Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:45:33-1:46:21

A 170-gun first rate starts a qualitative arms race

Quite late in the proposed scenario, although rival construction could prevent her remaining the largest ship and start a new qualitative arms race.

Age Of SailAlternate HistoryFirst Rate Ships Of The LineNaval Arms RaceWarrior Class Ironclads
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Question

When would the hypothetical 170-gun, four-deck HMS Duke of Kent be broken up during the transition from sail to steam?

Short answer

Quite late in the proposed scenario, although rival construction could prevent her remaining the largest ship and start a new qualitative arms race.

Notes

The hypothetical HMS Duke of Kent is expected to survive until quite late in the transition from sail to steam. Her 170 guns and four decks would also invite a response from France, Spain, and other powers unwilling to concede the prestige of the largest warship. That could produce a qualitative competition in ship size and armament. In the resulting scenario, even HMS Warrior is expected to become a two-deck ship.