Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:00:42-2:01:53

What a higher treaty limit could do to Nelson and Rodney

If completed Admiral-class ships forced a 40,000- to 45,000-ton treaty ceiling, Nelson and Rodney could become substantially faster or more heavily armed.

Admiral Class BattlecruisersNaval DesignNelson Class BattleshipsWashington Naval Treaty
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Question

How might Nelson and Rodney differ if the treaty limit rose after four Admirals entered service?

Short answer

They could be about 38,500 tons and use the extra displacement for much greater speed or a heavier 16-inch battery.

Notes

Four 40,000-ton Admirals in service would make a 35,000-ton standard difficult to defend as the universal benchmark. British designers would probably preserve a safety margin and might settle around 38,500 tons. Roughly 7,000 extra tons could support speed near 28 knots or perhaps a fourth triple 16-inch turret. Treaty displacement is a design input that changes the whole balance of speed, weapons, and protection.