Jellicoe wanted a gunnery-control position with a view around the ship, including astern. Mast placement also had to satisfy stability calculations and allow separation between the gunnery position and bridge structure. A mast's position relative to the forward funnel could leave smoke obstructing the view used for fire control. The intended arrangement relied on the ship moving fast enough to carry smoke aft while the elevated gunnery position remained above it. The disagreement involved assumptions about operating conditions as well as the physical placement of the mast.
Chapter · 39:03-41:08
Jellicoe's all-round view and the funnel-smoke problem
The Orion-class mast arrangement balanced all-round observation, separation from the bridge and stability against the danger of funnel smoke obscuring fire control.