How would the Iowa class change if it carried three quadruple main-gun turrets?
Short answerThe ship would need more beam or length, but Panama Canal width and dry-dock length would make either solution difficult.
NotesQuadruple turrets require more beam and supporting structure than Iowa's historical triple mounts. Making the hull wider would intensify stability and fitting problems while colliding with the Panama Canal limit. Lengthening the ship could recover the necessary proportions without more beam, but might make the hull too long for available dry docks. The design problem therefore cannot be solved by changing the gunhouse alone: canal and dock infrastructure constrain the battleship's entire geometry.