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Friday, June 30, 2006

The Ger/CB/1915A is an odd-looking ship

The Ger/CB/1915A battlecruiser is odd-looking, as drawn in my old pencil sketch. The ship has a tower mast, two large funnels, and a mainmast set forward of the aft funnel. The main armament is in two turrets forward, with the secondary armament in turrets grouped amidships. The hull is flush decked and has a flared bow. There is this large, empty expanse aft. I had dreams of reaching ridiculously high speeds with the 961ft length on just 269,000 SHP. The reality is that the Springsharp design can reach 34 knots. The displacement is about 5,000 tons greater than I had hoped would work. This is the Springsharp report:
Ger/CB/1915A, Germany Battlecruiser laid down 1915 (Engine 1941)

Displacement:
 50,367 t light; 52,206 t standard; 54,500 t normal; 56,335 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 964.06 ft / 961.00 ft x 110.00 ft x 31.70 ft (normal load)
 293.85 m / 292.91 m x 33.53 m  x 9.66 m

Armament:
      6 - 16.50" / 419 mm guns (2x3 guns), 2,246.06lbs / 1,018.80kg shells, 1915 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline, all forward
      20 - 5.00" / 127 mm guns (10x2 guns), 62.50lbs / 28.35kg shells, 1915 Model
   Quick firing guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on side, all amidships, 6 raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 14,726 lbs / 6,680 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 500.00 ft / 152.40 m 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 80 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  7.00" / 178 mm 500.00 ft / 152.40 m 31.00 ft / 9.45 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 9.00" / 229 mm  12.0" / 305 mm
 2nd: 5.00" / 127 mm 5.00" / 127 mm  5.00" / 127 mm

   - Armour deck: 6.00" / 152 mm, Conning tower: 12.00" / 305 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 267,463 shp / 199,527 Kw = 34.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,130 tons

Complement:
 1,783 - 2,318

Cost:
 £6.253 million / $25.010 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,841 tons, 3.4 %
 Armour: 20,794 tons, 38.2 %
    - Belts: 5,019 tons, 9.2 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 4,015 tons, 7.4 %
    - Armament: 3,051 tons, 5.6 %
    - Armour Deck: 8,338 tons, 15.3 %
    - Conning Tower: 372 tons, 0.7 %
 Machinery: 7,068 tons, 13.0 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 20,664 tons, 37.9 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,133 tons, 7.6 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   88,502 lbs / 40,144 Kg = 39.4 x 16.5 " / 419 mm shells or 15.8 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.24
 Metacentric height 8.5 ft / 2.6 m
 Roll period: 15.8 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 60 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.41
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.20

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
 Block coefficient: 0.569
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.74 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 31.00 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 51 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 5.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  35.00 ft / 10.67 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Mid (50 %):  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Stern:  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Average freeboard: 25.80 ft / 7.86 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 83.1 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 200.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 75,117 Square feet or 6,979 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 110 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 196 lbs/sq ft or 955 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 1.00
  - Longitudinal: 1.03
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Thursday, June 29, 2006

A conservative version of the Ger/BB/1905 design

This is a very conservative version of the Ger/BB/1905 design. This was the design that I had intended to lay down in 1905 and 1906. The main deviations are modestly light weight machinery, superfiring turrets, and "all-or-nothing" protection, not dissimilar to the 1870's. The armour basis is 10in. This was the recent photograph of one of the ships:

This is the Springsharp report:
Ger/BB/1905, Germany Battleship laid down 1905 (Engine 1907)

Displacement:
 20,412 t light; 21,272 t standard; 24,500 t normal; 27,083 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, 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: 10.0" / 254 mm 385.00 ft / 117.35 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 102 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 385.00 ft / 117.35 m 26.00 ft / 7.92 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 10.0" / 254 mm 7.00" / 178 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:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 44,301 shp / 33,049 Kw = 23.00 kts
 Range 7,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 5,811 tons

Complement:
 978 - 1,272

Cost:
 £1.833 million / $7.332 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 912 tons, 3.7 %
 Armour: 8,026 tons, 32.8 %
    - Belts: 2,852 tons, 11.6 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 741 tons, 3.0 %
    - Armament: 2,097 tons, 8.6 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,154 tons, 8.8 %
    - Conning Tower: 182 tons, 0.7 %
 Machinery: 2,517 tons, 10.3 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 8,957 tons, 36.6 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,088 tons, 16.7 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   45,370 lbs / 20,580 Kg = 52.5 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 7.6 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.11
 Metacentric height 5.2 ft / 1.6 m
 Roll period: 16.6 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 91 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.79
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.82

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.618
 Length to Beam Ratio: 6.44 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 24.08 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:  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Mid (70 %):  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: 25.76 ft / 7.85 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 79.5 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 197.7 %
 Waterplane Area: 38,808 Square feet or 3,605 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 120 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 158 lbs/sq ft or 770 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.92
  - Longitudinal: 2.04
  - 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

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

German fast battleship: Ger/BB/1917

A pencil sketch and some minimal specifications is all there is for what I am calling the Ger/BB/1917 battleship. The basic concept was for a 50,000 ton fast German battleship armed with 9-18in and 20-5in guns. In reality, 50,000 tons is not sufficient for the goals. I was able to stay close, with a 53,869 ton Standard displacement. The armour basis is 14in. I had not noticed that the rounds per gun for the main armament was defaulted to 150. When I corrected that, I was able to achieve the desired 30-knot speed. This is the Springsharp report:
Ger/BB/1917 fast, Germany Battleship laid down 1917 (Engine 1927)

Displacement:
 50,989 t light; 53,498 t standard; 56,100 t normal; 58,182 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 823.31 ft / 820.00 ft x 112.00 ft x 33.00 ft (normal load)
 250.94 m / 249.94 m x 34.14 m  x 10.06 m

Armament:
      9 - 18.00" / 457 mm guns (3x3 guns), 2,916.00lbs / 1,322.68kg shells, 1917 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, 1917 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: 14.0" / 356 mm 470.00 ft / 143.26 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 88 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  4.00" / 102 mm 470.00 ft / 143.26 m 31.00 ft / 9.45 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 14.0" / 356 mm 9.00" / 229 mm  14.0" / 356 mm
 2nd: 5.00" / 127 mm 5.00" / 127 mm  5.00" / 127 mm

   - Armour deck: 5.00" / 127 mm, Conning tower: 14.00" / 356 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 185,281 shp / 138,220 Kw = 30.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,684 tons

Complement:
 1,822 - 2,369

Cost:
 £9.982 million / $39.929 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 3,437 tons, 6.1 %
 Armour: 19,055 tons, 34.0 %
    - Belts: 4,963 tons, 8.8 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 2,156 tons, 3.8 %
    - Armament: 4,998 tons, 8.9 %
    - Armour Deck: 6,495 tons, 11.6 %
    - Conning Tower: 442 tons, 0.8 %
 Machinery: 5,849 tons, 10.4 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 22,648 tons, 40.4 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,111 tons, 9.1 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   68,206 lbs / 30,938 Kg = 23.4 x 18.0 " / 457 mm shells or 10.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.09
 Metacentric height 7.0 ft / 2.1 m
 Roll period: 17.8 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 52 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.80
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.04

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
 Block coefficient: 0.648
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.32 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 28.64 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 4.00 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 %): 24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Mid (50 %):  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Stern:  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Average freeboard: 24.72 ft / 7.53 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 97.1 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 176.2 %
 Waterplane Area: 70,217 Square feet or 6,523 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 96 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 235 lbs/sq ft or 1,145 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.98
  - Longitudinal: 1.25
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

A photograph of a Ger/BB/1905 battleship

This is a photograph of a Ger/BB/1905 battleship that was to be built as part of my building program for a wargame campaign.

