Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 33:42-35:55

What higher battleship-gun elevation would cost

A question about coastal-gun elevation shows why longer range could demand a larger beam, hull, and machinery package at sea.

Naval GunneryQueen Elizabeth Class BattleshipsShip Design
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Question

How would First World War capital ships change if their 15-inch guns had coastal-battery elevation and range?

Short answer

They could engage at longer range, but accommodating the mountings while retaining speed would likely require wider and longer ships.

Notes

Early shipboard 15-inch mountings elevated to about 20 degrees, while comparable coastal mountings could reach roughly 40 degrees. The higher angle would extend the gun's range. A fast capital ship would need the stability and internal space to carry the larger mounting without sacrificing speed. The result would probably be a wider and longer Queen Elizabeth-class design and an even bigger Hood.