Dreadnought Cruisers

Jutland

2010-06-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

We almost got by the anniversary of the Battle of Jutland (May 31-June 1, 1916) without some mention. This Wikipedia image shows the British battle cruiser Queen Mary exploding. There is a Lion-class ship to the left.

Today was the annivesary of the Battle of Dogger Bank in 1915

2010-01-24T16:07:00.000-08:00

I noticed two good photographs from the Battle of Dogger Bank (24 January 1915). I hope that these will work for us: the Seydlitz on fire and low in the water (from www.cityofart.net/bship/gun_ops.html)

the Derfflinger, Seydlitz, and Von der Tann on the way to the battle (from www.sms-navy.com)

Cruising formations for Dutch warships?

2009-09-20T05:15:00.000-07:00

One question that I have is if the Dutch sailed in some cruising formation with their fleet when not engaged in actual fighting. I have speculated that the ships in the same squadron sailed as a clump and that the fleet consisted of clumps, grouped by squadron. Is there a more definitive answer?

Another run at the GB/CB/1905 fast battlecruiser design

2009-08-16T17:44:00.000-07:00

I have tended to be obsessed with Cliff's design for a fast British battlecruiser, what we called the GB/CB/1905 design. I just got a good result by using light weight machinery. I am mystified why the protection is so good, considering the armour basis of 4in:

GB/CB/1905, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1910)

Displacement:
 23,677 t light; 24,490 t standard; 27,903 t normal; 30,632 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (778.00 ft / 770.00 ft) x 80.00 ft x (27.50 / 29.67 ft)
 (237.13 m / 234.70 m) x 24.38 m  x (8.38 / 9.04 m)

Armament:
      4 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 850.00lbs / 385.55kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1905 Model
   2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  1 raised mount - superfiring
      9 - 6.00" / 152 mm 50.0 cal guns - 114.33lbs / 51.86kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1905 Model
   8 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
   1 x Single mount on centreline, aft deck aft
  1 raised mount
      Weight of broadside 4,429 lbs / 2,009 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 580.00 ft / 176.78 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 116 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  1.50" / 38 mm 580.00 ft / 176.78 m 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 56.00 ft / 17.07 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 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 8.00" / 203 mm, Aft 5.00" / 127 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 168,353 shp / 125,591 Kw = 33.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 17.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 6,142 tons

Complement:
 1,079 - 1,403

Cost:
 £2.236 million / $8.944 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 923 tons, 3.3 %
    - Guns: 923 tons, 3.3 %
 Armour: 5,984 tons, 21.4 %
    - Belts: 1,501 tons, 5.4 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 869 tons, 3.1 %
    - Armament: 1,029 tons, 3.7 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,327 tons, 8.3 %
    - Conning Towers: 258 tons, 0.9 %
 Machinery: 6,957 tons, 24.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 9,813 tons, 35.2 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,226 tons, 15.1 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   36,559 lbs / 16,583 Kg = 42.3 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 4.1 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.17
 Metacentric height 4.8 ft / 1.5 m
 Roll period: 15.4 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 65 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.55
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.30

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.577 / 0.587
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.63 : 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): -3.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 30.00 %,  33.00 ft / 10.06 m,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Aft deck: 10.00 %,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Quarter deck: 30.00 %,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Average freeboard:  27.23 ft / 8.30 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 136.1 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 225.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 44,072 Square feet or 4,094 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 116 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 145 lbs/sq ft or 706 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.97
  - Longitudinal: 1.36
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Sadly, Alt_Naval seems to be gone

2009-08-15T17:14:00.000-07:00

One of my inspiration for making imaginary ship photographs, Alt_Naval, seems to be gone. I tried to go there and found that the page was not there. I did a Google search and could not find a new URL for the site. It is gone. Thankfully, the "Wolf's Den" still exists. That was the first site that I had found with fake ship photographs. "Wolf's Den" has a new URL, but still lives on! I still like the classic Queen Victoria class pictures.

A super American battlecruiser: the US/CB/1943

2009-07-17T18:05:00.000-07:00

I have been toying with very large battleship and battlecruiser designs since I was young. This is a fast battlecruiser armed with 12-21in/55 guns. I don't like the deep draft, but I don't see an alternative.

US-CB-1943, United States Battlecruiser laid down 1943

Displacement:
 192,480 t light; 201,981 t standard; 217,137 t normal; 229,261 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (1,366.74 ft / 1,350.00 ft) x 188.00 ft x (38.00 / 39.85 ft)
 (416.58 m / 411.48 m) x 57.30 m  x (11.58 / 12.15 m)

Armament:
      12 - 21.00" / 533 mm 55.0 cal guns - 5,000.00lbs / 2,267.96kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1943 Model
   3 x Quad mounts on centreline ends, majority forward
  1 raised mount - superfiring
      24 - 5.00" / 127 mm 55.0 cal guns - 72.00lbs / 32.66kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1943 Model
   12 x Twin mounts on sides, forward deck aft
  4 raised mounts - superfiring
      88 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm 60.0 cal guns - 2.00lbs / 0.91kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in deck mounts, 1943 Model
   22 x 4-gun mounts on sides, evenly spread
  12 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 61,904 lbs / 28,079 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 18.0" / 457 mm 900.00 ft / 274.32 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 14.0" / 356 mm 900.00 ft / 274.32 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
   Main Belt covers 103 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces
   Main Belt inclined -17.00 degrees (positive = in)

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  8.00" / 203 mm 900.00 ft / 274.32 m 37.00 ft / 11.28 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 80.00 ft / 24.38 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 20.0" / 508 mm 15.0" / 381 mm  20.0" / 508 mm
 2nd: 5.00" / 127 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  5.00" / 127 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 8.00" / 203 mm
 Forecastle: 5.00" / 127 mm  Quarter deck: 8.00" / 203 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 20.00" / 508 mm, Aft 15.00" / 381 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 10 shafts, 637,542 shp / 475,606 Kw = 35.00 kts
 Range 12,000nm at 18.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 27,280 tons

Complement:
 5,029 - 6,538

Cost:
 £105.209 million / $420.837 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 11,042 tons, 5.1 %
    - Guns: 11,042 tons, 5.1 %
 Armour: 69,922 tons, 32.2 %
    - Belts: 11,396 tons, 5.2 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 9,857 tons, 4.5 %
    - Armament: 12,878 tons, 5.9 %
    - Armour Deck: 33,067 tons, 15.2 %
    - Conning Towers: 2,724 tons, 1.3 %
 Machinery: 16,465 tons, 7.6 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 95,051 tons, 43.8 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 24,657 tons, 11.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   495,302 lbs / 224,665 Kg = 107.0 x 21.0 " / 533 mm shells or 150.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.36
 Metacentric height 22.2 ft / 6.8 m
 Roll period: 16.8 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 58 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.32
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.15

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   an extended bulbous bow and large transom stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.788 / 0.793
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.18 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 41.90 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 49 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 20.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  46.00 ft / 14.02 m,  40.00 ft / 12.19 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  40.00 ft / 12.19 m,  38.00 ft / 11.58 m
    - Aft deck: 35.00 %,  38.00 ft / 11.58 m,  37.00 ft / 11.28 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  37.00 ft / 11.28 m,  38.00 ft / 11.58 m
    - Average freeboard:  38.93 ft / 11.87 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 129.5 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 332.2 %
 Waterplane Area: 229,646 Square feet or 21,335 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 128 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 352 lbs/sq ft or 1,718 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 1.18
  - Longitudinal: 0.95
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room

The picture posted "May 31, 1916"

2009-07-07T06:18:00.000-07:00

Rob pointed out to me that the picture I posted five weeks ago was actually from the Battle of the Dogger Bank. The Tiger is steaming at high speed towards the left of the picture while in the background, on the right, is the burning, sinking Blücher.

May 31, 1916

2009-05-31T04:05:00.000-07:00

In my younger years, I was focused on the Battle of Jutland and the events leading up to the war at sea (1905-1918). Today is the anniversary of the start of the Battle of Jutland. This seemed like a good Jutland picture.

A fast version of the Ger/CB/1905

2009-05-29T18:15:00.000-07:00

The Ger/CB/1905 design is the classic light battlecruiser type. The design in anachronistic and looks British, but it works well. I wanted to see how much speed I could achieve with it, and the answer is that I could get 35 knots without a lot of trouble. Of course, it relies on very light machinery:

Ger/CB/1905 Fast, Germany Light Battlecruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1923)

Displacement:
 18,384 t light; 19,004 t standard; 20,886 t normal; 22,392 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (707.00 ft / 700.00 ft) x 80.00 ft x (24.40 / 25.77 ft)
 (215.49 m / 213.36 m) x 24.38 m  x (7.44 / 7.85 m)

Armament:
      4 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 850.00lbs / 385.55kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1905 Model
   2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      12 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.27lbs / 14.64kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1905 Model
   6 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
   6 x Single mounts on sides, aft deck forward
      Weight of broadside 3,787 lbs / 1,718 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 440.00 ft / 134.11 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 3.00" / 76 mm 440.00 ft / 134.11 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 97 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

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

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 9.00" / 229 mm, Aft 4.00" / 102 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 185,595 shp / 138,454 Kw = 35.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 17.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 3,388 tons

Complement:
 868 - 1,129

Cost:
 £1.856 million / $7.424 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 689 tons, 3.3 %
    - Guns: 689 tons, 3.3 %
 Armour: 3,897 tons, 18.7 %
    - Belts: 1,032 tons, 4.9 %
    - Armament: 498 tons, 2.4 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,154 tons, 10.3 %
    - Conning Towers: 212 tons, 1.0 %
 Machinery: 6,203 tons, 29.7 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 7,596 tons, 36.4 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,502 tons, 12.0 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   21,714 lbs / 9,849 Kg = 25.1 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 2.0 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.30
 Metacentric height 5.8 ft / 1.8 m
 Roll period: 14.0 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 53 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.29
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.07

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.535 / 0.543
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.75 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 26.46 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 60 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -3.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 32.00 %,  32.00 ft / 9.75 m,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Aft deck: 23.00 %,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Average freeboard:  24.94 ft / 7.60 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 111.3 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 201.4 %
 Waterplane Area: 38,537 Square feet or 3,580 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 107 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 133 lbs/sq ft or 650 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.96
  - Longitudinal: 1.48
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room

Naval Airship Command comments on my MySpace page

2009-05-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

Naval Airship Command has posted some great pictures in the comments on my MySpace page. They include U.S. Navy blimps and dirigibles.

My latest attempt at a very fast 1921-style battlecruiser

2009-05-02T15:58:00.000-07:00

One of my long term obsessions is with very fast 1921-style battlecruisers. This latest one relies upon the lightest weight machinery to achieve 38 knots. The battlecruiser carries 6-16in/45 guns and has a 9in belt and 3in deck armour. This is the Springsharp design:

GB/CB/1921, Great Britain Fast Battlecruiser laid down 1921 (Engine 1950)

Displacement:
 41,653 t light; 43,329 t standard; 46,991 t normal; 49,921 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (889.32 ft / 874.00 ft) x 108.00 ft x (33.00 / 34.53 ft)
 (271.07 m / 266.40 m) x 32.92 m  x (10.06 / 10.52 m)

Armament:
      6 - 16.00" / 406 mm 45.0 cal guns - 2,065.00lbs / 936.67kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1921 Model
   2 x Triple mounts on centreline, forward deck forward
  1 raised mount - superfiring
      12 - 5.50" / 140 mm 50.0 cal guns - 85.00lbs / 38.56kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1921 Model
   6 x Single mounts on sides, aft deck forward
      6 - 4.70" / 119 mm 45.0 cal guns - 52.35lbs / 23.75kg shells, 150 per gun
   Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1921 Model
   6 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
  6 raised mounts
      32 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 2.00lbs / 0.91kg shells, 150 per gun
   Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1921 Model
   8 x 2 row quad mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 13,788 lbs / 6,254 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 9.00" / 229 mm 580.00 ft / 176.78 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 102 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces
   Main Belt inclined -10.00 degrees (positive = in)

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  2.00" / 51 mm 580.00 ft / 176.78 m 33.00 ft / 10.06 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 64.00 ft / 19.51 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 10.0" / 254 mm 8.00" / 203 mm  10.0" / 254 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 8.00" / 203 mm, Aft 6.00" / 152 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 6 shafts, 333,404 shp / 248,720 Kw = 38.00 kts
 Range 8,500nm at 18.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 6,592 tons

Complement:
 1,595 - 2,074

Cost:
 £9.863 million / $39.453 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 2,448 tons, 5.2 %
    - Guns: 2,448 tons, 5.2 %
 Armour: 11,045 tons, 23.5 %
    - Belts: 2,633 tons, 5.6 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,416 tons, 3.0 %
    - Armament: 2,847 tons, 6.1 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,756 tons, 8.0 %
    - Conning Towers: 393 tons, 0.8 %
 Machinery: 7,976 tons, 17.0 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 20,184 tons, 43.0 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,338 tons, 11.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   72,600 lbs / 32,931 Kg = 35.4 x 16.0 " / 406 mm shells or 9.4 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.11
 Metacentric height 6.8 ft / 2.1 m
 Roll period: 17.3 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 56 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.66
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.10

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak,
   an extended bulbous bow and large transom stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.528 / 0.536
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.09 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 34.21 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 60 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 51
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 18.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 25.00 %,  41.00 ft / 12.50 m,  36.00 ft / 10.97 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  36.00 ft / 10.97 m,  33.00 ft / 10.06 m
    - Aft deck: 30.00 %,  32.00 ft / 9.75 m,  32.00 ft / 9.75 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  32.00 ft / 9.75 m,  32.00 ft / 9.75 m
    - Average freeboard:  34.25 ft / 10.44 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 135.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 266.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 67,154 Square feet or 6,239 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 119 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 209 lbs/sq ft or 1,021 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.94
  - Longitudinal: 1.84
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room

Gas turbine propulsion

2009-04-17T07:08:00.000-07:00

I am curious to know about naval gas turbine propulsion. I have heard from a knowledgeable source that the power output of turbines might be able to be increased considerably beyond the nominal figures. We now have some quite large naval ships, such as the new American helicopter carriers, that are gas turbine powered. We could be talking 40,000 ton or larger ships. If we want to speculate about maximum speeds, we would need to have some idea about what is possible.

Lou Coatney has more drawings of the same sort

2009-04-09T08:22:00.000-07:00

If you have a need, these are really useful. Lou Coatney points out on the NavWarGames Yahoo Group that he has even more of the ONI ship drawings.

Lou Coatney has ONI WWII ship drawings

2009-04-09T06:09:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Paolo Disalvo, on the NavWarGames Yahoo Group, I found out about Lou Coatney's page of links to the U.S.Navy ONI WWII ship drawings.

More about the Makin Island

2009-04-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

I wondered if by lightening the ship if the Makin Island could make a higher speed than 25 knots. I was not very successful, but I thought that I would make the Springsharp report available to those who are interested. I did not attempt to do anything except get a reasonably good speed for the dimensions, power, number of shafts, and displacement. I didn't attempt to deal with the actual ship configuration:

Makin Island, United States LHD laid down 1950

Displacement:
 35,420 t light; 36,197 t standard; 38,843 t normal; 40,960 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (808.09 ft / 780.00 ft) x 106.00 ft x (27.00 / 28.17 ft)
 (246.31 m / 237.74 m) x 32.31 m  x (8.23 / 8.58 m)

Machinery:
 Diesel Internal combustion motors, 
 Geared drive, 2 shafts, 70,363 shp / 52,491 Kw = 25.46 kts
 Range 9,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,762 tons

Complement:
 1,383 - 1,798

Cost:
 £11.535 million / $46.139 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 0 tons, 0.0 %
 Machinery: 1,683 tons, 4.3 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 33,737 tons, 86.9 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,423 tons, 8.8 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   358,561 lbs / 162,641 Kg = 3,320.0 x 6 " / 152 mm shells or 29.2 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.05
 Metacentric height 6.0 ft / 1.8 m
 Roll period: 18.1 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 100 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.00
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 2.00

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   an extended bulbous bow and large transom stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.609 / 0.616
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.36 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 32.28 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 44 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 30.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  40.00 ft / 12.19 m,  40.00 ft / 12.19 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  40.00 ft / 12.19 m,  40.00 ft / 12.19 m
    - Aft deck: 35.00 %,  40.00 ft / 12.19 m,  40.00 ft / 12.19 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  40.00 ft / 12.19 m,  40.00 ft / 12.19 m
    - Average freeboard:  40.00 ft / 12.19 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 16.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 350.2 %
 Waterplane Area: 63,568 Square feet or 5,906 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 1,000 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 343 lbs/sq ft or 1,674 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 2.40
  - Longitudinal: 6.34
  - Overall: 2.64
 Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Excellent seaboat, comfortable, rides out heavy weather easily

The Makin Island (LHD-8)

2009-04-04T15:52:00.000-07:00

I was interested in seeing some photographs of the new amphib, Makin Island (LHD-8). From some angles, the ship seems pretty warlike and impressive. Wikipedia is saying that the ship can only make 20 knots, but gives the dimensions and the power. The ship is about 780ft LWL x 106ft x 27ft. A reasonable normal displacement is 41,000 tons. With power of 70,000 SHP, I thought that a higher speed should be possible. I ran an experiment with Springsharp and it seems that the ship, at about 41,500 tons should be able to make 25 knots.

I was interested in the story behind the ship name, and Carlson's Raiders attack on Makin Island in 1942. The Nautilus and Argonaut seem to have been originally intended as cruiser submarines when they were designed. The German success with cruiser submarines in the Great War seemed to argue for the type having usefulness, but the Japanese were the only great power to have any success at all with the type after 1918.

The Ger/CB/1905 design

2009-03-13T17:39:00.000-07:00

This version of the Ger/CB/1905 design is very faithful to the original concept. Everything about it is accurate, based on my early 1971 drawings that show the size and thickness of the armour and freeboard. The ship is a 31 knot light battlecruiser with 4-12in/45 and 12-4in QF guns. The armour basis is 4in, with some components protected with up to 9in of armour. This is the Springsharp report:

Ger/CB/1905, Germany Battlecruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1909)

Displacement:
 18,281 t light; 18,900 t standard; 20,808 t normal; 22,335 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (702.00 ft / 700.00 ft) x 80.00 ft x (24.40 / 25.79 ft)
 (213.97 m / 213.36 m) x 24.38 m  x (7.44 / 7.86 m)

Armament:
      4 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 850.00lbs / 385.55kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1905 Model
   2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      12 - 4.00" / 102 mm 50.0 cal guns - 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1905 Model
   6 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
   6 x Single mounts on sides, aft deck forward
      Weight of broadside 3,784 lbs / 1,716 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 380.00 ft / 115.82 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 3.00" / 76 mm 380.00 ft / 115.82 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 84 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  1.00" / 25 mm 380.00 ft / 115.82 m 24.40 ft / 7.44 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 59.00 ft / 17.98 m

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

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 9.00" / 229 mm, Aft 4.00" / 102 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 113,127 shp / 84,392 Kw = 31.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 3,436 tons

Complement:
 866 - 1,126

Cost:
 £1.729 million / $6.915 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 744 tons, 3.6 %
    - Guns: 744 tons, 3.6 %
 Armour: 4,571 tons, 22.0 %
    - Belts: 917 tons, 4.4 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 343 tons, 1.6 %
    - Armament: 952 tons, 4.6 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,148 tons, 10.3 %
    - Conning Towers: 212 tons, 1.0 %
 Machinery: 5,142 tons, 24.7 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 7,823 tons, 37.6 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,527 tons, 12.1 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   28,663 lbs / 13,001 Kg = 33.2 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 3.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.23
 Metacentric height 5.3 ft / 1.6 m
 Roll period: 14.7 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 65 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.40
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.30

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.533 / 0.541
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.75 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 26.46 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Aft deck: 15.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Quarter deck: 35.00 %,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Average freeboard:  23.81 ft / 7.26 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 130.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 222.8 %
 Waterplane Area: 38,465 Square feet or 3,574 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 113 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 139 lbs/sq ft or 680 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.97
  - Longitudinal: 1.34
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

My latest try at a Ger/CB/1906 design

2009-02-21T10:45:00.000-08:00

In 1973, I had fantasized that there was a way to achieve 36 knots with this basic design, but seems extremely unrealistic. If you can handle inclined 4in side armour, this version works pretty well. The maximum speed is 33 knots, which is still extreme for a ship laid in 1906. I don't have a good photograph of one of these ships, at least one that I am happy to use. This is the Springsharp report:

Ger/CB/1906 Modified, Germany Battlecruiser laid down 1906 (Engine 1921)

Displacement:
 27,182 t light; 28,426 t standard; 30,056 t normal; 31,360 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (805.00 ft / 800.00 ft) x 85.00 ft x (26.00 / 26.92 ft)
 (245.36 m / 243.84 m) x 25.91 m  x (7.92 / 8.21 m)

Armament:
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 850.00lbs / 385.55kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1906 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      8 - 6.00" / 152 mm 50.0 cal guns - 114.33lbs / 51.86kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1906 Model
   8 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      Weight of broadside 7,715 lbs / 3,499 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 450.00 ft / 137.16 m 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 87 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces
   Main Belt inclined -12.00 degrees (positive = in)

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  1.50" / 38 mm 450.00 ft / 137.16 m 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 56.00 ft / 17.07 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 8.00" / 203 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  8.00" / 203 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 4.00" / 102 mm
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 5.00" / 127 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 8.00" / 203 mm, Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 176,210 shp / 131,453 Kw = 33.00 kts
 Range 5,600nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 2,934 tons

Complement:
 1,140 - 1,483

Cost:
 £2.548 million / $10.190 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,509 tons, 5.0 %
    - Guns: 1,509 tons, 5.0 %
 Armour: 7,836 tons, 26.1 %
    - Belts: 1,380 tons, 4.6 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 649 tons, 2.2 %
    - Armament: 1,897 tons, 6.3 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,743 tons, 12.5 %
    - Conning Tower: 167 tons, 0.6 %
 Machinery: 6,068 tons, 20.2 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 11,769 tons, 39.2 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,874 tons, 9.6 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   42,283 lbs / 19,179 Kg = 48.9 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 4.8 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.08
 Metacentric height 4.5 ft / 1.4 m
 Roll period: 16.8 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 62 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.85
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.24

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.595 / 0.600
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.41 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 28.28 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 54 %
 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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 28.00 %,  33.00 ft / 10.06 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Aft deck: 15.00 %,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Quarter deck: 27.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Average freeboard:  28.45 ft / 8.67 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 135.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 248.1 %
 Waterplane Area: 49,502 Square feet or 4,599 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 111 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 162 lbs/sq ft or 792 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.98
  - Longitudinal: 1.25
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Another try at a Ger/BB/1905 design

2009-02-08T15:31:00.000-08:00

This is my latest attempt at my 1971 design for a German battleship laid down in 1905: the Ger/BB/1905 design. This was a ship with 8-12in/45 BLR and 12-4in QF guns with a speed of 23 knots. I had figured that I could sacrifice gunpower to reach a higher speed. We agreed at the time to use only oil fuel, even though that was anachronistic. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/BB/1905, Germany Battleship laid down 1905

Displacement:
 21,024 t light; 21,896 t standard; 24,557 t normal; 26,686 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (586.00 ft / 580.00 ft) x 90.00 ft x (26.60 / 28.52 ft)
 (178.61 m / 176.78 m) x 27.43 m  x (8.11 / 8.69 m)

Armament:
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 870.00lbs / 394.63kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1905 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      12 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.27lbs / 14.64kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1905 Model
   12 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 7,347 lbs / 3,333 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 11.0" / 279 mm 310.00 ft / 94.49 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: 4.00" / 102 mm 120.00 ft / 36.58 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   150.00 ft / 45.72 m Unarmoured ends
 Upper: 9.00" / 229 mm 310.00 ft / 94.49 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 82 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  2.00" / 51 mm 310.00 ft / 94.49 m 26.60 ft / 8.11 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 67.00 ft / 20.42 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 11.0" / 279 mm 9.00" / 229 mm  11.0" / 279 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 11.00" / 279 mm, Aft 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 44,389 shp / 33,114 Kw = 23.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,790 tons

Complement:
 980 - 1,275

Cost:
 £1.876 million / $7.504 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,308 tons, 5.3 %
    - Guns: 1,308 tons, 5.3 %
 Armour: 7,835 tons, 31.9 %
    - Belts: 2,406 tons, 9.8 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 610 tons, 2.5 %
    - Armament: 2,302 tons, 9.4 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,170 tons, 8.8 %
    - Conning Towers: 346 tons, 1.4 %
 Machinery: 3,363 tons, 13.7 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 8,518 tons, 34.7 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,533 tons, 14.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   41,639 lbs / 18,887 Kg = 48.2 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 6.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.18
 Metacentric height 5.8 ft / 1.8 m
 Roll period: 15.7 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 82 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.68
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.64

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.619 / 0.627
 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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 25.00 %,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Aft deck: 14.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Quarter deck: 31.00 %,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Average freeboard:  23.62 ft / 7.20 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 93.5 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 196.4 %
 Waterplane Area: 38,860 Square feet or 3,610 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 117 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 162 lbs/sq ft or 791 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.94
  - Longitudinal: 1.80
  - Overall: 1.00
 Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

My friend Cliff's GB/DL/1906 design

2009-01-25T13:32:00.000-08:00

I thought that I would make another attempt to create Cliff's GB/DL/1906 design in Springsharp. This was a 35 knot ship with 4-88mm QF guns and 2-21in TT. As usual, it was anachronistic, but that is what he wanted. By playing games with Springsharp, I got a viable design, but with a much higher freeboard and displacement than Cliff had planned:

GB/DL/1906, Great Britain Destroyer Leader laid down 1906 (Engine 1933)

Displacement:
 1,590 t light; 1,633 t standard; 1,770 t normal; 1,880 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (328.52 ft / 326.00 ft) x 30.00 ft x (12.00 / 12.58 ft)
 (100.13 m / 99.36 m) x 9.14 m  x (3.66 / 3.83 m)

Armament:
      4 - 3.46" / 88.0 mm 50.0 cal guns - 22.00lbs / 9.98kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1906 Model
   4 x Single mounts on centreline, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 88 lbs / 40 kg
      Main Torpedoes
      2 - 21.0" / 533 mm, 22.00 ft / 6.71 m torpedoes - 1.315 t each, 2.630 t total
 In 2 sets of deck mounted centre rotating tubes

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 2 shafts, 57,363 shp / 42,793 Kw = 35.00 kts
 Range 3,500nm at 14.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 247 tons

Complement:
 136 - 177

Cost:
 £0.218 million / $0.871 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 33 tons, 1.9 %
    - Guns: 28 tons, 1.6 %
    - Weapons: 5 tons, 0.3 %
 Machinery: 1,089 tons, 61.5 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 471 tons, 26.6 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 180 tons, 10.2 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   332 lbs / 151 Kg = 16.0 x 3.5 " / 88 mm shells or 0.2 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.13
 Metacentric height 1.0 ft / 0.3 m
 Roll period: 12.4 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 75 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.30
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.06

