The theoretical fourteen-gun broadside came with practical questions about firing every gun at once. Agincourt usually alternated between odd-numbered and even-numbered turrets instead of discharging all seven together. Because every turret sat on the centerline, she could bring many guns toward threats from most bearings without firing across her own deck. Only modest maneuvering was needed to point most of the battery toward an opponent. Agincourt is a useful contrast with wing-turret layouts whose nominal arcs could not be used safely.
Notable Point · 3:10-4:48
HMS Agincourt's seven centerline turrets
Agincourt's seven centerline turrets offered heavy fire across broad arcs without relying on hazardous cross-deck wing-turret fire.