G3, N3, and the limits of gun-calibre classifications

Does G3's 16-inch armament, compared with N3's 18-inch guns, undermine the distinction between a battlecruiser and a large cruiser?

In this classification, both calibres remain within the contemporary capital-ship range; dock limits explain the G3 choice, while Alaska's 12-inch guns lie much farther below the battleship standard.

The G3's 16-inch guns and the N3's 18-inch guns are treated as weapons within the same contemporary capital-ship range. The difference is explained through the need to fit the ships into existing dry docks: an 18-inch-gunned G3 would have needed a larger dock. The discussion also recalls an earlier 16.5-inch proposal before a reduction to 16 inches in anticipation of a treaty limit. Alaska's 12-inch guns against a 16-inch battleship standard represent a much larger separation. The Lord Nelson class supplies an earlier comparison, with 12-inch main guns and 9.2-inch secondaries of a calibre also used as cruiser main armament.