Q&A · 9:36-11:17

Superfiring Invincible at Jutland

A Jutland counterfactual uses a damaged Invincible to discuss flag transfer, battle tempo, and how early superfiring layouts could reshape Royal Navy capital ships.

Question

If a superfiring Invincible is crippled by a midships boiler-room hit at Jutland, does Admiral Hood withdraw, and who could Jellicoe detach to escort her?

Short answer

Hood probably transfers his flag and orders Invincible to withdraw as the battle moves past her. No escort is specified.

Notes

An amidships boiler-room hit would leave Invincible too slow to keep pace, but Hood would probably transfer his flag and order her home. The battle would probably move past the damaged ship, and no particular escort is identified. Putting superfiring turrets into the Invincible design this early also implies that subsequent dreadnoughts and battlecruisers adopt the layout. Longer, narrower hulls could make that alternate Royal Navy fleet about one knot faster.