The proposed ship begins with nine 16.5-inch main guns and a heavy armour scheme, but the initial arrangement leaves no secondary battery. That outcome is rejected because the fleet expects capital ships to carry weapons suitable for engaging smaller attackers. Reducing the main belt from 16 inches to 15 inches releases roughly a thousand tons for six-inch guns and their supporting arrangements. The design makes the trade visible: armour, anti-destroyer firepower, stability, range, and speed all compete for the same weight margin.
Chapter · 2:09:18-2:12:52
Balancing armour, secondary guns, and speed
The design session trades a thicker main belt against enough six-inch secondary guns, showing the compromises inside a fast capital ship.