Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 30:07-32:53

Could a Clemson-class destroyer sink a wooden first rate?

Four-inch ammunition choice governs this counterfactual fight: high-explosive shells should devastate L'Orient, while armour-piercing rounds might pass through its wooden hull.

Armour Piercing ShellsClemson Class DestroyersHigh Explosive ShellsL’OrientNaval GunneryShips of the Line
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Question

How quickly would a Clemson-class destroyer sink a 120-gun ship of the line such as L'Orient?

Short answer

High-explosive ammunition is expected to destroy L'Orient very quickly; armour-piercing rounds might pass through its wooden hull with less destructive effect.

Notes

The hypothetical matchup assumes a Clemson-class destroyer of the First World War era, armed with four-inch guns. High-explosive ammunition is expected to destroy the wooden first rate very quickly. Armour-piercing shells might pass through the wooden hull and emerge from the other side, making their destructive effect less certain. Modern guns also allow the destroyer to engage beyond the sailing ship's effective range. A further suggestion is that star shell could set L'Orient on fire, making ammunition choice central to the comparison.