Q&A · 1:41:46-1:44:29

How a British two-inch gun progression reshapes Washington

Earlier British 14- and 16-inch generations would give Britain a dominant large-gun inventory and force a different treaty bargain.

Question

How would British capital ships and the Washington treaty change if each gun generation increased by two inches?

Short answer

Britain would enter the treaty era with a huge 16-inch advantage, forcing American catch-up and a substantially different settlement.

Notes

A two-inch rather than one-and-a-half-inch caliber progression would give the Orion class 14-inch guns and the Queen Elizabeth class 16-inch guns. By the Washington conference Britain could possess thirteen 16-inch capital ships against only three American Colorados. That imbalance would make the historical treaty settlement untenable and probably allow more American construction before limits took effect.