How would Lord Nelson compare with USS South Carolina?
Short answerNeither had enough speed to control the battle easily; Lord Nelson gains at shorter range through its 9.2-inch battery, while South Carolina benefits if it keeps the range open.
NotesBoth designs make about 18 knots. Their similar low speed limits either side's ability to dictate the engagement range. Lord Nelson's 9.2-inch battery could become decisive at closer range. South Carolina instead needs to exploit its longer-ranged 12-inch guns while keeping the distance open, making positioning and range control more important than the simple pre-dreadnought-versus-dreadnought label.