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak,
   a normal bow and a round stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.528 / 0.535
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.87 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 18.06 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 74 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 71
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 6.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 18.00 %,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Forward deck: 14.00 %,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Aft deck: 53.00 %,  15.00 ft / 4.57 m,  15.00 ft / 4.57 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  15.00 ft / 4.57 m,  15.00 ft / 4.57 m
    - Average freeboard:  17.63 ft / 5.37 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 203.4 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 125.2 %
 Waterplane Area: 6,686 Square feet or 621 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 52 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 28 lbs/sq ft or 137 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.42
  - Longitudinal: 3.98
  - Overall: 0.52
 Extremely poor machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform

USS Wampanoag fast cruiser

2009-01-09T09:40:00.000-08:00

I recently became interested in the fast American cruiser USS Wampanoag, laid down in 1863. The purpose of the Wampanoag class was to catch the 16 and 17 knot blockade runners built in Britain that were trying to enter Southern ports. David Dixon Porter was in an internal political struggle with Benjamin Isherwood and succeeded in stopping the construction of these ships until they no longer had a mission. the Wampanoag apparently could sustain 16.6 knots and could be pressed up to 17.75 knots, making her the fastest American warship until the USS Charleston was completed about 20 years later. This is my edited Wampanoag photograph and I did a Springsharp design:

Wampanoag, United States Cruiser laid down 1863 (Engine 1864)

Displacement:
 4,724 t light; 4,947 t standard; 5,401 t normal; 5,763 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (365.00 ft / 355.00 ft) x 45.20 ft x (19.00 / 20.08 ft)
 (111.25 m / 108.20 m) x 13.78 m  x (5.79 / 6.12 m)

Armament:
      10 - 8.00" / 203 mm 20.0 cal guns - 177.02lbs / 80.30kg shells, 100 per gun
   Muzzle loading guns in deck mounts, 1863 Model
   10 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      2 - 6.70" / 170 mm 22.0 cal guns - 104.52lbs / 47.41kg shells, 150 per gun
   Muzzle loading guns in deck mounts, 1863 Model
   2 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      Weight of broadside 1,979 lbs / 898 kg

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, simple reciprocating steam engines, 
 Geared drive, 1 shaft, 9,198 ihp / 6,862 Kw = 17.75 kts
 Range 1,500nm at 10.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 816 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 314 - 409

Cost:
 £0.572 million / $2.288 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 124 tons, 2.3 %
    - Guns: 124 tons, 2.3 %
 Machinery: 2,607 tons, 48.3 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,992 tons, 36.9 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 677 tons, 12.5 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   1,291 lbs / 585 Kg = 8.5 x 8.0 " / 203 mm shells or 0.5 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.69
 Metacentric height 3.6 ft / 1.1 m
 Roll period: 10.0 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 93 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.35
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.86

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has raised forecastle, raised quarterdeck ,
   a normal bow and a round stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.620 / 0.626
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.85 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 18.84 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 45 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 28.00 %,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  11.00 ft / 3.35 m,  11.00 ft / 3.35 m
    - Aft deck: 17.00 %,  11.00 ft / 3.35 m,  11.00 ft / 3.35 m
    - Quarter deck: 25.00 %,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m
    - Average freeboard:  13.37 ft / 4.08 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 164.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 78.3 %
 Waterplane Area: 11,734 Square feet or 1,090 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 96 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 109 lbs/sq ft or 530 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.94
  - Longitudinal: 1.70
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Cramped accommodation and workspace room
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

A Super Lion (GB/CB/1912) design

2008-12-23T17:01:00.000-08:00

This is my latest attempt at a Super Lion design (the GB/CB/1912) with 10-15in guns and a 30-knot speed. One lesson I learned is that this ship has to be large to have the necessary characteristics:

GB/CB/1912 Super Lion, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1912 (Engine 1917)

Displacement:
 37,318 t light; 39,860 t standard; 43,687 t normal; 46,749 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (787.00 ft / 780.00 ft) x 102.00 ft x (31.25 / 33.07 ft)
 (239.88 m / 237.74 m) x 31.09 m  x (9.53 / 10.08 m)

Armament:
      10 - 15.00" / 381 mm 42.0 cal guns - 1,950.01lbs / 884.51kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1912 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
   1 x Twin mount on centreline, aft deck forward
      16 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 31.99lbs / 14.51kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in casemate mounts, 1912 Model
   12 x Single mounts on centreline, forward deck aft
  4 raised mounts
   4 x Single mounts on sides, aft deck forward
      Weight of broadside 20,012 lbs / 9,077 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 9.00" / 229 mm 580.00 ft / 176.78 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: 5.00" / 127 mm 200.00 ft / 60.96 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
 Upper: 7.00" / 178 mm 580.00 ft / 176.78 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 114 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  2.00" / 51 mm 580.00 ft / 176.78 m 31.25 ft / 9.53 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 58.00 ft / 17.68 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 10.0" / 254 mm 8.00" / 203 mm  10.0" / 254 mm
 2nd: 5.00" / 127 mm 5.00" / 127 mm  5.00" / 127 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 10.00" / 254 mm, Aft 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 158,499 shp / 118,240 Kw = 30.00 kts
 Range 8,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 6,889 tons

Complement:
 1,510 - 1,964

Cost:
 £3.568 million / $14.274 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 2,616 tons, 6.0 %
    - Guns: 2,616 tons, 6.0 %
 Armour: 12,436 tons, 28.5 %
    - Belts: 3,746 tons, 8.6 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,341 tons, 3.1 %
    - Armament: 3,572 tons, 8.2 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,295 tons, 7.5 %
    - Conning Towers: 481 tons, 1.1 %
 Machinery: 5,810 tons, 13.3 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 16,456 tons, 37.7 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 6,369 tons, 14.6 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   62,575 lbs / 28,383 Kg = 37.1 x 15.0 " / 381 mm shells or 8.8 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.15
 Metacentric height 6.7 ft / 2.1 m
 Roll period: 16.5 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 52 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.86
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.04

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.615 / 0.622
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.65 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 27.93 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 24.00 %,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Forward deck: 25.00 %,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Aft deck: 18.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Quarter deck: 33.00 %,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Average freeboard:  24.01 ft / 7.32 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 132.8 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 195.7 %
 Waterplane Area: 59,008 Square feet or 5,482 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 115 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 208 lbs/sq ft or 1,015 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.99
  - Longitudinal: 1.19
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room

A biography of William Hovgaard from MIT

2008-12-18T07:20:00.000-08:00

MIT has a biography of the Danish naval architect William Hovgaard, who taught at MIT for an extended period.

My "classic" design for the Ger/CB/1906

2008-12-12T17:39:00.000-08:00

This Springsharp design is faithful to my original concept and specification for the Ger/CB/1906 battlecruisers. The design is centered around a short, thin belt that is inclined outwards and topped by a 3in deck. The turrets and barbettes are 6in thick. The speed is the original 33 knots. By agreement, all of our designs from this period had oil fuel and direct-drive turbines. We also allowed the anachronistic outward angled belt. This is the Springsharp report:

Ger/CB/1906, Germany Battlecruiser laid down 1906 (Engine 1916)

Displacement:
 24,440 t light; 25,366 t standard; 27,704 t normal; 29,574 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (803.00 ft / 800.00 ft) x 85.00 ft x (25.60 / 26.97 ft)
 (244.75 m / 243.84 m) x 25.91 m  x (7.80 / 8.22 m)

Armament:
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 850.00lbs / 385.55kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1906 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      12 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 31.99lbs / 14.51kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1906 Model
   6 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
   6 x Single mounts on sides, aft deck forward
      Weight of broadside 7,184 lbs / 3,259 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 425.00 ft / 129.54 m 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 82 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces
   Main Belt inclined 16.00 degrees (positive = in)

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  1.50" / 38 mm 425.00 ft / 129.54 m 25.60 ft / 7.80 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 62.00 ft / 18.90 m

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

   - Armoured deck - single deck:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 0.00" / 0 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 6.00" / 152 mm, Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 164,934 shp / 123,041 Kw = 33.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,207 tons

Complement:
 1,073 - 1,395

Cost:
 £2.404 million / $9.615 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,346 tons, 4.9 %
    - Guns: 1,346 tons, 4.9 %
 Armour: 5,848 tons, 21.1 %
    - Belts: 1,313 tons, 4.7 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 604 tons, 2.2 %
    - Armament: 1,604 tons, 5.8 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,209 tons, 8.0 %
    - Conning Tower: 118 tons, 0.4 %
 Machinery: 6,145 tons, 22.2 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 11,101 tons, 40.1 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,264 tons, 11.8 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   37,316 lbs / 16,926 Kg = 43.2 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 4.2 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 %): 62 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.74
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.23

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.557 / 0.564
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.41 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 28.28 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -1.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  33.00 ft / 10.06 m,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Aft deck: 19.00 %,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Quarter deck: 31.00 %,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Average freeboard:  26.35 ft / 8.03 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 129.5 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 240.0 %
 Waterplane Area: 47,769 Square feet or 4,438 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 112 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 160 lbs/sq ft or 782 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.98
  - Longitudinal: 1.18
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

The GB/CB/1916 (Hood style)

2008-11-26T19:00:00.000-08:00

I had this concept for a variant of the GB/CB/1916 design that would rather Hood-like with 9-16.5in/45 and 16-6in QF guns with a 32.5 knot speed. The thickest part of the belt is 12in and the ship uses "all or nothing" protection. The "look" is similar to the 36-knot ship, which is an intermediate type between the Repulse and the Hood.

GB/CB/1916, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1916 (Engine 1923)

Displacement:
 49,840 t light; 52,115 t standard; 55,152 t normal; 57,581 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (921.17 ft / 915.00 ft) x 112.00 ft x (34.00 / 35.18 ft)
 (280.77 m / 278.89 m) x 34.14 m  x (10.36 / 10.72 m)

Armament:
      9 - 16.50" / 419 mm 45.0 cal guns - 2,265.01lbs / 1,027.39kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1916 Model
   3 x Triple mounts on centreline ends, majority forward
      16 - 6.00" / 152 mm 50.0 cal guns - 114.33lbs / 51.86kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1916 Model
   8 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
   8 x Single mounts on sides, aft deck forward
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      Weight of broadside 22,214 lbs / 10,076 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 635.00 ft / 193.55 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 9.00" / 229 mm 635.00 ft / 193.55 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 107 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  2.00" / 51 mm 635.00 ft / 193.55 m 34.00 ft / 10.36 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 78.00 ft / 23.77 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 14.0" / 356 mm 10.0" / 254 mm  14.0" / 356 mm
 2nd: 5.00" / 127 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  5.00" / 127 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 4.00" / 102 mm
 Forecastle: 4.00" / 102 mm  Quarter deck: 4.00" / 102 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 14.00" / 356 mm, Aft 9.00" / 229 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 6 shafts, 229,235 shp / 171,009 Kw = 32.50 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 5,466 tons

Complement:
 1,799 - 2,339

Cost:
 £8.033 million / $32.132 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 3,807 tons, 6.9 %
    - Guns: 3,807 tons, 6.9 %
 Armour: 16,802 tons, 30.5 %
    - Belts: 4,752 tons, 8.6 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,598 tons, 2.9 %
    - Armament: 4,388 tons, 8.0 %
    - Armour Deck: 5,346 tons, 9.7 %
    - Conning Towers: 718 tons, 1.3 %
 Machinery: 7,662 tons, 13.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 21,570 tons, 39.1 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,311 tons, 9.6 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   77,326 lbs / 35,075 Kg = 34.4 x 16.5 " / 419 mm shells or 10.4 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.14
 Metacentric height 7.5 ft / 2.3 m
 Roll period: 17.1 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 62 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.74
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.24

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a normal bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.554 / 0.559
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.17 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 30.25 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 51 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 10.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  35.00 ft / 10.67 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Aft deck: 17.00 %,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Quarter deck: 33.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Average freeboard:  27.44 ft / 8.36 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 114.1 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 222.9 %
 Waterplane Area: 71,789 Square feet or 6,669 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 106 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 221 lbs/sq ft or 1,080 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.98
  - Longitudinal: 1.23
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

A new version of the GB/CB/1916 fast battlecruiser photograph

2008-11-25T17:17:00.003-08:00

I wanted to change some parts of this photograph. I just finished the job, although I keep making changes to it, if anyone has noticed. This is another attempt at a Springsharp design:

GB/CB/1916, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1916 (Engine 1923)

Displacement:
 41,938 t light; 43,640 t standard; 46,358 t normal; 48,533 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (871.35 ft / 865.00 ft) x 106.00 ft x (32.00 / 33.19 ft)
 (265.59 m / 263.65 m) x 32.31 m  x (9.75 / 10.12 m)

Armament:
      6 - 16.50" / 419 mm 45.0 cal guns - 2,265.01lbs / 1,027.39kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1916 Model
   2 x Triple mounts on centreline, forward deck forward
      10 - 6.00" / 152 mm 50.0 cal guns - 114.33lbs / 51.86kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1916 Model
   10 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      Weight of broadside 14,733 lbs / 6,683 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 9.00" / 229 mm 565.00 ft / 172.21 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 7.00" / 178 mm 565.00 ft / 172.21 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 100 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  2.00" / 51 mm 565.00 ft / 172.21 m 32.00 ft / 9.75 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 68.00 ft / 20.73 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 9.00" / 229 mm 7.00" / 178 mm  9.00" / 229 mm
 2nd: 5.00" / 127 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  5.00" / 127 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 9.00" / 229 mm, Aft 7.00" / 178 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 6 shafts, 317,040 shp / 236,512 Kw = 36.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,893 tons

Complement:
 1,579 - 2,053

Cost:
 £7.099 million / $28.394 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 2,515 tons, 5.4 %
    - Guns: 2,515 tons, 5.4 %
 Armour: 10,695 tons, 23.1 %
    - Belts: 3,255 tons, 7.0 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,338 tons, 2.9 %
    - Armament: 2,073 tons, 4.5 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,584 tons, 7.7 %
    - Conning Towers: 445 tons, 1.0 %
 Machinery: 10,596 tons, 22.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 18,131 tons, 39.1 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,420 tons, 9.5 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   55,474 lbs / 25,163 Kg = 24.7 x 16.5 " / 419 mm shells or 6.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.24
 Metacentric height 8.0 ft / 2.5 m
 Roll period: 15.7 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 53 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.54
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.05

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a normal bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.553 / 0.558
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.16 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 29.41 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 58 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 10.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  36.00 ft / 10.97 m,  31.00 ft / 9.45 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  31.00 ft / 9.45 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Aft deck: 17.00 %,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Quarter deck: 33.00 %,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Average freeboard:  28.44 ft / 8.67 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 157.6 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 234.7 %
 Waterplane Area: 64,170 Square feet or 5,962 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 103 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 202 lbs/sq ft or 984 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.96
  - Longitudinal: 1.41
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room

What was actually possible with the GB/CB/1912 Fast design

2008-11-14T17:44:00.000-08:00

I originally wanted a displacement of 29,000 tons and 180,000 SHP for power. If we use figures close to those, we don't see 38 knots, but more like 34 knots:

GB/CB/1910 Fast 34 knots, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1910 (Engine 1918)

Displacement:
 27,244 t light; 28,146 t standard; 30,454 t normal; 32,301 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (854.78 ft / 850.00 ft) x 95.00 ft x (33.00 / 34.30 ft)
 (260.54 m / 259.08 m) x 28.96 m  x (10.06 / 10.45 m)

Armament:
      4 - 13.50" / 343 mm 45.0 cal guns - 1,250.00lbs / 566.99kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1910 Model
   2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      16 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1910 Model
   16 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
  4 raised mounts - superfiring
      Weight of broadside 5,512 lbs / 2,500 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 475.00 ft / 144.78 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 86 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  1.50" / 38 mm 475.00 ft / 144.78 m 33.00 ft / 10.06 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 64.00 ft / 19.51 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 2.00" / 51 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 8.00" / 203 mm, Aft 5.00" / 127 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 182,011 shp / 135,780 Kw = 34.07 kts
 Range 6,499nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,155 tons

Complement:
 1,152 - 1,498

Cost:
 £2.386 million / $9.543 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 995 tons, 3.3 %
    - Guns: 995 tons, 3.3 %
 Armour: 6,973 tons, 22.9 %
    - Belts: 1,934 tons, 6.3 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 870 tons, 2.9 %
    - Armament: 1,121 tons, 3.7 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,776 tons, 9.1 %
    - Conning Towers: 273 tons, 0.9 %
 Machinery: 6,566 tons, 21.6 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 12,710 tons, 41.7 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,210 tons, 10.5 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   47,134 lbs / 21,380 Kg = 38.3 x 13.5 " / 343 mm shells or 5.8 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.21
 Metacentric height 6.5 ft / 2.0 m
 Roll period: 15.6 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 79 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.41
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.60

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a normal bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.400 / 0.408
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.95 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 29.15 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 48 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 49
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 8.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  34.00 ft / 10.36 m,  31.00 ft / 9.45 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  31.00 ft / 9.45 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Aft deck: 17.00 %,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Quarter deck: 33.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Average freeboard:  27.95 ft / 8.52 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 127.1 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 249.2 %
 Waterplane Area: 49,706 Square feet or 4,618 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 122 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 166 lbs/sq ft or 808 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.95
  - Longitudinal: 1.64
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

The GB/CB/1910 Fast design

2008-11-14T17:37:00.000-08:00

The GB/CB/1910 Fast design in the "Red Book" is a rather minimalist listing. I was, as always, extremely over-optimistic about how much displacement and power would be required. The ship is in the spirit of the original GB/CB/1905 design, but with much higher speed (38 knots). With Springsharp 3.0 Beta 3, we have the 38 knots. The ship has 4-13.5in guns and light armour. Back when this design was conceived, we always used oil fuel and all-or-nothing armour. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CB/1910 Fast, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1910 (Engine 1918)

Displacement:
 33,742 t light; 34,782 t standard; 37,383 t normal; 39,463 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (854.78 ft / 850.00 ft) x 95.00 ft x (33.00 / 34.36 ft)
 (260.54 m / 259.08 m) x 28.96 m  x (10.06 / 10.47 m)

Armament:
      4 - 13.50" / 343 mm 45.0 cal guns - 1,250.00lbs / 566.99kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1910 Model
   2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      16 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1910 Model
   16 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
  4 raised mounts - superfiring
      Weight of broadside 5,512 lbs / 2,500 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 475.00 ft / 144.78 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 86 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  1.50" / 38 mm 475.00 ft / 144.78 m 33.00 ft / 10.06 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 64.00 ft / 19.51 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 2.00" / 51 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 8.00" / 203 mm, Aft 5.00" / 127 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 6 shafts, 332,727 shp / 248,214 Kw = 38.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,681 tons

Complement:
 1,343 - 1,747

Cost:
 £3.374 million / $13.497 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 995 tons, 2.7 %
    - Guns: 995 tons, 2.7 %
 Armour: 7,221 tons, 19.3 %
    - Belts: 1,937 tons, 5.2 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 870 tons, 2.3 %
    - Armament: 1,121 tons, 3.0 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,980 tons, 8.0 %
    - Conning Towers: 313 tons, 0.8 %
 Machinery: 12,003 tons, 32.1 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 13,522 tons, 36.2 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,641 tons, 9.7 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   35,148 lbs / 15,943 Kg = 28.6 x 13.5 " / 343 mm shells or 3.7 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.30
 Metacentric height 7.4 ft / 2.3 m
 Roll period: 14.6 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 52 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.29
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.07

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a normal bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.491 / 0.498
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.95 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 29.15 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 58 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 49
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 8.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  34.00 ft / 10.36 m,  31.00 ft / 9.45 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  31.00 ft / 9.45 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Aft deck: 17.00 %,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Quarter deck: 33.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Average freeboard:  27.95 ft / 8.52 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 173.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 229.5 %
 Waterplane Area: 53,365 Square feet or 4,958 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 104 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 166 lbs/sq ft or 808 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.97
  - Longitudinal: 1.40
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room

My simplified design for a G3 battlecruiser

2008-11-07T18:13:00.000-08:00

This is my simplified design for a G3 battlecruiser. The Springsharp design is quite unsatisfactory:

GB/CB/1921 G3, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1921 (Engine 1933)

Displacement:
 47,006 t light; 49,780 t standard; 52,345 t normal; 54,398 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (864.01 ft / 855.00 ft) x 106.00 ft x (32.50 / 33.54 ft)
 (263.35 m / 260.60 m) x 32.31 m  x (9.91 / 10.22 m)

Armament:
      9 - 16.00" / 406 mm 45.0 cal guns - 2,065.00lbs / 936.67kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1921 Model
   2 x Triple mounts on centreline, forward deck forward
  1 raised mount - superfiring
   1 x Triple mount on sides, forward deck aft
      16 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 108.92lbs / 49.41kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1921 Model
   2 x Twin mounts on sides, forward deck forward
   6 x Twin mounts on sides, aft evenly spread
      6 - 4.70" / 119 mm 45.0 cal guns - 52.35lbs / 23.75kg shells, 150 per gun
   Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1921 Model
   6 x Single mounts on sides, aft deck aft
      40 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 1.97lbs / 0.89kg shells, 150 per gun
   Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1921 Model
   4 x 2 row quad mounts on sides, forward deck forward
  4 raised mounts
   6 x 2 row quad mounts on sides, aft deck forward
  6 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 20,721 lbs / 9,399 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 14.0" / 356 mm 570.00 ft / 173.74 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 11.0" / 279 mm   0.00 ft / 0.00 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 103 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces
   Main Belt inclined 17.00 degrees (positive = in)

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  4.00" / 102 mm 570.00 ft / 173.74 m 32.50 ft / 9.91 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 66.00 ft / 20.12 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 14.0" / 356 mm 10.0" / 254 mm  14.0" / 356 mm
 2nd: 6.00" / 152 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  6.00" / 152 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 5.00" / 127 mm
 Forecastle: 5.00" / 127 mm  Quarter deck: 6.00" / 152 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 14.00" / 356 mm, Aft 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 204,488 shp / 152,548 Kw = 32.00 kts
 Range 6,000nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,618 tons

Complement:
 1,729 - 2,249

Cost:
 £11.230 million / $44.918 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 3,517 tons, 6.7 %
    - Guns: 3,517 tons, 6.7 %
 Armour: 17,820 tons, 34.0 %
    - Belts: 3,047 tons, 5.8 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 2,742 tons, 5.2 %
    - Armament: 4,772 tons, 9.1 %
    - Armour Deck: 6,597 tons, 12.6 %
    - Conning Towers: 663 tons, 1.3 %
 Machinery: 5,958 tons, 11.4 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 19,711 tons, 37.7 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,339 tons, 10.2 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   76,365 lbs / 34,638 Kg = 37.3 x 16.0 " / 406 mm shells or 12.2 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.09
 Metacentric height 6.4 ft / 2.0 m
 Roll period: 17.6 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 58 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.83
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.15

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   a normal bow and small transom stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.622 / 0.626
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.07 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 31.44 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 54 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 12.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 25.00 %,  33.00 ft / 10.06 m,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Aft deck: 30.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Average freeboard:  27.60 ft / 8.41 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 115.4 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 204.5 %
 Waterplane Area: 69,391 Square feet or 6,447 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 109 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 213 lbs/sq ft or 1,039 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.97
  - Longitudinal: 1.32
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room

The G3 Battlecruiser as a desktop on your PC

2008-11-02T17:35:00.001-08:00

You might have to make an adjustment, but this should work as your desktop, with it centered. Stretched will always work, but it will distort the picture.

My answer to Alt_Naval's G3 battlecruiser

2008-11-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

I am a fan of the Alt_Naval web site. Alt_Naval was one of my inspirations in early 2005 to try my hand at ship photographs. Alt_Naval has a G3 battlecruiser photograph, but to my taste, it is too close to the Nelson and Rodney and not close enough to the G3 look. I thought that I could get closer, although my photographs has some rough edges.