The Ger/CB/1917 Fast design

The Ger/CB/1917 fast is something of a disappointment, given the hopes for the design. This was a design dating from the early 1970's, and was intended to be a very fast ship armed with two triple 18in gun turrets, one at each end. The draft was to be very shallow, the displacement low, and very great power. Part of the problem was that I was very over optimistic about what could be achieved with 321,000 SHP. In fact, I had to settle for just 260,458 SHP, due to structural strength and seakeeping concerns. The ship, as designed in Springsharp has a top speed of 35 knots. If I had been able to use 321,000 SHP, the best that I could achieve, even at the original 36,500 ton normal displacement and 26.5ft draft was 36.5 knots. That could only be achieved by accepting inadequate seakeeping and strength. This is the Springsharp report for a viable design:
Ger/CB/1917 Fast, Germany Battlecruiser laid down 1917 (Engine 1941)

Displacement:
 37,083 t light; 38,726 t standard; 40,600 t normal; 42,099 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 853.15 ft / 850.00 ft x 105.00 ft x 30.00 ft (normal load)
 260.04 m / 259.08 m x 32.00 m  x 9.14 m

Armament:
      6 - 18.00" / 457 mm guns (2x3 guns), 2,916.00lbs / 1,322.68kg shells, 1917 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, evenly spread
      16 - 5.00" / 127 mm guns in single mounts, 62.50lbs / 28.35kg shells, 1917 Model
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts 
   on side, all amidships, 4 raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 18,496 lbs / 8,390 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 80

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 8.00" / 203 mm 200.00 ft / 60.96 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
 Ends: 6.00" / 152 mm 325.00 ft / 99.06 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
   325.00 ft / 99.06 m Unarmoured ends
   Main Belt covers 36 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 530.00 ft / 161.54 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: 5.00" / 127 mm 5.00" / 127 mm  5.00" / 127 mm

   - Armour deck: 3.00" / 76 mm, Conning tower: 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 6 shafts, 260,337 shp / 194,211 Kw = 35.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 3,374 tons

Complement:
 1,429 - 1,859

Cost:
 £7.642 million / $30.568 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 2,312 tons, 5.7 %
 Armour: 8,697 tons, 21.4 %
    - Belts: 2,152 tons, 5.3 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,059 tons, 2.6 %
    - Armament: 1,887 tons, 4.6 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,395 tons, 8.4 %
    - Conning Tower: 204 tons, 0.5 %
 Machinery: 6,880 tons, 16.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 19,194 tons, 47.3 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,517 tons, 8.7 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   51,205 lbs / 23,226 Kg = 17.6 x 18.0 " / 457 mm shells or 6.1 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.19
 Metacentric height 7.4 ft / 2.3 m
 Roll period: 16.2 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 55 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.71
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.11

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
 Block coefficient: 0.531
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.10 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 29.15 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 56 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 5.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  36.00 ft / 10.97 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: 29.56 ft / 9.01 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 120.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 236.5 %
 Waterplane Area: 61,174 Square feet or 5,683 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 99 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 213 lbs/sq ft or 1,038 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.95
  - Longitudinal: 1.55
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Monday, June 26, 2006

The GB/CB/1905 fast version from the Red Book

This is the fast version of the GB/CB/1905 design that goes with the photograph that I recently posted. They both derive from a drawing and specification that dates from the early 1970's. At the time, I had hoped that 218,000 SHP would provide a very high speed that is beyond what is possible. Aside from that, what could be achieved in Springsharp for a 25,000 ton Standard displacement and 218,000 SHP with moderately light machinery is everything and more that my friend Cliff had hoped for the design. This is the Springsharp report:
GB/CB/1905 Fast, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1919)

Displacement:
 24,306 t light; 25,092 t standard; 27,850 t normal; 30,056 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 770.00 ft / 770.00 ft x 85.00 ft x 28.00 ft (normal load)
 234.70 m / 234.70 m x 25.91 m  x 8.53 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
   Breech loading 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 465.00 ft / 141.73 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 4.00" / 102 mm 290.00 ft / 88.39 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 465.00 ft / 141.73 m 28.00 ft / 8.53 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: 3.00" / 76 mm, Conning tower: 6.00" / 152 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 223,451 shp / 166,694 Kw = 35.50 kts
 Range 8,700nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,964 tons

Complement:
 1,077 - 1,401

Cost:
 £2.427 million / $9.706 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 554 tons, 2.0 %
 Armour: 5,620 tons, 20.2 %
    - Belts: 1,147 tons, 4.1 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 963 tons, 3.5 %
    - Armament: 898 tons, 3.2 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,493 tons, 8.9 %
    - Conning Tower: 119 tons, 0.4 %
 Machinery: 7,935 tons, 28.5 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 10,197 tons, 36.6 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,544 tons, 12.7 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   30,583 lbs / 13,872 Kg = 35.4 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 3.5 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.30
 Metacentric height 6.3 ft / 1.9 m
 Roll period: 14.2 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 55 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.32
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.10

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.532
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.06 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 27.75 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 58 %
 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 %): 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Mid (73 %):  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: 26.24 ft / 8.00 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 140.5 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 210.7 %
 Waterplane Area: 44,910 Square feet or 4,172 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 107 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 146 lbs/sq ft or 711 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.97
  - Longitudinal: 1.34
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Sunday, June 25, 2006

A photograph of a GB/CB/1905 battlecruiser

This is a photograph of my friend Cliff's design for a fast 1905 battlecruiser, the GB/CB/1905. Two ships were to be built: the Essex and the Sussex.

This photo very accurately represents the surviving pencil drawing of the ships, dating from the early 1970's. The ships carried 4-12in/45 and 9-6in/50 guns. The armour basis was 4in. The designed speed was 33 knots. They depended upon lightweight machinery to be a viable design.

A Vanguard-like ship, the GB/BB/1923

This is out of place in time, but the GB/BB/1923 was intended to be a Vanguard-like ship. I am just guessing about the designation, as there is not one included on the page. The page does have a complete weight breakdown and specifies 40 SHP/ton machinery. The specified power was 137,000 SHP, although this was expected to deliver 32 knots, it is only good for 30 knots. The armament is 8-15 BLR and 16-5in QF guns. Typical of this design series, there is no AA armament. The ship ended up with a greater displacement, necessary to achieve adequate strength. This was the original weight specification:
Aux. Mach.=  1,600 tons
Hull      = 11,750 tons
Machinery =  3,430 tons
Armament  =  2,280 tons
Protection= 19,120 tons
Misc.     =  3,320 tons
I greatly underestimated the needed hull strength, according to Springsharp. As my original Standard displacement was 43,000 tons, I was not so far off as I had expected. This is the Springsharp report:
GB/BB/1923, Great Britain Battleship laid down 1923 (Engine 1941)

Displacement:
 42,606 t light; 44,265 t standard; 46,200 t normal; 47,748 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 802.80 ft / 800.00 ft x 108.00 ft x 32.00 ft (normal load)
 244.69 m / 243.84 m x 32.92 m  x 9.75 m

Armament:
      8 - 15.00" / 381 mm guns (4x2 guns), 1,687.50lbs / 765.44kg shells, 1923 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
      16 - 5.00" / 127 mm guns (8x2 guns), 62.50lbs / 28.35kg shells, 1923 Model
   Quick firing guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline, all amidships, 4 raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 14,500 lbs / 6,577 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 14.0" / 356 mm 470.00 ft / 143.26 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
 Ends: 6.00" / 152 mm 240.00 ft / 73.15 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
   90.00 ft / 27.43 m Unarmoured ends
   Main Belt covers 90 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  5.00" / 127 mm 470.00 ft / 143.26 m 31.00 ft / 9.45 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 14.0" / 356 mm 9.00" / 229 mm  14.0" / 356 mm
 2nd: 5.00" / 127 mm 5.00" / 127 mm  5.00" / 127 mm

   - Armour deck: 6.00" / 152 mm, Conning tower: 14.00" / 356 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 139,942 shp / 104,397 Kw = 30.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 3,483 tons

