Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:39:03-2:43:21

A 1912 US policy change could arm Pennsylvania with 16-inch guns

With congressional approval, the class might exchange twelve 14-inch guns for eight 16-inch weapons and provoke an immediate British caliber response.

Alternate HistoryNaval Arms RaceNaval GunneryPennsylvania Class BattleshipsQueen Elizabeth Class BattleshipsUS Navy
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Question

Could a different US Secretary of the Navy in 1912 lead Pennsylvania and later standards to carry 16-inch guns?

Short answer

Possibly, if Congress funded it; Pennsylvania might carry eight 16-inch guns and trigger a larger British response.

Notes

The US Navy was already interested in heavier guns, so a different civilian decision before funding and construction could plausibly change the class. The likely arrangement would replace four triple 14-inch turrets with four twin 16-inch mountings. Announcing that program while the Queen Elizabeth class was being finalized would pressure Britain to accelerate its own 16.5-inch work rather than remain with the 15-inch/42. The answer keeps Congress as the essential constraint because technical interest alone did not authorize the ships.