Designing separate near-station and distant-station battleships

The distant-station design receives strong protection but is not meant for mass production like the near-station class. Its greater independence and limited numbers justify a different balance of endurance, armor, and cost from ships that can rely on nearby bases and fleet support. Persistent pitch problems prevent the concept from becoming acceptable under the current hull and machinery limits. Construction is deferred until later technology can support the desired combination of speed and fighting power, which is already pushing the program toward a fast battleship.