Complement:
 1,575 - 2,048

Cost:
 £10.273 million / $41.093 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,813 tons, 3.9 %
 Armour: 20,187 tons, 43.7 %
    - Belts: 5,820 tons, 12.6 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 2,695 tons, 5.8 %
    - Armament: 4,078 tons, 8.8 %
    - Armour Deck: 7,205 tons, 15.6 %
    - Conning Tower: 388 tons, 0.8 %
 Machinery: 3,698 tons, 8.0 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 16,908 tons, 36.6 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,594 tons, 7.8 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   81,600 lbs / 37,013 Kg = 48.4 x 15.0 " / 381 mm shells or 16.7 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.11
 Metacentric height 6.8 ft / 2.1 m
 Roll period: 17.4 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 53 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.47
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.06

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
   and transom stern
 Block coefficient: 0.585
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.41 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 32.76 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 52 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 5.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  32.00 ft / 9.75 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Mid (50 %):  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Stern:  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Average freeboard: 22.80 ft / 6.95 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 68.8 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 172.7 %
 Waterplane Area: 64,911 Square feet or 6,030 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 110 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 194 lbs/sq ft or 946 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.99
  - Longitudinal: 1.13
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Saturday, June 24, 2006

A photograph of a GB/BB/1910 battleship at sea

This is a photograph of one of the 620ft long GB/BB/1910 battleships with 6-12in/50 guns:

The GB/DL/1921 design

This large destroyer design has a quicker roll than I like, but perhaps that is normal for this class of ship. I was working from an inboard profile, only, with no specifications. The ship is flush-decked, with five guns with shields. There is one torpedo mount, aft of the second funnel. I toyed with the idea of using the 13cm QF gun as the main armament, rather than the rather light 4.7in QF gun. I reluctantly stayed with the 4.7in gun, however. This is the Springsharp report:
GB/DL/1921, Great Britain Destroyer Leader laid down 1921 (Engine 1941)

Displacement:
 1,497 t light; 1,570 t standard; 1,700 t normal; 1,804 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 377.36 ft / 375.00 ft x 36.00 ft x 12.00 ft (normal load)
 115.02 m / 114.30 m x 10.97 m  x 3.66 m

Armament:
      4 - 5.12" / 130 mm guns in single mounts, 67.03lbs / 30.41kg shells, 1921 Model
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on centreline ends, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
      1 - 5.12" / 130 mm guns in single mounts, 67.03lbs / 30.41kg shells, 1921 Model
   Quick firing gun in a deck mount with hoist
   on centreline amidships, 1 raised gun
 Weight of broadside 335 lbs / 152 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 200
 4 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 2 shafts, 43,338 shp / 32,330 Kw = 36.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 12.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 234 tons

Complement:
 132 - 172

Cost:
 £0.529 million / $2.117 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 42 tons, 2.5 %
 Machinery: 860 tons, 50.6 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 596 tons, 35.0 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 203 tons, 11.9 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   487 lbs / 221 Kg = 7.3 x 5.1 " / 130 mm shells or 0.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.34
 Metacentric height 1.8 ft / 0.6 m
 Roll period: 11.2 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 52 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.51
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.03

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
   and transom stern
 Block coefficient: 0.367
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.42 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 22.44 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 67 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 5.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
    - Mid (35 %):  15.00 ft / 4.57 m
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
    - Stern:  15.00 ft / 4.57 m
    - Average freeboard: 15.96 ft / 4.86 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 182.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 146.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 8,508 Square feet or 790 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 65 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 36 lbs/sq ft or 176 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.45
  - Longitudinal: 2.08
  - Overall: 0.53
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Friday, June 23, 2006

A photo of a GB/CL/1921b light cruiser at sea

This is a photograph of the ship that I wrote about earlier today, the GB/CL/1921b design:

The GB/CL/1921b design

This design dates from late October 2004. The ship was intended to be a modern-looking E-class style light cruiser. The hull is flush-decked with a flared bow and transom stern. The armament is 9-6in QF guns in triple turrets and 6-4.7in QF guns in single mounts with shields. The armour basis is just 3in with a 2in deck. The speed is 33 knots and the range is 7,500nm at 15 knots, suitable for ocean cruising. This is the Springsharp report:
GB/CL/1921b, Enter country Enter ship type laid down 1921 (Engine 1937)

Displacement:
 7,566 t light; 7,852 t standard; 8,650 t normal; 9,289 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 573.54 ft / 570.00 ft x 54.00 ft x 20.00 ft (normal load)
 174.81 m / 173.74 m x 16.46 m  x 6.10 m

Armament:
      9 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns (3x3 guns), 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1921 Model
   Quick firing guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, majority aft, 1 raised mount aft - superfiring
      2 - 4.70" / 119 mm guns in single mounts, 51.91lbs / 23.55kg shells, 1921 Model
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on centreline ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts
      4 - 4.70" / 119 mm guns in single mounts, 51.91lbs / 23.55kg shells, 1921 Model
   Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on side, evenly spread, all raised mounts
 Weight of broadside 1,283 lbs / 582 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 150

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 3.00" / 76 mm 365.00 ft / 111.25 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 99 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  0.50" / 13 mm 365.00 ft / 111.25 m 19.00 ft / 5.79 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 2.00" / 51 mm  4.00" / 102 mm
 2nd: 2.00" / 51 mm 2.00" / 51 mm  2.00" / 51 mm
 3rd: 2.00" / 51 mm 2.00" / 51 mm  2.00" / 51 mm

   - Armour deck: 2.00" / 51 mm, Conning tower: 4.00" / 102 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 76,293 shp / 56,914 Kw = 33.00 kts
 Range 7,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 1,437 tons

Complement:
 448 - 583

Cost:
 £1.771 million / $7.083 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 160 tons, 1.9 %
 Armour: 1,793 tons, 20.7 %
    - Belts: 545 tons, 6.3 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 128 tons, 1.5 %
    - Armament: 300 tons, 3.5 %
    - Armour Deck: 783 tons, 9.1 %
    - Conning Tower: 36 tons, 0.4 %
 Machinery: 2,115 tons, 24.4 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 3,499 tons, 40.4 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,084 tons, 12.5 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   11,365 lbs / 5,155 Kg = 105.2 x 6.0 " / 152 mm shells or 1.7 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.14
 Metacentric height 2.5 ft / 0.8 m
 Roll period: 14.3 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 55 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.49
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.09

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
   and transom stern
 Block coefficient: 0.492
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.56 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 27.16 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 58 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 5.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 1.00 ft / 0.30 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Mid (50 %):  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Stern:  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Average freeboard: 19.80 ft / 6.04 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 149.5 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 171.0 %
 Waterplane Area: 21,165 Square feet or 1,966 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 118 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 97 lbs/sq ft or 475 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.95
  - Longitudinal: 1.54
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Thursday, June 22, 2006

The Ger/CL/1921 Fleet Cruiser

I believe that I have previously misunderstood this design concept and had tried to reach the 37 knots originally desired, rather than to stay close to displacement and weights. The ship was intended for very lightweight machinery of 45 SHP/ton. The power planned was only for 56,200 SHP normal and overload of 67,400 SHP. The weight are useful, for comparison with the Springsharp design:
Original Weights:

Hull      3,210 tons
Machinery 1,250 tons
Aux. Mach.  229 tons
Armament    156 tons
Protection  675 tons
Misc.       480 tons
This is another ship for which I have a photograph:

This is the Springsharp design:
Ger/CL/1921 Fleet Cruiser, Germany Light Cruiser laid down 1921 (Engine 1945)

Displacement:
 6,202 t light; 6,411 t standard; 7,200 t normal; 7,831 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 577.54 ft / 575.00 ft x 52.00 ft x 18.00 ft (normal load)
 176.03 m / 175.26 m x 15.85 m  x 5.49 m

Armament:
      6 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns (3x2 guns), 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1921 Model
   Quick firing guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, majority aft, 1 raised mount aft - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 648 lbs / 294 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 180
 8 - 23.6" / 600.0001 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 2.25" / 57 mm 430.00 ft / 131.06 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 115 % of normal length

