Q&A · 3:01:49-3:02:33

Kawachi versus Nassau as an early dreadnought design

Kawachi receives the worse verdict because its main battery mixed gun performance, while Nassau's uniform guns count in its favour despite criticism of the wing turrets.

Question

Which was the worse early dreadnought design, Kawachi or the Nassau class?

Short answer

Kawachi receives the worse verdict because its main battery mixed gun performance, while Nassau's uniform guns count in its favour despite criticism of the wing turrets.

Notes

Kawachi is judged the worse of the two early dreadnought designs. Nassau's main guns were at least uniform, whereas Kawachi's mixed barrel lengths complicated range and sighting, as the earlier answer explains. Nassau still receives criticism for its wing turrets. The preference rests on the consistency of the German main battery despite that disliked layout.