Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:34:00-1:34:37

Could deleting Nelson's torpedoes fund more speed?

Removing the torpedoes would save useful but insufficient weight; combined with Nelson's margin below the treaty ceiling, it might support extra propulsion machinery.

Naval PropulsionNelson Class BattleshipsShip DesignWashington Naval Treaty
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Question

How much weight could Nelson save by deleting its torpedoes, and what should replace them?

Short answer

Some, but not enough by itself. Combined with the treaty margin, the saving could support an investigation of a third shaft, turbine, and more boilers.

Notes

Deleting Nelson's torpedoes would save some weight, but too little to transform propulsion by itself. The estimated saving is a couple of hundred tons, which could combine with the roughly 1,200-ton margin below the treaty ceiling. The preferred use for that allowance is additional boilers and propulsion machinery. Whether roughly 1,400 tons could accommodate another shaft, turbine set, and boilers remains an open design question.