Two single 5-inch guns became a familiar American warship arrangement. The suggested balance combines useful gun power and automation with a visible presence during diplomatic visits. The proposed explanation for that visual effect is that a barrel appearing close to the size of a visitor's head makes a strong impression. This is explicitly a personal impression, without statistical evidence or a survey of visitors to substantiate it. The automatic mounting also provided a practical development beyond earlier generations of naval guns.
Notable Point · 42:57-44:27
The 5-inch gun's automation and perceived diplomatic effect
The case for the 5-inch gun includes automation and a suggested visual effect on visitors, with an explicit caveat that the latter lacks statistical support.