
    118 - 154

Cost:
    £0.177 million / $0.708 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
    Armament: 20 tons, 1.4 %
    Machinery: 747 tons, 50.8 %
    Hull, fittings & equipment: 402 tons, 27.4 %
    Fuel, ammunition & stores: 300 tons, 20.4 %
    Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
    Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
      441 lbs / 200 Kg = 13.8 x 4.0 " / 102 mm shells or 0.3 torpedoes
    Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.46
    Metacentric height 1.6 ft / 0.5 m
    Roll period: 10.0 seconds
    Steadiness    - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 52 %
            - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.37
    Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.04

Hull form characteristics:
    Hull has rise forward of midbreak
    Block coefficient: 0.544
    Length to Beam Ratio: 10.50 : 1
    'Natural speed' for length: 17.75 kts
    Power going to wave formation at top speed: 71 %
    Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
    Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 3.00 degrees
    Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
    Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
       - Stem:        22.00 ft / 6.71 m
       - Forecastle (20 %):    20.00 ft / 6.10 m
       - Mid (41 %):        20.00 ft / 6.10 m (12.00 ft / 3.66 m aft of break)
       - Quarterdeck (15 %):    12.00 ft / 3.66 m
       - Stern:        12.00 ft / 3.66 m
       - Average freeboard:    15.44 ft / 4.71 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
    Space    - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 174.8 %
        - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 131.9 %
    Waterplane Area: 6,561 Square feet or 610 Square metres
    Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 72 %
    Structure weight / hull surface area: 28 lbs/sq ft or 137 Kg/sq metre
    Hull strength (Relative):
        - Cross-sectional: 0.45
        - Longitudinal: 2.54
        - Overall: 0.53
    Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
    Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent