Available technology cannot yet support the desired fast capital ship, so the first design is a small coastal battleship. Speed falls from the hoped-for 18 knots to 15 while limited gun positions, stability, and weight shape the rest of the design. Twelve-inch main guns and smaller weapons give the ship some fighting value, although it remains a basic interim model. These ships maintain capital-ship numbers while machinery and cruiser research catches up.
Notable Point · 3:58-10:37
Building a usable coastal battleship from limited technology
Early American construction compromises on speed, armament, protection, and stability to produce a usable capital ship from limited technology.