What would be the worst design prototype to give First Sea Lord Fisher if the goal was not to make the world fear the United Kingdom?
Short answerA proposed Dreadnought with five triple 14-inch turrets, superfiring positions, and a slimmer hull capable of an estimated 24 knots would greatly raise the benchmark for rivals.
NotesThe proposed Dreadnought combines five triple 14-inch turrets with superfiring arrangements fore and aft. Removing the wing turrets would permit a longer, slimmer hull, with a suggested speed of 24 knots instead of 21. That would establish a much more demanding benchmark for rival dreadnought programmes. The firepower comparison is qualified: three 14-inch guns are treated as comparable in some respects to four 12-inch guns. On that basis, each triple turret would approach the main-battery firepower of a pre-dreadnought armed with two twin 12-inch turrets. The historical Dreadnought is judged intimidating while still giving rivals a more attainable standard.