The comparison sets Incomparable's 35 knots and six 20-inch guns against the G3's 32 knots, nine 16.5-inch guns, and stronger protection. Viable engagement range depends on fire control as well as nominal ballistic reach, so the smaller-calibre battery could range faster and put more shells into the air. Incomparable could use its three-knot advantage to disengage, but that speed would not make it safer while it remained in the fight. More shells create more chances of a hit that slows, disables, or catastrophically harms the lightly protected battlecruiser. Dogger Bank and other First World War actions had already shown the importance of landing damaging hits instead of relying on gun size alone.
Chapter · 19:58-24:09
Incomparable versus G3: calibre against volume of fire
The comparison with the G3 argues that nine faster-firing 16.5-inch guns and heavier armour may be more dangerous in practice than six 20-inch guns.