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 0.94" / 24 mm 0.94" / 24 mm  0.94" / 24 mm

   - Armour deck: 0.75" / 19 mm, Conning tower: 2.00" / 51 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 2 shafts, 86,553 shp / 64,569 Kw = 34.00 kts
 Range 5,600nm at 18.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 1,420 tons

Complement:
 390 - 508

Cost:
 £1.505 million / $6.019 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 81 tons, 1.1 %
 Armour: 697 tons, 9.7 %
    - Belts: 352 tons, 4.9 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
    - Armament: 60 tons, 0.8 %
    - Armour Deck: 269 tons, 3.7 %
    - Conning Tower: 16 tons, 0.2 %
 Machinery: 2,186 tons, 30.4 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 3,239 tons, 45.0 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 998 tons, 13.9 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   9,004 lbs / 4,084 Kg = 83.4 x 6.0 " / 152 mm shells or 1.2 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.18
 Metacentric height 2.6 ft / 0.8 m
 Roll period: 13.7 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 80 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.38
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.59

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.468
 Length to Beam Ratio: 11.06 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 23.98 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 57 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 5.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -1.00 ft / -0.30 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Mid (42 %):  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: 22.52 ft / 6.86 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 107.6 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 157.4 %
 Waterplane Area: 19,367 Square feet or 1,799 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 126 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 86 lbs/sq ft or 419 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.90
  - Longitudinal: 2.46
  - 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

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

The Ger/CL/1917 fast light cruiser

The exact designation of this design is not written in the Red Book, but I am calling it the Ger/CL/1917. The ship was intended to be similar to the later Italian very fast light cruisers. The armament is 8-6in QF guns in turrets, 4-4in QF guns in mounts with shields, and 4-23.6in TT. Protection is limited to the turrets and barbettes. The displacement and draft are greater than was planned, to satisfy Springsharp. The original plan was for 5,000 tons Standard and 6,500 tons full load. The draft was intended to be 16.3ft at normal load. I have previously called this design the Ger/CL/1919. This is the photograph of one of the ships from the broadside:

This is the Springsharp report:
Ger/CL/1917, Germany Light Cruiser laid down 1917 (Engine 1941)

Displacement:
 6,490 t light; 6,720 t standard; 7,250 t normal; 7,674 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 555.00 ft / 555.00 ft x 55.00 ft x 18.00 ft (normal load)
 169.16 m / 169.16 m x 16.76 m  x 5.49 m

Armament:
      8 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns (4x2 guns), 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1917 Model
   Quick firing guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
      4 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1917 Model
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on side, evenly spread
 Weight of broadside 992 lbs / 450 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 150
 4 - 23.6" / 600.0001 mm above water torpedoes

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

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 113,060 shp / 84,342 Kw = 36.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 954 tons

Complement:
 392 - 510

Cost:
 £1.363 million / $5.452 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 124 tons, 1.7 %
 Armour: 89 tons, 1.2 %
    - Belts: 0 tons, 0.0 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 0 tons, 0.0 %
    - Armament: 89 tons, 1.2 %
    - Armour Deck: 0 tons, 0.0 %
    - Conning Tower: 0 tons, 0.0 %
 Machinery: 2,988 tons, 41.2 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 3,289 tons, 45.4 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 760 tons, 10.5 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   4,856 lbs / 2,203 Kg = 45.0 x 6.0 " / 152 mm shells or 0.8 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.27
 Metacentric height 3.1 ft / 1.0 m
 Roll period: 13.0 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 53 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.36
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.06

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.462
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.09 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 23.56 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 62 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -1.00 ft / -0.30 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Mid (37 %):  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: 21.12 ft / 6.44 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 146.6 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 170.0 %
 Waterplane Area: 19,664 Square feet or 1,827 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 103 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 95 lbs/sq ft or 463 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.92
  - Longitudinal: 2.02
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

The Ger/CB/1907 design

The Ger/CB/1905 design is for a ship with 8 12in guns on the center, with one turret forward, one amidships, facing forward, and two aft, with one superfiring. The secondary armament is in casemates, below the forecastle deck level. The armour basis is just 10in. This is the Springsharp report:
Ger/CB/1907, Germany Battlecruiser laid down 1907 (Engine 1927)

Displacement:
 20,748 t light; 21,649 t standard; 22,900 t normal; 23,901 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 600.00 ft / 600.00 ft x 95.00 ft x 24.00 ft (normal load)
 182.88 m / 182.88 m x 28.96 m  x 7.32 m

Armament:
      2 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (1x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1907 Model
   Breech loading guns in a turret (on a barbette)
   on centreline forward
      2 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (1x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1907 Model
   Breech loading guns in a turret (on a barbette)
   on centreline amidships
      4 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (2x2 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg shells, 1907 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline, all aft, 1 raised mount - superfiring
      12 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns in single mounts, 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1907 Model
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts 
   on side, evenly spread
   12 guns in hull casemates - Limited use in heavy seas
 Weight of broadside 8,208 lbs / 3,723 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 10.0" / 254 mm 360.00 ft / 109.73 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 10.0" / 254 mm 230.00 ft / 70.10 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 360.00 ft / 109.73 m 24.00 ft / 7.32 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 10.0" / 254 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  10.0" / 254 mm
 2nd: 10.0" / 254 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  10.0" / 254 mm
 3rd: 10.0" / 254 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  10.0" / 254 mm
 4th: 6.00" / 152 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  6.00" / 152 mm

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

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 91,575 shp / 68,315 Kw = 28.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 2,253 tons

Complement:
 930 - 1,210

Cost:
 £1.993 million / $7.971 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,026 tons, 4.5 %
 Armour: 7,211 tons, 31.5 %
    - Belts: 2,211 tons, 9.7 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 639 tons, 2.8 %
    - Armament: 1,904 tons, 8.3 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,283 tons, 10.0 %
    - Conning Tower: 174 tons, 0.8 %
 Machinery: 2,891 tons, 12.6 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 9,620 tons, 42.0 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,152 tons, 9.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   36,782 lbs / 16,684 Kg = 42.6 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 5.9 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.21
 Metacentric height 6.6 ft / 2.0 m
 Roll period: 15.5 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 53 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.40
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.06

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.586
 Length to Beam Ratio: 6.32 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 24.49 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 57 %
 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:  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Mid (70 %):  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: 22.76 ft / 6.94 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 95.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 195.1 %
 Waterplane Area: 41,142 Square feet or 3,822 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 108 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 171 lbs/sq ft or 833 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.94
  - Longitudinal: 1.83
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Monday, June 19, 2006

An alternative design for the GB/CB/1905 battlecruiser

This is greatly superior to what my friend Cliff decided to actually use in his building program. This design is closer to what Frank Fox and David K. Brown had advocated. The armament is 6-12in BLR and 9-6in QF guns, two more than the GB/CB/1905 had. The belt is 6in, instead of 4in, and I suppose that the better ship is made possible by 30 SHP/ton machinery. This is the Springsharp report:
GB/CB/1905 Alt Red Book, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1927)

Displacement:
 23,216 t light; 24,068 t standard; 26,800 t normal; 28,986 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:
      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
      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
      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
 Weight of broadside 6,156 lbs / 2,792 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 460.00 ft / 140.21 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   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: 10.0" / 254 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  8.00" / 203 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:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 162,539 shp / 121,254 Kw = 33.00 kts
 Range 7,500nm at 18.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,918 tons

Complement:
 1,046 - 1,361

Cost:
 £2.177 million / $8.709 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 770 tons, 2.9 %
 Armour: 6,675 tons, 24.9 %
    - Belts: 1,884 tons, 7.0 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 919 tons, 3.4 %
    - Armament: 1,189 tons, 4.4 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,490 tons, 9.3 %
    - Conning Tower: 193 tons, 0.7 %
 Machinery: 5,131 tons, 19.1 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 10,641 tons, 39.7 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,584 tons, 13.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   39,149 lbs / 17,758 Kg = 45.3 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 5.0 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.18
 Metacentric height 5.3 ft / 1.6 m
 Roll period: 15.4 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 63 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.57
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.27

