Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:02:24-3:03:15

Designing Nelson and Rodney as fast battlecruisers

A fast Nelson-class design could enter service with a lighter armour fit and receive its intended protection later, trading early speed for eventual battleship strength.

BattlecruisersBattleship ArmourFitted For But Not WithNelson Class BattleshipsShip Speed
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Question

How could Nelson and Rodney be designed as fast 16-inch battlecruisers while retaining an upgrade path to heavier armour?

Short answer

Build them with provision for the intended armour, operate initially near 32 knots, and accept a drop toward 29 knots when the full protection is installed.

Notes

The answer proposes treating armour as fitted for but not initially fitted, using an external arrangement comparable in principle to later British practice. With the lighter early fit, the ships might make roughly 32 knots as battlecruisers. Installing the intended armour later would reduce speed toward 29 knots while improving protection. The concept turns the same hull into a staged design whose wartime role changes as weight is added.