Why did the Canopus-class pre-dreadnought have a range of only about 2,980 miles?
Short answerIts designers did not prioritize or arrange long-range endurance as effectively as in the longer-ranged comparison class.
NotesThe Canopus class's shorter range reflects a weaker emphasis on extreme endurance. Its machinery and fuel arrangements were not organized around the same long-range objective as the Swiftsure comparison. British pre-dreadnoughts did not share one automatic cruising standard; range followed the priorities and compromises of each design. The brief answer does not identify one defective component or offer a full engineering breakdown.