Churchill's naval scheme might have worked if Britain had accepted much greater risk to old battleships. The pre-dreadnoughts would be treated as expendable minefield breakers rather than preserved as normal fleet units. Closing watertight doors, filling outer spaces with concrete, and reducing crews were ways to improve their odds before the attempt. Success depended on accepting that some of the modified ships would be lost.
Notable Point · 3:42:13-3:42:42
Could expendable pre-dreadnoughts have forced the Dardanelles?
A naval plan might have worked if Britain accepted using old battleships as expendable minefield breakers.