An 8-gun GB/CB/1909 design

2008-10-30T17:30:00.000-07:00

I thought that the next step would be an 8-gun GB/CB/1909 design. The main problem with the design is the large size and cost. What you have, though, is essentially a fast battleship. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CB/1909, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1909

Displacement:
 29,288 t light; 30,599 t standard; 35,272 t normal; 39,010 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (736.00 ft / 728.00 ft) x 95.00 ft x (30.00 / 32.60 ft)
 (224.33 m / 221.89 m) x 28.96 m  x (9.14 / 9.94 m)

Armament:
      8 - 13.50" / 343 mm 45.0 cal guns - 1,240.67lbs / 562.76kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1909 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  1 raised mount - superfiring
      12 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 108.93lbs / 49.41kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1909 Model
   12 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      Weight of broadside 11,233 lbs / 5,095 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 475.00 ft / 144.78 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 10.0" / 254 mm 475.00 ft / 144.78 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 100 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Strengthened structural bulkheads:
  2.00" / 51 mm 455.00 ft / 138.68 m 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 95.00 ft / 28.96 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: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Protected deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 4.00" / 102 mm
 Forecastle: 4.00" / 102 mm  Quarter deck: 4.00" / 102 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 12.00" / 305 mm, Aft 9.00" / 229 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 93,167 shp / 69,503 Kw = 27.00 kts
 Range 8,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 8,411 tons

Complement:
 1,286 - 1,672

Cost:
 £2.606 million / $10.422 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,928 tons, 5.5 %
    - Guns: 1,928 tons, 5.5 %
 Armour: 11,946 tons, 33.9 %
    - Belts: 3,799 tons, 10.8 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,010 tons, 2.9 %
    - Armament: 2,902 tons, 8.2 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,747 tons, 10.6 %
    - Conning Towers: 487 tons, 1.4 %
 Machinery: 4,235 tons, 12.0 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 11,180 tons, 31.7 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,983 tons, 17.0 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   62,433 lbs / 28,319 Kg = 50.8 x 13.5 " / 343 mm shells or 9.2 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.15
 Metacentric height 6.0 ft / 1.8 m
 Roll period: 16.2 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 80 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.78
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.60

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.595 / 0.606
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.66 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 26.98 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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 28.00 %,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Aft deck: 9.00 %,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Quarter deck: 33.00 %,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Average freeboard:  25.58 ft / 7.80 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 65.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 208.8 %
 Waterplane Area: 50,347 Square feet or 4,677 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 118 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 175 lbs/sq ft or 853 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.95
  - Longitudinal: 1.57
  - Overall: 1.00
 Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

The GB/CB/1909 design

2008-10-29T17:14:00.000-07:00

I thought that it would be interesting to see the battlecruiser analog to the GB/BB/1905 design. The battlecruiser is also well-protected and only marginally faster at 27.5 knots:

GB/CB/1909, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1909

Displacement:
 26,817 t light; 27,945 t standard; 32,366 t normal; 35,903 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (703.00 ft / 695.00 ft) x 94.00 ft x (30.00 / 32.64 ft)
 (214.27 m / 211.84 m) x 28.65 m  x (9.14 / 9.95 m)

Armament:
      6 - 13.50" / 343 mm 45.0 cal guns - 1,240.67lbs / 562.76kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1909 Model
   3 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, majority forward
  1 raised mount - superfiring
      12 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 108.93lbs / 49.41kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1909 Model
   12 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      Weight of broadside 8,751 lbs / 3,969 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 455.00 ft / 138.68 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 10.0" / 254 mm 455.00 ft / 138.68 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 101 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Strengthened structural bulkheads:
  2.00" / 51 mm 455.00 ft / 138.68 m 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 62.00 ft / 18.90 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: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Protected deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 4.00" / 102 mm
 Forecastle: 4.00" / 102 mm  Quarter deck: 4.00" / 102 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 12.00" / 305 mm, Aft 9.00" / 229 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 96,148 shp / 71,727 Kw = 27.50 kts
 Range 8,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 7,958 tons

Complement:
 1,206 - 1,568

Cost:
 £2.307 million / $9.226 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,501 tons, 4.6 %
    - Guns: 1,501 tons, 4.6 %
 Armour: 10,858 tons, 33.5 %
    - Belts: 3,649 tons, 11.3 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,010 tons, 3.1 %
    - Armament: 2,256 tons, 7.0 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,484 tons, 10.8 %
    - Conning Towers: 459 tons, 1.4 %
 Machinery: 4,370 tons, 13.5 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 10,087 tons, 31.2 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,549 tons, 17.1 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   57,968 lbs / 26,294 Kg = 47.1 x 13.5 " / 343 mm shells or 8.7 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.19
 Metacentric height 6.3 ft / 1.9 m
 Roll period: 15.7 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 75 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.61
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.50

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.578 / 0.589
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.39 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 26.36 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 51 %
 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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 28.00 %,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Aft deck: 9.00 %,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Quarter deck: 33.00 %,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Average freeboard:  25.58 ft / 7.80 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 99.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 207.0 %
 Waterplane Area: 46,807 Square feet or 4,349 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 121 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 168 lbs/sq ft or 822 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.95
  - Longitudinal: 1.63
  - Overall: 1.00
 Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

The GB/BB/1909 battleship design

2008-10-25T17:37:00.000-07:00

This is a design that my friend Cliff had considered building as part of his program. It is just a 620ft long ship and has only 6-13.5in/45 and 12-6in QF guns. For a 29,000 ton ship (nominally), the ship is underarmed but well-protected, despite the belt being short. The real question is why the ship is as good as it is. I backed off coal-fired boilers as my photo is clearly an oil-fired ship, which is consistent with Cliff's plans. He often opted for speed and armour and sacrificed armament. Did I overlook something? In any case, here is the Springsharp report for those with sharp eyes to peruse:

GB/BB/1909, Great Britain Battleship laid down 1909

Displacement:
 23,901 t light; 24,964 t standard; 29,121 t normal; 32,447 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (628.00 ft / 620.00 ft) x 95.00 ft x (30.20 / 32.97 ft)
 (191.41 m / 188.98 m) x 28.96 m  x (9.20 / 10.05 m)

Armament:
      6 - 13.50" / 343 mm 45.0 cal guns - 1,240.67lbs / 562.76kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1909 Model
   3 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, majority forward
  1 raised mount - superfiring
      12 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 108.93lbs / 49.41kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1909 Model
   12 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      Weight of broadside 8,751 lbs / 3,969 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 13.0" / 330 mm 385.00 ft / 117.35 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 10.0" / 254 mm 385.00 ft / 117.35 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 96 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Strengthened structural bulkheads:
  2.00" / 51 mm 385.00 ft / 117.35 m 30.20 ft / 9.20 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 62.00 ft / 18.90 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: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Protected deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 4.00" / 102 mm
 Forecastle: 4.00" / 102 mm  Quarter deck: 4.00" / 102 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 12.00" / 305 mm, Aft 9.00" / 229 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 76,183 shp / 56,832 Kw = 26.00 kts
 Range 8,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 7,482 tons

Complement:
 1,114 - 1,449

Cost:
 £2.077 million / $8.310 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,501 tons, 5.2 %
    - Guns: 1,501 tons, 5.2 %
 Armour: 9,945 tons, 34.1 %
    - Belts: 3,325 tons, 11.4 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 860 tons, 3.0 %
    - Armament: 2,204 tons, 7.6 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,126 tons, 10.7 %
    - Conning Towers: 428 tons, 1.5 %
 Machinery: 3,463 tons, 11.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 8,992 tons, 30.9 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,220 tons, 17.9 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   54,031 lbs / 24,508 Kg = 43.9 x 13.5 " / 343 mm shells or 8.6 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.22
 Metacentric height 6.7 ft / 2.0 m
 Roll period: 15.5 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 74 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.57
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.47

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.573 / 0.585
 Length to Beam Ratio: 6.53 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 24.90 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 28.00 %,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Aft deck: 9.00 %,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Quarter deck: 33.00 %,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Average freeboard:  24.58 ft / 7.49 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 96.3 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 193.9 %
 Waterplane Area: 42,002 Square feet or 3,902 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 121 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 170 lbs/sq ft or 828 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.93
  - Longitudinal: 1.95
  - Overall: 1.00
 Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

A rather unsatisfactory Viper design

2008-10-06T17:05:00.000-07:00

I am not sure if it is possible to achieve a good result for an 1898 destroyer in Springsharp. We are going with the very low, but realistic freeboard. This is my rather lame attempt at HMS Viper, the turbine destroyer:

Viper, Great Britain Torpedo Boat Destroyer laid down 1898 (Engine 1917)

Displacement:
 284 t light; 295 t standard; 333 t normal; 365 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (210.00 ft / 210.00 ft) x 21.00 ft x (7.25 / 7.66 ft)
 (64.01 m / 64.01 m) x 6.40 m  x (2.21 / 2.33 m)

Armament:
      1 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm 45.0 cal gun - 13.62lbs / 6.18kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing gun in deck mounts, 1898 Model
   2 x Single mounts on centreline, forward deck forward
  1 raised mount - superfiring
      5 - 2.24" / 57.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 5.70lbs / 2.58kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1898 Model
   4 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
   1 x Single mount on centreline, aft deck aft
      Weight of broadside 42 lbs / 19 kg
      Main Torpedoes
      2 - 17.7" / 450 mm, 20.00 ft / 6.10 m torpedoes - 0.650 t each, 1.300 t total
 In 2 sets of deck mounted centre rotating tubes

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 2 shafts, 11,992 shp / 8,946 Kw = 30.00 kts
 Range 2,200nm at 12.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 70 tons (100% coal)
   Caution: Delicate, lightweight machinery

Complement:
 38 - 50

Cost:
 £0.038 million / $0.153 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 11 tons, 3.3 %
    - Guns: 8 tons, 2.5 %
    - Weapons: 3 tons, 0.8 %
 Machinery: 186 tons, 55.7 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 87 tons, 26.2 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 49 tons, 14.7 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   69 lbs / 31 Kg = 5.1 x 3.0 " / 76 mm shells or 0.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.06
 Metacentric height 0.5 ft / 0.2 m
 Roll period: 12.0 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 51 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.18
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 0.51

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   a normal bow and a round stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.365 / 0.378
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.00 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 14.49 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 71 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 100
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  9.00 ft / 2.74 m,  8.00 ft / 2.44 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  8.00 ft / 2.44 m,  7.00 ft / 2.13 m
    - Aft deck: 35.00 %,  7.00 ft / 2.13 m,  7.00 ft / 2.13 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  7.00 ft / 2.13 m,  7.00 ft / 2.13 m
    - Average freeboard:  7.43 ft / 2.26 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 186.5 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 65.7 %
 Waterplane Area: 2,654 Square feet or 247 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 34 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 21 lbs/sq ft or 100 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.48
  - Longitudinal: 1.19
  - Overall: 0.53
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Cramped accommodation and workspace room
 Caution: Lacks seaworthiness - very limited seakeeping ability

HMS Viper

2008-10-03T18:44:00.000-07:00

When I first saw the photograph of the torpedo boat destroyer HMS Viper making 36 knots on trials in Marsh's book, it really captured my imagination. When I was in Minnesota in 2003, I painted this picture, based on the photograph, as I thought it would be colored. This is a slightly edited version of the painting.

A new GB/CB/1905 photograph

2008-09-20T15:54:00.000-07:00

This photograph is a departure for me. It did not originate with a photograph that I edited but with a drawing that is posted to KentishKnock.com. The drawing originated from a pencil drawing that I originally did in May 2001. I did graphic editing on the drawing later. I took that drawing, which shows the ship in perspective and "flattened" it. I used the GIMP and the pespective transformation along with some further editing. I have a new design to go with the photograph. The photograph is scaled from my only surviving pencil drawing, dating from the early 1970's. The original only had 4in side armour, because we assumed that it would be necessary to obtain a 33 knot speed. This design shows that with the same armour coverage as the original drawing, that the side armour can be upgraded to 6in thickness:

GB/CB/1905 Uparmoured, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1908)

Displacement:
 24,410 t light; 25,246 t standard; 29,225 t normal; 32,408 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (776.00 ft / 770.00 ft) x 80.00 ft x (27.00 / 29.44 ft)
 (236.52 m / 234.70 m) x 24.38 m  x (8.23 / 8.97 m)

Armament:
      4 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 850.00lbs / 385.55kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1905 Model
   2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      9 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 108.92lbs / 49.41kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1905 Model
   8 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
   1 x Single mount on centreline, aft deck forward
  1 raised mount
      Weight of broadside 4,380 lbs / 1,987 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 470.00 ft / 143.26 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 6.00" / 152 mm 340.00 ft / 103.63 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 94 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  1.00" / 25 mm 555.00 ft / 169.16 m 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 56.00 ft / 17.07 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 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Protected deck - single deck:
 For and Aft decks: 2.00" / 51 mm
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 8.00" / 203 mm, Aft 5.00" / 127 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 176,160 shp / 131,415 Kw = 33.00 kts
 Range 5,800nm at 18.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 7,162 tons

Complement:
 1,116 - 1,452

Cost:
 £2.518 million / $10.072 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 880 tons, 3.0 %
    - Guns: 880 tons, 3.0 %
 Armour: 5,227 tons, 17.9 %
    - Belts: 1,790 tons, 6.1 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 554 tons, 1.9 %
    - Armament: 915 tons, 3.1 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,703 tons, 5.8 %
    - Conning Towers: 266 tons, 0.9 %
 Machinery: 8,897 tons, 30.4 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 9,406 tons, 32.2 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,815 tons, 16.5 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   28,878 lbs / 13,099 Kg = 33.4 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 3.0 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.28
 Metacentric height 5.6 ft / 1.7 m
 Roll period: 14.2 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 57 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.39
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.15

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.615 / 0.625
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.63 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 27.75 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 55 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -2.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Aft deck: 25.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Quarter deck: 25.00 %,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Average freeboard:  24.86 ft / 7.58 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 159.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 207.0 %
 Waterplane Area: 45,688 Square feet or 4,245 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 108 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 139 lbs/sq ft or 681 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.99
  - Longitudinal: 1.12
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room

The GB/CA/1921 New Armoured Cruiser (Updated)

2008-09-14T16:48:00.000-07:00

This is my current concept for a British 1921-style armoured cruiser. Since the battlecruisers will be carrying larger guns, the armoured cruiser can use the 12in/50 gun. This is the updated Springsharp report which includes a range, which had been inadvertently omitted:

GB/CA/1921 New, Great Britain Armoured Cruiser laid down 1921 (Engine 1927)

Displacement:
 26,936 t light; 28,084 t standard; 29,813 t normal; 31,196 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (770.82 ft / 765.00 ft) x 87.00 ft x (26.00 / 26.97 ft)
 (234.95 m / 233.17 m) x 26.52 m  x (7.92 / 8.22 m)

Armament:
      9 - 12.00" / 305 mm 50.0 cal guns - 915.01lbs / 415.04kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1921 Model
   3 x Triple mounts on centreline ends, majority forward
  1 raised mount - superfiring
      16 - 5.50" / 140 mm 50.0 cal guns - 85.01lbs / 38.56kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1921 Model
   8 x Twin mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      6 - 4.70" / 119 mm 45.0 cal guns - 52.36lbs / 23.75kg shells, 150 per gun
   Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1921 Model
   6 x Single mounts on sides, aft deck forward
  6 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 9,909 lbs / 4,495 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 9.00" / 229 mm 520.00 ft / 158.50 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 7.00" / 178 mm 520.00 ft / 158.50 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 105 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  1.50" / 38 mm 520.00 ft / 158.50 m 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 55.00 ft / 16.76 m

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

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 2.00" / 51 mm
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 9.00" / 229 mm, Aft 7.00" / 178 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 167,706 shp / 125,109 Kw = 33.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 3,112 tons

Complement:
 1,133 - 1,474

Cost:
 £6.914 million / $27.655 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 2,070 tons, 6.9 %
    - Guns: 2,070 tons, 6.9 %
 Armour: 7,938 tons, 26.6 %
    - Belts: 2,770 tons, 9.3 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 750 tons, 2.5 %
    - Armament: 2,220 tons, 7.4 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,867 tons, 6.3 %
    - Conning Towers: 331 tons, 1.1 %
 Machinery: 5,294 tons, 17.8 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 11,634 tons, 39.0 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,876 tons, 9.6 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   38,164 lbs / 17,311 Kg = 44.2 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 4.7 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.07
 Metacentric height 4.6 ft / 1.4 m
 Roll period: 16.9 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 51 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.77
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.01

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   an extended bulbous bow and small transom stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.603 / 0.608
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.79 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 29.66 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 56 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 10.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  33.00 ft / 10.06 m,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Aft deck: 35.00 %,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Average freeboard:  25.80 ft / 7.86 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 140.5 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 209.7 %
 Waterplane Area: 50,052 Square feet or 4,650 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 105 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 171 lbs/sq ft or 835 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.98
  - Longitudinal: 1.19
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room

My Ger/BB/1905 Flush Decked picture is getting better

2008-09-12T05:25:00.001-07:00

I have done more work on my photograph of a Ger/BB/1905 Flush-Decked battleship. This was a concept that I had in the early 1970's for a German ship with 8-12in/45 and 12-6in QF guns.

The GB/CB/1916 with a long belt

2008-09-06T10:51:00.001-07:00

With a long belt, the GB/CB/1916 can still make 34 knots. The original concept for the design was to use a very short armour belt so as to make the maximum speed. This is a version with a longer belt (110% of normal). This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CB/1916 Protected, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1916 (Engine 1921)

Displacement:
 42,841 t light; 44,542 t standard; 46,914 t normal; 48,811 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (862.86 ft / 855.00 ft) x 105.00 ft x (31.00 / 32.02 ft)
 (263.00 m / 260.60 m) x 32.00 m  x (9.45 / 9.76 m)

Armament:
      6 - 16.50" / 419 mm 45.0 cal guns - 2,265.01lbs / 1,027.39kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1916 Model
   2 x Triple mounts on centreline, forward deck forward
  1 raised mount - superfiring
      10 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 100.00lbs / 45.36kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1916 Model
   10 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      Weight of broadside 14,590 lbs / 6,618 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 610.00 ft / 185.93 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 8.00" / 203 mm 610.00 ft / 185.93 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 110 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces
   Main Belt inclined -12.00 degrees (positive = in)

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  2.00" / 51 mm 610.00 ft / 185.93 m 31.00 ft / 9.45 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 64.00 ft / 19.51 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 8.00" / 203 mm  12.0" / 305 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 12.00" / 305 mm, Aft 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 259,314 shp / 193,448 Kw = 34.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,269 tons

Complement:
 1,593 - 2,071

Cost:
 £6.740 million / $26.962 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 2,467 tons, 5.3 %
    - Guns: 2,467 tons, 5.3 %
 Armour: 12,455 tons, 26.5 %
    - Belts: 4,052 tons, 8.6 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,399 tons, 3.0 %
    - Armament: 2,808 tons, 6.0 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,635 tons, 7.7 %
    - Conning Towers: 560 tons, 1.2 %
 Machinery: 8,930 tons, 19.0 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 18,989 tons, 40.5 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,073 tons, 8.7 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   62,606 lbs / 28,398 Kg = 27.9 x 16.5 " / 419 mm shells or 7.7 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.13
 Metacentric height 6.8 ft / 2.1 m
 Roll period: 16.9 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 56 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.71
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.12

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   an extended bulbous bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.590 / 0.594
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.14 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 29.24 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 56 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 12.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  37.00 ft / 11.28 m,  32.00 ft / 9.75 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  32.00 ft / 9.75 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Aft deck: 22.00 %,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Quarter deck: 28.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Average freeboard:  29.00 ft / 8.84 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 144.8 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 237.8 %
 Waterplane Area: 65,049 Square feet or 6,043 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 108 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 209 lbs/sq ft or 1,020 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.97
  - Longitudinal: 1.41
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room

A GB/CB/1916 design with better protection

2008-09-04T02:49:00.000-07:00

This design is to answer the question about how fast a GB/CB/1916 design ship could be with 12in armour. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CB/1916 Protected, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1916 (Engine 1921)

Displacement:
 42,991 t light; 44,696 t standard; 47,073 t normal; 48,975 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (862.86 ft / 855.00 ft) x 105.00 ft x (31.00 / 32.02 ft)
 (263.00 m / 260.60 m) x 32.00 m  x (9.45 / 9.76 m)

Armament:
      6 - 16.50" / 419 mm 45.0 cal guns - 2,265.00lbs / 1,027.39kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1916 Model
   2 x Triple mounts on centreline, forward deck forward
  1 raised mount - superfiring
      10 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 100.00lbs / 45.36kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1916 Model
   10 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      Weight of broadside 14,590 lbs / 6,618 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 485.00 ft / 147.83 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 8.00" / 203 mm 485.00 ft / 147.83 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 87 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces
   Main Belt inclined -12.00 degrees (positive = in)

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  2.00" / 51 mm 485.00 ft / 147.83 m 31.00 ft / 9.45 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 64.00 ft / 19.51 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 8.00" / 203 mm  12.0" / 305 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 12.00" / 305 mm, Aft 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 292,552 shp / 218,244 Kw = 35.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,279 tons

Complement:
 1,597 - 2,077

Cost:
 £7.011 million / $28.045 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 2,467 tons, 5.2 %
    - Guns: 2,467 tons, 5.2 %
 Armour: 11,486 tons, 24.4 %
    - Belts: 3,362 tons, 7.1 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,113 tons, 2.4 %
    - Armament: 2,808 tons, 6.0 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,642 tons, 7.7 %
    - Conning Towers: 562 tons, 1.2 %
 Machinery: 10,074 tons, 21.4 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 18,964 tons, 40.3 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,082 tons, 8.7 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   57,998 lbs / 26,307 Kg = 25.8 x 16.5 " / 419 mm shells or 6.6 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.15
 Metacentric height 6.9 ft / 2.1 m
 Roll period: 16.7 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 52 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.68
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.03

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   an extended bulbous bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.592 / 0.596
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.14 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 29.24 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 57 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 12.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  37.00 ft / 11.28 m,  32.00 ft / 9.75 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  32.00 ft / 9.75 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Aft deck: 22.00 %,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Quarter deck: 28.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Average freeboard:  29.00 ft / 8.84 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 157.1 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 237.7 %
 Waterplane Area: 65,170 Square feet or 6,055 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 105 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 208 lbs/sq ft or 1,017 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.96
  - Longitudinal: 1.39
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room

A better Ger/BB/1905 (yes, that was the designation)

2008-08-26T17:28:00.000-07:00

My original concept was that this ship would be designated the Ger/BB/1905, although I have had second thoughts about that. That is why I did the Ger/BB/1906 Springsharp design. I just did some GIMP hacking on the picture, in hopes of making it better.

The next step

2008-08-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

The next step in this design sequence is likely to be a somewhat larger ship with a "1921-style" bridge structure, a pole foremast, and flatter, wider turrets. We would attempt to obtain an even higher speed. The secondary armament would likely be the same, to keep the weight down. The target speed would be 40 knots. Oh, and the main armament would be 6-17in/45 guns firing 2,850 pound shot.

A new GB/CB/1916 Fast battlecruiser concept

2008-08-25T10:17:00.001-07:00

I had a concept that has been developing for a few days for a new British fast battlecruiser. As you can see, the photograph is derived from that for the Ger/CB/1912 design. I found that I can run Springsharp 3.0 Beta 3 at my desk, so I developed my initial cut at a design:

GB/CB/1916 Fast, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1916 (Engine 1923)

Displacement:
 42,316 t light; 43,995 t standard; 45,802 t normal; 47,248 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (885.86 ft / 878.00 ft) x 104.00 ft x (33.00 / 33.81 ft)
 (270.01 m / 267.61 m) x 31.70 m  x (10.06 / 10.30 m)

Armament:
      6 - 16.50" / 419 mm 45.0 cal guns - 2,265.21lbs / 1,027.48kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1916 Model
   2 x Triple mounts on centreline, forward deck forward
  1 raised mount - superfiring
      10 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 100.00lbs / 45.36kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1916 Model
   10 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      Weight of broadside 14,591 lbs / 6,618 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 480.00 ft / 146.30 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 84 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces
   Main Belt inclined -12.00 degrees (positive = in)

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  2.00" / 51 mm 480.00 ft / 146.30 m 33.00 ft / 10.06 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 74.00 ft / 22.56 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 8.00" / 203 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  8.00" / 203 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 2.00" / 51 mm
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 8.00" / 203 mm, Aft 6.00" / 152 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 6 shafts, 383,549 shp / 286,127 Kw = 38.00 kts
 Range 4,800nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 3,253 tons

Complement:
 1,565 - 2,035

Cost:
 £7.601 million / $30.406 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 2,467 tons, 5.4 %
    - Guns: 2,467 tons, 5.4 %
 Armour: 7,463 tons, 16.3 %
    - Belts: 1,495 tons, 3.3 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,172 tons, 2.6 %
    - Armament: 2,075 tons, 4.5 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,334 tons, 5.1 %
    - Conning Towers: 386 tons, 0.8 %
 Machinery: 12,819 tons, 28.0 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 19,567 tons, 42.7 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,486 tons, 7.6 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   41,045 lbs / 18,618 Kg = 18.3 x 16.5 " / 419 mm shells or 4.4 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.16
 Metacentric height 7.0 ft / 2.1 m
 Roll period: 16.5 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 51 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.75
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.02

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   an extended bulbous bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.532 / 0.536
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.44 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 29.63 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 59 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 12.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  37.00 ft / 11.28 m,  34.00 ft / 10.36 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  34.00 ft / 10.36 m,  33.00 ft / 10.06 m
    - Aft deck: 22.00 %,  33.00 ft / 10.06 m,  33.00 ft / 10.06 m
    - Quarter deck: 28.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Average freeboard:  31.35 ft / 9.56 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 165.1 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 253.9 %
 Waterplane Area: 62,662 Square feet or 5,822 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 99 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 212 lbs/sq ft or 1,035 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.95
  - Longitudinal: 1.64
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room

I still like the Ger/CB/1912 photograph

2008-08-22T06:08:00.000-07:00

I am using this picture as the desktop background on my work laptop. I had forgotten how much I like the picture.

A tweaked version of the Ger/BB/1906 photo

2008-08-22T05:31:00.001-07:00

This is a slightly updated version of the Ger/BB/1906 (or is it 1905?) photo.

