A 1938 speed refit for Nelson and Rodney

What could a full 1938 refit do for Nelson and Rodney's speed and wartime value?

Modern boilers and a lengthened hull might lift their dependable speed to roughly 25 or 26 knots, making German escape much harder.

A comprehensive refit could replace the machinery and, if the hull were lengthened, improve the ships' reliable all-weather speed by several knots. The estimate is about 25 or 26 knots in place of the declared 23-knot safe maximum. That extra speed matters because Rodney historically came close to catching Gneisenau. A faster Nelson-class battleship could force a battle in which its nine 16-inch guns and heavy protection confronted Gneisenau's nine 11-inch guns.