Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:45:14-2:48:12

When capable ships look awkward

USS Long Beach, Juan Carlos I and related amphibious ships, and modern survey vessels prompt different judgments about capable ships with awkward silhouettes.

Canberra Class Landing Helicopter DocksHocheJuan Carlos I Class Amphibious Assault ShipsOceanographic Survey ShipsTCG AnadoluUSS Long Beach (CGN-9)Warship AestheticsWarship Design
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Question

What is the most capable ship you find aesthetically horrid?

Short answer

The choices include USS Long Beach, Juan Carlos I and related amphibious ships, and modern helipad-equipped survey vessels. The participants treat appearance as a matter of personal taste.

Notes

Fighting or working capability can diverge sharply from appearance. One speaker chooses USS Long Beach because her stacked, box-like superstructure looks awkward despite the damage she could deliver. Hoche is rejected as an example of high capability because her technology and layout were already dated when she entered service. Her three half-sisters were redesigned to take advantage of newer shipbuilding ideas. Another participant objects to the boxy form of Juan Carlos I and related amphibious ships, naming the Canberra class and Anadolu as further examples. Modern helipad-equipped oceanographic survey vessels are another choice, their working requirements producing a silhouette one participant particularly dislikes. These judgments concern appearance, and the speakers acknowledge that their preferences differ.