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.531
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.06 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 27.75 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:  33.00 ft / 10.06 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Mid (72 %):  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: 26.16 ft / 7.97 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 109.9 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 215.7 %
 Waterplane Area: 44,864 Square feet or 4,168 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 116 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 154 lbs/sq ft or 750 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.96
  - Longitudinal: 1.35
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Sunday, June 18, 2006

I underestimated the displacement necessary for the Ger/BB/1916 CDV

I have this really anachronistic drawing of a German coast defense battleship with 4-18in BLR and 16-4in QF guns. The armour basis is just 10in, with a 6in deck. The original concept is for 10in + 2in decks. Springsharp calculates that the weight would be more than 14,000 tons for a such a protection scheme, not the 10,039 tons that I had envisioned. I was able to keep the machinery weight down to around what was specified (2,170 tons). This is the Springsharp report:
Ger/BB/1916 CDV, Germany Coast Defense Battleship laid down 1916 (Engine 1931)

Displacement:
 27,390 t light; 28,602 t standard; 29,800 t normal; 30,759 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 650.00 ft / 650.00 ft x 118.00 ft x 27.00 ft (normal load)
 198.12 m / 198.12 m x 35.97 m  x 8.23 m

Armament:
      4 - 18.00" / 457 mm guns (2x2 guns), 2,916.00lbs / 1,322.68kg shells, 1916 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, evenly spread
      16 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns (8x2 guns), 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1916 Model
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on side, all amidships
 Weight of broadside 12,176 lbs / 5,523 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90
 4 - 23.6" / 600.0001 mm above water torpedoes

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 10.0" / 254 mm 375.00 ft / 114.30 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 89 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  4.00" / 102 mm 375.00 ft / 114.30 m 26.00 ft / 7.92 m

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

   - Armour deck: 6.00" / 152 mm, Conning tower: 10.00" / 254 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 76,193 shp / 56,840 Kw = 26.00 kts
 Range 4,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 2,157 tons

Complement:
 1,133 - 1,474

Cost:
 £4.183 million / $16.731 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,522 tons, 5.1 %
 Armour: 11,479 tons, 38.5 %
    - Belts: 2,732 tons, 9.2 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,443 tons, 4.8 %
    - Armament: 1,405 tons, 4.7 %
    - Armour Deck: 5,691 tons, 19.1 %
    - Conning Tower: 207 tons, 0.7 %
 Machinery: 2,278 tons, 7.6 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 12,111 tons, 40.6 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,410 tons, 8.1 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   52,046 lbs / 23,607 Kg = 17.8 x 18.0 " / 457 mm shells or 11.2 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.39
 Metacentric height 11.5 ft / 3.5 m
 Roll period: 14.6 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 54 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.20
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.09

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
 Block coefficient: 0.504
 Length to Beam Ratio: 5.51 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 25.50 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 51 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -1.00 ft / -0.30 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Mid (50 %):  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Stern:  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Average freeboard: 18.32 ft / 5.58 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 76.5 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 148.1 %
 Waterplane Area: 51,274 Square feet or 4,763 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 106 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 189 lbs/sq ft or 923 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.96
  - Longitudinal: 1.46
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Saturday, June 17, 2006

The super short Ger/BB/1915 works pretty well

I have this inboard profile of what is probably the Ger/BB/1915 very short design study from the early 1970's. There is a minimal specification for the ship, and I have extrapolated the needed details, as well as taking advantage of the available slop in the design to add capability. The basic concept is for a 60,000 ton ship with 9-18in BLR and 24-5in QF guns, all in turrets. The ship has a tower foremast and a tripod mainmast, with large directors with long rangefinders. The main problem is the ridiculously deep draft, which would have been prohibitive, in practice. This is the Springsharp report:
Ger/BB/1915 Short, Germany Battleship laid down 1915 (Engine 1927)

Displacement:
 54,438 t light; 57,076 t standard; 61,800 t normal; 65,579 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 703.15 ft / 700.00 ft x 120.00 ft x 42.70 ft (normal load)
 214.32 m / 213.36 m x 36.58 m  x 13.01 m

Armament:
      9 - 18.00" / 457 mm guns (3x3 guns), 2,916.00lbs / 1,322.68kg shells, 1915 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, majority forward, 1 raised mount - superfiring
      24 - 5.00" / 127 mm guns (12x2 guns), 62.50lbs / 28.35kg shells, 1915 Model
   Quick firing guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on side, all amidships, 4 raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 27,744 lbs / 12,584 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 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 93 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  8.00" / 203 mm 425.00 ft / 129.54 m 42.00 ft / 12.80 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: 8.00" / 203 mm, Conning tower: 18.00" / 457 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 101,294 shp / 75,565 Kw = 25.00 kts
 Range 12,000nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 8,503 tons

Complement:
 1,959 - 2,547

Cost:
 £7.660 million / $30.639 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 3,468 tons, 5.6 %
 Armour: 26,907 tons, 43.5 %
    - Belts: 5,854 tons, 9.5 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 5,284 tons, 8.5 %
    - Armament: 6,045 tons, 9.8 %
    - Armour Deck: 9,118 tons, 14.8 %
    - Conning Tower: 606 tons, 1.0 %
 Machinery: 3,197 tons, 5.2 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 20,866 tons, 33.8 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 7,362 tons, 11.9 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   88,997 lbs / 40,369 Kg = 30.5 x 18.0 " / 457 mm shells or 20.2 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.04
 Metacentric height 7.0 ft / 2.1 m
 Roll period: 19.0 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 65 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.72
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.30

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.603
 Length to Beam Ratio: 5.83 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 26.46 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 51 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 6.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -1.00 ft / -0.30 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): 71.1 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 142.5 %
 Waterplane Area: 61,611 Square feet or 5,724 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 101 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 238 lbs/sq ft or 1,163 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.93
  - Longitudinal: 2.04
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Friday, June 16, 2006

A Ger/BB/1916 Large design from the Red Book

"Way back", I was still interested in very large (100,000 ton plus) battleships. I did a sketch design for a 105,000 ton Standard displacement ship with 9-19.75in (50cm) and 16-6in QF guns. The design was pretty good in that I forecast 280,000 SHP to reach 31 knots. The dimensions were 1,085ft x 140ft x 39ft (66ft hull depth). I took that and did a Springsharp design. The result is really good. The displacement is somewhat low at 103,391 tons Standard. The power to reach 31 knots is 297,122 SHP. Frank Fox says that the shaft loading is limited to 70,000 SHP, but Springsharp must be using a figure of about 75,000 SHP as the limit, as Springsharp does not complain about using four shafts with almost 300,000 SHP. This is the Springsharp report:
Ger/BB/1916 Large, Germany Battleship laid down 1916 (Engine 1931)

Displacement:
 99,302 t light; 103,391 t standard; 113,600 t normal; 121,767 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 1,090.89 ft / 1,085.00 ft x 140.00 ft x 39.00 ft (normal load)
 332.50 m / 330.71 m x 42.67 m  x 11.89 m

Armament:
      9 - 19.69" / 500 mm guns (3x3 guns), 3,813.98lbs / 1,729.99kg shells, 1916 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, majority forward, 1 raised mount - superfiring
      16 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns (8x2 guns), 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1916 Model
   Quick firing guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on side, all amidships, 4 raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 36,054 lbs / 16,354 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 20.0" / 508 mm 660.00 ft / 201.17 m 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 94 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  8.00" / 203 mm 660.00 ft / 201.17 m 38.00 ft / 11.58 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 20.0" / 508 mm 12.0" / 305 mm  20.0" / 508 mm
 2nd: 6.00" / 152 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  6.00" / 152 mm