Oops, the Ger/BB/1906 with coal on board

2008-08-21T05:18:00.000-07:00

I reader pointed out that I had neglected to give the Ger/BB/1906 battleship design a range and the associated coal in bunkers. Last night, I reran Springsharp to correct the problem:

Ger/BB/1906, Germany Battleship laid down 1906

Displacement:
 17,607 t light; 18,485 t standard; 21,014 t normal; 23,038 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (489.00 ft / 489.00 ft) x 89.00 ft x (26.00 / 28.12 ft)
 (149.05 m / 149.05 m) x 27.13 m  x (7.92 / 8.57 m)

Armament:
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 871.38lbs / 395.25kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1906 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      12 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 108.93lbs / 49.41kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1906 Model
   12 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 8,278 lbs / 3,755 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 325.00 ft / 99.06 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: 5.00" / 127 mm 164.00 ft / 49.99 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
 Upper: 8.00" / 203 mm 325.00 ft / 99.06 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 102 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  1.50" / 38 mm 320.00 ft / 97.54 m 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 59.00 ft / 17.98 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 8.00" / 203 mm  12.0" / 305 mm
 2nd: 6.00" / 152 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  6.00" / 152 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 12.00" / 305 mm, Aft 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 30,859 shp / 23,021 Kw = 21.00 kts
 Range 4,200nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,553 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 872 - 1,134

Cost:
 £1.637 million / $6.549 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,462 tons, 7.0 %
    - Guns: 1,462 tons, 7.0 %
 Armour: 7,294 tons, 34.7 %
    - Belts: 2,691 tons, 12.8 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 462 tons, 2.2 %
    - Armament: 2,112 tons, 10.1 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,701 tons, 8.1 %
    - Conning Towers: 328 tons, 1.6 %
 Machinery: 2,204 tons, 10.5 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 6,647 tons, 31.6 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,407 tons, 16.2 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   33,257 lbs / 15,085 Kg = 38.5 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 5.7 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.23
 Metacentric height 6.1 ft / 1.9 m
 Roll period: 15.1 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 68 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.53
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.35

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   a normal bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.650 / 0.659
 Length to Beam Ratio: 5.49 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 22.11 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 52 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -3.00 ft / -0.91 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 25.00 %,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Aft deck: 25.00 %,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Quarter deck: 20.00 %,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m,  17.50 ft / 5.33 m
    - Average freeboard:  19.73 ft / 6.01 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 98.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 140.7 %
 Waterplane Area: 33,340 Square feet or 3,097 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 114 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 159 lbs/sq ft or 774 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.93
  - Longitudinal: 1.85
  - Overall: 1.00
 Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

Why does this look so good? The Ger/BB/1906 design

2008-08-17T15:19:00.001-07:00

The flush-decked, imaginery German battleship Ger/BB/1906 is still one of my favorite designs. I just tried the ship in Springsharp and I was surprised how good the ship is:

Ger/BB/1906, Germany Battleship laid down 1906

Displacement:
 17,273 t light; 18,095 t standard; 18,186 t normal; 18,258 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (489.00 ft / 489.00 ft) x 89.00 ft x (25.00 / 25.08 ft)
 (149.05 m / 149.05 m) x 27.13 m  x (7.62 / 7.64 m)

Armament:
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 871.37lbs / 395.24kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1906 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      12 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 108.92lbs / 49.41kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1906 Model
   12 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 8,278 lbs / 3,755 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 325.00 ft / 99.06 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: 5.00" / 127 mm 164.00 ft / 49.99 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
 Upper: 8.00" / 203 mm 325.00 ft / 99.06 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 102 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  1.50" / 38 mm 320.00 ft / 97.54 m 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 59.00 ft / 17.98 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 8.00" / 203 mm  12.0" / 305 mm
 2nd: 6.00" / 152 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  6.00" / 152 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 12.00" / 305 mm, Aft 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 27,560 shp / 20,560 Kw = 21.00 kts
 Range 0nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 164 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 782 - 1,017

Cost:
 £1.593 million / $6.370 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,462 tons, 8.0 %
    - Guns: 1,462 tons, 8.0 %
 Armour: 7,192 tons, 39.5 %
    - Belts: 2,678 tons, 14.7 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 444 tons, 2.4 %
    - Armament: 2,173 tons, 11.9 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,600 tons, 8.8 %
    - Conning Towers: 298 tons, 1.6 %
 Machinery: 1,969 tons, 10.8 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 6,651 tons, 36.6 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 912 tons, 5.0 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   27,378 lbs / 12,418 Kg = 31.7 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 4.8 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.15
 Metacentric height 5.5 ft / 1.7 m
 Roll period: 16.0 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 71 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.63
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.43

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   a normal bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.585 / 0.585
 Length to Beam Ratio: 5.49 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 22.11 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 50 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -3.00 ft / -0.91 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 25.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Aft deck: 25.00 %,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Quarter deck: 20.00 %,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m,  18.50 ft / 5.64 m
    - Average freeboard:  20.73 ft / 6.32 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 107.3 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 155.3 %
 Waterplane Area: 31,387 Square feet or 2,916 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 102 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 166 lbs/sq ft or 812 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.92
  - Longitudinal: 2.00
  - Overall: 1.00
 Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

My 1905 British fast battleship

2008-08-09T16:33:00.000-07:00

Instead of building 21 knot battleships and 25 knot armoured cruisers, why not just build 24 knot fast battleships? That is the premise of my GB/BB/1905 design that has 8-12in/45 and 16-4in QF guns and a 11in belt. "Just for fun," I have a photograph of one, as well! This is the Springsharp report:

GB/BB/1905, Great Britain Battleship laid down 1905 (Engine 1909)

Displacement:
 19,173 t light; 20,005 t standard; 22,462 t normal; 24,429 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (613.00 ft / 605.00 ft) x 84.00 ft x (26.00 / 27.86 ft)
 (186.84 m / 184.40 m) x 25.60 m  x (7.92 / 8.49 m)

Armament:
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 849.99lbs / 385.55kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1905 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      16 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1905 Model
   16 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
  8 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 7,312 lbs / 3,317 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 11.0" / 279 mm 400.00 ft / 121.92 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: 4.00" / 102 mm 180.00 ft / 54.86 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
   25.00 ft / 7.62 m Unarmoured ends
 Upper: 8.00" / 203 mm 400.00 ft / 121.92 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 102 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Strengthened structural bulkheads:
  1.50" / 38 mm 400.00 ft / 121.92 m 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 58.00 ft / 17.68 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 11.0" / 279 mm 8.00" / 203 mm  11.0" / 279 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 2.00" / 51 mm
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 11.00" / 279 mm, Aft 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 47,823 shp / 35,676 Kw = 24.00 kts
 Range 4,800nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,424 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 916 - 1,192

Cost:
 £1.706 million / $6.826 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,382 tons, 6.2 %
    - Guns: 1,382 tons, 6.2 %
 Armour: 7,774 tons, 34.6 %
    - Belts: 3,108 tons, 13.8 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 599 tons, 2.7 %
    - Armament: 2,362 tons, 10.5 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,378 tons, 6.1 %
    - Conning Towers: 326 tons, 1.5 %
 Machinery: 2,391 tons, 10.6 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 7,626 tons, 33.9 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,290 tons, 14.6 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   39,707 lbs / 18,011 Kg = 46.0 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 6.4 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.06
 Metacentric height 4.3 ft / 1.3 m
 Roll period: 16.9 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 76 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.90
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.51

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.595 / 0.604
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.20 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 24.60 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 48 %
 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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Aft deck: 22.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Quarter deck: 28.00 %,  17.00 ft / 5.18 m,  17.00 ft / 5.18 m
    - Average freeboard:  22.92 ft / 6.99 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 91.5 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 192.3 %
 Waterplane Area: 36,996 Square feet or 3,437 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 117 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 161 lbs/sq ft or 788 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.95
  - Longitudinal: 1.57
  - Overall: 1.00
 Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

My idea of the Hood as it might have been built: GB/CB/1915

2008-07-27T07:26:00.000-07:00

The basis for the original Hood concept in 1915 has always interested me. Here is another attempt at such a ship: the GB/CB/1915 design with 8-15in/42 BLR, 16-5.5in QF, an armour basis of 8in and a speed of 32 knots. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CB/1915, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1915 (Engine 1919)

Displacement:
 41,011 t light; 43,359 t standard; 46,714 t normal; 49,398 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (860.06 ft / 855.00 ft) x 105.00 ft x (29.00 / 30.39 ft)
 (262.15 m / 260.60 m) x 32.00 m  x (8.84 / 9.26 m)

Armament:
      8 - 15.00" / 381 mm 42.0 cal guns - 1,950.00lbs / 884.51kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1915 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      16 - 5.50" / 140 mm 50.0 cal guns - 85.00lbs / 38.56kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1915 Model
   16 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
  4 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 16,960 lbs / 7,693 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 8.00" / 203 mm 600.00 ft / 182.88 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
 Ends: 4.00" / 102 mm 255.00 ft / 77.72 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
   Main Belt covers 108 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces
   Main Belt inclined 12.00 degrees (positive = in)

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  2.00" / 51 mm 600.00 ft / 182.88 m 29.00 ft / 8.84 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 70.00 ft / 21.34 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 2.00" / 51 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 10.00" / 254 mm, Aft 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 207,000 shp / 154,422 Kw = 32.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 17.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 6,039 tons

Complement:
 1,588 - 2,065

Cost:
 £5.458 million / $21.830 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 2,446 tons, 5.2 %
    - Guns: 2,446 tons, 5.2 %
 Armour: 12,626 tons, 27.0 %
    - Belts: 3,863 tons, 8.3 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,288 tons, 2.8 %
    - Armament: 3,209 tons, 6.9 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,764 tons, 8.1 %
    - Conning Towers: 503 tons, 1.1 %
 Machinery: 7,351 tons, 15.7 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 18,588 tons, 39.8 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,703 tons, 12.2 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   73,288 lbs / 33,243 Kg = 43.4 x 15.0 " / 381 mm shells or 9.6 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.17
 Metacentric height 7.2 ft / 2.2 m
 Roll period: 16.5 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 58 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.81
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.17

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a normal bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.628 / 0.634
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.14 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 29.24 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 8.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -3.00 ft / -0.91 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 28.00 %,  36.00 ft / 10.97 m,  32.00 ft / 9.75 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  32.00 ft / 9.75 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Aft deck: 14.00 %,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Quarter deck: 28.00 %,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Average freeboard:  28.79 ft / 8.77 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 116.9 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 248.0 %
 Waterplane Area: 67,393 Square feet or 6,261 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 118 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 203 lbs/sq ft or 991 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.98
  - Longitudinal: 1.22
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room

Another try at a Super Lion (GB/CB/1912)

2008-07-12T17:56:00.000-07:00

This version of the Super Lion design is so good, there must be something wrong with the specification. This is a 30-knot battlecruiser with 10-15in/42 and 14-6in/50 QF guns, a 12in belt, 3in deck, and 7,500nm range:

GB/CB/1912 Super Lion, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1912 (Engine 1918)

Displacement:
 41,153 t light; 43,216 t standard; 47,751 t normal; 51,378 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (823.00 ft / 815.00 ft) x 105.00 ft x (31.00 / 32.97 ft)
 (250.85 m / 248.41 m) x 32.00 m  x (9.45 / 10.05 m)

Armament:
      10 - 15.00" / 381 mm 42.0 cal guns - 1,950.00lbs / 884.51kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1912 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
   1 x Twin mount on centreline, aft deck forward
      14 - 6.00" / 152 mm 50.0 cal guns - 114.33lbs / 51.86kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1912 Model
   14 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
  14 hull mounts in casemates- Limited use in heavy seas
      Weight of broadside 21,101 lbs / 9,571 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 525.00 ft / 160.02 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: 5.00" / 127 mm 290.00 ft / 88.39 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Upper: 8.00" / 203 mm 525.00 ft / 160.02 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 99 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  1.50" / 38 mm 525.00 ft / 160.02 m 31.00 ft / 9.45 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 72.00 ft / 21.95 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 8.00" / 203 mm  12.0" / 305 mm
 2nd: 5.00" / 127 mm 5.00" / 127 mm  5.00" / 127 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 12.00" / 305 mm, Aft 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 165,755 shp / 123,653 Kw = 30.00 kts
 Range 7,500nm at 18.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 8,162 tons

Complement:
 1,614 - 2,099

Cost:
 £3.785 million / $15.142 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 2,838 tons, 5.9 %
    - Guns: 2,838 tons, 5.9 %
 Armour: 14,193 tons, 29.7 %
    - Belts: 4,720 tons, 9.9 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 903 tons, 1.9 %
    - Armament: 4,407 tons, 9.2 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,596 tons, 7.5 %
    - Conning Towers: 567 tons, 1.2 %
 Machinery: 5,980 tons, 12.5 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 18,143 tons, 38.0 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 6,598 tons, 13.8 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   77,044 lbs / 34,946 Kg = 45.7 x 15.0 " / 381 mm shells or 10.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.13
 Metacentric height 6.8 ft / 2.1 m
 Roll period: 16.9 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 61 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.94
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.21

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.630 / 0.637
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.76 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 28.55 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 52 %
 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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 25.00 %,  31.00 ft / 9.45 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Aft deck: 18.00 %,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Quarter deck: 27.00 %,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Average freeboard:  27.34 ft / 8.33 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 102.3 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 222.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 64,359 Square feet or 5,979 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 118 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 209 lbs/sq ft or 1,020 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.97
  - Longitudinal: 1.29
  - Overall: 1.00
 Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

My attempt at an Italian armoured cruiser: It/CA/1897

2008-07-06T08:30:00.000-07:00

I am interested in the Spanish cruiser Cristobal Colon, lost at the Battle of Santiago Bay in 1898. The Cristobal Colon was Italian-built along the lines of a series of armoured cruisers. My It/CA/1897 has 2-10in/45, 14-6in/50 QF, and 10-3in QF guns. The armour basis is 6in and the deck is 2in. The speed is a modest 20 knots. I struggled with the Springsharp 3.0 Beta 3, as I kept having "NaN" (not a number). The problem was that I had missed some settings. Once I had found all the places, then I had a workable design. I had to greatly increase the displacement and lighten the machinery for the power. This is the Springsharp report:

It/CA/1897, Italy Armoured Cruiser laid down 1897 (Engine 1904)

Displacement:
 8,028 t light; 8,405 t standard; 9,073 t normal; 9,608 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (354.00 ft / 345.00 ft) x 60.00 ft x (23.00 / 24.16 ft)
 (107.90 m / 105.16 m) x 18.29 m  x (7.01 / 7.36 m)

Armament:
      2 - 10.00" / 254 mm 45.0 cal guns - 504.26lbs / 228.73kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1897 Model
   2 x Single mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      14 - 6.00" / 152 mm 50.0 cal guns - 114.33lbs / 51.86kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1897 Model
   10 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
  10 hull mounts in casemates- Limited use in all but light seas
   4 x Single mounts layout not set
      10 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm 45.0 cal guns - 13.62lbs / 6.18kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck mounts, 1897 Model
   10 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
  10 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 2,745 lbs / 1,245 kg
      Main Torpedoes
      4 - 18.0" / 457 mm, 19.00 ft / 5.79 m torpedoes - 0.618 t each, 2.471 t total
 In 4 sets of deck mounted carriage/fixed tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 200.00 ft / 60.96 m 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
 Ends: 4.50" / 114 mm 145.00 ft / 44.20 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
   Main Belt covers 89 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  1.00" / 25 mm 200.00 ft / 60.96 m 23.00 ft / 7.01 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 43.00 ft / 13.11 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  6.00" / 152 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  4.00" / 102 mm
 3rd: 1.00" / 25 mm       -         -

   - Protected deck - single deck:
 For and Aft decks: 2.00" / 51 mm
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 6.00" / 152 mm, Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines, 
 Direct drive, 2 shafts, 17,193 ihp / 12,826 Kw = 20.00 kts
 Range 3,500nm at 12.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 1,203 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 464 - 604

Cost:
 £0.820 million / $3.280 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 612 tons, 6.7 %
    - Guns: 609 tons, 6.7 %
    - Weapons: 3 tons, 0.0 %
 Armour: 2,895 tons, 31.9 %
    - Belts: 1,602 tons, 17.7 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 170 tons, 1.9 %
    - Armament: 466 tons, 5.1 %
    - Armour Deck: 600 tons, 6.6 %
    - Conning Tower: 56 tons, 0.6 %
 Machinery: 2,528 tons, 27.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,993 tons, 22.0 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,045 tons, 11.5 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   8,570 lbs / 3,887 Kg = 17.1 x 10.0 " / 254 mm shells or 3.0 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.48
 Metacentric height 4.6 ft / 1.4 m
 Roll period: 11.8 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 71 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.33
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.33

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.667 / 0.672
 Length to Beam Ratio: 5.75 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 18.57 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 59 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 53
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -7.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -3.00 ft / -0.91 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m,  17.00 ft / 5.18 m
    - Aft deck: 30.00 %,  17.00 ft / 5.18 m,  17.00 ft / 5.18 m
    - Quarter deck: 20.00 %,  17.00 ft / 5.18 m,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Average freeboard:  17.53 ft / 5.34 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 153.3 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 113.2 %
 Waterplane Area: 16,105 Square feet or 1,496 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 93 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 96 lbs/sq ft or 469 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.90
  - Longitudinal: 2.63
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Adequate accommodation and workspace room
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

GB/CA/1905 A2 Design

2008-06-16T17:49:00.000-07:00

This is my GB/CA/1905 A2 armoured cruiser design. This is the sort of ship that would have been built if a dreadnought cruiser had not been built. My tweak was to not have superfiring 9.2in turrets on the beam, as they are not practical, in my view. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CA/1905 A2 Design, Great Britain Armoured Cruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1909)

Displacement:
 16,516 t light; 17,478 t standard; 20,663 t normal; 23,211 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (572.00 ft / 565.00 ft) x 80.00 ft x (25.00 / 27.60 ft)
 (174.35 m / 172.21 m) x 24.38 m  x (7.62 / 8.41 m)

Armament:
      16 - 9.20" / 234 mm 50.0 cal guns - 380.00lbs / 172.37kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1905 Model
   2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
   6 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
      16 - 4.00" / 102 mm 50.0 cal guns - 31.99lbs / 14.51kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1905 Model
   16 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
  16 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 6,592 lbs / 2,990 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 350.00 ft / 106.68 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: 4.00" / 102 mm 205.00 ft / 62.48 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
   10.00 ft / 3.05 m Unarmoured ends
   Main Belt covers 95 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  1.50" / 38 mm 350.00 ft / 106.68 m 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 48.00 ft / 14.63 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 5.00" / 127 mm  6.00" / 152 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 2.00" / 51 mm
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 6.00" / 152 mm, Aft 5.00" / 127 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 60,277 shp / 44,967 Kw = 25.50 kts
 Range 5,600nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 5,732 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 861 - 1,120

Cost:
 £1.715 million / $6.860 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,740 tons, 8.4 %
    - Guns: 1,740 tons, 8.4 %
 Armour: 5,606 tons, 27.1 %
    - Belts: 1,954 tons, 9.5 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 486 tons, 2.4 %
    - Armament: 1,710 tons, 8.3 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,278 tons, 6.2 %
    - Conning Towers: 178 tons, 0.9 %
 Machinery: 3,014 tons, 14.6 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 6,155 tons, 29.8 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,147 tons, 20.1 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   30,739 lbs / 13,943 Kg = 79.0 x 9.2 " / 234 mm shells or 4.2 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.22
 Metacentric height 5.2 ft / 1.6 m
 Roll period: 14.8 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 61 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.61
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.20

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.640 / 0.651
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.06 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 23.77 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 54 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 51
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -3.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 25.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Aft deck: 18.00 %,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Quarter deck: 27.00 %,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m
    - Average freeboard:  22.04 ft / 6.72 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 132.6 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 182.2 %
 Waterplane Area: 34,309 Square feet or 3,187 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 112 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 141 lbs/sq ft or 687 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.96
  - Longitudinal: 1.46
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room

My latest attempt at the Ger/CB/1906 design

2008-06-09T17:51:00.001-07:00

This is my Ger/CB/1906 design that dates from 1971. The ship was a German battlecruiser of nominally 33 knots and 8-12in guns. The protection is light to achieve the speed with a decent armament. This is the Springsharp report:

Ger/CB/1906, Germany Battlecruiser laid down 1906 (Engine 1911)

Displacement:
 26,585 t light; 27,623 t standard; 30,688 t normal; 33,140 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (807.00 ft / 800.00 ft) x 85.00 ft x (25.60 / 27.30 ft)
 (245.97 m / 243.84 m) x 25.91 m  x (7.80 / 8.32 m)

Armament:
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 871.37lbs / 395.24kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1906 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      8 - 6.00" / 152 mm 50.0 cal guns - 114.33lbs / 51.86kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1906 Model
   8 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      Weight of broadside 7,886 lbs / 3,577 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 450.00 ft / 137.16 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 87 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  1.50" / 38 mm 450.00 ft / 137.16 m 25.60 ft / 7.80 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 58.00 ft / 17.68 m

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

   - Protected deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 6.00" / 152 mm, Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 175,979 shp / 131,281 Kw = 32.80 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 5,517 tons

Complement:
 1,159 - 1,507

Cost:
 £2.677 million / $10.708 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,509 tons, 4.9 %
    - Guns: 1,509 tons, 4.9 %
 Armour: 6,597 tons, 21.5 %
    - Belts: 1,305 tons, 4.3 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 639 tons, 2.1 %
    - Armament: 1,703 tons, 5.6 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,822 tons, 9.2 %
    - Conning Tower: 127 tons, 0.4 %
 Machinery: 7,142 tons, 23.3 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 11,337 tons, 36.9 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,103 tons, 13.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   38,555 lbs / 17,488 Kg = 44.6 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 4.1 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.17
 Metacentric height 5.2 ft / 1.6 m
 Roll period: 15.6 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 55 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.69
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.10

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.617 / 0.625
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.41 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 28.28 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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 27.00 %,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Aft deck: 14.00 %,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Quarter deck: 29.00 %,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Average freeboard:  25.04 ft / 7.63 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 143.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 224.2 %
 Waterplane Area: 50,528 Square feet or 4,694 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 110 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 160 lbs/sq ft or 781 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 1.00
  - Longitudinal: 1.02
  - Overall: 1.00
 Cramped machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room

Another look at the British semi-Dreadnought: GB/BB/1903

2008-05-26T10:02:00.000-07:00

The British almost built a class of battleships that were in the "semi-Dreadnought" category. They would have carried 4-12in and 12-9.2in guns. They were what the Lord Nelson and Agamenon should have been. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/BB/1903, Great Britain Battleship laid down 1903 (Engine 1908)

Displacement:
 18,189 t light; 19,180 t standard; 21,093 t normal; 22,623 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (483.00 ft / 475.00 ft) x 82.00 ft x (27.00 / 28.71 ft)
 (147.22 m / 144.78 m) x 24.99 m  x (8.23 / 8.75 m)

Armament:
      4 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 850.00lbs / 385.55kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1903 Model
   2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      12 - 9.20" / 234 mm 50.0 cal guns - 380.00lbs / 172.37kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1903 Model
   6 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
      16 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm 50.0 cal guns - 14.29lbs / 6.48kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1903 Model
   16 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
  16 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 8,189 lbs / 3,714 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 315.00 ft / 96.01 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: 5.00" / 127 mm 160.00 ft / 48.77 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Upper: 9.00" / 229 mm 315.00 ft / 96.01 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 102 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  2.00" / 51 mm 315.00 ft / 96.01 m 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 58.00 ft / 17.68 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: 10.0" / 254 mm 7.00" / 178 mm  10.0" / 254 mm
 3rd: 2.00" / 51 mm 2.00" / 51 mm  2.00" / 51 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 12.00" / 305 mm, Aft 9.00" / 229 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 21,257 ihp / 15,857 Kw = 19.00 kts
 Range 4,500nm at 14.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 3,443 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 874 - 1,137

Cost:
 £1.772 million / $7.089 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,918 tons, 9.1 %
    - Guns: 1,918 tons, 9.1 %
 Armour: 8,378 tons, 39.7 %
    - Belts: 3,019 tons, 14.3 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 629 tons, 3.0 %
    - Armament: 2,635 tons, 12.5 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,749 tons, 8.3 %
    - Conning Towers: 345 tons, 1.6 %
 Machinery: 1,932 tons, 9.2 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 5,961 tons, 28.3 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,904 tons, 13.8 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   30,266 lbs / 13,728 Kg = 35.0 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 5.1 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.12
 Metacentric height 4.6 ft / 1.4 m
 Roll period: 16.1 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 79 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.76
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.59

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.702 / 0.708
 Length to Beam Ratio: 5.79 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 21.79 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 48 %
 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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Aft deck: 30.00 %,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Quarter deck: 20.00 %,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Average freeboard:  20.23 ft / 6.17 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 95.4 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 134.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 31,275 Square feet or 2,906 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 103 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 154 lbs/sq ft or 752 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.93
  - Longitudinal: 1.93
  - Overall: 1.00
 Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

A well-protected battlecruiser: GB/CB/1905

2008-05-24T18:03:00.000-07:00

I still do not see any reason why there could not be a well-protected British battlecruiser laid down in 1905. The ship has coal-fired boilers and direct-drive turbines. The belt is 10in and the deck in 3in. The four turrets are distributed on the centerline, with one forward and one aft. The 16-4in QF guns are stacked casemates with 4in protection. The speed is 25 knots. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CB/1905, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1909)

Displacement:
 20,474 t light; 21,583 t standard; 24,985 t normal; 27,707 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (642.00 ft / 634.00 ft) x 82.00 ft x (27.00 / 29.45 ft)
 (195.68 m / 193.24 m) x 24.99 m  x (8.23 / 8.98 m)

Armament:
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 850.00lbs / 385.55kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1905 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline, evenly spread
      16 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in casemate mounts, 1905 Model
   16 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
  8 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 7,312 lbs / 3,317 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 10.0" / 254 mm 420.00 ft / 128.02 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: 4.00" / 102 mm 114.00 ft / 34.75 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
   100.00 ft / 30.48 m Unarmoured ends
 Upper: 7.00" / 178 mm 420.00 ft / 128.02 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 102 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  2.00" / 51 mm 420.00 ft / 128.02 m 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 62.00 ft / 18.90 m

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

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 10.00" / 254 mm, Aft 7.00" / 178 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 58,942 shp / 43,971 Kw = 25.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 6,124 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 993 - 1,291

Cost:
 £1.805 million / $7.219 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,320 tons, 5.3 %
    - Guns: 1,320 tons, 5.3 %
 Armour: 8,087 tons, 32.4 %
    - Belts: 2,801 tons, 11.2 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 839 tons, 3.4 %
    - Armament: 1,964 tons, 7.9 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,170 tons, 8.7 %
    - Conning Towers: 313 tons, 1.3 %
 Machinery: 2,947 tons, 11.8 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 8,119 tons, 32.5 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,511 tons, 18.1 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   45,024 lbs / 20,422 Kg = 52.1 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 6.8 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.16
 Metacentric height 4.9 ft / 1.5 m
 Roll period: 15.5 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 80 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.77
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.60

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.623 / 0.633
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.73 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 25.18 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 49 %
 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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 25.00 %,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Aft deck: 17.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Quarter deck: 28.00 %,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Average freeboard:  23.86 ft / 7.27 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 85.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 193.7 %
 Waterplane Area: 38,846 Square feet or 3,609 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 122 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 148 lbs/sq ft or 723 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.95
  - Longitudinal: 1.57
  - Overall: 1.00
 Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

I am a bit disappointed with the latest Springsharp beta

2008-05-12T17:31:00.000-07:00

The latest Springsharp beta still does not allow me to have higher power output machinery. As far back as a 1905 design (HMS Swift), the British were able to achieve a 60 SHP/ton of machinery weight propulsion plant. Admittedly, that was with the machinery being stressed, but I do not believe overly so. I cannot find a way to do better than 50 SHP/ton and I believe that the power required is too great for the size of ship. All you have to do is consult a Conways and look at the British Tribal class destroyerss bujild from 1937 and later. For a nominal 44,000 SHP, the could reach a nominal speed of 36.25 to 36.5 knots. For a comparably-sized ship, Springsharp requires an absurd 78,440 SHP to reach 37 knots. This is the Springsharp report:

Super Swift, Great Britain Scout Cruiser laid down 1912 (Engine 1950)

Displacement:
 2,225 t light; 2,291 t standard; 2,445 t normal; 2,568 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (380.73 ft / 378.00 ft) x 37.00 ft x (13.75 / 14.24 ft)
 (116.05 m / 115.21 m) x 11.28 m  x (4.19 / 4.34 m)

Armament:
      6 - 4.00" / 102 mm 50.0 cal guns - 33.88lbs / 15.37kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1912 Model
   2 x Single mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
   4 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      Weight of broadside 203 lbs / 92 kg
      Main Torpedoes
      2 - 18.0" / 457 mm, 21.00 ft / 6.40 m torpedoes - 0.905 t each, 1.810 t total
 In 2 sets of deck mounted centre rotating tubes

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, 
 Direct drive, 2 shafts, 78,440 shp / 58,517 Kw = 37.00 kts
 Range 3,750nm at 14.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 277 tons

Complement:
 173 - 226

Cost:
 £0.304 million / $1.216 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 66 tons, 2.7 %
    - Guns: 62 tons, 2.6 %
    - Weapons: 4 tons, 0.1 %
 Armour: 37 tons, 1.5 %
    - Armament: 37 tons, 1.5 %
 Machinery: 1,460 tons, 59.7 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 662 tons, 27.1 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 220 tons, 9.0 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   510 lbs / 232 Kg = 15.9 x 4.0 " / 102 mm shells or 0.4 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.31
 Metacentric height 1.8 ft / 0.6 m
 Roll period: 11.5 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 51 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.26
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.02

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak,
   a normal bow and a round stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.445 / 0.451
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.22 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 19.44 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 71 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 6.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 16.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Forward deck: 18.00 %,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Aft deck: 51.00 %,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m
    - Average freeboard:  18.85 ft / 5.74 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 200.6 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 145.1 %
 Waterplane Area: 8,885 Square feet or 825 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 61 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 34 lbs/sq ft or 167 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.42
  - Longitudinal: 2.79
  - Overall: 0.51
 Extremely poor machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room

