Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:52:34-2:53:28

Q&A: could Nelson fire all nine guns ahead?

C turret could not fire over B within its 30-degree elevation limit, though a reversed superfiring arrangement might have allowed all three turrets to bear ahead.

16-inch GunsNaval GunneryNelson Class BattleshipsShip Design
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Question

Could Nelson and Rodney fire all nine 16-inch guns straight ahead at high elevation?

Short answer

No. C turret could not clear B within its 30-degree elevation limit; a different turret order might have allowed it.

Notes

Nelson's C turret sat behind and below the raised B turret, so its guns could not clear B even at the class's maximum elevation of about 30 degrees. The discussion considers reversing that relationship by raising C and placing B nearer A. Such an arrangement might have let both after turrets fire over A toward the bow. This remains a design preference rather than a claim that the completed ships possessed a nine-gun directly ahead salvo.