   - Armour deck: 8.00" / 203 mm, Conning tower: 20.00" / 508 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 297,122 shp / 221,653 Kw = 31.00 kts
 Range 12,000nm at 18.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 18,377 tons

Complement:
 3,093 - 4,022

Cost:
 £13.918 million / $55.670 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 4,507 tons, 4.0 %
 Armour: 45,030 tons, 39.6 %
    - Belts: 10,923 tons, 9.6 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 7,424 tons, 6.5 %
    - Armament: 8,114 tons, 7.1 %
    - Armour Deck: 17,557 tons, 15.5 %
    - Conning Tower: 1,011 tons, 0.9 %
 Machinery: 8,885 tons, 7.8 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 40,880 tons, 36.0 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 14,298 tons, 12.6 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   202,483 lbs / 91,845 Kg = 53.1 x 19.7 " / 500 mm shells or 49.4 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.21
 Metacentric height 11.8 ft / 3.6 m
 Roll period: 17.1 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 64 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.47
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.29

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
 Block coefficient: 0.671
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.75 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 32.94 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 47 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 6.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  37.00 ft / 11.28 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Mid (50 %):  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Stern:  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Average freeboard: 27.80 ft / 8.47 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 65.1 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 197.3 %
 Waterplane Area: 118,631 Square feet or 11,021 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 115 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 260 lbs/sq ft or 1,267 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 1.05
  - Longitudinal: 0.99
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Thursday, June 15, 2006

An odd battleship design: GB/BB/1910

I am not sure of the exact date when my friend Cliff had thought he would start production of the design, but I have dubbed it the GB/BB/1910. In the event, Cliff went with a different design than this, but the GB/BB/1910 was very compatible with what he had designed, previously. This ship has a very pre-Dreadnought look, with two turrets, only, one at each end. They just happen to be triple 12in/50 guns, though. The secondary armament is a very weak 8-6in QF guns in two-tiered casemates, in the forward and after superstructures. The boats would have been stored between the after funnel and the mainmast. This is the Springsharp report:
GB/BB/1910, Great Britain Battleship laid down 1910

Displacement:
 25,091 t light; 26,035 t standard; 30,000 t normal; 33,172 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 620.00 ft / 620.00 ft x 100.00 ft x 27.70 ft (normal load)
 188.98 m / 188.98 m x 30.48 m  x 8.44 m

Armament:
      6 - 12.00" / 305 mm guns (2x3 guns), 864.00lbs / 391.90kg 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, 4 raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 6,048 lbs / 2,743 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 100

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 14.0" / 356 mm 325.00 ft / 99.06 m 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
 Ends: 6.00" / 152 mm 295.00 ft / 89.92 m 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
   Main Belt covers 81 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  5.00" / 127 mm 325.00 ft / 99.06 m 27.00 ft / 8.23 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 14.0" / 356 mm 8.00" / 203 mm  14.0" / 356 mm
 2nd: 6.00" / 152 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  6.00" / 152 mm

   - Armour deck: 5.00" / 127 mm, Conning tower: 14.00" / 356 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 49,363 shp / 36,825 Kw = 23.00 kts
 Range 9,600nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 7,137 tons

Complement:
 1,139 - 1,481

Cost:
 £1.799 million / $7.195 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 756 tons, 2.5 %
 Armour: 12,978 tons, 43.3 %
    - Belts: 5,252 tons, 17.5 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,623 tons, 5.4 %
    - Armament: 1,572 tons, 5.2 %
    - Armour Deck: 4,239 tons, 14.1 %
    - Conning Tower: 291 tons, 1.0 %
 Machinery: 2,040 tons, 6.8 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 9,317 tons, 31.1 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,909 tons, 16.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   78,937 lbs / 35,805 Kg = 91.4 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 19.2 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.34
 Metacentric height 8.4 ft / 2.6 m
 Roll period: 14.5 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 76 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.22
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.51

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
 Block coefficient: 0.611
 Length to Beam Ratio: 6.20 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 24.90 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 47 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
    - Stem:  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Mid (50 %):  21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Stern:  21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Average freeboard: 21.32 ft / 6.50 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 52.8 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 160.9 %
 Waterplane Area: 45,830 Square feet or 4,258 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 130 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 150 lbs/sq ft or 731 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.97
  - Longitudinal: 1.38
  - 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

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

The Ger/CB/1915 design

The Ger/CB/1915 design dates from work I did in about 1973, judging by the drawing. This was intended to be a Hood sort of ship, except with 9-16.5in guns in triple turrets. The secondary armament is a rather light 10-6in QF guns. The armour basis is 12in. I tried to obtain the power, machinery weight, and protection weight in the original specification. For 200,000 SHP, I was only able to reach 31.5 knots, not 33 knots. Partly, this is due to the greater displacement and draft, over what was originally specified. The original concept had a 45,000 ton Standard displacement, while this design is 48,358 tons Standard. I also had to increase the draft from 30.3ft to 32ft to obtain adequate strength. This is the Sprinsharp report:
Ger/CB/1915, Germany Battle Cruiser laid down 1915 (Engine 1927)

Displacement:
 46,254 t light; 48,358 t standard; 51,500 t normal; 54,014 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 852.45 ft / 850.00 ft x 110.00 ft x 32.00 ft (normal load)
 259.83 m / 259.08 m x 33.53 m  x 9.75 m

Armament:
      9 - 16.50" / 419 mm guns (3x3 guns), 2,246.06lbs / 1,018.80kg shells, 1915 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, majority forward, 1 raised mount - superfiring
      10 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns in single mounts, 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1915 Model
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on side, all amidships, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 21,295 lbs / 9,659 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 467.00 ft / 142.34 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 85 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  4.00" / 102 mm 467.00 ft / 142.34 m 32.00 ft / 9.75 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 9.00" / 229 mm  12.0" / 305 mm
 2nd: 6.00" / 152 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  6.00" / 152 mm

   - Armour deck: 4.00" / 102 mm, Conning tower: 12.00" / 305 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 205,354 shp / 153,194 Kw = 31.50 kts
 Range 8,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 5,656 tons

Complement:
 1,709 - 2,222

Cost:
 £6.927 million / $27.708 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 2,662 tons, 5.2 %
 Armour: 15,706 tons, 30.5 %
    - Belts: 4,225 tons, 8.2 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 2,212 tons, 4.3 %
    - Armament: 3,840 tons, 7.5 %
    - Armour Deck: 5,072 tons, 9.8 %
    - Conning Tower: 358 tons, 0.7 %
 Machinery: 6,482 tons, 12.6 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 21,404 tons, 41.6 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,246 tons, 10.2 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   70,313 lbs / 31,893 Kg = 31.3 x 16.5 " / 419 mm shells or 10.4 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.13
 Metacentric height 7.2 ft / 2.2 m
 Roll period: 17.2 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 59 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.78
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.18

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.602
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.73 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 29.15 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 4.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -1.00 ft / -0.30 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 (66 %):  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: 27.68 ft / 8.44 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 97.4 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 211.3 %
 Waterplane Area: 68,540 Square feet or 6,368 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 103 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 220 lbs/sq ft or 1,073 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.97
  - Longitudinal: 1.35
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

The GB/DD/1905 design from the Red Book

The original pencil drawing and specification for the GB/DD/1905 design was for an 800 ton ship with 2-20pdr (88mm) QF guns and a rather anachronistic 2-21in torpedo tubes. The speed was 32 knots. There were three funnels with the first being raised and more narrow. The fuel allowed was 250 tons. This is the resulting Springsharp report:
"GB/DD/1905, Great Britain Destroyer laid down 1905 (Engine 1937)

Displacement:
 736 t light; 758 t standard; 880 t normal; 977 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 266.21 ft / 265.00 ft x 27.00 ft x 10.00 ft (normal load)
 81.14 m / 80.77 m x 8.23 m  x 3.05 m