The battlecruiser analog of the GB/BB/1906: the GB/CB/1906

2008-05-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

The battlecruiser version of the GB/BB/1906 naturally has lighter armour and higher speed. The lower belt is still 8in thick, so it is not another Invincible. The speed is also higher at 27 knots (although I had heard that an invincible might be able to make higher speed). The ships have 8-12in/45 and 16-4in QF guns. This is the Springsharp report:

\GB/BB/1906, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1906 (Engine 1911)

Displacement:
 20,854 t light; 21,808 t standard; 26,192 t normal; 29,700 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (645.00 ft / 638.00 ft) x 82.00 ft x (27.00 / 30.07 ft)
 (196.60 m / 194.46 m) x 24.99 m  x (8.23 / 9.16 m)

Armament:
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 871.37lbs / 395.24kg shells, 100 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1906 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      16 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.27lbs / 14.64kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1906 Model
   16 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
  8 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 7,487 lbs / 3,396 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 8.00" / 203 mm 430.00 ft / 131.06 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 6.00" / 152 mm 430.00 ft / 131.06 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 104 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  2.00" / 51 mm 430.00 ft / 131.06 m 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 56.00 ft / 17.07 m

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

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 2.00" / 51 mm
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 11.00" / 279 mm, Aft 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 82,731 shp / 61,717 Kw = 27.00 kts
 Range 7,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 7,891 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 1,029 - 1,338

Cost:
 £1.923 million / $7.691 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,331 tons, 5.1 %
    - Guns: 1,331 tons, 5.1 %
 Armour: 7,070 tons, 27.0 %
    - Belts: 2,188 tons, 8.4 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 859 tons, 3.3 %
    - Armament: 2,171 tons, 8.3 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,491 tons, 5.7 %
    - Conning Towers: 361 tons, 1.4 %
 Machinery: 3,693 tons, 14.1 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 8,759 tons, 33.4 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,338 tons, 20.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   42,557 lbs / 19,303 Kg = 49.3 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 6.1 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.12
 Metacentric height 4.6 ft / 1.4 m
 Roll period: 16.0 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 65 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.82
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.29

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.649 / 0.661
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.78 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 25.26 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
 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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 25.00 %,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Aft deck: 14.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Quarter deck: 31.00 %,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Average freeboard:  24.12 ft / 7.35 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 102.2 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 195.2 %
 Waterplane Area: 40,040 Square feet or 3,720 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 125 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 155 lbs/sq ft or 758 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.95
  - Longitudinal: 1.52
  - Overall: 1.00
 Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

My 1906 British fast battleship

2008-05-08T17:51:00.000-07:00

I have had a concept for a British fast battleship for 1906. The boilers are coal-fired and the machinery is direct-drive turbines. I like to use a good bit of length to achieve speed, to keep other characteristics in check. This is a ship with 8-12in/45 and 16-4in QF guns. The armour basis is 10in with a 2in deck. Since the tiny Michigan and South Carolina had superfiring guns, I figure that the ships should have them as well. The "all-or-nothing" armour scheme is rather edgy, I admit. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/BB/1906, Great Britain Battleship laid down 1906 (Engine 1911)

Displacement:
 19,696 t light; 20,703 t standard; 24,948 t normal; 28,343 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (635.00 ft / 628.00 ft) x 82.00 ft x (27.00 / 30.07 ft)
 (193.55 m / 191.41 m) x 24.99 m  x (8.23 / 9.17 m)

Armament:
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 871.37lbs / 395.24kg shells, 120 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1906 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      16 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.27lbs / 14.64kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1906 Model
   16 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
  8 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 7,487 lbs / 3,396 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 10.0" / 254 mm 410.00 ft / 124.97 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 8.00" / 203 mm 410.00 ft / 124.97 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 100 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  2.00" / 51 mm 410.00 ft / 124.97 m 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 56.00 ft / 17.07 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 11.0" / 279 mm 9.00" / 229 mm  11.0" / 279 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 2.00" / 51 mm
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 11.00" / 279 mm, Aft 8.00" / 203 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 50,568 shp / 37,724 Kw = 24.00 kts
 Range 7,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 7,640 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 992 - 1,290

Cost:
 £1.681 million / $6.724 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,331 tons, 5.3 %
    - Guns: 1,331 tons, 5.3 %
 Armour: 7,625 tons, 30.6 %
    - Belts: 2,694 tons, 10.8 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 819 tons, 3.3 %
    - Armament: 2,323 tons, 9.3 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,439 tons, 5.8 %
    - Conning Towers: 349 tons, 1.4 %
 Machinery: 2,257 tons, 9.0 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 8,483 tons, 34.0 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,251 tons, 21.0 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   50,065 lbs / 22,709 Kg = 57.9 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 8.4 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.09
 Metacentric height 4.4 ft / 1.3 m
 Roll period: 16.5 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 81 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.95
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.63

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.628 / 0.641
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.66 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 25.06 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 47 %
 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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 25.00 %,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Aft deck: 14.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Quarter deck: 31.00 %,  17.00 ft / 5.18 m,  17.00 ft / 5.18 m
    - Average freeboard:  23.12 ft / 7.05 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 80.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 188.1 %
 Waterplane Area: 38,657 Square feet or 3,591 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 134 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 157 lbs/sq ft or 765 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.96
  - Longitudinal: 1.57
  - Overall: 1.00
 Excellent machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

GB/CB/1914: my first Springsharp 3.0 3rd Beta design

2008-05-06T02:46:00.000-07:00

I finally downloaded the third Springsharp 3.0 3rd Beta version. I decided to try the large, fast battlecruiser with 12in armour: the GB/CB/1914. This is a design that is more archaic looking than the Hood, but a stronger and more heavily armed ship:

GB/CB/1914, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1914 (Engine 1921)

Displacement:
 40,459 t light; 42,785 t standard; 45,940 t normal; 48,465 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (821.00 ft / 814.00 ft) x 108.00 ft x (31.00 / 32.39 ft)
 (250.24 m / 248.11 m) x 32.92 m  x (9.45 / 9.87 m)

Armament:
      10 - 15.00" / 381 mm 42.0 cal guns - 1,920.01lbs / 870.90kg shells, 120 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1914 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
   1 x Twin mount on centreline, forward deck aft
      14 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 108.93lbs / 49.41kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1914 Model
   14 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
  14 hull mounts in casemates- Limited use in heavy seas
      Weight of broadside 20,725 lbs / 9,401 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 570.00 ft / 173.74 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 9.00" / 229 mm 570.00 ft / 173.74 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 108 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead - Additional damage containing bulkheads:
  2.00" / 51 mm 570.00 ft / 173.74 m 31.00 ft / 9.45 m
 Beam between torpedo bulkheads 86.00 ft / 26.21 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 4.00" / 102 mm  5.00" / 127 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks:
 For and Aft decks: 3.00" / 76 mm
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 12.00" / 305 mm, Aft 9.00" / 229 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 160,033 shp / 119,385 Kw = 30.00 kts
 Range 7,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 5,680 tons

Complement:
 1,568 - 2,039

Cost:
 £4.688 million / $18.752 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 2,794 tons, 6.1 %
    - Guns: 2,794 tons, 6.1 %
 Armour: 14,133 tons, 30.8 %
    - Belts: 4,307 tons, 9.4 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,308 tons, 2.8 %
    - Armament: 4,380 tons, 9.5 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,557 tons, 7.7 %
    - Conning Towers: 580 tons, 1.3 %
 Machinery: 5,511 tons, 12.0 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 18,021 tons, 39.2 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,481 tons, 11.9 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   74,422 lbs / 33,757 Kg = 44.1 x 15.0 " / 381 mm shells or 11.0 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.14
 Metacentric height 7.2 ft / 2.2 m
 Roll period: 16.9 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 62 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.84
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.25

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.590 / 0.596
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.54 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 28.53 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 51 %
 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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 25.00 %,  31.00 ft / 9.45 m,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Aft deck: 14.00 %,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Quarter deck: 31.00 %,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Average freeboard:  26.12 ft / 7.96 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 88.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 219.3 %
 Waterplane Area: 63,699 Square feet or 5,918 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 117 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 212 lbs/sq ft or 1,036 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.97
  - Longitudinal: 1.37
  - Overall: 1.00
 Adequate machinery, storage, compartmentation space
 Excellent accommodation and workspace room
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

The new Springsharp Beta is available

2008-04-25T05:25:00.000-07:00

I just received an email from Ian Ross-Gowan saying that the third Beta of Springsharp is now available for download.

The CSS Virginia photo

2008-04-24T17:55:00.001-07:00

I have my CSS Virginia photograph posted at the "My Victorian Navy" blog along with the specs.

The GB/CA/1906 design

2008-04-18T16:49:00.001-07:00

I am not sure why this ship now works so well, but it does. This is the alternative to the armoured cruisers actually built. The armament is 16-9.2in/50 and 16-4in QF guns. The armour basis is 6in, with a 2in deck. The speed is 25.5 knots. The ship is powered by steam turbines and the boilers are coal-fired. The photograph is of one of these ships. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CA/1906, Great Britain Armoured Cruiser laid down 1906 (Engine 1911)

Displacement:
 16,589 t light; 17,545 t standard; 20,283 t normal; 22,474 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (587.00 ft / 580.00 ft) x 80.00 ft x (25.00 / 27.23 ft)
 (178.92 m / 176.78 m) x 24.38 m  x (7.62 / 8.30 m)

Armament:
      4 - 9.20" / 234 mm 50.0 cal guns - 380.00lbs / 172.37kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1906 Model
   2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      12 - 9.20" / 234 mm 50.0 cal guns - 380.00lbs / 172.37kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1906 Model
   6 x Twin mounts on sides, forward deck aft
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      16 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.27lbs / 14.64kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1906 Model
   16 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
  4 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 6,596 lbs / 2,992 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 405.00 ft / 123.44 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: 4.00" / 102 mm 175.00 ft / 53.34 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
   Main Belt covers 107 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  1.00" / 25 mm 405.00 ft / 123.44 m 25.00 ft / 7.62 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  6.00" / 152 mm
 2nd: 6.00" / 152 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  6.00" / 152 mm
 3rd: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 2.00" / 51 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 6.00" / 152 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 58,126 shp / 43,362 Kw = 25.50 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,930 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 849 - 1,104

Cost:
 £1.655 million / $6.619 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,725 tons, 8.5 %
 Armour: 5,550 tons, 27.4 %
    - Belts: 2,061 tons, 10.2 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 375 tons, 1.8 %
    - Armament: 1,739 tons, 8.6 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,279 tons, 6.3 %
    - Conning Tower: 96 tons, 0.5 %
 Machinery: 2,595 tons, 12.8 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 6,720 tons, 33.1 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,694 tons, 18.2 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   32,664 lbs / 14,816 Kg = 83.9 x 9.2 " / 234 mm shells or 4.5 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.16
 Metacentric height 4.7 ft / 1.4 m
 Roll period: 15.5 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 67 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.76
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.34

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.612 / 0.622
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.25 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 24.08 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
 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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Aft deck: 22.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Quarter deck: 28.00 %,  17.00 ft / 5.18 m,  17.00 ft / 5.18 m
    - Average freeboard:  23.19 ft / 7.07 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 99.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 194.7 %
 Waterplane Area: 34,318 Square feet or 3,188 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 116 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 149 lbs/sq ft or 727 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.95
  - Longitudinal: 1.65
  - 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

"HMS Unapproachable": a new attempt

2008-04-17T09:53:00.000-07:00

After looking at this photograph again, I decided to see if I could make a reasonable Springsharp design for the original concept: 4-9.2in, 12-7.5in, and possibly 16-4in guns. The ship is based on the sketch in Dr. Oscar Parkes' book British Battleships. The ship can fire 2-9.2 and 8-7.5 guns forward and aft, if blast effects are accepted. The broadside is 4-9.2in and 6-7.5in guns. A not-so minor detail is that the original concept may have had reciprocating engines,but I don't think that it is too great a stretch to use steam turbines. This is the Springsharp report:

Unapproachable, Great Britain Armoured Cruiser laid down 1904 (Engine 1909)

Displacement:
 14,711 t light; 15,446 t standard; 18,283 t normal; 20,552 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (572.00 ft / 565.00 ft) x 78.00 ft x (24.00 / 26.45 ft)
 (174.35 m / 172.21 m) x 23.77 m  x (7.32 / 8.06 m)

Armament:
      4 - 9.20" / 234 mm 50.0 cal guns - 380.00lbs / 172.37kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1904 Model
   2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      12 - 7.50" / 191 mm 50.0 cal guns - 200.00lbs / 90.72kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1904 Model
   6 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
  6 raised mounts
      16 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1904 Model
   16 x Single mounts on sides amidships
  16 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 4,432 lbs / 2,010 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 410.00 ft / 124.97 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: 4.00" / 102 mm 155.00 ft / 47.24 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
   Main Belt covers 112 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  1.00" / 25 mm 410.00 ft / 124.97 m 24.00 ft / 7.32 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  6.00" / 152 mm
 2nd: 5.00" / 127 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  5.00" / 127 mm
 3rd: 4.00" / 102 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 2.00" / 51 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 6.00" / 152 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines,
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 50,795 shp / 37,893 Kw = 25.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 5,105 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 785 - 1,021

Cost:
 £1.346 million / $5.386 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,170 tons, 6.4 %
 Armour: 5,064 tons, 27.7 %
    - Belts: 2,020 tons, 11.0 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 364 tons, 2.0 %
    - Armament: 1,382 tons, 7.6 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,208 tons, 6.6 %
    - Conning Tower: 90 tons, 0.5 %
 Machinery: 2,540 tons, 13.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 5,938 tons, 32.5 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,571 tons, 19.5 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   29,620 lbs / 13,435 Kg = 76.1 x 9.2 " / 234 mm shells or 4.5 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.17
 Metacentric height 4.6 ft / 1.4 m
 Roll period: 15.2 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 66 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.54
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.33

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.605 / 0.617
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.24 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 23.77 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 52 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -3.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Aft deck: 35.00 %,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Average freeboard:  21.63 ft / 6.59 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 93.8 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 168.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 32,383 Square feet or 3,008 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 125 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 138 lbs/sq ft or 671 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.96
  - Longitudinal: 1.49
  - 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

My early concept for a large German battleship: the Ger/BB/1940

2008-04-16T17:05:00.000-07:00

When I was young and had not seen the specifications for the German battleship Bismarck, I had my own concept for what the ship would be like. It would be at least 900ft long and have 16in guns. Ten guns seemed like a good number, although I should have known that the Bismarck had only eight large guns. This is my attempt at recreating my original design concept:

Ger/BB/1940, Germany Battleship laid down 1940

Displacement:
 63,666 t light; 67,025 t standard; 73,315 t normal; 78,347 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (934.70 ft / 920.00 ft) x 130.00 ft x (35.00 / 36.99 ft)
 (284.90 m / 280.42 m) x 39.62 m  x (10.67 / 11.27 m)

Armament:
      10 - 16.00" / 406 mm 45.0 cal guns - 2,065.00lbs / 936.67kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1940 Model
   2 x Triple mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
   2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts
      12 - 6.00" / 152 mm 55.0 cal guns - 115.00lbs / 52.16kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1940 Model
   6 x Twin mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      16 - 4.10" / 104 mm 55.0 cal guns - 37.20lbs / 16.87kg shells, 150 per gun
   Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1940 Model
   8 x Twin mounts on sides, aft deck forward
  8 raised mounts
      48 - 1.46" / 37.0 mm 60.0 cal guns - 1.69lbs / 0.77kg shells, 150 per gun
   Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1940 Model
   24 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
  16 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 22,706 lbs / 10,299 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 16.0" / 406 mm 610.00 ft / 185.93 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: 6.00" / 152 mm 310.00 ft / 94.49 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
   Main Belt covers 102 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  6.00" / 152 mm 610.00 ft / 185.93 m 35.00 ft / 10.67 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 16.0" / 406 mm 12.0" / 305 mm  16.0" / 406 mm
 2nd: 6.00" / 152 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  6.00" / 152 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 6.00" / 152 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 6.00" / 152 mm  Quarter deck: 6.00" / 152 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 16.00" / 406 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 208,569 shp / 155,592 Kw = 30.00 kts
 Range 12,000nm at 17.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 11,322 tons

Complement:
 2,227 - 2,896

Cost:
 £31.038 million / $124.154 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 3,929 tons, 5.4 %
 Armour: 29,117 tons, 39.7 %
    - Belts: 7,807 tons, 10.6 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 4,740 tons, 6.5 %
    - Armament: 6,058 tons, 8.3 %
    - Armour Deck: 9,908 tons, 13.5 %
    - Conning Tower: 604 tons, 0.8 %
 Machinery: 5,577 tons, 7.6 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 25,044 tons, 34.2 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 9,648 tons, 13.2 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   147,419 lbs / 66,868 Kg = 72.0 x 16.0 " / 406 mm shells or 35.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.25
 Metacentric height 11.2 ft / 3.4 m
 Roll period: 16.3 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 63 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.41
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.27

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   an extended bulbous bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.613 / 0.620
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.08 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 30.33 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 50 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 17.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 4.00 ft / 1.22 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  35.00 ft / 10.67 m,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Aft deck: 35.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Average freeboard:  27.28 ft / 8.31 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 62.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 200.1 %
 Waterplane Area: 88,540 Square feet or 8,226 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 120 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 222 lbs/sq ft or 1,082 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.98
  - Longitudinal: 1.14
  - 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

Why is this so good? (i.e., what is wrong with it?)

2008-04-06T17:19:00.000-07:00

My design for a US/CL/1941 design is so good, I have to ask "what did I do wrong?" The design seems too good to be true. The ship carries 15-6in QF, 12-5in DP, and 48-40mm AA gus at a speed of 35 knots. The range is 8,500nm at 17 knots. I would think that the protection is adequate, by the standard of ships actually built. This is the Springsharp report:

US/CL/1941, United States Light Cruiser laid down 1941 (Engine 1950)

Displacement:
 13,114 t light; 13,632 t standard; 15,286 t normal; 16,609 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (660.91 ft / 654.00 ft) x 67.00 ft x (22.00 / 23.45 ft)
 (201.45 m / 199.34 m) x 20.42 m  x (6.71 / 7.15 m)

Armament:
      15 - 6.00" / 152 mm 55.0 cal guns - 116.57lbs / 52.88kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1941 Model
   5 x Triple mounts on centreline ends, majority forward
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      12 - 5.00" / 127 mm 38.0 cal guns - 59.33lbs / 26.91kg shells, 150 per gun
   Dual purpose guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1941 Model
   6 x Twin mounts on sides, forward deck aft
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      48 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm 55.0 cal guns - 2.00lbs / 0.91kg shells, 150 per gun
   Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1941 Model
   8 x Quad mounts on sides, aft deck forward
  4 raised mounts - superfiring
      Weight of broadside 2,557 lbs / 1,160 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 435.00 ft / 132.59 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 102 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  0.80" / 20 mm 435.00 ft / 132.59 m 22.00 ft / 6.71 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm
 2nd: 1.00" / 25 mm 1.00" / 25 mm  1.00" / 25 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 3.00" / 76 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 4.00" / 102 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 135,115 shp / 100,796 Kw = 35.00 kts
 Range 8,500nm at 17.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 2,977 tons

Complement:
 686 - 893

Cost:
 £7.285 million / $29.140 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 651 tons, 4.3 %
 Armour: 3,541 tons, 23.2 %
    - Belts: 861 tons, 5.6 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 283 tons, 1.9 %
    - Armament: 553 tons, 3.6 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,790 tons, 11.7 %
    - Conning Tower: 53 tons, 0.3 %
 Machinery: 3,232 tons, 21.1 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 5,689 tons, 37.2 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,173 tons, 14.2 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   22,862 lbs / 10,370 Kg = 211.7 x 6.0 " / 152 mm shells or 2.9 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.11
 Metacentric height 3.4 ft / 1.0 m
 Roll period: 15.3 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 54 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.52
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.07

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   an extended bulbous bow and large transom stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.555 / 0.566
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.76 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 29.06 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 60 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 9.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  31.00 ft / 9.45 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Aft deck: 35.00 %,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Average freeboard:  24.53 ft / 7.48 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 121.5 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 210.4 %
 Waterplane Area: 31,990 Square feet or 2,972 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 122 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 116 lbs/sq ft or 568 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.95
  - Longitudinal: 1.60
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

A GB/CA/1921 design

2008-03-30T17:08:00.000-07:00

This is another attempt at a fast, British 1921-style heavy armoured cruiser. The ship has 9-10in/50, 16-5.5in/50 QF, 6-4.7in AA, and 24-2pdr AA guns. The armour basis is 8in. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CA/1921, Great Britain Armoured Cruiser laid down 1921 (Engine 1937)

Displacement:
 24,231 t light; 25,234 t standard; 26,899 t normal; 28,230 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (760.07 ft / 755.00 ft) x 88.00 ft x (26.00 / 26.99 ft)
 (231.67 m / 230.12 m) x 26.82 m  x (7.92 / 8.23 m)

Armament:
      9 - 10.00" / 254 mm 50.0 cal guns - 529.32lbs / 240.10kg shells, 120 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1921 Model
   3 x Triple mounts on centreline ends, majority forward
  1 raised mount - superfiring
      16 - 5.50" / 140 mm 50.0 cal guns - 88.07lbs / 39.95kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1921 Model
   8 x Twin mounts on sides, aft deck forward
  4 raised mounts - superfiring
      6 - 4.70" / 119 mm 45.0 cal guns - 52.35lbs / 23.75kg shells, 150 per gun
   Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1921 Model
   6 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
  6 raised mounts
      24 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 1.97lbs / 0.89kg shells, 150 per gun
   Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1921 Model
   6 x 2 row quad mounts on sides, evenly spread
  6 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 6,534 lbs / 2,964 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 8.00" / 203 mm 435.00 ft / 132.59 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 89 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  1.00" / 25 mm 435.00 ft / 132.59 m 26.00 ft / 7.92 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 9.00" / 229 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  9.00" / 229 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 3.00" / 76 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 8.00" / 203 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 173,434 shp / 129,382 Kw = 34.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 17.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 2,996 tons

Complement:
 1,049 - 1,365

Cost:
 £5.593 million / $22.373 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,632 tons, 6.1 %
 Armour: 7,509 tons, 27.9 %
    - Belts: 2,386 tons, 8.9 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 418 tons, 1.6 %
    - Armament: 1,904 tons, 7.1 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,646 tons, 9.8 %
    - Conning Tower: 155 tons, 0.6 %
 Machinery: 4,807 tons, 17.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 10,284 tons, 38.2 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,668 tons, 9.9 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   39,909 lbs / 18,103 Kg = 79.8 x 10.0 " / 254 mm shells or 4.9 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.11
 Metacentric height 5.0 ft / 1.5 m
 Roll period: 16.4 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 54 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.53
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.08

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   an extended bulbous bow and small transom stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.545 / 0.551
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.58 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 29.60 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 57 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 9.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  32.00 ft / 9.75 m,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Aft deck: 35.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Average freeboard:  26.37 ft / 8.04 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 105.3 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 220.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 47,286 Square feet or 4,393 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 114 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 159 lbs/sq ft or 775 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.97
  - Longitudinal: 1.34
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

I was interested to read about A.P. Tulley's research

2008-03-22T15:43:00.000-07:00

John W. Fox, on the NavWarGames Yahoo Group, pointed out a good article by A.P. Tulley about how the mystery surrounding the loss of the Japanese battleship Kongo was solved. My research is about the 1650's and the Dutch navy, but I can relate to Tully's persistence in solving the mystery about the Kongo's loss. Not many writers even realized that there was a mystery.

