Q&A · 2:18:22-2:20:43

What twin six-inch turrets would do to Britain's prewar cruiser fleet

Twin six-inch turrets would amplify the Royal Navy's unusually large cruiser force and create powerful Town- or C-class layouts before Jutland.

Question

How would prewar twin six-inch turrets change British cruiser development?

Short answer

They would make the world's largest cruiser force much more powerful and encourage heavily armed Town- or C-class layouts.

Notes

A twin enclosed six-inch installation would be a turret rather than an open-backed mount. Giving Britain that system before the First World War would make its already large light-cruiser force considerably more dangerous. Unlike Germany and the United States, Britain continued building cruisers while also expanding its battle line. A Town-class arrangement with wing and superfiring turrets could place roughly eight guns on the broadside and six ahead or astern, producing a miniature capital-ship layout.