Armament:
      2 - 3.46" / 88.0 mm guns in single mounts, 20.79lbs / 9.43kg shells, 1905 Model
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on centreline ends, evenly spread
 Weight of broadside 42 lbs / 19 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 200
 2 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 2 shafts, 26,989 shp / 20,134 Kw = 32.00 kts
 Range 4,200nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 219 tons

Complement:
 80 - 105

Cost:
 £0.096 million / $0.385 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 5 tons, 0.6 %
 Machinery: 472 tons, 53.7 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 259 tons, 29.4 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 144 tons, 16.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   250 lbs / 114 Kg = 12.0 x 3.5 " / 88 mm shells or 0.2 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.43
 Metacentric height 1.3 ft / 0.4 m
 Roll period: 9.9 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 55 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.13
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.09

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.430
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.81 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 16.28 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 72 %
 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 %): 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Mid (28 %):  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: 14.48 ft / 4.41 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 178.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 112.2 %
 Waterplane Area: 4,495 Square feet or 418 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 57 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 24 lbs/sq ft or 116 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.42
  - Longitudinal: 3.86
  - Overall: 0.52
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is adequate

Monday, June 12, 2006

The original GB/DL/1905 concept

My friend Cliff's original concept for the GB/DL/1905 design depended in large part on having a modest SHP to reach 35 knots. For whatever reason, Springsharp is requiring a much higher SHP to reach that speed. To a degree, the need to increase freeboard and draft to achieve adequate seakeeping and strength could be a factor, but that is largely contingent on the Springsharp requirements. This ship is odd, in for the 20pdr guns (88mm) and the 21in torpedoes. The ship has three funnels, with the first being thinner and raised. Two guns are in superfiring positions, with a small structure on the forecastle on which the superfiring gun and the pilot house are positioned. This is the Springsharp report:
GB/DL/1905 Red Book, Great Britain Destroyer Leader laid down 1905 (Engine 1943)

Displacement:
 1,253 t light; 1,288 t standard; 1,420 t normal; 1,525 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 327.31 ft / 326.00 ft x 30.00 ft x 10.50 ft (normal load)
 99.76 m / 99.36 m x 9.14 m  x 3.20 m

Armament:
      4 - 3.46" / 88.0 mm guns in single mounts, 20.00lbs / 9.07kg shells, 1905 Model
   Breech loading guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on centreline ends, evenly spread, 2 raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 80 lbs / 36 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 150
 2 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 2 shafts, 48,412 shp / 36,115 Kw = 35.00 kts
 Range 3,600nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 237 tons

Complement:
 115 - 150

Cost:
 £0.167 million / $0.666 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 10 tons, 0.7 %
 Machinery: 814 tons, 57.4 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 428 tons, 30.2 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 167 tons, 11.8 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   351 lbs / 159 Kg = 16.9 x 3.5 " / 88 mm shells or 0.2 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.38
 Metacentric height 1.4 ft / 0.4 m
 Roll period: 10.5 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 53 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.21
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.07

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.484
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.87 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 18.06 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 72 %
 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 %): 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Mid (29 %):  22.00 ft / 6.71 m (14.00 ft / 4.27 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 14.00 ft / 4.27 m
    - Stern:  14.00 ft / 4.27 m
    - Average freeboard: 16.56 ft / 5.05 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 190.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 138.1 %
 Waterplane Area: 6,423 Square feet or 597 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 55 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 28 lbs/sq ft or 134 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.42
  - Longitudinal: 3.35
  - Overall: 0.52
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Sunday, June 11, 2006

The Ger/BB/1915 60,000 tons from a weight perspective

I had tried to go with the weight specifications given on the next page in the Red Book for the Ger/BB/1915 60,000 tons design, but the armour was too much for the ship and I had to decrease the protection weight, and lower the freeboard to stay at about 60,000 tons standard. The armament is 9-18in BLR and 16-6in QF guns. This ship was designed for the wargame campaign where there were aircraft and submarines were not used. It was intended as a counterweight to the GB/BB/1915 BBX design. This is the Springsharp report:
Ger/BB/1915 60,000 tons, Germany Enter ship type laid down 1915 (Engine 1927)

Displacement:
 57,453 t light; 60,116 t standard; 62,500 t normal; 64,407 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 752.31 ft / 750.00 ft x 130.00 ft x 34.00 ft (normal load)
 229.30 m / 228.60 m x 39.62 m  x 10.36 m

Armament:
      9 - 18.00" / 457 mm guns (3x3 guns), 2,916.00lbs / 1,322.68kg shells, 1915 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, majority forward, 1 raised mount - superfiring
      16 - 6.00" / 152 mm guns (8x2 guns), 108.00lbs / 48.99kg shells, 1915 Model
   Quick firing guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on side, all amidships, 4 raised mounts - superfiring
 Weight of broadside 27,972 lbs / 12,688 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 18.0" / 457 mm 400.00 ft / 121.92 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 82 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  8.00" / 203 mm 400.00 ft / 121.92 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: 6.00" / 152 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  6.00" / 152 mm

   - Armour deck: 8.00" / 203 mm, Conning tower: 18.00" / 457 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 75,252 shp / 56,138 Kw = 23.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,290 tons

Complement:
 1,976 - 2,569

Cost:
 £7.681 million / $30.723 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 3,497 tons, 5.6 %
 Armour: 27,773 tons, 44.4 %
    - Belts: 5,734 tons, 9.2 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 3,907 tons, 6.3 %
    - Armament: 6,367 tons, 10.2 %
    - Armour Deck: 11,155 tons, 17.8 %
    - Conning Tower: 611 tons, 1.0 %
 Machinery: 2,375 tons, 3.8 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 23,808 tons, 38.1 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,047 tons, 8.1 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   112,576 lbs / 51,063 Kg = 38.6 x 18.0 " / 457 mm shells or 27.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.12
 Metacentric height 9.2 ft / 2.8 m
 Roll period: 18.0 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 80 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.63
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.61

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck
 Block coefficient: 0.660
 Length to Beam Ratio: 5.77 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 27.39 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 45 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 4.00 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 %): 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Mid (50 %):  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Stern:  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Average freeboard: 25.64 ft / 7.82 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 64.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 181.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 75,369 Square feet or 7,002 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 103 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 241 lbs/sq ft or 1,175 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.95
  - Longitudinal: 1.64
  - 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

Saturday, June 10, 2006

The Ger/CB/1905 design from the Red Book

I had designed the Ger/CB/1915 light battlecruiser to be a lower-cost alternative to my friend Cliff's GB/CB/1905 design. I had done a fresh drawing and specificatino on 18 July 1973. I also played around with how to stretch the design. One feature of the specification is that I underestimated the power required to reach 31 knots. The only saving grace is that the design concept had enough slop so that enough power could be added not only to reach 31 knots, but 32 knots and to have an 18 knot cruising speed for 7,800nm miles on top of that! In the wargame campaign, I unimaginatively named the ship Blücher. My original specification had the following weights:
Hull =          8,070 tons
Machinery =     3,000 tons
Protection =    5,895 tons
Armament =        515 tons
Miscellaneous = 1,520 tons
Oil fuel =      3,500 tons (1,000 tons normal)
Feed water =      150 tons
The original standard displacement was 19,000 tons, but the Springsharp design ended up lower than that simply because I had spare capacity that could be removed. This is the Springsharp report:
Ger/CB/1905, Germany Light Battlecruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1931)

Displacement:
 17,035 t light; 17,630 t standard; 19,900 t normal; 21,716 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 700.00 ft / 700.00 ft x 80.00 ft x 25.00 ft (normal load)
 213.36 m / 213.36 m x 24.38 m  x 7.62 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 centreline ends, evenly spread
 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 370.00 ft / 112.78 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 4.00" / 102 mm 320.00 ft / 97.54 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 81 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 370.00 ft / 112.78 m 25.00 ft / 7.62 m

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

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 122,812 shp / 91,618 Kw = 32.00 kts
 Range 7,800nm at 18.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,086 tons

