Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:07:52-1:09:56

A treasure fleet or Tribal destroyer against the Armada

A Stuart-era treasure fleet could make Spain's reinforcements look formidable, while one Second World War Tribal destroyer would make the British advantage absurd.

Age Of SailCounterfactual HistoryDestroyersNaval GunnerySpanish ArmadaTechnology GapTribal Class Destroyers (1936)
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Question

Which force would make the Nelson-versus-Armada counterfactual even more one-sided?

Short answer

A Stuart-era treasure fleet could reinforce Spain and still be outclassed; on Britain's side, one Tribal-class destroyer could eliminate the Armada at range.

Notes

The counterfactual offers possibilities for both sides. A Stuart- or Dutch Wars-era treasure fleet might look powerful to the Armada's commanders if sent to help Spain, yet Nelson's Trafalgar fleet would still overwhelm it. On the British side, Nelson's entire force becomes unnecessary. A Second World War Tribal-class destroyer such as Cossack or Nubian could destroy the wooden sailing ships from beyond their effective reply, even before relying on its 4.7-inch guns or close-range weapons. Ramming might be physically possible, but it would add danger to a fight the destroyer could win safely from miles away.