Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:46:14-2:46:58

What modern navies could do with returned old cruisers

Most returned prewar cruisers would become museum ships, while a vessel with supportable 6-inch armament might retain a limited role.

6-inch GunsCounterfactual HistoryCruisersMuseum ShipsWarship Preservation
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Question

How could modern navies use several prewar cruisers and their crews if they suddenly returned today?

Short answer

Most would become museum ships, though Arethusa might find a limited role because her 6-inch ammunition remains supportable.

Notes

The counterfactual returns Hawkins, Arethusa, an Elswick cruiser, and their crews to the present. The oldest and least supportable ships would go directly into museums while their crews underwent rapid education about the modern world. Arethusa might find a limited practical role because ammunition for her 6-inch guns could still be obtained. Hawkins would be poor even for gunnery training because her individually mounted guns no longer resemble current systems. Ammunition compatibility and mission utility, rather than mere seaworthiness, decide whether an old hull could do anything beyond preservation.