Complement:
 837 - 1,089

Cost:
 £1.514 million / $6.054 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 480 tons, 2.4 %
 Armour: 5,078 tons, 25.5 %
    - Belts: 1,497 tons, 7.5 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 685 tons, 3.4 %
    - Armament: 767 tons, 3.9 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,066 tons, 10.4 %
    - Conning Tower: 63 tons, 0.3 %
 Machinery: 3,673 tons, 18.5 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 7,804 tons, 39.2 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,865 tons, 14.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   32,987 lbs / 14,963 Kg = 38.2 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 4.6 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.25
 Metacentric height 5.4 ft / 1.6 m
 Roll period: 14.5 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 69 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.37
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.37

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.498
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.75 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 26.46 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 54 %
 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:  31.00 ft / 9.45 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Mid (61 %):  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: 25.12 ft / 7.66 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 104.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 212.2 %
 Waterplane Area: 37,227 Square feet or 3,458 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 122 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 134 lbs/sq ft or 657 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.95
  - Longitudinal: 1.53
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Friday, June 09, 2006

The best attempt ever at the Super Fast Battlecruiser design

The next page in the Red Book is the pencil drawing of the inboard profile and specifications for the Super Fast Battlecruiser, dated 18 July 1973. This is the ship with a standard displacement of 32,000 tons and with an armament of 4-17in BLR and 16-4in QF guns. The speed goals were outrageous: 52 knots. This shot at the design attempts to be as faithful as possible to the weights, and still achieve a high speed. I am not sure why this Springsharp design is as good as it is, but by keeping the displacement low (to the specified 32,000 tons), and using the specified protection weight, I was able to obtain 39 knots with a cruising speed of 18 knots for 7,500nm. The armour basis is 4in with a 2in deck. The torpedo bulkhead is 1in. This is the Springsharp report:
GB/CB/1917 Super Fast, Great Britain Light Battlecruiser laid down 1917 (Engine 1950)

Displacement:
 28,354 t light; 29,517 t standard; 32,000 t normal; 33,986 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
 801.33 ft / 800.00 ft x 85.00 ft x 31.00 ft (normal load)
 244.24 m / 243.84 m x 25.91 m  x 9.45 m

Armament:
      4 - 17.00" / 432 mm guns (2x2 guns), 2,456.50lbs / 1,114.25kg shells, 1917 Model
   Breech loading guns in turrets (on barbettes)
   on centreline ends, evenly spread
      4 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns (2x2 guns), 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1917 Model
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on centreline ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts
      12 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns (6x2 guns), 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1917 Model
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts with hoists
   on side, evenly spread
 Weight of broadside 10,338 lbs / 4,689 kg
 Shells per gun, main battery: 90

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 430.00 ft / 131.06 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 83 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  1.00" / 25 mm 430.00 ft / 131.06 m 29.00 ft / 8.84 m

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

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

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 6 shafts, 350,060 shp / 261,145 Kw = 39.00 kts
 Range 7,500nm at 18.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,469 tons

Complement:
 1,196 - 1,555

Cost:
 £5.910 million / $23.639 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,292 tons, 4.0 %
 Armour: 4,526 tons, 14.1 %
    - Belts: 1,191 tons, 3.7 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 461 tons, 1.4 %
    - Armament: 1,018 tons, 3.2 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,725 tons, 5.4 %
    - Conning Tower: 130 tons, 0.4 %
 Machinery: 8,375 tons, 26.2 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 14,161 tons, 44.3 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,646 tons, 11.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   29,169 lbs / 13,231 Kg = 11.9 x 17.0 " / 432 mm shells or 2.9 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.13
 Metacentric height 4.9 ft / 1.5 m
 Roll period: 16.1 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 54 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.92
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.07

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak
 Block coefficient: 0.531
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.41 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 28.28 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 61 %
 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:  38.00 ft / 11.58 m
    - Forecastle (20 %): 36.00 ft / 10.97 m
    - Mid (39 %):  36.00 ft / 10.97 m (28.00 ft / 8.53 m aft of break)
    - Quarterdeck (15 %): 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Stern:  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Average freeboard: 31.28 ft / 9.53 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 150.2 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 225.3 %
 Waterplane Area: 46,634 Square feet or 4,332 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 101 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 176 lbs/sq ft or 860 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.92
  - Longitudinal: 2.07
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

Thursday, June 08, 2006

The GB/DT/1914 torpedo boat

My friend Cliff had conceived of the GB/DT/1914 as a torpedo boat, primarily, and it was flush-decked and looked anachronistic, with a single, trunked funnel. The 4in gun is mounted on the forecastle. The speed was rather modest, at 31.8 knots, which makes the Springsharp design easily to make work. The specified fuel was 250 tons, although my design is somewhat less. This is the Springsharp report:
GB/DT/1914, Great Britain Torpedo Boat laid down 1914 (Engine 1937)

Displacement:
    756 t light; 777 t standard; 900 t normal; 999 t full load

Dimensions: Length overall / water x beam x draught
    267.94 ft / 265.00 ft x 28.00 ft x 10.50 ft (normal load)
    81.67 m / 80.77 m x 8.53 m  x 3.20 m

Armament:
      1 - 4.00" / 102 mm guns in single mounts, 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 1914 Model
      Quick firing gun in a deck mount with hoist
      on centreline forward
    Weight of broadside 32 lbs / 15 kg
    Shells per gun, main battery: 150
    9 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm above water torpedoes

Machinery:
    Oil fired boilers, steam turbines,
    Geared drive, 2 shafts, 26,316 shp / 19,632 Kw = 31.80 kts
    Range 4,200nm at 15.00 kts
    Bunker at max displacement = 222 tons

Complement:
    81 - 106

Cost:
    £0.124 million / $0.496 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
    Armament: 4 tons, 0.4 %
    Machinery: 482 tons, 53.6 %
    Hull, fittings & equipment: 270 tons, 30.0 %
    Fuel, ammunition & stores: 144 tons, 16.0 %
    Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
    Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
      254 lbs / 115 Kg = 7.9 x 4.0 " / 102 mm shells or 0.2 torpedoes
    Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.19
    Metacentric height 1.0 ft / 0.3 m
    Roll period: 11.6 seconds
    Steadiness    - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 52 %
            - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.11
    Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.04

Hull form characteristics:
    Hull has raised forecastle, rise forward of midbreak
    Block coefficient: 0.404
    Length to Beam Ratio: 9.46 : 1
    'Natural speed' for length: 16.28 kts
    Power going to wave formation at top speed: 72 %
    Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
    Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 3.00 degrees
    Stern overhang: 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
    Freeboard (% = measuring location as a percentage of overall length):
       - Stem:        18.00 ft / 5.49 m
       - Forecastle (20 %):    16.00 ft / 4.88 m (15.00 ft / 4.57 m aft of break)
       - Mid (50 %):        14.00 ft / 4.27 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:    14.21 ft / 4.33 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
    Space    - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 176.5 %
        - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 24.2 %
    Waterplane Area: 4,579 Square feet or 425 Square metres
    Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 60 %
    Structure weight / hull surface area: 25 lbs/sq ft or 124 Kg/sq metre
    Hull strength (Relative):
        - Cross-sectional: 0.43
        - Longitudinal: 3.69
        - Overall: 0.54
    Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
    Room for accommodation and workspaces is extremely poor

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Large, fast ships

I continue to be enamoured of large fast ships with large guns. They have the characteristic of being able to outrun anything which could harm them and to catch anything smaller than that, whatever their trial speed was. In any sort of a seaway, destroyers and small cruisers are slowed. The trial speed is pretty much limited to smooth water for these ships.

David K. Brown and Frank Fox have both told me that they believe that the large, fast battlecruiser should have at least an 8-gun armament, so that it can fire effectively at long range. My friend Cliff's GB/CB/1905 design only has 4-12in guns, so it fails the test. Both David Brown and Frank Fox also think that the design needs 6in side armour, not 3in or 4in.

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