Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:29:11

The cost of a 16-gun Hawkins-class cruiser

A hypothetical 16-gun Hawkins class illustrates how quickly extra heavy guns drive a cruiser toward large-cruiser displacement without a proportionate return.

8-inch GunsAlaska Class Large CruisersCruisersHawkins Class Heavy CruisersWarship Design
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Question

How much larger would Hawkins-class cruisers need to be for sixteen 8-inch guns in four quadruple mounts?

Short answer

Probably near Alaska-class size, around 25,000 to 30,000 tons or more, and not an efficient return for the added guns.

Notes

Four quadruple 8-inch turrets would force Hawkins far beyond the scale of an ordinary cruiser. The panel estimates a ship near Alaska-class displacement, roughly 25,000 to 30,000 tons or more depending on the final design. The larger hull would have to carry the barrels, four heavy mountings, magazines, ammunition handling, and supporting structure. Sixteen guns are therefore judged an inefficient return for the displacement and complexity required.