A Belted Cruiser: the GB/CA/1905

2008-03-19T16:40:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about 1880's design standards. One thread of development in that period were belted cruisers. They had a relatively thick, but narrow belt of armour. That was the main protection, although there would have been some deck armour, as well. My design has 8-9.2in/50 BLR and 16-4in QF guns. The belt is just 10ft wide, but is 8in thick. The speed is a more modern 25 knots. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CA/1905, Great Britain Belted Cruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1910)

Displacement:
 10,209 t light; 10,764 t standard; 12,948 t normal; 14,694 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (492.00 ft / 485.00 ft) x 65.00 ft x (25.00 / 27.71 ft)
 (149.96 m / 147.83 m) x 19.81 m  x (7.62 / 8.45 m)

Armament:
      8 - 9.20" / 234 mm 50.0 cal guns - 380.00lbs / 172.37kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1905 Model
   2 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
   2 x Twin mounts on sides amidships
   Aft Main mounts separated by engine room
      16 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1905 Model
   16 x Single mounts on sides amidships
  8 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 3,552 lbs / 1,611 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 8.00" / 203 mm 390.00 ft / 118.87 m 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 124 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  1.00" / 25 mm 390.00 ft / 118.87 m 25.00 ft / 7.62 m

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

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 2.00" / 51 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 5.00" / 127 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 42,596 shp / 31,776 Kw = 25.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 3,930 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 606 - 788

Cost:
 £0.996 million / $3.985 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 909 tons, 7.0 %
 Armour: 3,453 tons, 26.7 %
    - Belts: 1,275 tons, 9.8 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 361 tons, 2.8 %
    - Armament: 919 tons, 7.1 %
    - Armour Deck: 838 tons, 6.5 %
    - Conning Tower: 59 tons, 0.5 %
 Machinery: 1,936 tons, 15.0 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 3,912 tons, 30.2 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,738 tons, 21.1 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   20,351 lbs / 9,231 Kg = 52.3 x 9.2 " / 234 mm shells or 3.1 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.17
 Metacentric height 3.5 ft / 1.1 m
 Roll period: 14.6 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 69 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.76
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.37

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.575 / 0.589
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.46 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 22.02 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 55 %
 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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 25.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Aft deck: 13.00 %,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Quarter deck: 32.00 %,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m
    - Average freeboard:  21.64 ft / 6.60 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 108.8 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 169.9 %
 Waterplane Area: 22,523 Square feet or 2,092 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 120 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 119 lbs/sq ft or 583 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.92
  - Longitudinal: 2.19
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

A fast Italian cruiser: It/CL/1942

2008-03-12T16:58:00.000-07:00

I wanted my 1942 Italian light cruiser to be pretty fast, but to have some protection. I wanted more than the Capitani Romani class. I have 9-5.3in DP guns, 8-57mm AA guns, 12-37mm AA guns, and 8-21in TT. The speed is 37 knots. The ship can theoretically survive one torpedo hit. This is the Springsharp report:

It/CL/1942, Italy Light Cruiser laid down 1942 (Engine 1950)

Displacement:
 7,691 t light; 7,935 t standard; 8,604 t normal; 9,139 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (586.59 ft / 580.00 ft) x 55.00 ft x (20.00 / 20.87 ft)
 (178.79 m / 176.78 m) x 16.76 m  x (6.10 / 6.36 m)

Armament:
      9 - 5.30" / 135 mm 50.0 cal guns - 78.00lbs / 35.38kg shells, 150 per gun
   Dual purpose guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1942 Model
   3 x Triple mounts on centreline ends, majority forward
  1 raised mount - superfiring
      8 - 2.24" / 57.0 mm 70.0 cal guns - 6.00lbs / 2.72kg shells, 0 per gun
   Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1942 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on sides, forward deck aft
  4 raised mounts
      12 - 1.46" / 37.0 mm 70.0 cal guns - 1.75lbs / 0.79kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in deck mounts, 1942 Model
   6 x Twin mounts on sides, aft deck forward
  6 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 771 lbs / 350 kg
      8 - 21.0" / 533 mm, 22.00 ft / 6.71 m torpedoes - 1.509 t each, 12.073 t total
 In 2 sets of deck mounted side rotating tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 2.00" / 51 mm 380.00 ft / 115.82 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 101 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  0.60" / 15 mm 380.00 ft / 115.82 m 20.00 ft / 6.10 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 2.00" / 51 mm 1.00" / 25 mm  2.00" / 51 mm

   - Armoured deck - single deck: 1.00" / 25 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 1.00" / 25 mm  Quarter deck: 1.00" / 25 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 2.00" / 51 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 117,970 shp / 88,006 Kw = 37.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 1,204 tons

Complement:
 446 - 580

Cost:
 £4.771 million / $19.084 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 231 tons, 2.7 %
    - Guns: 219 tons, 2.5 %
    - Torpedoes: 12 tons, 0.1 %
 Armour: 1,077 tons, 12.5 %
    - Belts: 372 tons, 4.3 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 169 tons, 2.0 %
    - Armament: 116 tons, 1.3 %
    - Armour Deck: 402 tons, 4.7 %
    - Conning Tower: 18 tons, 0.2 %
 Machinery: 2,822 tons, 32.8 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 3,561 tons, 41.4 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 913 tons, 10.6 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   8,846 lbs / 4,012 Kg = 118.8 x 5.3 " / 135 mm shells or 1.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.15
 Metacentric height 2.6 ft / 0.8 m
 Roll period: 14.2 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 54 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.31
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.10

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   an extended bulbous bow and large transom stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.472 / 0.480
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.55 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 27.46 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 62 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 49
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 9.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Aft deck: 34.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Quarter deck: 16.00 %,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Average freeboard:  22.38 ft / 6.82 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 181.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 196.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 21,544 Square feet or 2,001 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 114 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 94 lbs/sq ft or 457 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.92
  - Longitudinal: 2.17
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

An Atlanta-style light cruiser

2008-03-06T18:04:00.000-08:00

I wanted to see what an Atlanta-style fast light cruiser would be like. I call my design the "US/CL/1940 AA". My ship has 16-5in/38 DP guns and has a 34 knot speed:

US/CL/1940 AA, United States Light Cruiser laid down 1940 (Engine 1950)

Displacement:
 7,687 t light; 7,951 t standard; 8,625 t normal; 9,165 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (546.43 ft / 540.00 ft) x 54.00 ft x (20.50 / 21.43 ft)
 (166.55 m / 164.59 m) x 16.46 m  x (6.25 / 6.53 m)

Armament:
      12 - 5.00" / 127 mm 38.0 cal guns - 58.00lbs / 26.31kg shells, 150 per gun
   Dual purpose guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1940 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  4 double raised mounts
      4 - 5.00" / 127 mm 38.0 cal guns - 58.00lbs / 26.31kg shells, 150 per gun
   Dual purpose guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1940 Model
   2 x Twin mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      12 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 2.00lbs / 0.91kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in deck mounts, 1940 Model
   2 x Quad mounts on sides, aft deck forward
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
   1 x Quad mount on centreline, aft deck aft
      Weight of broadside 952 lbs / 432 kg
      8 - 21.0" / 533 mm, 22.00 ft / 6.71 m torpedoes - 1.501 t each, 12.009 t total
 In 2 sets of deck mounted side rotating tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 355.00 ft / 108.20 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 101 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  0.60" / 15 mm 355.00 ft / 108.20 m 20.50 ft / 6.25 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 2.00" / 51 mm 1.00" / 25 mm  2.00" / 51 mm
 2nd: 2.00" / 51 mm 1.00" / 25 mm  2.00" / 51 mm

   - Armoured deck - single deck: 2.00" / 51 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 5.00" / 127 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 88,421 shp / 65,962 Kw = 34.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 1,214 tons

Complement:
 446 - 581

Cost:
 £3.858 million / $15.432 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 214 tons, 2.5 %
    - Guns: 202 tons, 2.3 %
    - Torpedoes: 12 tons, 0.1 %
 Armour: 1,952 tons, 22.6 %
    - Belts: 700 tons, 8.1 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 162 tons, 1.9 %
    - Armament: 288 tons, 3.3 %
    - Armour Deck: 757 tons, 8.8 %
    - Conning Tower: 45 tons, 0.5 %
 Machinery: 2,115 tons, 24.5 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 3,406 tons, 39.5 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 938 tons, 10.9 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   11,828 lbs / 5,365 Kg = 189.2 x 5.0 " / 127 mm shells or 1.9 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.02
 Metacentric height 2.1 ft / 0.6 m
 Roll period: 15.7 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 51 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.56
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.03

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   an extended bulbous bow and large transom stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.505 / 0.513
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.00 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 26.50 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 62 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 49
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 9.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Aft deck: 35.00 %,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Average freeboard:  21.40 ft / 6.52 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 140.9 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 176.3 %
 Waterplane Area: 20,299 Square feet or 1,886 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 125 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 97 lbs/sq ft or 473 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.93
  - Longitudinal: 2.02
  - Overall: 1.01
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

The GB/CA/1921 design

2008-02-27T17:24:00.000-08:00

This is the "heavy cruiser" version of my basic design. This ship has a 4in belt with a 2in deck. The main armament consists of 8-9.2in/50 BLR. The secondary armament is 6-4.7in AA guns. There are also 16-21in TT. The maximum speed is 33 knots. The range is still 8500nm. This is the sort of cruiser killer that Frank Fox told me that he liked. He didn't care for some of my more extreme, super-fast ships with a few heavy guns. I must admit that he is correct in his assessment. I have this near-fatal attraction for really extreme ships that would never be built. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CL/1921, Great Britain Heavy Cruiser laid down 1921 (Engine 1935)

Displacement:
 14,012 t light; 14,613 t standard; 16,243 t normal; 17,548 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (668.56 ft / 665.00 ft) x 67.00 ft x (22.00 / 23.43 ft)
 (203.78 m / 202.69 m) x 20.42 m  x (6.71 / 7.14 m)

Armament:
      8 - 9.20" / 234 mm 50.0 cal guns - 380.00lbs / 172.37kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1921 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      6 - 4.70" / 119 mm 45.0 cal guns - 52.35lbs / 23.75kg shells, 0 per gun
   Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1921 Model
   6 x Single mounts on sides, aft deck forward
  6 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 3,354 lbs / 1,521 kg
      16 - 21.0" / 533 mm, 22.00 ft / 6.71 m torpedoes - 1.425 t each, 22.803 t total
 In 4 sets of deck mounted side rotating tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 440.00 ft / 134.11 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 4.00" / 102 mm 380.00 ft / 115.82 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 102 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  0.80" / 20 mm 440.00 ft / 134.11 m 22.00 ft / 6.71 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 5.00" / 127 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  5.00" / 127 mm

   - Protected deck - single deck: 2.00" / 51 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 5.00" / 127 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 127,823 shp / 95,356 Kw = 33.00 kts
 Range 8,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 2,935 tons

Complement:
 719 - 935

Cost:
 £3.492 million / $13.967 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 924 tons, 5.7 %
    - Guns: 901 tons, 5.5 %
    - Torpedoes: 23 tons, 0.1 %
 Armour: 3,353 tons, 20.6 %
    - Belts: 1,092 tons, 6.7 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 287 tons, 1.8 %
    - Armament: 714 tons, 4.4 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,191 tons, 7.3 %
    - Conning Tower: 69 tons, 0.4 %
 Machinery: 3,631 tons, 22.4 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 6,104 tons, 37.6 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,231 tons, 13.7 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   21,662 lbs / 9,826 Kg = 55.6 x 9.2 " / 234 mm shells or 2.6 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.07
 Metacentric height 3.1 ft / 0.9 m
 Roll period: 16.0 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 54 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.78
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.07

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a normal bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.580 / 0.588
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.93 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 25.79 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 57 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 7.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 25.00 %,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Forward deck: 25.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Aft deck: 21.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Quarter deck: 29.00 %,  17.00 ft / 5.18 m,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Average freeboard:  23.50 ft / 7.16 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 133.6 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 210.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 31,982 Square feet or 2,971 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 115 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 127 lbs/sq ft or 621 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.97
  - Longitudinal: 1.36
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

A 7.5in gunned ship from the same design family

2008-02-20T17:13:00.000-08:00

This is the GB/CL/1918 design with 8-7.5in guns. The ship is from the same design family as the others in this series, but has 7.5in guns in turrets, which is one major departure. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CL/1918, Great Britain Light Cruiser laid down 1918 (Engine 1927)

Displacement:
 10,881 t light; 11,287 t standard; 12,812 t normal; 14,031 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (618.44 ft / 615.00 ft) x 62.00 ft x (20.00 / 21.55 ft)
 (188.50 m / 187.45 m) x 18.90 m  x (6.10 / 6.57 m)

Armament:
      8 - 7.50" / 191 mm 50.0 cal guns - 200.00lbs / 90.72kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1918 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      8 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 0 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1918 Model
   8 x Single mounts on sides, aft deck forward
  8 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 1,856 lbs / 842 kg
      12 - 21.0" / 533 mm, 22.00 ft / 6.71 m torpedoes - 1.413 t each, 16.958 t total
 In 4 sets of deck mounted side rotating tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 3.00" / 76 mm 410.00 ft / 124.97 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 2.00" / 51 mm 360.00 ft / 109.73 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 103 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  0.70" / 18 mm 410.00 ft / 124.97 m 20.00 ft / 6.10 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm
 2nd: 2.00" / 51 mm 1.00" / 25 mm  2.00" / 51 mm

   - Protected deck - single deck: 2.00" / 51 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 4.00" / 102 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 101,121 shp / 75,436 Kw = 32.00 kts
 Range 8,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 2,744 tons

Complement:
 601 - 782

Cost:
 £2.078 million / $8.313 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 535 tons, 4.2 %
    - Guns: 518 tons, 4.0 %
    - Torpedoes: 17 tons, 0.1 %
 Armour: 2,426 tons, 18.9 %
    - Belts: 646 tons, 5.0 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 212 tons, 1.7 %
    - Armament: 494 tons, 3.9 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,027 tons, 8.0 %
    - Conning Tower: 47 tons, 0.4 %
 Machinery: 3,192 tons, 24.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 4,728 tons, 36.9 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,931 tons, 15.1 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   17,533 lbs / 7,953 Kg = 83.1 x 7.5 " / 191 mm shells or 2.2 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.11
 Metacentric height 3.0 ft / 0.9 m
 Roll period: 15.0 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 57 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.56
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.14

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a normal bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.588 / 0.598
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.92 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 24.80 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 58 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 7.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 25.00 %,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Forward deck: 25.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Aft deck: 21.00 %,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Quarter deck: 29.00 %,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m,  17.00 ft / 5.18 m
    - Average freeboard:  22.50 ft / 6.86 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 141.9 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 208.4 %
 Waterplane Area: 27,576 Square feet or 2,562 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 118 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 111 lbs/sq ft or 541 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.96
  - Longitudinal: 1.42
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

The GB/CL/1918 design

2008-02-19T17:08:00.000-08:00

My GB/CL/1918 design has 12-6in guns in twin mounts. Four mounts are on the centerline, with two superfiring twin mounts. The other two mounts are on the side, so that there is a ten gun broadside. There is now an 8-4in QF gun secondary battery that could be converted to AA guns. The torpedo armament is 12-21in TT in four triple mounts. The speed is 32 knots, which requires fairly lightweight machinery. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CL/1918, Great Britain Light Cruiser laid down 1918 (Engine 1927)

Displacement:
 9,280 t light; 9,624 t standard; 10,678 t normal; 11,522 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (598.32 ft / 595.00 ft) x 58.00 ft x (19.00 / 20.20 ft)
 (182.37 m / 181.36 m) x 17.68 m  x (5.79 / 6.16 m)

Armament:
      12 - 6.00" / 152 mm 50.0 cal guns - 114.33lbs / 51.86kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1918 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  4 raised mounts - superfiring
   2 x Twin mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      8 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.00lbs / 14.51kg shells, 0 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1918 Model
   8 x Single mounts on sides, aft deck forward
  8 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 1,628 lbs / 738 kg
      12 - 21.0" / 533 mm, 22.00 ft / 6.71 m torpedoes - 1.413 t each, 16.958 t total
 In 4 sets of deck mounted side rotating tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 3.00" / 76 mm 390.00 ft / 118.87 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 2.00" / 51 mm 340.00 ft / 103.63 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 101 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  0.70" / 18 mm 390.00 ft / 118.87 m 19.00 ft / 5.79 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm
 2nd: 2.00" / 51 mm 1.00" / 25 mm  2.00" / 51 mm

   - Protected deck - single deck: 2.00" / 51 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 4.00" / 102 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 90,392 shp / 67,433 Kw = 32.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 1,897 tons

Complement:
 524 - 682

Cost:
 £1.787 million / $7.146 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 413 tons, 3.9 %
    - Guns: 396 tons, 3.7 %
    - Torpedoes: 17 tons, 0.2 %
 Armour: 1,980 tons, 18.5 %
    - Belts: 612 tons, 5.7 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 192 tons, 1.8 %
    - Armament: 220 tons, 2.1 %
    - Armour Deck: 914 tons, 8.6 %
    - Conning Tower: 42 tons, 0.4 %
 Machinery: 2,853 tons, 26.7 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 4,033 tons, 37.8 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,399 tons, 13.1 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   13,915 lbs / 6,312 Kg = 128.8 x 6.0 " / 152 mm shells or 1.8 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.12
 Metacentric height 2.7 ft / 0.8 m
 Roll period: 14.7 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 59 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.65
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.17

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a normal bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.570 / 0.578
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.26 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 24.39 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 58 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 7.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -2.00 ft / -0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 25.00 %,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Forward deck: 25.00 %,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Aft deck: 21.00 %,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Quarter deck: 29.00 %,  15.00 ft / 4.57 m,  16.00 ft / 4.88 m
    - Average freeboard:  21.50 ft / 6.55 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 154.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 203.5 %
 Waterplane Area: 24,540 Square feet or 2,280 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 115 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 103 lbs/sq ft or 503 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.96
  - Longitudinal: 1.48
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

More about the GB/CL/1916 design

2008-02-19T16:40:00.001-08:00

I looked again at the GB/CL/1916 design. The armament includes 10-6in/50 QF guns. They are in two twin 6in mounts, one at the bow and one at the stern. There are also six single guns, three on each side, amidships ("fore deck, aft" in Springsharp parlance). That gives a seven gun broadside. Realistic fire ahead and astern is just two guns, but for targets that are off center, perhaps as many as five guns could be fired.

The GB/CL/1916 design

2008-02-16T10:20:00.000-08:00

This is my GB/CL/1916 design for a cruiser designed for overseas service and convoying. This type is intended to replace ships such as the cruisers Challenger and Highflyer. Good seakeeping is therefore a priority with a sufficient gun armament to fight German raiding light cruisers, if any were to be dispatched. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CL/1916, Great Britain Light Cruiser laid down 1916 (Engine 1919)

Displacement:
 6,391 t light; 6,640 t standard; 7,436 t normal; 8,072 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (528.07 ft / 525.00 ft) x 51.00 ft x (18.00 / 19.20 ft)
 (160.96 m / 160.02 m) x 15.54 m  x (5.49 / 5.85 m)

Armament:
      10 - 6.00" / 152 mm 50.0 cal guns - 114.33lbs / 51.86kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1916 Model
   2 x Twin mounts on centreline aft
   6 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      Weight of broadside 1,143 lbs / 519 kg
      4 - 21.0" / 533 mm, 20.00 ft / 6.10 m torpedoes - 1.287 t each, 5.148 t total
 In 2 sets of deck mounted side rotating tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 3.00" / 76 mm 410.00 ft / 124.97 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 3.00" / 76 mm 300.00 ft / 91.44 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 120 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  0.70" / 18 mm 410.00 ft / 124.97 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Protected deck - single deck: 2.00" / 51 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 4.00" / 102 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 2 shafts, 43,738 shp / 32,628 Kw = 28.00 kts
 Range 5,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 1,432 tons

Complement:
 399 - 520

Cost:
 £0.918 million / $3.673 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 326 tons, 4.4 %
    - Guns: 321 tons, 4.3 %
    - Torpedoes: 5 tons, 0.1 %
 Armour: 1,799 tons, 24.2 %
    - Belts: 694 tons, 9.3 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 181 tons, 2.4 %
    - Armament: 203 tons, 2.7 %
    - Armour Deck: 689 tons, 9.3 %
    - Conning Tower: 33 tons, 0.4 %
 Machinery: 1,553 tons, 20.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 2,713 tons, 36.5 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,045 tons, 14.1 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   11,955 lbs / 5,423 Kg = 110.7 x 6.0 " / 152 mm shells or 1.9 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.07
 Metacentric height 2.1 ft / 0.6 m
 Roll period: 14.8 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 83 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.74
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.66

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a normal bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.540 / 0.549
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.29 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 22.91 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 7.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -3.00 ft / -0.91 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 25.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Forward deck: 25.00 %,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Aft deck: 21.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Quarter deck: 29.00 %,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m,  15.00 ft / 4.57 m
    - Average freeboard:  20.40 ft / 6.22 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 136.9 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 192.9 %
 Waterplane Area: 18,512 Square feet or 1,720 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 123 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 87 lbs/sq ft or 423 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.93
  - Longitudinal: 1.92
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

A British super destroyer for 1908

2008-02-07T17:21:00.000-08:00

One of my ongoing interest, since the late 1960's has been super destroyers from the period starting in 1905 and beyond. I think that I had been inspired by what I had found out about the big German destroyers from late in the Great War. My 1908 design is for a British ship with 6-4in QF guns and 4-18in TT. The designed speed is 35 knots. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/DL/1908, Great Britain Destroyer Leader laid down 1908 (Engine 1943)

Displacement:
 1,859 t light; 1,922 t standard; 2,149 t normal; 2,330 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (374.63 ft / 372.00 ft) x 36.00 ft x (12.00 / 12.73 ft)
 (114.19 m / 113.39 m) x 10.97 m  x (3.66 / 3.88 m)

Armament:
      6 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.27lbs / 14.64kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1908 Model
   2 x Single mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
   4 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 194 lbs / 88 kg
      4 - 18.0" / 457 mm, 21.00 ft / 6.40 m torpedoes - 0.985 t each, 3.938 t total
 In 4 sets of deck mounted side rotating tubes

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, 
 Direct drive, 2 shafts, 58,041 shp / 43,298 Kw = 35.00 kts
 Range 4,200nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 408 tons

Complement:
 157 - 205

Cost:
 £0.251 million / $1.003 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 57 tons, 2.7 %
    - Guns: 53 tons, 2.5 %
    - Torpedoes: 4 tons, 0.2 %
 Armour: 37 tons, 1.7 %
    - Armament: 37 tons, 1.7 %
 Machinery: 1,192 tons, 55.5 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 573 tons, 26.7 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 290 tons, 13.5 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   537 lbs / 244 Kg = 16.8 x 4.0 " / 102 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 %): 54 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.26
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.07

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak,
   a normal bow and a round stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.468 / 0.478
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.33 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 19.29 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 70 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 6.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 18.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Forward deck: 14.00 %,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Aft deck: 53.00 %,  15.00 ft / 4.57 m,  15.00 ft / 4.57 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  15.00 ft / 4.57 m,  15.00 ft / 4.57 m
    - Average freeboard:  17.70 ft / 5.40 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 187.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 168.1 %
 Waterplane Area: 8,673 Square feet or 806 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 67 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 32 lbs/sq ft or 157 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.44
  - Longitudinal: 2.27
  - Overall: 0.52
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

A 1914 versioni of my British light cruiser

2008-02-02T17:24:00.000-08:00

This type wants greater size, but for 1914, all I was willing to do was to go up to 475ft and raise the speed to 28 knots. The second gun aft is in the superfiring position. The armament is still just 7-6in guns and 4-21in TT. The belt is 3in and the deck is 2in. They have decent range with a maximum range of 5500nm at 16 knots. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CL/1914, Great Britain Light Cruiser laid down 1914 (Engine 1918)

Displacement:
 5,290 t light; 5,483 t standard; 6,223 t normal; 6,815 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (480.00 ft / 475.00 ft) x 47.00 ft x (18.00 / 19.34 ft)
 (146.30 m / 144.78 m) x 14.33 m  x (5.49 / 5.89 m)

Armament:
      7 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 108.92lbs / 49.41kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1914 Model
   3 x Single mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  1 raised mount aft - superfiring
   4 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      Weight of broadside 762 lbs / 346 kg
      4 - 21.0" / 533 mm, 20.00 ft / 6.10 m torpedoes - 1.279 t each, 5.116 t total
 In 2 sets of deck mounted side rotating tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 3.00" / 76 mm 410.00 ft / 124.97 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 3.00" / 76 mm 300.00 ft / 91.44 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 133 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  0.70" / 18 mm 410.00 ft / 124.97 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Protected deck - single deck: 2.00" / 51 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 4.00" / 102 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 2 shafts, 40,863 shp / 30,484 Kw = 28.00 kts
 Range 5,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 1,331 tons

Complement:
 349 - 455

Cost:
 £0.590 million / $2.360 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 208 tons, 3.3 %
    - Guns: 202 tons, 3.3 %
    - Torpedoes: 5 tons, 0.1 %
 Armour: 1,645 tons, 26.4 %
    - Belts: 684 tons, 11.0 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 181 tons, 2.9 %
    - Armament: 174 tons, 2.8 %
    - Armour Deck: 577 tons, 9.3 %
    - Conning Tower: 29 tons, 0.5 %
 Machinery: 1,474 tons, 23.7 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,964 tons, 31.6 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 933 tons, 15.0 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   8,018 lbs / 3,637 Kg = 74.2 x 6.0 " / 152 mm shells or 1.5 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.13
 Metacentric height 2.0 ft / 0.6 m
 Roll period: 13.9 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 rise forward of midbreak,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.542 / 0.552
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.11 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 21.79 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 56 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 9.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -3.00 ft / -0.91 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Forward deck: 17.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Aft deck: 48.00 %,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m
    - Average freeboard:  17.04 ft / 5.19 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 153.5 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 132.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 15,464 Square feet or 1,437 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 118 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 78 lbs/sq ft or 381 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.96
  - Longitudinal: 1.47
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

The GB/CL/1912 design

2008-01-31T17:42:00.000-08:00

This is my 1912 version of my proposal for British light cruisers. These are designed from the beginning, like the old Town class, for overseas service, as well as with the fleet. This has three guns on the centerline, two aft and one forward, and six guns on the sidess. They have a six gun broadside that way. The main improvement is side armour to go with a 2in deck, although they have a much stronger gun armament, as well. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CL/1912, Great Britain Light Cruiser laid down 1912 (Engine 1917)

Displacement:
 4,833 t light; 5,014 t standard; 5,626 t normal; 6,115 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (467.00 ft / 462.00 ft) x 46.00 ft x (17.00 / 18.16 ft)
 (142.34 m / 140.82 m) x 14.02 m  x (5.18 / 5.53 m)

Armament:
      7 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 108.92lbs / 49.41kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1912 Model
   3 x Single mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
   4 x Single mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      Weight of broadside 762 lbs / 346 kg
      4 - 21.0" / 533 mm, 20.00 ft / 6.10 m torpedoes - 1.271 t each, 5.084 t total
 In 2 sets of deck mounted side rotating tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 3.00" / 76 mm 400.00 ft / 121.92 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 3.00" / 76 mm 280.00 ft / 85.34 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 133 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  0.70" / 18 mm 400.00 ft / 121.92 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Protected deck - single deck: 2.00" / 51 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 4.00" / 102 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 2 shafts, 33,615 shp / 25,077 Kw = 27.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 1,100 tons

Complement:
 324 - 422

Cost:
 £0.414 million / $1.655 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 208 tons, 3.7 %
    - Guns: 202 tons, 3.6 %
    - Torpedoes: 5 tons, 0.1 %
 Armour: 1,584 tons, 28.2 %
    - Belts: 656 tons, 11.7 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 176 tons, 3.1 %
    - Armament: 174 tons, 3.1 %
    - Armour Deck: 551 tons, 9.8 %
    - Conning Tower: 27 tons, 0.5 %
 Machinery: 1,232 tons, 21.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,809 tons, 32.2 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 792 tons, 14.1 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   7,811 lbs / 3,543 Kg = 72.3 x 6.0 " / 152 mm shells or 1.6 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.11
 Metacentric height 1.9 ft / 0.6 m
 Roll period: 14.0 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 66 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.45
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.32

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.545 / 0.555
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.04 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 21.49 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 55 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 9.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -3.00 ft / -0.91 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Forward deck: 17.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Aft deck: 48.00 %,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m
    - Average freeboard:  17.04 ft / 5.19 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 147.9 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 136.2 %
 Waterplane Area: 14,762 Square feet or 1,371 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 119 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 75 lbs/sq ft or 368 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
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

The GB/CL/1908 design

2008-01-21T17:27:00.000-08:00

This is my design that is a larger cruiser for overseas operations. It has a mixed 6in and 4.7 in armament. The speed is the same 27 knots and the protection is a 2in deck with a 0.7in torpedo bulkhead. The layout is the same as my 1905 design. They both depend on lightweight machinery. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CL/1908, Great Britain Light Cruiser laid down 1908 (Engine 1911)

Displacement:
 4,049 t light; 4,210 t standard; 5,242 t normal; 6,068 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (458.00 ft / 450.00 ft) x 45.00 ft x (17.00 / 19.08 ft)
 (139.60 m / 137.16 m) x 13.72 m  x (5.18 / 5.81 m)

Armament:
      2 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 108.92lbs / 49.41kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1908 Model
   2 x Single mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      8 - 4.70" / 119 mm 45.0 cal guns - 52.35lbs / 23.75kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1908 Model
   8 x Single mounts on sides amidships
      Weight of broadside 637 lbs / 289 kg
      4 - 18.0" / 457 mm, 20.00 ft / 6.10 m torpedoes - 0.941 t each, 3.764 t total
 In 4 sets of deck mounted side rotating tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Ends: Unarmoured

