Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 34:02-35:13

The prestige cost of Nelson's 16-inch guns

A 15-inch/50 alternative is judged more useful for the Second World War because it could retain similar protection while adding about five knots.

Naval GunneryNelson Class BattleshipsRoyal NavyWarship Design
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Question

Why did Nelson and Rodney receive 16-inch guns instead of a faster 15-inch alternative?

Short answer

Political prestige is the explanation offered, despite the estimated five-knot speed advantage available from a 15-inch/50 alternative.

Notes

Political prestige is offered as the reason Nelson and Rodney received 16-inch guns. A 15-inch/50 alternative could have supported a ship of roughly 28 knots while retaining similar protection and subdivision. The larger-calibre choice is judged to have cost about five knots. In this assessment, the practical difference between the two weapons in Second World War service would have been too small to justify losing that speed.