Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:07:59-1:08:44

The hidden thousand-ton cost of Nelson's torpedoes

Removing Nelson's torpedoes would save far more than the launchers themselves because the surrounding machinery and hull arrangement were designed around them.

Naval ArchitectureNelson Class BattleshipsRoyal NavyShip DesignTorpedoes
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Question

How much displacement did the Nelson-class torpedo installation consume, and what could have replaced it?

Short answer

Its cumulative design penalty was about 1,000 tons, potentially enough to support a third shaft or other major machinery changes.

Notes

The direct weight of the torpedo system understates its architectural cost. The estimate given is roughly 1,000 tons once displaced machinery, internal arrangement, and hull shaping are included. That margin could support a third shaft or substantially different machinery without exceeding the ship's approximate standard displacement.