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  0.70" / 18 mm 330.00 ft / 100.58 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm
 2nd: 3.00" / 76 mm 2.00" / 51 mm  3.00" / 76 mm

   - Protected deck - single deck: 2.00" / 51 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 4.00" / 102 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 2 shafts, 32,371 shp / 24,149 Kw = 27.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 1,858 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 307 - 400

Cost:
 £0.385 million / $1.538 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 135 tons, 2.6 %
    - Guns: 131 tons, 2.5 %
    - Torpedoes: 4 tons, 0.1 %
 Armour: 808 tons, 15.4 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 145 tons, 2.8 %
    - Armament: 118 tons, 2.3 %
    - Armour Deck: 519 tons, 9.9 %
    - Conning Tower: 26 tons, 0.5 %
 Machinery: 1,445 tons, 27.6 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,660 tons, 31.7 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,194 tons, 22.8 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   6,871 lbs / 3,116 Kg = 63.6 x 6.0 " / 152 mm shells or 1.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.33
 Metacentric height 2.5 ft / 0.8 m
 Roll period: 12.0 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 73 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.26
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.46

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.533 / 0.550
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.00 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 21.21 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 55 %
 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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Forward deck: 17.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Aft deck: 48.00 %,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m
    - Average freeboard:  17.04 ft / 5.19 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 175.4 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 135.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 13,909 Square feet or 1,292 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 128 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 71 lbs/sq ft or 346 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.94
  - Longitudinal: 1.76
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

A British 1905 light cruiser

2008-01-20T03:34:00.000-08:00

I thought that exploring what could have been done with a British light cruiser laid down in 1905 would be a good exercise. Such a ship would have certainly had coal-fired boilers and steam turbines. I don't understand the fixation on the 4in gun. Perfectly good 4.7in guns had been produced for many years and were widely used and had seen combat. At this date, there would have not been any side armour, just a protective deck. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CL/1905, Great Britain Light Cruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1911)

Displacement:
 3,658 t light; 3,787 t standard; 4,586 t normal; 5,225 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (436.00 ft / 428.00 ft) x 41.00 ft x (17.00 / 18.85 ft)
 (132.89 m / 130.45 m) x 12.50 m  x (5.18 / 5.74 m)

Armament:
      8 - 4.70" / 119 mm 45.0 cal guns - 50.00lbs / 22.68kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1905 Model
   2 x Single mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
   6 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
      Weight of broadside 400 lbs / 181 kg
      4 - 18.0" / 457 mm, 20.00 ft / 6.10 m torpedoes - 0.865 t each, 3.459 t total
 In 4 sets of deck mounted side rotating tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Ends: Unarmoured

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  0.60" / 15 mm 300.00 ft / 91.44 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 3.00" / 76 mm 2.00" / 51 mm  3.00" / 76 mm

   - Protected deck - single deck: 2.00" / 51 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 4.00" / 102 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 2 shafts, 30,308 shp / 22,610 Kw = 27.00 kts
 Range 4,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 1,438 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 278 - 362

Cost:
 £0.357 million / $1.430 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 117 tons, 2.6 %
    - Guns: 114 tons, 2.5 %
    - Torpedoes: 3 tons, 0.1 %
 Armour: 704 tons, 15.4 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 113 tons, 2.5 %
    - Armament: 115 tons, 2.5 %
    - Armour Deck: 452 tons, 9.9 %
    - Conning Tower: 24 tons, 0.5 %
 Machinery: 1,353 tons, 29.5 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 1,484 tons, 32.4 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 927 tons, 20.2 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   5,076 lbs / 2,303 Kg = 97.8 x 4.7 " / 119 mm shells or 1.0 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.18
 Metacentric height 1.8 ft / 0.5 m
 Roll period: 12.9 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 74 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.36
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.48

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.538 / 0.553
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.44 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 20.69 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 56 %
 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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Forward deck: 17.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Aft deck: 48.00 %,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m,  14.00 ft / 4.27 m
    - Average freeboard:  17.04 ft / 5.19 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 203.3 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 129.9 %
 Waterplane Area: 12,110 Square feet or 1,125 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 121 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 67 lbs/sq ft or 325 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.92
  - Longitudinal: 2.00
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is extremely poor
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

A big British dreadnought cruiser: the GB/CB/1905

2008-01-14T17:45:00.000-08:00

This is the cruiser variant of the battleship-cruiser design. The side armour is thinner and the speed is raised to 26 knots. The armament is 8-12in/45 on the centerline, with a super-firing turret aft. The secondary armament is the same 16-4in QF guns in casemates. The belt is 10in on the waterline. The design depends on lightweight machinery. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/BB/1905, Great Britain Dreadnought Cruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1917)

Displacement:
 20,213 t light; 21,073 t standard; 23,413 t normal; 25,286 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (625.00 ft / 618.00 ft) x 85.00 ft x (26.00 / 27.71 ft)
 (190.50 m / 188.37 m) x 25.91 m  x (7.92 / 8.44 m)

Armament:
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 871.37lbs / 395.24kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1905 Model
   3 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  1 raised mount aft - superfiring
   1 x Twin mount on centreline, forward deck aft
      16 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.27lbs / 14.64kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1905 Model
   16 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
  8 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 7,487 lbs / 3,396 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 10.0" / 254 mm 405.00 ft / 123.44 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: 4.00" / 102 mm 170.00 ft / 51.82 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
   43.00 ft / 13.11 m Unarmoured ends
 Upper: 7.00" / 178 mm 405.00 ft / 123.44 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 101 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 395.00 ft / 120.40 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

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 3.00" / 76 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 10.00" / 254 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 66,702 shp / 49,760 Kw = 26.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,213 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 946 - 1,230

Cost:
 £1.760 million / $7.039 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,331 tons, 5.7 %
 Armour: 7,921 tons, 33.8 %
    - Belts: 2,836 tons, 12.1 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 760 tons, 3.2 %
    - Armament: 2,004 tons, 8.6 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,145 tons, 9.2 %
    - Conning Tower: 176 tons, 0.8 %
 Machinery: 2,690 tons, 11.5 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 8,271 tons, 35.3 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,200 tons, 13.7 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   43,692 lbs / 19,818 Kg = 50.6 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 6.9 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.16
 Metacentric height 5.2 ft / 1.6 m
 Roll period: 15.7 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 71 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.72
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.41

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.600 / 0.608
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.27 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 24.86 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 52 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -3.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -3.00 ft / -0.91 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 27.00 %,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Aft deck: 10.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Quarter deck: 33.00 %,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Average freeboard:  23.58 ft / 7.19 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 83.6 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 201.1 %
 Waterplane Area: 38,420 Square feet or 3,569 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 119 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 156 lbs/sq ft or 761 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.95
  - Longitudinal: 1.64
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

The battleship-cruiser with steam turbines

2008-01-12T11:41:00.000-08:00

I thought that we would be interested to see the effects of switching from reciprocating engines to steam turbines. The effects are dramatic for the battleship-cruiser design. The armour basis is increased from 11in to 12in and the displacement is lowered. The armour at the ends is increased to 5in. I also raised the freeboard to reduce the effects of the flush-decked hull. The armament is still 12-12in/45 BL and 16-4in/45 QF guns. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/BB/1905, Great Britain Battleship-Cruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1917)

Displacement:
 22,807 t light; 23,887 t standard; 25,736 t normal; 27,215 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (602.00 ft / 595.00 ft) x 90.00 ft x (27.00 / 28.29 ft)
 (183.49 m / 181.36 m) x 27.43 m  x (8.23 / 8.62 m)

Armament:
      12 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 871.37lbs / 395.24kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1905 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on sides, forward deck aft
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      16 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.27lbs / 14.64kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1905 Model
   16 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
  8 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 10,973 lbs / 4,977 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 395.00 ft / 120.40 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: 5.00" / 127 mm 170.00 ft / 51.82 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
   30.00 ft / 9.14 m Unarmoured ends
 Upper: 9.00" / 229 mm 395.00 ft / 120.40 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 102 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 395.00 ft / 120.40 m 29.00 ft / 8.84 m

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

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 3.00" / 76 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 12.00" / 305 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 53,383 shp / 39,824 Kw = 24.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 14.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 3,328 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 1,015 - 1,320

Cost:
 £2.101 million / $8.402 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,951 tons, 7.6 %
 Armour: 9,594 tons, 37.3 %
    - Belts: 3,455 tons, 13.4 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 848 tons, 3.3 %
    - Armament: 2,832 tons, 11.0 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,234 tons, 8.7 %
    - Conning Tower: 225 tons, 0.9 %
 Machinery: 2,153 tons, 8.4 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 9,109 tons, 35.4 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,929 tons, 11.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   43,125 lbs / 19,561 Kg = 49.9 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 7.4 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 %): 72 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.82
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.45

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.623 / 0.629
 Length to Beam Ratio: 6.61 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 24.39 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 50 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -3.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -3.00 ft / -0.91 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 27.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Aft deck: 10.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Quarter deck: 33.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Average freeboard:  22.64 ft / 6.90 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 80.6 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 168.0 %
 Waterplane Area: 40,013 Square feet or 3,717 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 110 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 173 lbs/sq ft or 846 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.94
  - Longitudinal: 1.80
  - 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
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

A 1903 battleship-cruiser

2008-01-11T17:57:00.000-08:00

In my opinion, a ship similar to what Colonel Cuniberti proposed in 1903 would need to be much larger and less capable. My design has the superfiring guns on the beam, so that the fire ahead could be as much as 10 guns, when firing directly ahead and accepting some blast damage. The broadside would be 8 guns. That seemed to be along the lines of what 1903 thought was reasonable, although not what I would want. I used coal-fired boilers and reciprocating engines, to be consistent with the times. The machinery has to be quite lightweight for this to be feasible. This is my Springsharp report:

GB/BB/1903, Great Britain Battleship-Cruiser laid down 1903 (Engine 1917)

Displacement:
 23,257 t light; 24,355 t standard; 26,622 t normal; 28,436 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (602.00 ft / 595.00 ft) x 90.00 ft x (29.00 / 30.62 ft)
 (183.49 m / 181.36 m) x 27.43 m  x (8.84 / 9.33 m)

Armament:
      12 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 871.37lbs / 395.24kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1903 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on sides, forward deck aft
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      16 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.27lbs / 14.64kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1903 Model
   16 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
  8 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 10,973 lbs / 4,977 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 11.0" / 279 mm 400.00 ft / 121.92 m 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
 Ends: 4.00" / 102 mm 150.00 ft / 45.72 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
   45.00 ft / 13.72 m Unarmoured ends
 Upper: 8.00" / 203 mm 400.00 ft / 121.92 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 103 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 400.00 ft / 121.92 m 29.00 ft / 8.84 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 11.0" / 279 mm 7.00" / 178 mm  11.0" / 279 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 3.00" / 76 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 11.00" / 279 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Coal fired boilers, complex reciprocating steam engines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 53,830 ihp / 40,157 Kw = 24.00 kts
 Range 5,400nm at 14.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,081 tons (100% coal)

Complement:
 1,041 - 1,354

Cost:
 £2.306 million / $9.224 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,951 tons, 7.3 %
 Armour: 8,899 tons, 33.4 %
    - Belts: 3,082 tons, 11.6 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 858 tons, 3.2 %
    - Armament: 2,561 tons, 9.6 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,187 tons, 8.2 %
    - Conning Tower: 211 tons, 0.8 %
 Machinery: 3,507 tons, 13.2 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 8,900 tons, 33.4 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,365 tons, 12.6 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   35,059 lbs / 15,903 Kg = 40.6 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 5.4 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.14
 Metacentric height 5.5 ft / 1.7 m
 Roll period: 16.2 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 70 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.75
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.41

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.600 / 0.607
 Length to Beam Ratio: 6.61 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 24.39 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 50 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): -3.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: -3.00 ft / -0.91 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 27.00 %,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Aft deck: 10.00 %,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Quarter deck: 33.00 %,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Average freeboard:  21.64 ft / 6.59 m
 Ship tends to be wet forward

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 98.9 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 153.2 %
 Waterplane Area: 39,166 Square feet or 3,639 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 105 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 171 lbs/sq ft or 836 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.94
  - Longitudinal: 1.76
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Good seaboat, rides out heavy weather easily

A British fast battleship

2008-01-03T16:44:00.000-08:00

I was dismayed at the size of ship that was necessary to have a 32 knot British battleship with 9-16in/45 guns. The side armour is substantial, as it is 17ft high and a uniform 16in, inclined outward at 16 degrees. To do that in Springsharp took a ship that is 59,061 tons Standard displacement. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/BB/1939, Great Britain Battleship laid down 1939 (Engine 1950)

Displacement:
 56,457 t light; 59,061 t standard; 62,990 t normal; 66,133 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (869.23 ft / 862.00 ft) x 118.00 ft x (33.50 / 34.88 ft)
 (264.94 m / 262.74 m) x 35.97 m  x (10.21 / 10.63 m)

Armament:
      9 - 16.00" / 406 mm 45.0 cal guns - 2,100.00lbs / 952.54kg shells, 120 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1939 Model
   3 x Triple mounts on centreline ends, majority forward
  1 raised mount - superfiring
      20 - 4.50" / 114 mm 45.0 cal guns - 45.95lbs / 20.84kg shells, 150 per gun
   Dual purpose guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1939 Model
   10 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
  4 raised mounts
      48 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 2.00lbs / 0.91kg shells, 150 per gun
   Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1939 Model
   8 x 2 row sextuple mounts on sides, evenly spread
  8 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 19,915 lbs / 9,033 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 16.0" / 406 mm 565.00 ft / 172.21 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 101 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  6.00" / 152 mm 565.00 ft / 172.21 m 33.50 ft / 10.21 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 16.0" / 406 mm 12.0" / 305 mm  16.0" / 406 mm
 2nd: 3.00" / 76 mm 2.00" / 51 mm  3.00" / 76 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 7.00" / 178 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 7.00" / 178 mm  Quarter deck: 7.00" / 178 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 12.00" / 305 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 233,559 shp / 174,235 Kw = 32.00 kts
 Range 8,500nm at 17.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 7,071 tons

Complement:
 1,987 - 2,584

Cost:
 £26.676 million / $106.702 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 3,267 tons, 5.2 %
 Armour: 26,305 tons, 41.8 %
    - Belts: 6,629 tons, 10.5 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 4,202 tons, 6.7 %
    - Armament: 4,657 tons, 7.4 %
    - Armour Deck: 10,408 tons, 16.5 %
    - Conning Tower: 409 tons, 0.6 %
 Machinery: 5,588 tons, 8.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 21,297 tons, 33.8 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 6,533 tons, 10.4 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   117,729 lbs / 53,401 Kg = 57.5 x 16.0 " / 406 mm shells or 25.4 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.23
 Metacentric height 9.4 ft / 2.9 m
 Roll period: 16.2 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 52 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.44
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.04

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   an extended bulbous bow and small transom stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.647 / 0.652
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.31 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 31.67 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 55 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 12.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  34.00 ft / 10.36 m,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Aft deck: 35.00 %,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Average freeboard:  25.61 ft / 7.81 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 67.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 188.7 %
 Waterplane Area: 79,722 Square feet or 7,406 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 115 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 210 lbs/sq ft or 1,026 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.98
  - Longitudinal: 1.20
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

A 36 knot heavy cruiser

2008-01-01T17:02:00.000-08:00

This is the heavy cruiser counterpart to the 37 knot light cruiser. The heavy cruiser has 4in side armour and 10-8in/50 guns. The speed had to be reduced to 36 knots, which is still comparable to the big Japanese cruisers. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CA/1932, Great Britain Heavy Cruiser laid down 1932 (Engine 1950)

Displacement:
 14,068 t light; 14,656 t standard; 15,974 t normal; 17,029 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (671.00 ft / 665.00 ft) x 68.00 ft x (22.00 / 23.11 ft)
 (204.52 m / 202.69 m) x 20.73 m  x (6.71 / 7.04 m)

Armament:
      10 - 8.00" / 203 mm 50.0 cal guns - 250.00lbs / 113.40kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1932 Model
   5 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, majority forward
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      12 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.27lbs / 14.64kg shells, 150 per gun
   Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1932 Model
   6 x Twin mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      24 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 1.97lbs / 0.89kg shells, 150 per gun
   Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1932 Model
   4 x 2 row sextuple mounts on sides, aft deck forward
  4 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 2,935 lbs / 1,331 kg
      16 - 21.0" / 533 mm, 22.00 ft / 6.71 m torpedoes - 1.469 t each, 23.507 t total
 In 4 sets of deck mounted side rotating tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 460.00 ft / 140.21 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 106 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  0.90" / 23 mm 460.00 ft / 140.21 m 22.00 ft / 6.71 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 2.00" / 51 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 4.00" / 102 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 155,091 shp / 115,698 Kw = 36.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 17.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 2,374 tons

Complement:
 709 - 923

Cost:
 £6.067 million / $24.267 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 797 tons, 5.0 %
    - Guns: 773 tons, 4.8 %
    - Torpedoes: 24 tons, 0.1 %
 Armour: 3,392 tons, 21.2 %
    - Belts: 1,207 tons, 7.6 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 337 tons, 2.1 %
    - Armament: 555 tons, 3.5 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,239 tons, 7.8 %
    - Conning Tower: 55 tons, 0.3 %
 Machinery: 3,710 tons, 23.2 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 6,169 tons, 38.6 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,906 tons, 11.9 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   21,782 lbs / 9,880 Kg = 85.1 x 8.0 " / 203 mm shells or 2.7 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.09
 Metacentric height 3.3 ft / 1.0 m
 Roll period: 15.7 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 53 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.60
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.06

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak,
   an extended bulbous bow and large transom stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.562 / 0.570
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.78 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 29.28 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 61 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 10.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 32.00 %,  34.00 ft / 10.36 m,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Aft deck: 23.00 %,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Average freeboard:  25.73 ft / 7.84 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 133.5 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 215.5 %
 Waterplane Area: 33,236 Square feet or 3,088 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 115 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 120 lbs/sq ft or 586 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.94
  - Longitudinal: 1.73
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

A 37 knot British light cruiser

2007-12-31T08:51:00.000-08:00

I thought that the next step would be to create a British light cruiser that was like the Japanese Mogami class ships. Obviously, such a ship must be larger than 10,000 tons standard. The amazing thing is the displacement is not that extreme, due to the use of very lightweight machinery. This is the Springsharp report for the GB/CL/1932:

GB/CL/1932, Great Britain Light Cruiser laid down 1932 (Engine 1950)

Displacement:
 12,524 t light; 12,989 t standard; 14,045 t normal; 14,889 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (669.64 ft / 665.00 ft) x 64.00 ft x (21.00 / 21.96 ft)
 (204.11 m / 202.69 m) x 19.51 m  x (6.40 / 6.69 m)

Armament:
      15 - 6.00" / 152 mm 50.0 cal guns - 100.00lbs / 45.36kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1932 Model
   5 x Triple mounts on centreline forward
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      12 - 4.00" / 102 mm 45.0 cal guns - 32.27lbs / 14.64kg shells, 150 per gun
   Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1932 Model
   6 x Twin mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      24 - 1.57" / 40.0 mm 45.0 cal guns - 1.97lbs / 0.89kg shells, 150 per gun
   Anti-air guns in deck mounts, 1932 Model
   4 x 2 row sextuple mounts on sides, aft deck forward
  4 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 1,935 lbs / 877 kg
      16 - 21.0" / 533 mm, 22.00 ft / 6.71 m torpedoes - 1.469 t each, 23.507 t total
 In 4 sets of deck mounted side rotating tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 3.00" / 76 mm 460.00 ft / 140.21 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 106 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  0.80" / 20 mm 460.00 ft / 140.21 m 21.00 ft / 6.40 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 3.00" / 76 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  3.00" / 76 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 2.00" / 51 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 158,334 shp / 118,117 Kw = 37.00 kts
 Range 5,600nm at 17.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 1,900 tons

Complement:
 644 - 838

Cost:
 £5.405 million / $21.620 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 556 tons, 4.0 %
    - Guns: 532 tons, 3.8 %
    - Torpedoes: 24 tons, 0.2 %
 Armour: 2,731 tons, 19.4 %
    - Belts: 898 tons, 6.4 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 286 tons, 2.0 %
    - Armament: 394 tons, 2.8 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,152 tons, 8.2 %
 Machinery: 3,788 tons, 27.0 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 5,449 tons, 38.8 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,521 tons, 10.8 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   17,609 lbs / 7,987 Kg = 163.0 x 6.0 " / 152 mm shells or 2.2 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.11
 Metacentric height 3.1 ft / 1.0 m
 Roll period: 15.2 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 52 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.46
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.05

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak,
   a normal bow and large transom stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.550 / 0.558
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.39 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 29.19 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 62 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 8.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 32.00 %,  33.00 ft / 10.06 m,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Aft deck: 23.00 %,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Average freeboard:  24.73 ft / 7.54 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 148.6 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 211.5 %
 Waterplane Area: 30,923 Square feet or 2,873 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 113 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 110 lbs/sq ft or 538 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.95
  - Longitudinal: 1.65
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

A 35 knot British light cruiser for 1921

2007-12-30T14:23:00.000-08:00

I was hoping that a British light cruiser for 1921 that could make 35 knots might not have to be so large, but this one is over 10,000 tons standard. The armament is 9-6in/50 QF guns, 6-4.7in AA guns, and 12-21in TT. The armour belt is 3in and the deck is 2in. I suppose that having the underwater protection like this is what makes the design have to be large:

GB/CL/1921, Great Britain Light Cruiser laid down 1921 (Engine 1941)

Displacement:
 10,248 t light; 10,605 t standard; 11,409 t normal; 12,053 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (640.08 ft / 636.00 ft) x 62.00 ft x (19.00 / 19.81 ft)
 (195.10 m / 193.85 m) x 18.90 m  x (5.79 / 6.04 m)

Armament:
      9 - 6.00" / 152 mm 50.0 cal guns - 114.33lbs / 51.86kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1921 Model
   3 x Triple mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
      6 - 4.70" / 119 mm 45.0 cal guns - 52.35lbs / 23.75kg shells, 150 per gun
   Anti-air guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1921 Model
   6 x Single mounts on sides, aft deck forward
  6 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 1,343 lbs / 609 kg
      12 - 21.0" / 533 mm, 22.00 ft / 6.71 m torpedoes - 1.425 t each, 17.102 t total
 In 4 sets of deck mounted side rotating tubes

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 3.00" / 76 mm 415.00 ft / 126.49 m 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 100 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  0.70" / 18 mm 415.00 ft / 126.49 m 19.00 ft / 5.79 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 2.00" / 51 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 2.00" / 51 mm  Quarter deck: 2.00" / 51 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 4.00" / 102 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 120,149 shp / 89,631 Kw = 35.00 kts
 Range 5,200nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 1,448 tons

Complement:
 551 - 717

Cost:
 £2.396 million / $9.584 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 363 tons, 3.2 %
    - Guns: 346 tons, 3.0 %
    - Torpedoes: 17 tons, 0.1 %
 Armour: 2,373 tons, 20.8 %
    - Belts: 818 tons, 7.2 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 204 tons, 1.8 %
    - Armament: 273 tons, 2.4 %
    - Armour Deck: 1,035 tons, 9.1 %
    - Conning Tower: 44 tons, 0.4 %
 Machinery: 3,175 tons, 27.8 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 4,336 tons, 38.0 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 1,162 tons, 10.2 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   14,633 lbs / 6,637 Kg = 135.5 x 6.0 " / 152 mm shells or 2.0 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.19
 Metacentric height 3.4 ft / 1.0 m
 Roll period: 14.2 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 52 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.30
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.04

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak,
   a normal bow and small transom stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.533 / 0.540
 Length to Beam Ratio: 10.26 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 26.97 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 59 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 8.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Forward deck: 15.00 %,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Aft deck: 50.00 %,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Average freeboard:  21.96 ft / 6.69 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 150.3 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 196.5 %
 Waterplane Area: 27,746 Square feet or 2,578 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 114 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 102 lbs/sq ft or 499 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.96
  - Longitudinal: 1.32
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

My concept for a fast battlecruiser with 10-15in guns

2007-12-22T18:12:00.000-08:00

The GB/CB/1921 design study is my current concept for what a fast, lightly armoured battlecruiser should be. This is a flush-decked ship with a flared bow and a wide transom stern. The main armament is in two quadruple turrets and one superfiring twin turret. The armour is all-or-nothing style, but only a 5in inclined belt. I thought that the ship needed a 33 knot speed. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CB/1921, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1921 (Engine 1950)

Displacement:
 32,346 t light; 34,134 t standard; 36,346 t normal; 38,115 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (813.39 ft / 800.00 ft) x 102.00 ft x (28.50 / 29.55 ft)
 (247.92 m / 243.84 m) x 31.09 m  x (8.69 / 9.01 m)

Armament:
      10 - 15.00" / 381 mm 45.0 cal guns - 1,950.00lbs / 884.51kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1921 Model
   2 x Quad mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
   1 x Twin mount on centreline, forward deck centre
  1 raised mount
      16 - 5.00" / 127 mm 50.0 cal guns - 65.00lbs / 29.48kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1921 Model
   8 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
  4 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 20,540 lbs / 9,317 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 5.00" / 127 mm 445.00 ft / 135.64 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 86 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  4.00" / 102 mm 445.00 ft / 135.64 m 28.50 ft / 8.69 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 7.00" / 178 mm 5.00" / 127 mm  7.00" / 178 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 3.00" / 76 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 7.00" / 178 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 171,431 shp / 127,887 Kw = 33.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 17.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 3,980 tons

Complement:
 1,316 - 1,711

Cost:
 £8.667 million / $34.669 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 3,079 tons, 8.5 %
 Armour: 8,859 tons, 24.4 %
    - Belts: 1,656 tons, 4.6 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,877 tons, 5.2 %
    - Armament: 1,853 tons, 5.1 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,308 tons, 9.1 %
    - Conning Tower: 165 tons, 0.5 %
 Machinery: 4,101 tons, 11.3 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 16,307 tons, 44.9 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,000 tons, 11.0 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   53,072 lbs / 24,073 Kg = 31.5 x 15.0 " / 381 mm shells or 8.2 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.20
 Metacentric height 7.2 ft / 2.2 m
 Roll period: 16.0 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,
   an extended bulbous bow and large transom stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.547 / 0.553
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.84 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 32.74 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 55 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 17.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  34.00 ft / 10.36 m,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Aft deck: 35.00 %,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Average freeboard:  24.96 ft / 7.61 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 98.4 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 204.7 %
 Waterplane Area: 59,118 Square feet or 5,492 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 109 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 213 lbs/sq ft or 1,041 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.96
  - Longitudinal: 1.46
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

