The design story begins with the longer, smoother hull form of HMS Dreadnought and the growing dominance of armor and barbettes. That comparison shows how rapidly capital-ship proportions changed before the First World War. The Battle of the Falklands then demonstrated the need for fast ships able to pursue commerce raiders across long distances. These experiences introduce the competing demands for range, speed, protection, and firepower that produced the G3 and N3 studies.
Chapter · 12:44-18:16
From Dreadnought to the postwar capital-ship problem
Changing hull and armor arrangements preceded the wartime experience that shaped the next British capital ships.