A radical GB/CB/1915 design

2007-12-20T18:00:00.000-08:00

This design for a GB/CB/1915 battlecruiser seems inspired by the Super Lion concept. The ship has 10-15in/45 guns (as originally specified, not the real 15in/42 guns) and 16-5in/50 QF guns in shields, mounted on the deck. The armour is light, the machinery is a light as is possible. The speed is 32 knots. The original specification had a beam of 90ft, but a viable design is not possible in Springsharp with such a narrow beam. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CB/1915, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1915 (Engine 1950)

Displacement:
 33,175 t light; 34,959 t standard; 36,852 t normal; 38,366 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (807.00 ft / 800.00 ft) x 104.00 ft x (26.50 / 27.38 ft)
 (245.97 m / 243.84 m) x 31.70 m  x (8.08 / 8.35 m)

Armament:
      10 - 15.00" / 381 mm 45.0 cal guns - 1,920.00lbs / 870.90kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1915 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
   1 x Twin mount on centreline, aft deck forward
      16 - 5.00" / 127 mm 50.0 cal guns - 65.00lbs / 29.48kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1915 Model
   16 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
  4 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 20,240 lbs / 9,181 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 5.00" / 127 mm 575.00 ft / 175.26 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
 Ends: 3.00" / 76 mm 200.00 ft / 60.96 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
   25.00 ft / 7.62 m Unarmoured ends
   Main Belt covers 111 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 575.00 ft / 175.26 m 26.50 ft / 8.08 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 7.00" / 178 mm 5.00" / 127 mm  7.00" / 178 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm 2.00" / 51 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 3.00" / 76 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 7.00" / 178 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 182,116 shp / 135,859 Kw = 32.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 3,407 tons

Complement:
 1,329 - 1,728

Cost:
 £5.047 million / $20.188 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 3,141 tons, 8.5 %
 Armour: 9,321 tons, 25.3 %
    - Belts: 2,304 tons, 6.3 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,128 tons, 3.1 %
    - Armament: 2,368 tons, 6.4 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,355 tons, 9.1 %
    - Conning Tower: 167 tons, 0.5 %
 Machinery: 4,357 tons, 11.8 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 16,355 tons, 44.4 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 3,677 tons, 10.0 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   54,224 lbs / 24,596 Kg = 32.1 x 15.0 " / 381 mm shells or 7.7 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.17
 Metacentric height 7.1 ft / 2.2 m
 Roll period: 16.4 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 52 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.87
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.03

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has rise forward of midbreak,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.585 / 0.589
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.69 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 28.28 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 54 %
 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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 30.00 %,  32.00 ft / 9.75 m,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Forward deck: 37.00 %,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Aft deck: 18.00 %,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m,  21.00 ft / 6.40 m
    - Average freeboard:  26.28 ft / 8.01 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 99.3 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 221.2 %
 Waterplane Area: 60,003 Square feet or 5,574 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 108 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 210 lbs/sq ft or 1,023 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.96
  - Longitudinal: 1.32
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

My Ger/BB/1916 concept with 20in guns

2007-12-09T12:48:00.000-08:00

When I was working in Minneapolis, in early 2002, I had this concept for a German battleship that I called the Ger/BB/1916, that had 9-20in guns. This version has a fast battleship speed, at least by American standards in 1940. My sketch design had twin funnels and a tower foremast topped by a gun director with a long rangefinder. This is my Springsharp report:

Ger/BB/1916, Germany Battleship laid down 1916 (Engine 1927)

Displacement:
 70,188 t light; 73,852 t standard; 79,390 t normal; 83,821 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (792.64 ft / 785.00 ft) x 138.00 ft x (38.00 / 39.83 ft)
 (241.60 m / 239.27 m) x 42.06 m  x (11.58 / 12.14 m)

Armament:
      9 - 20.00" / 508 mm 45.0 cal guns - 4,320.00lbs / 1,959.52kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1916 Model
   3 x Single mounts on centreline ends, majority forward
      24 - 5.00" / 127 mm 50.0 cal guns - 66.16lbs / 30.01kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1916 Model
   12 x Twin mounts on sides, evenly spread
  4 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 40,468 lbs / 18,356 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 20.0" / 508 mm 430.00 ft / 131.06 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 84 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  7.00" / 178 mm 430.00 ft / 131.06 m 38.00 ft / 11.58 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 20.0" / 508 mm 15.0" / 381 mm  20.0" / 508 mm
 2nd: 5.00" / 127 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  5.00" / 127 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 8.00" / 203 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 6.00" / 152 mm  Quarter deck: 8.00" / 203 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 20.00" / 508 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 160,628 shp / 119,828 Kw = 27.00 kts
 Range 7,500nm at 18.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 9,970 tons

Complement:
 2,364 - 3,074

Cost:
 £10.990 million / $43.961 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 6,867 tons, 8.6 %
 Armour: 32,576 tons, 41.0 %
    - Belts: 6,872 tons, 8.7 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 4,232 tons, 5.3 %
    - Armament: 8,512 tons, 10.7 %
    - Armour Deck: 12,165 tons, 15.3 %
    - Conning Tower: 796 tons, 1.0 %
 Machinery: 5,070 tons, 6.4 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 25,675 tons, 32.3 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 9,203 tons, 11.6 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   126,859 lbs / 57,542 Kg = 31.7 x 20.0 " / 508 mm shells or 27.7 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.30
 Metacentric height 13.0 ft / 4.0 m
 Roll period: 16.1 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 59 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.44
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.18

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   an extended bulbous bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.675 / 0.680
 Length to Beam Ratio: 5.69 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 28.02 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 8.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 30.00 %,  33.00 ft / 10.06 m,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m
    - Forward deck: 25.00 %,  26.00 ft / 7.92 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Aft deck: 30.00 %,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Average freeboard:  25.12 ft / 7.66 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 72.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 162.0 %
 Waterplane Area: 84,899 Square feet or 7,887 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 104 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 256 lbs/sq ft or 1,248 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.95
  - Longitudinal: 1.59
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

A new version of the "Ger/CB/1905 Flush-Decked" design

2007-12-02T14:38:00.000-08:00

I have a new version of my Ger/CB/1905 Flush-Decked Design. This depends on having lightweight machinery to work, as well as oil fuel. Still, the concept seems to work fairly well. The concept dates from the early 1970's and included a pencil sketch. My photo dates from April 2005. This is the Springsharp report:

Ger/CB/1905 Flush Deck, Germany Battlecruiser laid down 1905 (Engine 1921)

Displacement:
 19,048 t light; 19,917 t standard; 21,432 t normal; 22,644 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (562.00 ft / 560.00 ft) x 94.00 ft x (25.00 / 26.13 ft)
 (171.30 m / 170.69 m) x 28.65 m  x (7.62 / 7.97 m)

Armament:
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 850.00lbs / 385.55kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1905 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      12 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 100.00lbs / 45.36kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in casemate mounts, 1905 Model
   12 x Single mounts on sides amidships
      Weight of broadside 8,000 lbs / 3,629 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 10.0" / 254 mm 375.00 ft / 114.30 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 7.00" / 178 mm 375.00 ft / 114.30 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 103 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  3.00" / 76 mm 375.00 ft / 114.30 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  9.00" / 229 mm
 2nd: 6.00" / 152 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  6.00" / 152 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 3.00" / 76 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 9.00" / 229 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 77,901 shp / 58,114 Kw = 27.00 kts
 Range 5,600nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 2,727 tons

Complement:
 885 - 1,151

Cost:
 £1.755 million / $7.019 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,434 tons, 6.7 %
 Armour: 7,277 tons, 34.0 %
    - Belts: 2,228 tons, 10.4 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,041 tons, 4.9 %
    - Armament: 1,764 tons, 8.2 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,094 tons, 9.8 %
    - Conning Tower: 150 tons, 0.7 %
 Machinery: 2,683 tons, 12.5 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 7,655 tons, 35.7 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,384 tons, 11.1 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   34,490 lbs / 15,645 Kg = 39.9 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 6.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.29
 Metacentric height 7.2 ft / 2.2 m
 Roll period: 14.7 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 51 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.38
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.02

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   a normal bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.570 / 0.576
 Length to Beam Ratio: 5.96 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 23.66 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 58 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  27.00 ft / 8.23 m,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  24.00 ft / 7.32 m,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m
    - Aft deck: 35.00 %,  20.00 ft / 6.10 m,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Average freeboard:  20.99 ft / 6.40 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 90.4 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 164.2 %
 Waterplane Area: 37,433 Square feet or 3,478 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 110 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 161 lbs/sq ft or 785 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.94
  - Longitudinal: 1.75
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

You can easily specify ships which are not a viable design

2007-11-23T10:53:00.000-08:00

My original specification for a GB/CB/1915 battlecruiser would not work as specified. The beam was too narrow for the armament. I had wanted 10-15in/45 (I have used 15in/42 instead) and 16-5in QF guns. The dimensions were to be 800ft x 90ft x 26.5ft with 136,600 SHP at maximum overload power. The turrets and barbettes were 9in and the belt was 6in. I had hoped for some high speed beyond what is reasonable. I had to increase the beam to 104ft and lower the freeboard to have a design with acceptable recoil behavior. This is the Springsharp report:

GB/CB/1915, Great Britain Battlecruiser laid down 1915 (Engine 1937)

Displacement:
 33,086 t light; 35,551 t standard; 37,688 t normal; 39,397 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (807.00 ft / 800.00 ft) x 102.00 ft x (26.50 / 27.49 ft)
 (245.97 m / 243.84 m) x 31.09 m  x (8.08 / 8.38 m)

Armament:
      10 - 15.00" / 381 mm 42.0 cal guns - 1,950.00lbs / 884.51kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1915 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
   1 x Twin mount on centreline, aft deck forward
      16 - 5.00" / 127 mm 45.0 cal guns - 65.00lbs / 29.48kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in deck and hoist mounts, 1915 Model
   16 x Single mounts on sides, evenly spread
  4 raised mounts
      Weight of broadside 20,540 lbs / 9,317 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 6.00" / 152 mm 520.00 ft / 158.50 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 100 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 520.00 ft / 158.50 m 26.50 ft / 8.08 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 9.00" / 229 mm 7.00" / 178 mm  9.00" / 229 mm
 2nd: 4.00" / 102 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  4.00" / 102 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 3.00" / 76 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 9.00" / 229 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 134,829 shp / 100,582 Kw = 29.50 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 3,845 tons

Complement:
 1,352 - 1,758

Cost:
 £4.656 million / $18.625 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 2,807 tons, 7.4 %
 Armour: 10,160 tons, 27.0 %
    - Belts: 2,255 tons, 6.0 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 1,020 tons, 2.7 %
    - Armament: 3,303 tons, 8.8 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,365 tons, 8.9 %
    - Conning Tower: 218 tons, 0.6 %
 Machinery: 3,737 tons, 9.9 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 16,382 tons, 43.5 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,602 tons, 12.2 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   62,036 lbs / 28,139 Kg = 36.8 x 15.0 " / 381 mm shells or 9.1 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.15
 Metacentric height 6.7 ft / 2.1 m
 Roll period: 16.5 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 57 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.97
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.15

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   a ram bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.610 / 0.615
 Length to Beam Ratio: 7.84 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 28.28 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 50 %
 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 (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  33.00 ft / 10.06 m,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  28.00 ft / 8.53 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Aft deck: 17.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Quarter deck: 33.00 %,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m,  17.00 ft / 5.18 m
    - Average freeboard:  24.14 ft / 7.36 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 88.7 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 220.3 %
 Waterplane Area: 60,240 Square feet or 5,597 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 117 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 211 lbs/sq ft or 1,029 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.98
  - Longitudinal: 1.20
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is adequate
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

A more faithful version of the Ger/CB/1915 design study

2007-11-17T16:19:00.000-08:00

I was looking at the three pages with information about the Ger/CB/1915 design study, and I thought that I needed to try a more faithful representation of the original design. This ended up as a 35 knot battlecruiser with 6-16.5in/45 and 12-6in/50 QF guns. The belt is 8in, inclined at 17 degrees, and is very short. The deck armour is 4in. The torpedo bulkhead is a thin 1.35in, although it is not explicitly listed. I decided that must be right, as there is another place where that thickness is used for splinter protection. The design obviously depends non lightweight machinery:

Ger/CB/1915 design study, Germany Battlecruiser laid down 1915 (Engine 1937)

Displacement:
 38,189 t light; 39,831 t standard; 42,429 t normal; 44,507 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (907.86 ft / 900.00 ft) x 100.00 ft x (30.00 / 31.16 ft)
 (276.72 m / 274.32 m) x 30.48 m  x (9.14 / 9.50 m)

Armament:
      6 - 16.50" / 419 mm 45.0 cal guns - 2,265.00lbs / 1,027.39kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1915 Model
   2 x Single mounts on centreline, forward deck forward
  1 raised mount - superfiring
      12 - 6.00" / 152 mm 50.0 cal guns - 114.33lbs / 51.86kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1915 Model
   2 x Twin mounts on sides, forward deck forward
   4 x Twin mounts on sides, aft deck forward
      Weight of broadside 14,962 lbs / 6,787 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 8.00" / 203 mm 415.00 ft / 126.49 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 8.00" / 203 mm 295.00 ft / 89.92 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 71 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  1.35" / 34 mm 415.00 ft / 126.49 m 30.00 ft / 9.14 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 8.00" / 203 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  8.00" / 203 mm
 2nd: 5.00" / 127 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  5.00" / 127 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 4.00" / 102 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 4.00" / 102 mm  Quarter deck: 4.00" / 102 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 8.00" / 203 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 259,880 shp / 193,871 Kw = 35.00 kts
 Range 7,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,676 tons

Complement:
 1,477 - 1,921

Cost:
 £5.463 million / $21.851 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 3,000 tons, 7.1 %
 Armour: 10,236 tons, 24.1 %
    - Belts: 2,083 tons, 4.9 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 622 tons, 1.5 %
    - Armament: 2,641 tons, 6.2 %
    - Armour Deck: 4,680 tons, 11.0 %
    - Conning Tower: 210 tons, 0.5 %
 Machinery: 7,203 tons, 17.0 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 17,749 tons, 41.8 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 4,240 tons, 10.0 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   59,966 lbs / 27,200 Kg = 26.7 x 16.5 " / 419 mm shells or 6.6 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.10
 Metacentric height 6.0 ft / 1.8 m
 Roll period: 17.1 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 62 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.85
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.24

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   an extended bulbous bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.550 / 0.555
 Length to Beam Ratio: 9.00 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 30.00 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 53 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 12.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 25.00 %,  37.00 ft / 11.28 m,  32.00 ft / 9.75 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  32.00 ft / 9.75 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Aft deck: 20.00 %,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Quarter deck: 25.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Average freeboard:  29.30 ft / 8.93 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 106.6 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 247.9 %
 Waterplane Area: 62,810 Square feet or 5,835 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 111 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 202 lbs/sq ft or 989 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.96
  - Longitudinal: 1.40
  - 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

Another run at a Ger/CB/1915 design

2007-11-13T17:12:00.000-08:00

There is an interesting 900ft long German battlecruiser in "The Red Book", part of my papers from the early 1970's. The ship is armed with 6-16.5in guns forward and 12-6in guns in turrets. There is minimal armour and a high speed. This is my latest attempt at a Springsharp design:

Ger/CB/1915, Germany Battlecruiser laid down 1915 (Engine 1927)

Displacement:
 40,097 t light; 42,248 t standard; 45,198 t normal; 47,558 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (907.65 ft / 900.00 ft) x 105.00 ft x (31.00 / 32.26 ft)
 (276.65 m / 274.32 m) x 32.00 m  x (9.45 / 9.83 m)

Armament:
      6 - 16.50" / 419 mm 45.0 cal guns - 2,265.21lbs / 1,027.48kg shells, 150 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1915 Model
   2 x Triple mounts on centreline, forward deck forward
      12 - 6.00" / 152 mm 50.0 cal guns - 114.33lbs / 51.86kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1915 Model
   2 x Twin mounts on sides, forward deck aft
   4 x Twin mounts on sides, aft deck forward
      Weight of broadside 14,963 lbs / 6,787 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 8.00" / 203 mm 420.00 ft / 128.02 m 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
 Upper: 5.00" / 127 mm 345.00 ft / 105.16 m 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
   Main Belt covers 72 % of normal length
   Main belt does not fully cover magazines and engineering spaces

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 420.00 ft / 128.02 m 31.00 ft / 9.45 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 8.00" / 203 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  8.00" / 203 mm
 2nd: 5.00" / 127 mm 4.00" / 102 mm  5.00" / 127 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 3.00" / 76 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 3.00" / 76 mm  Quarter deck: 3.00" / 76 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 8.00" / 203 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 6 shafts, 303,169 shp / 226,164 Kw = 36.00 kts
 Range 7,500nm at 16.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 5,310 tons

Complement:
 1,549 - 2,014

Cost:
 £6.042 million / $24.168 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 2,526 tons, 5.6 %
 Armour: 9,515 tons, 21.1 %
    - Belts: 2,443 tons, 5.4 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 963 tons, 2.1 %
    - Armament: 2,243 tons, 5.0 %
    - Armour Deck: 3,648 tons, 8.1 %
    - Conning Tower: 219 tons, 0.5 %
 Machinery: 9,570 tons, 21.2 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 18,487 tons, 40.9 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,101 tons, 11.3 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   57,840 lbs / 26,236 Kg = 25.8 x 16.5 " / 419 mm shells or 6.3 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.23
 Metacentric height 7.8 ft / 2.4 m
 Roll period: 15.7 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 57 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.60
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.13

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has low quarterdeck ,
   an extended bulbous bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.540 / 0.546
 Length to Beam Ratio: 8.57 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 30.00 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 55 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 12.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  36.00 ft / 10.97 m,  32.00 ft / 9.75 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  32.00 ft / 9.75 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Aft deck: 13.00 %,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m,  30.00 ft / 9.14 m
    - Quarter deck: 37.00 %,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m,  23.00 ft / 7.01 m
    - Average freeboard:  28.43 ft / 8.67 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 121.0 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 246.6 %
 Waterplane Area: 65,336 Square feet or 6,070 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 107 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 201 lbs/sq ft or 984 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.96
  - Longitudinal: 1.36
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is cramped
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent

The Ger/BB/1905 flush deck alternative design

2007-11-09T17:55:00.000-08:00

I have this design study and sketch for a flush-decked German battleship that looks more like a 1916 ship than a 1905 ship. The photograph of one if these ships is a pretty accurate depiction. This is what the original specification looked like:

Ger/BB/1905    Ships "A", "B", and "C" to be laid down in 1905
20,000 tons   490ft
19 knots
21,500 tons normal
27,900 SHP normal
33,500 SHP max
Dimensions: 490ft x 90ft x 29.9ft max, 27.6ft light
Hull depth=54ft
12in belt, 4in+3in decks
turrets 8in top, 8in face, 6in sides and rear
Barbettes 12in
Guns: 8-12in/45  12-6in 45
Weights:
  6920 tons Hull
   930 tons Machinery
   720 tons Aux Machinery
  1216 tons Armament
  8614 tons Protection
  1600 tons Misc

This is my Springsharp report:

Ger/BB/1905 Flush Deck, Germany Battleship laid down 1905 (Engine 1921)

Displacement:
 16,831 t light; 17,661 t standard; 19,535 t normal; 21,034 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (490.00 ft / 490.00 ft) x 90.00 ft x (28.50 / 30.21 ft)
 (149.35 m / 149.35 m) x 27.43 m  x (8.69 / 9.21 m)

Armament:
      8 - 12.00" / 305 mm 45.0 cal guns - 850.00lbs / 385.55kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1905 Model
   4 x Twin mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread
  2 raised mounts - superfiring
      12 - 6.00" / 152 mm 45.0 cal guns - 100.00lbs / 45.36kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in casemate mounts, 1905 Model
   12 x Twin mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      Weight of broadside 8,000 lbs / 3,629 kg

Armour:
   - Belts:  Width (max) Length (avg)  Height (avg)
 Main: 12.0" / 305 mm 300.00 ft / 91.44 m 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
 Ends: Unarmoured
   Main Belt covers 94 % of normal length

   - Torpedo Bulkhead:
  2.00" / 51 mm 300.00 ft / 91.44 m 28.50 ft / 8.69 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 8.00" / 203 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  12.0" / 305 mm
 2nd: 6.00" / 152 mm 6.00" / 152 mm  6.00" / 152 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 4.00" / 102 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 4.00" / 102 mm  Quarter deck: 4.00" / 102 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 12.00" / 305 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Direct drive, 4 shafts, 28,177 shp / 21,020 Kw = 21.00 kts
 Range 8,800nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 3,373 tons

Complement:
 826 - 1,074

Cost:
 £1.437 million / $5.749 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 1,424 tons, 7.3 %
 Armour: 7,942 tons, 40.7 %
    - Belts: 2,773 tons, 14.2 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 633 tons, 3.2 %
    - Armament: 2,066 tons, 10.6 %
    - Armour Deck: 2,283 tons, 11.7 %
    - Conning Tower: 188 tons, 1.0 %
 Machinery: 970 tons, 5.0 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 6,494 tons, 33.2 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 2,704 tons, 13.8 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   39,822 lbs / 18,063 Kg = 46.1 x 12.0 " / 305 mm shells or 8.5 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.19
 Metacentric height 5.9 ft / 1.8 m
 Roll period: 15.6 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 82 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.59
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.65

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   a normal bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.544 / 0.553
 Length to Beam Ratio: 5.44 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 22.14 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 49 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 0.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  22.00 ft / 6.71 m,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m
    - Aft deck: 35.00 %,  19.00 ft / 5.79 m,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m,  18.00 ft / 5.49 m
    - Average freeboard:  19.97 ft / 6.09 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 64.2 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 137.1 %
 Waterplane Area: 30,604 Square feet or 2,843 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 117 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 162 lbs/sq ft or 790 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.91
  - Longitudinal: 2.45
  - Overall: 1.00
 Hull space for machinery, storage, compartmentation is excellent
 Room for accommodation and workspaces is excellent
 Ship has slow, easy roll, a good, steady gun platform
 Excellent seaboat, comfortable, can fire her guns in the heaviest weather

The Ger/BB/1915 design

2007-11-07T18:03:00.000-08:00

The Ger/BB/1915 design is one where I greatly underestimated the speed that was possible with the specified power. This is a 750ft long ship of about 60,000 tons. The armament is 9-18 and 24-5in guns. The power was specified as 120,000 SHP, but the 26 knots is what Springsharp says is the top speed for that power. I had thought it would only make 20 knots. This is a much better ship than I had thought possible:

Ger/BB/1915, Germany Battleship laid down 1915 (Engine 1941)

Displacement:
 56,211 t light; 59,010 t standard; 61,470 t normal; 63,437 t full load

Dimensions: Length (overall / waterline) x beam x draught (normal/deep)
 (758.84 ft / 750.00 ft) x 130.00 ft x (34.00 / 34.92 ft)
 (231.30 m / 228.60 m) x 39.62 m  x (10.36 / 10.64 m)

Armament:
      9 - 18.00" / 457 mm 45.0 cal guns - 3,200.00lbs / 1,451.50kg shells, 90 per gun
   Breech loading guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1915 Model
   3 x Triple mounts on centreline ends, majority forward
  1 raised mount - superfiring
      24 - 5.00" / 127 mm 50.0 cal guns - 65.00lbs / 29.48kg shells, 150 per gun
   Quick firing guns in turret on barbette mounts, 1915 Model
   12 x Twin mounts on sides, forward deck aft
      Weight of broadside 30,360 lbs / 13,771 kg

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 34.00 ft / 10.36 m

   - Gun armour: Face (max) Other gunhouse (avg) Barbette/hoist (max)
 Main: 18.0" / 457 mm 12.0" / 305 mm  18.0" / 457 mm
 2nd: 5.00" / 127 mm 3.00" / 76 mm  5.00" / 127 mm

   - Armoured deck - multiple decks: 6.00" / 152 mm For and Aft decks
 Forecastle: 6.00" / 152 mm  Quarter deck: 6.00" / 152 mm

   - Conning towers: Forward 18.00" / 457 mm,  Aft 0.00" / 0 mm

Machinery:
 Oil fired boilers, steam turbines, 
 Geared drive, 4 shafts, 119,142 shp / 88,880 Kw = 26.00 kts
 Range 6,500nm at 15.00 kts
 Bunker at max displacement = 4,427 tons

Complement:
 1,951 - 2,537

Cost:
 £7.334 million / $29.337 million

Distribution of weights at normal displacement:
 Armament: 4,501 tons, 7.3 %
 Armour: 25,361 tons, 41.3 %
    - Belts: 5,760 tons, 9.4 %
    - Torpedo bulkhead: 4,026 tons, 6.5 %
    - Armament: 6,622 tons, 10.8 %
    - Armour Deck: 8,350 tons, 13.6 %
    - Conning Tower: 604 tons, 1.0 %
 Machinery: 3,149 tons, 5.1 %
 Hull, fittings & equipment: 23,200 tons, 37.7 %
 Fuel, ammunition & stores: 5,259 tons, 8.6 %
 Miscellaneous weights: 0 tons, 0.0 %

Overall survivability and seakeeping ability:
 Survivability (Non-critical penetrating hits needed to sink ship):
   115,696 lbs / 52,479 Kg = 39.7 x 18.0 " / 457 mm shells or 27.5 torpedoes
 Stability (Unstable if below 1.00): 1.23
 Metacentric height 10.8 ft / 3.3 m
 Roll period: 16.6 seconds
 Steadiness - As gun platform (Average = 50 %): 68 %
   - Recoil effect (Restricted arc if above 1.00): 0.59
 Seaboat quality  (Average = 1.00): 1.35

Hull form characteristics:
 Hull has a flush deck,
   an extended bulbous bow and a cruiser stern
 Block coefficient (normal/deep): 0.649 / 0.652
 Length to Beam Ratio: 5.77 : 1
 'Natural speed' for length: 27.39 kts
 Power going to wave formation at top speed: 51 %
 Trim (Max stability = 0, Max steadiness = 100): 50
 Bow angle (Positive = bow angles forward): 15.00 degrees
 Stern overhang: 0.00 ft / 0.00 m
 Freeboard (% = length of deck as a percentage of waterline length):
    Fore end,  Aft end
    - Forecastle: 20.00 %,  33.00 ft / 10.06 m,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m
    - Forward deck: 30.00 %,  29.00 ft / 8.84 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Aft deck: 35.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Quarter deck: 15.00 %,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m,  25.00 ft / 7.62 m
    - Average freeboard:  26.72 ft / 8.14 m

Ship space, strength and comments:
 Space - Hull below water (magazines/engines, low = better): 66.1 %
  - Above water (accommodation/working, high = better): 188.9 %
 Waterplane Area: 74,622 Square feet or 6,933 Square metres
 Displacement factor (Displacement / loading): 108 %
 Structure weight / hull surface area: 249 lbs/sq ft or 1,214 Kg/sq metre
 Hull strength (Relative):
  - Cross-sectional: 0.94
  - Longitudinal: 1.77
  - 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